Identity In The Kite Runner

The novels “Mister Pip” by Lloyd Jones and “The Kite Runner” by Khlaed Hosseini reveal that identity is revealed when confronted with overwhelming obstacles. It is through a series of unfortunate events, such as death and factors relating to culture and time, that the protagonists, Amir and Matilda begin their road to self discovery.

Following the death of Baba, Amir is forced to take responsibility for his actions as he no longer has his father to fall back on. Additionally, he is released from any moral obligation he may have felt he had towards Baba. In the beginning of the novel, Amir overhears a disheartening conversation between Rahim Khan and his father who expresses that: “He’s always buried in those books or shuffling
Despite suffering through a number of unfavourable events, it is her mother’s death that triggers her inability to feel: “I do not know what you are supposed to do with memories like these. It feels wrong to want to forget. Perhaps this is why we write these things down, so we can move on” (Jones 179); through writing about these events in chronological order, Matilda is able to begin the healing process of her mental wounds and continue to capitalize on her true identity. Ironically, it is following this barbarous event that Matilda comes to recognize the beauty in Bougainville Island: “All the lovely things in the world came into view—the gleaming sea, the sky, the trembling green palms” (Jones 148). It seems as if this loss had brought clarity to Matilda’s life as she begins to disconnect herself from the island she once referred to as “home”, and makes the immense expedition to Australia and England. This exemplifies the idea that in order for someone to rise, another individual must die. Matilda’s happiness and search for her inner identity is dependent upon Dolores and Mr. Watts giving up their utmost basic human right: life (Robbins, 2007). Although it is a tragic situation, this event highlights Matilda’s inner strength. Despite losing the will to live, she rides out the storm and turns to writing about the unfortunate event. As a result of these tragic circumstances, Matilda makes a name for herself as she analyzes and scrutinizes every detail of her life through means of writing whilst simultaneously keeping Mr. Watts’ and her mother’s memory alive. By doing so, Matilda is able to accomplish her dream of working in the education