The
Kite Runner, by Khaled
Hosseini, concludes with Sohrab coming to America with Amir. However, Sohrab
remains silent, never fully becoming comfortable in America or with Amir. The
novel ends with Amir and Sohrab flying a kite; Amir runs a kite for Sohrab and
for the first time since they arrived in America, Sohrab smiles.
Personally, I thought the ending of The Kite Runner was well done, it
just takes a deeper look to understand the true meaning of the conclusion.
With the rescue of Sohrab from the dangers of Afghanistan, Amir’s journey
to redeem himself is finally complete. In Rahim Khan’s letter to Amir he
expresses that “true redemption is…when guilt leads to good” (Hosseini 316).
Throughout the novel we see Amir’s guilt, and finally with a little help from
Rahim Khan, Amir is finally able to make good of his guilt: to redeem himself.
Another issue that is resolved in the conclusion of the novel is that Amir and
Soraya are able to have a child.
They were previously unable to have a child and were contemplating adoption,
but wanted a child of their own blood. However, by taking in Sohrab they were
able to have a child, and one that is related to them. Sohrab may not have been
the child Soraya dreamed of, but the conclusion shows that Sohrab will be
accept them as his family. Another detail that may seem insignificant is that
Sohrab smiles. Sohrab has been depressed ever since Amir said he may have to go
back into an orphanage, but he makes the first step to overcoming that
depression. It may only be a smile, but leaves hints to the reader that
everything will work out, and leaves the rest up to the imagination of the reader.
Although at first glance the conclusion may seem poorly written, when looking
deeper into the conclusion one can see its true beauty. Hosseini writes the
conclusion in such a way that it requires more attention to see that the
problems are resolved. It is by doing this that a great conclusion to The
Kite Runner is achieved.
