Amir's Psychological Atonement in The Kite Runner

Abstract

The Kite Runner was translated into more than 40 languages after its publication, and it also received the worldly wide reputation. The novel tells the warmth and sufferings on the Afghan land by means of real and natural means. It shows not only the history of a person's spiritual growth, but also the history of a nation's soul and a nation's sufferings, and the charm of art. The author, Khaled Hosseini, narrated protagonist Amir's childhood and the process of self-redemption after growing up, showing the changes of the protagonist Amir's psychology brought by historical and environmental changes. At the same time the author expressed his sympathy and pity to the tragedy that Afghan people were suffering from the perspective of American cultural perspective. This paper, taking Amir’s psychological evolution as a clue, interprets his psychological changes in different periods and analyses Amir’s psychological atonement.

This paper is divided into four parts. The first chapter introduces the novel The Kite Runner and the author's life. The second chapter lays a good foundation for the theme of this thesis. It mainly introduces Amir's psychological journey in his youth, including the analysis of character relationship and social background. The third chapter is the kernel of this thesis. It mainly illustrates how Amir changed his understanding of himself and how he redeemed himself after he grew up, and his pursuit of a better life. Finally, the author draws a conclusion that Amir's psychological atonement is not only an individual's growth, but also a national growth and a reflection of historical and cultural changes.

Key words: psychological atonement; The Kite Runner; humanity; growth