When I first thought about having to read The Kite Runner, I thought it was going to be another book about the Holocaust because in the AP program, we read books and plays to connect with and discover the human element and Holocaust is the quintessential example of the human element. However, The Kite Runner is not about the Holocaust, is about a young boy living in Afghanistan and the regrets and mistakes he made in his lifetime.
One of the themes I picked up on in this book was the questioning of faith; Amir wasn't sure a God existed because Baba didn't believe in a God, Hassan had strong faith because it was instilled in him by Ali, and in the end of the book, it was discovered that Assef had once questioned faith become realizing that God wanted him for something more and Assef uses faith as an excuse to commit unthinkable acts. I was a little disappointed that there was only mention of questioning of faith and not an insight into why that questioning exists; however, I don't believe that was the author's purpose when writing this book, I think the purpose was more of an attempt to show acceptance in life. All of Amir's trials, successes, hopes, dreams, regrets, failures -all of his actions- lead him to where he is today and created the life he has and Amir just has to accept that his present and future is product of his past.
I'd probably call it redemption, rather than acceptance, but I like your thoughts on faith. I appreciate this novel because I don't think it matters what your faith is, it gives you things to think about. Did Amir's faith drive him to redemption? Did Hassan's faith give him acceptance for his place in life? Did Baba really have no faith? These are questions that I have.
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