Notes

The turning event of Kite Runner that determined Amir's road to redemption is Amir's failure to save Hassan from getting raped by Assef. Amir's self-guilt by his inaction to save Hassan is the main conflict that Amir must overcome to alleviate his past sins. For example, when Assef brutally beats Amir to a pulp, Amir is mentally relieved by his beating as he feels as if he is being properly punished for his inactions to save Hassan. For Amir to feel burdened with his guilt, it takes a merciless beating to feel relieved of his guilt shows how burdened Amir was. Furthermore, Amir's confrontation with Assef signifies Amir's determination to overcome his sins as Amir illustrates his courage to stand up to Assef, his childhood bully. Another example is when Amir believes that not being able to have a baby with Soraya is God's punishment for failing Hassan as a friend. It shows that despite Amir's life heading in a hopeful direction, Amir's past still continues to torment him many years later.

The turning event of Macbeth is when Lady Macbeth finally convinces Macbeth to kill King Duncan in order to have his power as King. This event determines Macbeth's change in character from a loyal general, to a power-hungry individual. For instance, Macbeth hires 2 murderers to kill Banquo and his son Fleance demonstrating his loss of remorse and morals as a result of trying to stay King. This shows the great lengths Macbeth is willing to go to to ensure his title as King is secure as the three witches' prophecies manipulate him into killing his best friend Banquo, and his child Fleance. In contrast to before hearing of the three witches prophecies, Macbeth was a fierce general who fought alongside Banquo and captured the traitorous Thane of Cawdor for King Duncan. Another example is when Macbeth is encountered by Young Siward who calls Macbeth a tyrant which unveils Macbeth's fall from grace. It demonstrates the tragedy in Macbeth as he has ceased to become the honorable general he once was, whom many people spoke valiantly of him, to becoming a backstabbing King that was despised by his own kingdom.

Tom Buchanan's selfish personality becomes evident throughout the novel the Great Gatsby. Tom Buchanan lacks the proper consideration of others and as a result, causes a shift in his relationship with his wife, Daisy Buchanan, and the death of Jay Gatsby. For example, Tom Buchanan's affair with Myrtle Wilson despite his marriage to Daisy Buchanan demonstrates Tom Buchanan's lack of commitment towards Daisy Buchanan. His affair with Myrtle Wilson signifies Tom Buchanan's hollow relationship with his wife as Tom Buchanan seeks love for his own pleasure, disregarding his own wife's feelings. Tom Buchanan's remarks about Jay Gatsby's death, claiming that he deserved it, illustrate Tom Buchanan's lack of remorse as he is absorbed in the fact that he has to give up his New York Apartment. Tom Buchanan worrying more about his New York Apartment than the death of a person speaks greatly about his moral identity as he cares more about his apartment for his affair than the death of a person.