Amir's Atonement

Atonement –
–noun
1. satisfaction or reparation for a wrong or injury; amends.
2. (sometimes initial capital letter) Theology. the doctrine concerning the reconciliation of God and humankind, esp. as accomplished through the life, suffering, and death of Christ.
3. Christian Science. the experience of humankind's unity with God exemplified by Jesus Christ.
4. Archaic. reconciliation; agreement.

I think that atonement is a difficult topic. Some mistakes are actually reparable, but some, just cannot be mended. For instance, if a person does not complete a homework, that’s a mistake. But, they can easily make up for it by achieving a good test grade or doing well on a project. On the other hand, murder or rape, is that a sin that is capable of reparations? And that’s the major question. People must posses an incredible passion for justice and patience to forgive a person for murder and that’s why I cannot definitively say that atonement for past sins is completely possible. It is solely based on the circumstances and the people at hand.

For the topic of Amir and atonement, I think it will be very difficult for Amir to forgive himself and for that reason I think reaching that level will be difficult for him. In order for atonement to occur both parties in the situation must be willing to forgive and repent. Once Hassan and Amir reach that point I think they can move on.

Probably the most influential sin that I feel would be the hardest to move on from would be the rape and Amir not stopping it, or telling people about it. It most likely haunts the thoughts of both Amir and Hassan and for that simple reason, atonement might not be probable. Again, I think that both parties must become "good with themselves" in their own head and only from that point can they move on.