Forgiveness is a necessary part of human existence, although it is hard to forgive others, and sometimes harder to give to ourselves. The Kite Runner is full of examples of forgiveness between people, with themselves. Baba forgives Hassan, Hassan forgives easily, and Amir is unable to forgive himself but throughout the book the readers saw the travel of Amir how he forgive himself. The opening sentence sets this theme with "I became what I am today at the age of twelve," as Amir relates how he believes one action at that young age defined his entire life. However, as the novel progresses, the reader comes to the conclusion that it was not one action, but a series of choices and events that created Amir's persona as an adult. By holding onto his guilt and fear of discovery, Amir could only bury his past for short periods of time before his own conscience uncovered it and the emotional baggage attached. Throughout the course of Amir's life, he made choices based on jealousy, fear, and guilt, and thus allowed his life to be immersed in regret and shame until he finally allowed himself redemption.

Baba first demonstrates forgiveness when he pardons Hassan for stealing Amir's money and watch (even though Hassan didn't actually steal it). Baba is unaware that Amir was only framing Hassan for stealing his money and watch. Baba asks, "Did you steal that money? Did you steal Amir's watch, Hassan?" Hassan responded, "Yes." By Hassan taking the blame of stealing Amir's belongings, he shows indirect forgiveness towards Amir who is in the room with Amir and Baba. There are two acts of forgiveness in the situation, one indirectly and one directly. Even though Baba claims, "There is no act more wretched than stealing," he directly forgives Hassan. Hassan obviously doesn't feel the need to explain to Baba that Amir had framed him because Hassan doesn't want Amir to suffer Baba's anger. By taking the blame, Hassan is risking emotional courage and putting himself in the position of Amir hurting him again. Hassan indirectly shows he doesn't want problems with Amir because their relationship means something to him.

Hassan demonstrate loyalty and forgiveness throughout the book. For example is in chapter seventeen Hassan said “I dream that someday you will return to Kabul to revisit the land of our childhood. If you do, you will find an old friend waiting for you." This quote prove that Hassan totally acquit Amir. Hassan always forgive Amir even though Amir never forgives Hassan. Also Hassan really cares for Amir that he always forgive easily in this quote of Hassan “For you a thousand times is over” he shows that he really forget the wrong things that amir does and ahows that he really care about their friendship.

At the age of twelve, Amir committed the act which would dominate his thoughts for the rest of his life. His childhood friend and servant, Hassan, was raped by the neighborhood bully, and Amir watched in horror. Afraid of the same fate, Amir made no attempt to help his friend or to make his presence known. Instead, he hoped that Hassan had not noticed him watching. This is not uncommon for children. Not all children can be expected to face their fears or to try to be heroes. Children often try to pretend things away, as well. Guilt-ridden, Amir avoided Hassan, but the more he did so, the more guilt he felt for abandoning his friend in his time of need. Deciding that he could no longer stand Hassan's presence, Amir framed Hassan for stealing objects from the house. He had second thoughts and planned on confessing until his father forgave Hassan. Amir had always been jealous of his father's love for Hassan, so when his father readily forgave Hassan for, according to his father, one of the ultimate crimes, Amir said nothing