I think you can develop the theme of "atonement" using
The Kite Runner. Amir is told by his father's friend, Rahim Khan
that "there is a way to be good again" at the outset of the story. The entire story
develops through Amir's attempt at and desire for atonement for what he did to Hassan,
his Hazari "friend" and housemate.
For the question that
you've asked, the structure of the story fits nicely. There is a prologue, or some such
introduction in which we find out that the entire story will be told from past events.
The conflict is offered in the beginning chapters; Hassan's brutal rape at the hands of
Assef. It is set up in such a way that that the focus is on the guilt that Amir feels
about not doing anything to help Hassan and then his continued abuse of Hassan through
lies and psychological torment. It is only when Amir leaves Afghanistan that he realizes
he should have done something about what happened, but even then, he goes reluctantly
when offered the chance by Rahim Khan. Throughout the story, he wants atonement, but it
is only when the chance is forced upon him that he actually makes the effort to atone
for his misdeeds.
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