The Kite Runner

How does the novel The Kite Runner show that we can never escape our past for baba, soraya and Assef?

How does the novel The Kite Runner show that we can never escape our past for baba, soraya and Assef?

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In Baba's case, he can never escape the guilt he feels over the son he cannot claim. He faces the guilt daily and is haunted by his failure. His relationship with Amir is also affected by his guilt, but during their time together in America, Baba finally allows himself to feel pride in Amir. Ultimately, they are able to forge a relationship in America that wasn't possible before. None-the-less, the guilt he feels over Hassan never leaves him.

In Assef's case, we have a young man who made poor decisions, who grows up and continues on the path he set as a child. Assef never attempts to escape his past or his present.

Soraya also made mistakes that followed her throughout her life, but unlike Amir, she confesses her actions. As a young woman she ran off with an Afghan and lived with him without benefit of marriage. In the Afghan culture.... women don't run off with men nor live with them..... period. Her father eventually found her and brought her home, but he never forgets she has disgraced her family and treats her accordingly. When Amir courts her, it is questionable whether the relationship will end in marriage.... she has a confession to make because as a woman she has lost her most valuable asset, her innocence.