Irony written analysis

Three major instances of irony found in the story include Amir's unfolding resemblance to Baba, the contrast between what Amir wanted and what he received, and finally Assef's role in Amir's predicament. At the beginning of the novel, Amir felt the chasm between him and Baba was caused by their dissimilarity. For example, he believes that by being stronger and more athletic like Baba he can impress him and win his favor, so he avidly participates in soccer and football. However, after most of his efforts ended in vain and Baba begins to lose hope, Amir becomes desperate. He is determined to win the kite tournament and allows Hassan to be raped in order to bring back the fallen trophy kite. He then buries this shameful secret for half of his adult life. The irony lies in when Rahim Khan calls and forces Amir to face the past again, Amir discovers that Baba actually conceived Hassan with Sanaubar-- Hassan is his half brother. Albeit trying to find the best of Baba’s traits in himself, Amir realizes that the only thing he shares with Baba is the betrayal of their best friends and a lifetime’s penalty of guilt and struggle for self-redemption. There is a further irony in the fact that Amir returns with the blue kite in hopes of winning Baba’s approval, but instead secretly becomes the type of coward Baba has always feared Amir would become. Assef is the cause of Amir’s turmoil, and the incident in the alleyway greatly shadows Amir’s conscious for the next 20 years. Ironically, it is also in Assef’s assault that Amir finally finds atonement for his sins; as Amir takes the beating from Assef, he is healed emotionally and relieved of his guilt.