Discussion

Amir does indeed find redemption and “…a way to be good again” at the end of the novel. Ever since boyhood, Amir has been indebted to Hassan for his immense devotion and love. Amir’s failure to act in the alleyway became magnified within him as he grew older, and with it the guilt and pain of his betrayal. It is only until Amir becomes mature that he recognizes the true nature of Hassan’s love, overshadowing his childish envy. Even before Amir was informed of Hassan’s family and his illegitimate brotherhood, he still carried a sense of regret and longing for redemption. However, the comfort of his new life and fear of returning to face the errors of his ways hold him back. It is Rahim Khan who breaks the barrier of fear that holds Amir back from returning to Afghanistan with the urgent phone call. Khan has served as the fatherly figure that Baba could never be to Amir since childhood. He stands for justice and goodness and has an incredible sense of empathy. Without Rahim Khan, Amir would be so self absorbed in his own mass of fears and doubts that he would fail to redeem himself and find the way to become “good again”.