Final Response

I admire the author, Khaled Hosseini, for crafting such multifaceted characters and successfully intriguing the reader with every twist and turn in the plot. The detail and imagery in the book is phenomenal, and Hosseini manages to create parallels that do not seem forced or unbelievable.
What impacted me most in the novel was its striking realism. In my opinion, the best kinds of stories are those that are have roots in real life. The events that took place in The Kite Runner, although devastating and gruesome, are difficult realities that all humans must come to face. The recognition of the atrocities that are so often committed in the world inevitably result in a loss of innocence, but they also allow for a deeper perception of beauty and kindness.
Amir's quest for redemption gives Sohrab a new life, where he will be free to heal and rebuild. Throughout the novel, the characters deal with desperation, guilt, and loss. It is their struggle to keep on living that teaches them values and the importance of family.
When Amir returns to visit Rahim, he is given an opportunity to be a hero. He is offered a quest, and like most heros, he initially rejects the adventure. In my opinion, the real story begins when Amir sets foot back in Afghanistan. For the first half of the novel, Amir behaves like the perfect antihero. He is given the opportunity to act several times, but he cannot take control of his own life. He is riddled with guilt and feels weak and insecure. Sohrab gives him a reason to take charge and become a man.
In a way, Amir's journey back to Kabul is a rebirth. He is given the chance to rectify his past mistakes, and does so with strength and determination.
In film school, the point in a movie where the actor and supporting actor are furthest apart is called the dynamic estrangement. There are two distinct dynamic estrangements in the novel. The first is when Hassan moves out of Amir's house, and the second is when Amir breaks his promise to Sohrab. The first estrangement is never rectified, but it is suggested that with time, the second will eventually heal.
The novel comes full circle with the final scene, when Amir runs the kite for Sohrab. More than anything, he hopes to regain his trust and love. He tells Sohrab, "For you, a thousand times over", suggesting that the loyalty Hassan pledged to Amir will now be returned. In the final line of the book, "I ran", Amir encapsulates his entire voyage. Throughout his life he ran away from guilt, fear, and punishment. On his quest, he realizes the time has come to run away from fear, and instead face it head on. Amir runs the kite for Sohrab because he is no longer imprisoned by his own fears; he has set himself free to fly among the kites in the sky.
Amir's character arc is well defined and drastic. He begins as a selfish young boy, desperate for his father's love and attention. He is cowardly, cruel, and close-minded; he is often embarrassed by his relationship with Hassan. In the end, he has matured greatly, and become the hero of his story. He is strong, brave, and kind to others. On his visit to Kabul, he emulates many of Baba's traits; he is generous to beggars on the street and gives money to Farid and his family. He is no longer concerned with society's opinion; he does not hesitate to scold the General for calling Sohrab "the Hazara boy".
After reading The Kite Runner, I feel a deep emotional connection with the characters. The story's biggest message, that one should never treat another as lesser because of their religion or race, strikes the reader profoundly.
The novel illustrates what happens when hatred and prejudice take over. The evils present in the book are a direct product of a skewed society. It reminds the reader that in war and loss, the people involved are more than just names printed in a newspaper. Each has a background, a desire, and a personal quest. I closed the book with a bittersweet feeling; I ached for the children that faced abuse and loss, and yet rejoiced in the fact that among the many evils, there is still some good to be found in the world. The Kite Runner is a novel I will certainly never forget; I believe the feeling that resonates from its message is one can last for a lifetime.