Amir's Atonement

Amir has made plenty of mistakes in the first eleven chapters of Kite Runner. His biggest sin was definitely being silent during Hassan's rape. We can tell that this event haunts him for the rest of his life, as he recalls, "I became what I am today at the age of twelve on a frigid overcast day in the winter of 1975... That was a long time ago, but it's wrong what they say about the past, I've learned, about how you can bury it. Because the past claws its way out. Looking back now, I realize I have been peeking in that deserted alley for the last twenty-six years" (1). This is where the lies commence and how the web for the rest of the story begins to spin. He frames Hassan for stealing his watch and money. He can never fulfill his father's expectations. The list goes on and on. Amir explains his wrongdoings with, "I ran because I was a coward... That's what I made myself believe. I actually aspired to cowardice, because the alternative the real reason I was running, was that Assef was right: Nothing was free in this world. Maybe Hassan was the price I had to pay, the lamb I had to slay, to win Baba" (77). I believe that in order to reach atonement, he needs to stop running. He needs to face up to his sins, apologize, and move forward with his life.

Atonement means making of amends or reconciliation; exemplified in the novel and movie of the same name, originally written by Ian McEwan. I believe that atonement for past sins and mistakes is possible. Everybody, by shear nature of being human, makes mistakes. Most of the time, it is not the mistake itself but what we do about it that defines who we are. If we each can capitalize on any mistake we make, turn the situation around, and make anew, then, yes, certainly atonement can be achieved. But if we all hold grudges for all of eternity, then it will become quite difficult to reach that point of forgiveness.