Response to Jon

I agree with Chow on most of his views on the Kite Runner. I also saw the connection between the Kite Runner and the lecture from the early this year about altruism. The question in the lecture was if any action can be truly unselfish. Chow argues that Amir’s venture to Afghanistan was primarily to see Rahim Khan, but he also had other objectives as well. Amir wanted to find out “how to be good again”. Chow argued that Amir went there partly to clear his own conscience about Hassan. This lecture point is emphasized again during the novel when Amir initially refused to save Hassan's son because he was worried that the trip would put his life in danger. Perhaps the only reason that he went to Kabul to save Sorhob was not for Hassan, Sorhob, and Rahim, but for a last chance of redemption and a piece of mind. This event in Kite Runner shows that Amir was no the expectation to the lecture.

Chow mentions in his post that Amir's personality transformed throughout the novel. A catalyst for a large change in Amir is the new and intense love for his nephew. Firstly, he is able to conquer his crippling cowardice. He was able to stand up for Sohrob and (at least try) to protect him from Assef. The beating from Assef is also another example of Amir's conquering his cowardice not for altruism but for his own selfish desire. Inside himself, for many years, Amir had the desire to get what he deserved for watching Assef rape Hassan. He tries to get Hassan to punish him, but Hassan refused to do so. In the end, Amir is able to put the needs of his nephew before his own needs.