Regret

“That was a long time ago, but it’s wrong what they say about the past, I’ve learned, about how you can bury it. Because the past claws its way out. Looking back now, I realize I have been peeking into that deserted alley for the last twenty-six years.” One theme of this book that seems extremely apparent is regret. In many ways, regret runs Amir's life. Even while he did many of the acts he would one day regret, he was regretting having to do it. In his mind, there was no other plausible option. Many try to blame his mistakes on his father's behavior earlier in Amir's life. While this could be a factor in his terrible behavior, it cannot be the main reason. As Amir knows quite well, he is responsible for the things he did. He realizes that everyday. Every time something good happens to him, he wonders if Hassan had experienced it or if he was having a good life. Amir's guilt gnaws at his ability to live in the present.