Betrayal In The Kite Runner

The dictionary defines betrayal as the act of betraying one’s country, a group, or a person, otherwise known as treachery. In Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner, the character of Baba betrays certain characters in the book by having an affair with Sanaubar, the servant’s wife, and fathering a child with her. In the novel, Baba seems to be a stellar example of good will and purity; however, by fathering Hassan, Baba betrays Hassan, Ali, and Amir. It is Baba’s initial act of betrayal that leads him to a lifetime of generosity and selflessness. In the beginning of the book, Baba tells a young Amir that the worst thing someone can be is a thief. However, Baba stole Hassan’s right to his identity. Baba let Hassan die without letting him know his true paternity. Due to Hassan’s illegitimacy, he faced …show more content…
Ali is Sanaubar’s husband at the time. It is known that he is sterile because he has tried to have children with his first wife and was unsuccessful. When Sanaubar became pregnant, it is known by Ali, Rahim Khan, and Baba that the child could not be Ali’s. This is a betrayal to Ali because Baba not only diminishes his honor but also tarnishes a lifelong friendship, because the boys were raised together from a young age by Baba’s father. Although Baba betrays Ali, he continues to live and serve under Baba every day. Amir questions how Ali could live with a constant reminder of that betrayal when he thinks, “How had Ali lived in that house, day in and day out, knowing he had been dishonored by his master in the single worst way an Afghan man can be dishonored?” (Page 225). Baba took Ali’s honor, or as it is called in the novel, his nang and namoos. Although Baba betrayed Ali “in the single worst way an Afghan man can be dishonored,” he did redeem himself by providing a comfortable life for Ali and Hassan. Ali was able to raise Hassan like his own son and Baba treats Ali like a brother and Hassan like a