In his Novel, The Kite Runner, author Khaled Hosseini writes about a young boy named Amir who is a coward, but later in life redeems himself. Redemption is what Amir thirst, for as a wilted plant seeking water in the scorching heat of summer. Like a lotus flower that grows out the mud and blossoms above the muddy water surface, so too does Amir rise above his defilements and sufferings of life. Growing up in Afghanistan, Amir is blessed with the fruits of luxury and the friendship of Hassan. Baba who is Amir’s father is an incredibly wealthy man but seems to admire Hassan for his courage and “manliness”, a trait that lacks in Amir’s character.
Reasons for Amir’s cowardice was the fact he was protected in a cocoon of safety that was created by Hassan and his father Baba. Amir Plagued by cowardice, starving for his father’s admiration, becomes envious of Hassan. The tradition of kite running is a prevalent sport in Afghanistan. Amir and Hassan participate in kite running every year; with Amir as the victor this year, Hassan runs after Amir’s prize winning kite, as it is the tradition for the loser to retrieve and present the prize-winning kite to the victor. Hassan on his endeavor is confronted with Assef and his posy of delinquents. A troubled Amir seeks out to find Hassan, for Amir is waiting for his prized kite to be bestowed upon him.
Assef who has Hassan under the weight of his will imposes himself and subjects Hassan into sodomy. Amir witness Assef committing the ultimate sin, but is unable to intervene; for the seed of cowardice is planted in Amir’s soul, that grows wild like weeds in a spring meadow. “I could step into that alley, stand up for Hassan- the way he’d stood up for me all those times in the past- and . . is granted. Amir realizing he gave everything for this one selfless act, is able to be at peace; but faith smiled on Amir and sent Sohrab to rescue him from certain demise.
Struck with Sohrab slingshot, Assef had given up the fight. Amir was the victor, but there was no prize kite to be handed to him. There was the prize of forgiveness, redemption and the care for Sohrab.In essence, Amir is the lotus in Hosseini’s Novel The Kite Runner. Amir strived and pulled himself out of the mire of cowardice, least he be forever trapped in its prison walls. Sacrificing himself for the safety and wellbeing of Sohrab, Amir has earned his redemption.
No longer label a coward. Amir is now a fearless brave hero. As the lotus flower that grows out the mud and blossoms above the muddy water surface, so too does Amir rise above his defilements and sufferings of life.
