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Jessica Buck
 
 - Joined on 09-11-2009
- Posts 3
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The Kite Runner -Individual Writing Assignment
In societies across the world, people are often judged based on their appearance and status rather than their character. The story of The Kite Runner, written by Khaled Hosseini, demonstrates this theme and reveals the significance of status and class in a culture such as Afghanistan. The story focuses on the relationship between Amir, and his father, along with their interaction with their servants Ali and Hassan. In many ways, the characters in this story are distinct and unequal. The differences between the privileged and less fortunate is shown to not only divide but hinder the characters from forming genuine relationships. Despite how close they were as children, we find that when faced with an opportunity to display true friendship Amir leaves Hassan to his own brutal fate.
The scene that I found to be most powerful and memorable was Hassan’s encounter with the bully Assef. In this scene Hassan is raped for not relinquishing the winning blue kite which he’d promised to return to Amir. Shockingly, Amir is found doing nothing to change the fate of his childhood companion. Amir’s actions, or lack thereof, causes the reader to question his loyalty. This uncertainty is further solidified when we find Amir unable to proclaim Hassan as his “friend”. Amir’s hesitation resulted from the fact that Hassan was Shi’a and Amir was Sunni. Other than reading to Hassan, who was an illiterate child, or telling him tales from his imagination, Amir seldom gave Hassan anything in return for all he did for him. Hassan was more than grateful for each story which allowed him to escape reality to enter historical past and, through the imagination of Amir, be able to delve into worlds which intrigued him.
Despite his lack of education, Hassan was very good hearted, loyal, and always completed his household tasks with expertise. His journeys up the bowl-shaped hill to read with Amir were greatly anticipated. The scene I’ve selected is significant because it demonstrates very clearly how kindness is not always a two-way street. Those who always do for others are usually expected to continue doing so by those who never expect to repay them. This type of a relationship is initially defined by both parties testing the limits of one another. In the case of Hassan and Amir, Hassan was already established as Amir’s servant at birth, leaving him entirely vulnerable to Amir. Social class also affects social relationships, regardless of the brotherhood hidden under the surface of society. This interesting analogy could be observed within the many social relationships surrounding our everyday lives.
“’It’s just a Hazara…’
‘Fine,’ Assef snapped. ‘All I want you weaklings to do is hold him down. Can you manage that?’
Wali and Kamal nodded. They looked relieved.
Assef knelt behind Hassan, put his hands on Hassan’s hips…” (75).
This scene is extremely important to the book as a whole because it served as a turning point in the boys’ relationship. After allowing something so traumatizing to happen to Hassan, Amir had difficulty coming to terms with himself. Hassan was someone who Amir respected, yet he wouldn’t allow himself to reveal his high regards due to their social status. Although he may not have realized it right away, Hassan was Amir’s inspiration to continue as a writer since the first time he made up his own story while gazing at the dusty pages held in front of his face. Hassan, unaware that Amir had fabricated the story offered nothing but positive feedback, telling Amir that it was the best story he had heard yet. After the horrible incident with Assef, Amir, after avoiding Hassan at all costs, suggested that they went up the hill once again like they had always done before. Amir tried to get Hassan angry by throwing pomegranates at him. This was his attempt to give Hassan the opportunity to even the score. Hassan’s character did not break even in such circumstances and he did not give Amir the satisfaction of any form of punishment for his silent regrets.
“I had one last chance to make a decision.” (77). Even though the two boys fed from the same ***, Amir couldn’t bring himself to save the boy who proclaimed their friendship to Assef just moments before the incident. “In the end, I ran.” (77). It was Amir’s chance, his opportunity, his to save himself from the haunting memory which would follow him every day and every moment after. Works CitedHosseini, Khaled. The Kite Runner. New York: Penguin, 2003.
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