Free to run

The final words of Amir are simple, but hold an immense amount of meaning. His concluding words, as he is retrieving the kite for Sohrab are “ I [run]”, which becomes even more powerful to the ending of the book, when Amir repeats again “ I ran”. The simplicity of the statement is obvious, because he simply is running as free as the wind to retrieve the kite; as Hazzan did for him one. However the statement “ I ran” is huge because, to me for once it seems that Amir is running for something instead of running away. Going back to the beginning of the book, he ran away from Hazzan when he was in need. He also ran away from the guilt, which like a plague haunted him, by plotting for Hazzan and his father to be kicked out. It was not until he ended up on an adventure back in Afghanistan that the clouds began to shift His character began its slow trasision.He had no idea what he was getting into but made an effort to push forward and fight for what is right. However he was hesitant to do so, always questioning, and remembering, contradicting himself, wondering why he was not back in America with his loving wife? As time and experience has shaped his character he,now as “ [he] ran” it with complete passion and without hesitation.. This statement shows incredible passion because there is no uncertainty. He first offered, “ Do you want me to run that kite for you?” and with a simple nod from Sohrab he said ‘ for you a thousand times over” and just begins to run.
In my mind I picture this slow motion movie clip, where this grown man’s arms are flailing around like an imbecile, as he flows freely with the wind. He captures everyone’s attention because he looks like sure an idiot, but he doesn’t care. The sun is a golden color reflecting off of the red and maple leaves. He runs, run in the open field, finally with some sort of purpose. This is how I view Amir now, his confidence has blown through the roof, and he really has come to terms with himself. It has taken a life time to deal with his guilt that has entrapped his soul, but he is now free, free to run with no limitations.

A Character of countless suprises

Yet again Amir character is full of countless surprises. At this point in the book he is back in Afghanistan, his homeland, searching for technically, his nephew (which he actually just found out about). The shocker is that Afghanistan is not as Amir knows it to be. Now through war it is as if a hurricane has devoured all the good while leaving people desperate, famished, with no water or food. The streets are pilled with children with no fathers, and Tabil’s, only ready to kill more. This as one can imagine is an ultra disaster in the mind of Amir, yet he seems to remain secure in himself and the new war torn afganistan.. At one point in chapter 20 where he finds out that his nephew has most likely been sold into the sex trade, he remains unreasonably calm. However Amir fellow Farid freaks onto the man who sold Amir nephew and begins to attack him, screaming, “ I’m killing him”. It is Amir who intervenes and stops Farid. Why does Amir stop Faird? Why would a person who was sneaky enough before to set up Hassan in order to get him kick out of the house, suddenly be so rational and calm?
I believe the answer to this question is that Amir’s guilt is driving him. The trip back to Afghanistan is a way to finally setting thing right with Hassan, and sending Amir’s guilt to the grave. In knowing this though; Amir character seems strange because I would suspect that he would be a little bit crazier. After seeing his old home, and seeing the ruins, after knowing what Hassan had to live through, one would think that Amir would have more guilt. I would expect this guild to drive him crazy and possibly drive him back into a moment of his old self. In his old self he would want to run away, just forget what has happened, and act cowardly as always. The fact that he is not acting this way and is remain calm and confident is surprising. I guess I am skeptical to believe that this surprise will last much longer. I would expect in the near future of the book for Amir’s old character to emerge at one point or another. The immense guilt that he has lived with for so long, has had too strong of a hold on Amir life for it to be dissolved that easily. I predict a struggle within Amir character, but maybe I will be surprised again, it seems it is hard to know with Amir and his surprising character.