Betrayal In The Kite Runner

In the first few chapters of Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner, the stark contrast between Amir and Hassan’s strong relationship and its demolition highlights one of the book’s major themes, which is even explicitly mentioned by Rahim: if people form a relationship which is actively being deterred by society, societal pressure will inevitably destroy it (99). Furthermore, it establishes some of the book’s most prominent motifs, those of betrayal and deception. Prior to their falling out, Amir refers to Hassan as “the face of Afghanistan” to him. Yet, he himself points out the various differences between him and Hassan, such as their caste and religion, as well as how they will never be able to reconcile them (25). By elaborating on their strong bond before explaining why it will inevitably dissipate, the author forms a juxtaposition of sorts: Amir knows that society will …show more content…
Upon meeting Hassan for the first time in the book, he states that the Hazara are simply dirtying the blood of the pure Pashtun (40). He also condemns Amir for being at all involved with Hassan simply because of his caste. The combination of Assef’s role in the story and Rahim’s statement present a couple more choices made by Hosseini to help emphasize the theme that “the world always wins:” cleverly foreshadowing that society will tear Amir and Hassan apart, and establishing that it is inevitable. Both of these choices also strengthen the impact of Amir’s lack of response to Assef’s later atrocity towards Hassan. Interestingly, Hosseini also uses this aforementioned event to exhibit the motifs of betrayal and deception, which remain notable throughout the rest of the book. Moreover, when Hassan notifies Ali that he has been raped, it is implied that he has also instructed him not to inform Baba of the incident, to once again save