Khaled Hosseini's novel, the kite runner, explores many controversial topics. He does this by explaining complex topics through the minds of two young characters. Amir and Hassan view the world just as any young child would, but as they are introduced to life altering events such as sexual assault, societal pressures, and war which threatens to plague their home. Through it all we witness how these events change them in varying ways. Amir, who acts as the narrator, Allows the event to bring out his more cowardly traits. It makes him become someone he is ashamed of, and that causes him to act in a manner that he is not proud of. Hassan, however, doesn't let the events change whole is inside. He maintains his positive outlook on life, and shows
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In chapter 2 Amir says, "Hassan and I fed from the same breasts. We took our first steps on the same lawn in the same yard. And, under the same roof, we spoke our first words." (Page 8). It is clear that they come from different backgrounds, and yet they are bonded in a way that not many others are capable of understanding. Hassan is the son of a servant father and a promiscuous mother who abandoned him immediately after birth. Amir is the son of a wealthy, distant father and a deceased mother. They both lost their mothers, are being raised by their fathers, and have been taught the same values. The circumstances of their birth and up coming weren't so different, and yet somehow they become completely different men. It is society that tells these boys that they cannot both grow up to be good men, but Amir who makes it a reality. He treats Hassan poorly at times because he knows he can. He once went as far to say, "I almost apologized, then didn't. Hassan understood I was just nervous. Hassan always understood about me." (Page 49). Amir chooses to take advantage of their friendship which is the greatest difference between he and Amir by far. Amir views their bond as something that he can use as when he wishes and throw aside when he grows bored of it. Hassan treasures it as if it is his most precious and prized …show more content…
In this scene Amir allows his cowardice and his personal motives to allow him to fail Hassan. He tosses aside the bond as he often does and consoles himself with the idea that Hassan will understand. An idea that he has always found solace in. It is this same knowledge that Hassan will always forgive him that is his undoing. Hassan's reaction to the situation is the complete opposite of Amir's. His choices are solely based on the well being of his friend. He allows himself to be beaten and assaulted all for the sake of his relationship with Amir; all while possessing the knowledge that Amir is more concerned about his relationship with Baba. Hassan is Amir's foil because he acts in a way that, for most of his life, Amir was incapable of acting, selflessly. Using Hassan as Amir's foil in this situation adds to the theme because it emphasizes how both boys had varying views on what brotherhood is and its importance. Amir knew he and Hassan had a bond, but because he wasn't aware that it went as deep as blood he wasn't willing to sacrifice for him. Hassan didn't need a blood bond to give up everything for Amir. Truth be told, he didn't need much of anything to sacrifice for another in need. He was genuinely good and saw the potential for a bond in every person he met. Amir was
In chapter 2 Amir says, "Hassan and I fed from the same breasts. We took our first steps on the same lawn in the same yard. And, under the same roof, we spoke our first words." (Page 8). It is clear that they come from different backgrounds, and yet they are bonded in a way that not many others are capable of understanding. Hassan is the son of a servant father and a promiscuous mother who abandoned him immediately after birth. Amir is the son of a wealthy, distant father and a deceased mother. They both lost their mothers, are being raised by their fathers, and have been taught the same values. The circumstances of their birth and up coming weren't so different, and yet somehow they become completely different men. It is society that tells these boys that they cannot both grow up to be good men, but Amir who makes it a reality. He treats Hassan poorly at times because he knows he can. He once went as far to say, "I almost apologized, then didn't. Hassan understood I was just nervous. Hassan always understood about me." (Page 49). Amir chooses to take advantage of their friendship which is the greatest difference between he and Amir by far. Amir views their bond as something that he can use as when he wishes and throw aside when he grows bored of it. Hassan treasures it as if it is his most precious and prized …show more content…
In this scene Amir allows his cowardice and his personal motives to allow him to fail Hassan. He tosses aside the bond as he often does and consoles himself with the idea that Hassan will understand. An idea that he has always found solace in. It is this same knowledge that Hassan will always forgive him that is his undoing. Hassan's reaction to the situation is the complete opposite of Amir's. His choices are solely based on the well being of his friend. He allows himself to be beaten and assaulted all for the sake of his relationship with Amir; all while possessing the knowledge that Amir is more concerned about his relationship with Baba. Hassan is Amir's foil because he acts in a way that, for most of his life, Amir was incapable of acting, selflessly. Using Hassan as Amir's foil in this situation adds to the theme because it emphasizes how both boys had varying views on what brotherhood is and its importance. Amir knew he and Hassan had a bond, but because he wasn't aware that it went as deep as blood he wasn't willing to sacrifice for him. Hassan didn't need a blood bond to give up everything for Amir. Truth be told, he didn't need much of anything to sacrifice for another in need. He was genuinely good and saw the potential for a bond in every person he met. Amir was