Theme
Khaled Hosseini
expressed numerous deep themes in his novel.
From my
perspective, the search of redemption should be the most crucial one. Amir and
Baba are trying to redeem themselves throughout their whole lives. Early on,
Amir feels guilty for the death of his mother and the rape of Hassan. Amir
feels responsible for his mother’s death; therefore, he strives to redeem
himself to Baba. He thinks Baba hates him because he kills his mother. In order
to redeem himself to Baba, he tries to do everything that could make Baba
happy. For example, he tries him best to win the kite tournament. Later, Amir
feels guilty since he runs away when Assef rapes Hassan. Since then, Amir
begins to alienate Hassen because he always feels guilty. When Amir becomes an
adult, he decided to go back to Kabul and save Sohrab. The barrier he meets in
Kabul is the only way to redeem himself to Hassan. For Baba, he strives to
redeem himself to Hassan, who is his bastard. He feels guilty for Hassan; thus,
he treats Hassan like his own son and gives Hassan everything he can provide.
Also, he helps his friends in need; builds orphanages; and actively involves in
charity. Everything he has done to the community is the way to redeem himself
to Ali, Hassan and his own soul. To sum up, Baba and Amir are searching for
redemption all the time, and eventually they find the best way to redeem their
sins.
Discrimination and
strict class structure in the society are also an important theme in this
novel. They run through the entire novel. Hassan and Ali are servants because
they are Hazaras. People discriminate the Hazaras in Afghanistan. Generally,
the Hazaras have no position, no dignity, and no rights in the society. They
hold the lowest place in the social class structure. They have to follow the
higher class, which is the majority of the society. Because Hassan is a Hazara,
Baba is afraid to admit that Hassan is his son. Under this circumstance, the
Hazaras are more likely to be victims of physical and emotional abuse. Also,
Amir never treats Hassan as his friend because of the discrimination towards
the Hazaras, and that is why he does not rescue Hassan when Assef rapes him. In
the novel, Hosseini shows readers about discrimination towards the Hazaras and
unfair class structure in Afghanistan; and this is a main factor, which affects
the life of everyone.
Loyalty and
Devotion is a significant theme, as well as the inherent nature of human evil.
These two themes are opposite. Hassan is loyal to Amir in his entire life; he
respects Amir and loves him. He is willing to do anything for Amir, if Amir
needs, just like Hassan has said, “ for you, a thousand times over.” To compare
with Hassan, Amir betrays their friendship again over again. He betrays Hassan
when he runs away from Assef”s rape for Hassan; he betrays Hassan when he
claims that Hassan steal his watch; he betrays Hassan when he hits Hassan by
using pomegranate. However, Hassan forgives Amir again over again. He forgives
because he understands Amir. Loyalty and Devotion exists everywhere around us,
but we should find it out by using our bright eyes. In contrast, Assef is the
most evil person in this novel. It seems that he is evil since he is born. When
he is a child, he humiliates others, and even rapes Hassan; when he is an
adult, he joins Taliban, and continues raping and humiliating others. He has an
evil black heart that is controlled by his inherent nature of human evil.
Different themes
make the novel extraordinary and unforgettable. They give every character vivid
life, and give us consideration of human nature.
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