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In the novel The Kite Runner, how does the author reflect and develop the significance of the memory of the past?

Throughout the novel, Amir is continually haunted by his past sins and feels guilt for not helping Hassan and setting him up, as well as his part in ruining Baba's relationship with Ali. Both Amir and Baba move to America, where they can live life without constantly being reminded of their past. Later on in the novel, Sohrab admits to Amir that he misses his old life and seeks to go back to the way it was. Although several of the characters have bad memories of the past that they wish to repress, they also have positive memories of good times, which brings them peace and a sense of happiness. Khaled Hosseini uses each character's past to shape their decisions throughout the novel. Rahim Khan tells Amir about Baba's past, which greatly impacts Amir's perspective on life. Amir also feels a sense of duty to atone for his past transgressions, which is why he decides to go back to Afghanistan to save Sohrab. Sohrab's attachment to his past life negatively affects him and acts as the catalyst for his depression. Hosseini suggests that our memories shape our identities as individuals and impact our future life decisions. One cannot run from his memories and can only deal with his past by impacting his future.

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