A Journey of Self-Actualization of Amir in The Kite Runner

Abstract

The Kite Runner is Khaled Hosseini’s debut novel, which not only shows a person’s spiritual growth, but also the history of the soul of a nation, and of a country’s suffering. It is about a journey of salvation and return of humanity. This journey can be viewed as going beyond religious, social and economic acceptance; it is a journey of self discovery while accepting the past. Through the analysis of the experiences of Amir from innocence to maturity, from betrayal to salvation, this paper attempts to reveal that on Amir’s way to redemption for what he did to Hassan, he has obtained the power of pursuit of love, loyalty, responsibility, dignity and courage. His cowardice and selfishness as well as suffering from conscience and condemnation and torture transform gradually into strong qualities. Therefore, this journey cannot merely be seen as self actualization of the protagonist himself but also the return of humanity of the whole human race.