Khaled Hosseini displays many different centralized themes in the Kite Runner. The actions of Amir, Hassan, Baba, Assef and Ali portray such themes as jealousy, inhumanity, unconditional love, equality, and what is the most prevalent is: the resilience of human spirit. The conduct of Hassan towards his half-brother Amir after all of the trials and hardships Hassan withstood would never stop his perseverance. The spirit of Hassan is that of a genuinely good soul. His life was filled with tough encounters everywhere he went, and no one seemed to truly look out for him, but still he continued to love and show the strength one person could attain.
Hassan Runs to retrieve the Blue Kite that Amir defeats in the contest to win, and in the process runs into Assef. This is the most saddening and disturbing part of the book. Assef still angry about the slingshot incident almost a year prior, rapes Hassan while two other boys hold him down. Amir is present while this happens and does nothing. Hassan seems to accept this punishment or price for retrieving the kite for Amir. Hassan loves Amir so much his almost accepts this fate after attempting to fight them off with a rock. Amir while sealing his own fate as another person guilt ridden for life sees Hassan’s eyes right before Assef rapes him and states “I caught a glimpse of his face. Saw the resignation in it. It was a look I had seen before. It was the look of the lamb” (Khaled Hosseini, 76). Amir goes on to describe this look as a look of acceptance of fate. Hassan seems to be accepting of this torture to endure the friendship he so cares for immensely.
Hassan’s spirit is damaged but he pushes on, and after the week of hiding he tries to re-kindle the friendship he cared for so much. Amir is reluctant to be his friend again, and asks his father if he has ever thought of getting new servants. Baba tells him that if he has to accept Hassan and Ali as family and if he asks this again baba will strike him. Hassan pushed through this incident while Amir who is only guilt ridden because of his actions tries to hide. Hassan’s resilience is incredible while one starts to see Amir as a horrible person. One day Hassan and Amir travel to their spot on the top of the hill. Amir and Hassan Sat and Hassan was ready to listen to the story Amir has written, but instead of reading Amir begins to assault Hassan with pomegranates. Hassan does not retaliate; he takes the barrage of fruit and even smashes one on his own forehead. Hassan then states “There, are you satisfied? Do you feel better?” (Khaled Hosseini, 93). Hassan again shows his loyalty and strength by not fighting Amir. Hassan will always love Amir and he shows that he is dedicated to him and his well being even if the cost is his own humiliation.
Hassan is the true protagonist in this story and not Amir. I agree that Amir did try to repent for his actions by killing Assef and freeing Hassan’s son, but could have avoided this fate in the first place. Amir was a child, but he knew the actions he took as a boy were wrong. This story is one of tragedy and perseverance through hardships and tough choices. Amir tries to persevere throughout the story and I could understand how one would forgive him for his actions, but I cannot. The son of Hassan also shows the strength present within his father at the end of the book. Amir and Sohrab fly kites in the end and Sohrab after having such a horrible beginning to his life shows his strength when he lets a smile out when Amir cuts the green kite’s string. Amir asks Sohrab “Do you want me to run that kite for you?” (Khaled Hosseini, 371) Sohrab nods and this is the sign of resilience that was present in his father. The strength of the human spirit is and always will persevere.Hassan and Sohrab prove this in the “Kite Runner", and that is why it is the main theme within this story.
Works Cited:
Hosseini, Khaled. The Kite Runner. New York: Riverhead, 2004. Pgs. 76, 93, 371.
Michelangelo J. Calvi