The Kite Runner According to Maya Angelo, “History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again. ” This quote implies that history is permanent and it is simply impossible for one to change the past. As humans we make bad choices that we have to live with that can potentially haunt us later in life. The only way to change this reality is to foster a brave outlook on life. With a little courage and a clear conscience, one can make a better decision next time one faces that a similar obstacle.

This quote proves to be valid in numerous ways. The Kite Runner by Chalked Hussein is great example of this critical lens. The novel illustrates the quotation well. It presents a main character named Emir that experiences something awful, and makes a decision that will affect his life forever. In The Kite Runner, Emir witnesses the rape of his good Hazard friend named Hosannas get raped in his presence by a boy named Safes. In the heat of the moment, Emir cowardly does nothing, and runs away from the scene.

Emir immediately recognizes what he has done, and that he should have chanced everything to help his dear friend knowing he would have done the same for him. For you, a thousand times over. ” This quote from the novel displays Hessian’s true loyalty and admiration for Emir. Hosannas would have sacrificed his life in a second to help his beloved friend. He loved Emir with all his heart. Sadly, Emir’s feelings of guilt grow drastically over- time. These strong feelings of regret stay with Emir his entire life as he grows up, gets married, and moves to America.

This characterizes Emir entirely. The fact that he still regrets his decision years later of not helping Hosannas shows that he has a good heart, and wishes he had acted differently; unfortunately, the fact is that what e has done cannot be changed. Although Emir has good intentions, he is unstable and cannot make his own decisions. He knows that Hosannas is the best friend he could ever ask for, but allows society to sway his opinion. Because Hosannas is a “Hazard,” Emir is led to believe that they cannot be true friends.

Consequently, this memory from his childhood stays with Emir and, continues to affect his life. Although it is not as vivid, the thought has not left Emir’s mind. One day, Emir gets a call from Ihram Khan back home in Afghanistan. Ihram tells Emir, “There is a way to be good again. This illuminates a critical point in the novel where Emir realizes what happened with Hosannas is everlasting, but there is possibly a way to make up for it. At this point, conflict plays a chief role in the story.

Emir travels back to Afghanistan, and Ihram Khan tells him that Hosannas and his wife Farman were killed by the Taliban after refusing to give up Morehouse. He also finds out that Hosannas is his half brother. But, even more importantly their child and Emir’s nephew, Sahara was living in an orphanage. Emir knew it was vital that he must find the young boy. He faces numerous challenges while trying to reach Sahara. After endless searching, he finally locates him with Safest. There, Emir sacrifices a physical beating to rescue Sahara from Safes.

Emir takes Sahara back to the states, and treats the young boy not only as a son, but a best friend. It is ironic that Emir now cares for Hessian’s son; but, it was an intrepid act tort a long lost, best tried. Finally, Emir cannot undo the choices he has made as a child. They are simply history, and, therefore, unalterable. But, Emir has become a stronger man, inside and out. He has clearly made up for his transgressions with his consequent actions. Lastly, a decision en makes will remain part of him or her for the rest of his or her life.

A wrongdoing often turns into an everlasting regret. We have all experienced doing something that we wish we had not done, or done differently. With that being said, we must continue to live our lives because what has been done cannot be altered. The only way to forget the past is to focus on the future, and how we can make better choices down the road. After learning what the right thing to do is, one can make sure he never repeats history. One can correct past regrets through bold actions in the present. With a little courage, we can learn from our past mistakes.