Introduction

Loyalty was a major theme in the Kite Runner. Hassan's devotion and love for Amir was constantly exhibted throughout the story. Hassan would be expected to be devoted and loyal to Amir because he was his servant and he is also a Hazzara, but this is not the kind of loyalty Hassan had for Amir. Hassan was willing to sacrifice himself  for Amir, on many occasions. "For you a thousand times over", he'd promised. Good old Hassan, Good old reliable Hassan. He'd kept his promise and ran the last kite for me". Hassan's loyalty to Amir never ended. Amir clearly did not show any kind of loyalty to Hassan while he was alive, but saving Sohrab from his horrifc predicament proved his loyalty, that he should have shown earlier in his life. Betrayal is defined as being disloyal. Another paramount theme in the Kite Runner is, betrayal. Amir's continuous betrayal of Hassan, occured many times. Amir's betrayal of Hassaan, in many instances leads to further unfortunate events. Many crucial questions about betrayal were brought up in The Kite Runner, such as "Is it possible to accomplish atonement after the ultimate betrayal? Amir is no the only one who betrays a friend, Baba's betrayal of Hassan and Ali is realized towards the end of the book, we come to learn that Baba was Hassan's biological father and not Ali. Amir, himself feels betrayed when he learns that truth from Raham Khan. He feels betrayed when he learns of his father's lies. Amir felt as if everything he had learned and thought of his father was all a huge lie. Betrayl, just as loyalty was significantly presented in, The Kite Runner.

Loyalty

Hassan's loyalty to Amir was profound after all he had done to him. An example of Hassan's loyalty to Amir, is shown in chapter five of the story. The morning after we find out that Afghanistan has become a republic, the story moves to Hassan and Amir deciding to go climb the tree. As they were walking and proceeded to cross the street a rock hit Hassan in his back. It was Assef along, with his followers Wali and Kamal. Assef began to insult Hassan and started to speak of how Pashuteins are true and pure Afghanistan's, Assef further stated that he would tell Daoud Khan to get rid of all Hazzara's. Assef then bought out his brass knuckles out of his pocket. Assef told Amir, that the fact that he even plays and talks with Hassan simply disgusted him. Amir then blurted out, "He's my sevant!". As Assef went ahead to hit Amir, Hassan pulled out and thretened Assef with his slingshot. Assef then put his brass knuckles away, because at this point Hassan was pointing the slingshot directly at his face. Assef finally departed, Hassan's willingness to endanger himself for Amir, showed his fervent loyalty. Another illustration of Hassan's endless loyalty is displayed in chapter eight. After, the horrendous rape of Hassan by Assef. Amir could not play with Hassan or be around him for a long period of time. He had felt incredibly guilty for not intervening while Hassan was being raped. Although, Amir had extremely betrayed Hassan, he was still willing to play with him. Suprisingly one afternoon, Amir asked Hassan to go up the hill with him and he agreed. As they walked, they made small talk. Amir told Hassan about his math teacher who sticked a metal rod between students fingers if they were being chatty. Hassan said he hoped , Amir would never have to go through that kind of punishment. When they got to the top of the promegrante tree, Amir asked Hassan what he would do if he was to hit him with the pomegrantes. Amir threw the pomegrante at Hassan's chest, and yelled at him to hit him back. Hassan refused and just stood there. Amir then threw a pomegrnate at Hassan's shoulder and it spattered all over Hassan's face. Hassan still did nothing and continied to stand there. Hassan, then picked up a pomegrante and squished it against his forhead. and asked Amir, "Are you satisfied?" Do you feel better?". Hassan then left, and walked down the hill. This scene coninues to show Hassan's loyalty to Amir. Amir witnessing Hassan being raped, and Hassan's still professing his love and loyalty to Amir is almost mind-boggling. This greatly shows Hassan's incredible character.

 

Greater understanding of the Novel

Reserching kite running, helped me greater understand the story; kite flying was a very crucial theme of the book. This research, helped me figure out some symbolism that I was unsure of. The kites represent so many things. They represent so many various feelings and emotions as the story progresses on. Amir saw kite flying as a way to finally gain Baba's love and approval for once. Amir flying kites with Hassan, bought them both joy and happiness, but once Assef had raped Hassan for not giving him Amir's blue kite. The kites, also symbolized betrayl, guilt, and depression. At the end of The Kite Runner, when Sohrab runs the kite with Amir, a sign of hope was exemplified. This could also symbolize Amir's redemption.

Cultural Context

Kite Running is a more than a game in Afghanistan, it is a national infatuation. The streets of Kabul, are pervaded with many shops vending kite-flying appliances. Kite running was prohibited during the Taliban Control. It was seen as unislamic, kite running has recently risen to new statures of adoration. Kite running, is once more the major sport for many Afghan men and young boys. Kite running is still not allowed for women and girls to participate in. Kite running is a two-person event. One person controls the wooden spool around the wire. The second person involved, the "Kite flyer" manages the mobility of the kite in the sky. The three major types of kite running include; only two kite flyers battling against one another. The opponent who cuts the other contender line wins. A second kind of kite running competition involves an various amount of kite runners playing against each other at the same time. The opponent with the very last kite wins the competition. There is also a form of kite running where the goal is not to cut your rival's line, but rather to catch the other players kite and eventually bring it down. This kind of kite running can be played by a plentiful amount of kite runners.

Betrayal

The clear betrayal of Amir is shown in chapter seven. After, Amir wins the kite flying contest and accept everyone's congratulations, he goes to search for Hassan. An merchant tells him he saw Hassan heading south and he further tells him, that boys were running after him. Amir eventually arrives at an alleyway, and sees Hassan with his kite, being circled by Assef, Wali, and Kamal. Assef tells Hassan he would let him go as long as he gave him Amir's blue kite. Hassan replied, " Amir agha won the tournament, and I ran this kite for him. I ran it fairly. This is his kite." Assef then raped Hassan, and Amir witnessing did absolutely nothing. Amir sacrificed Hassan, who would have done anything for him in an effort to win over his father, Babba. The one time, Amir could have professed some kind of loyalty and stood up for Hassan he chose not to and ultimately betrayed Hassan. Another example of betrayal, is exhibited in chapter nine. One morning after Amir open his birthday presents, he waits for Ali and Hassan to depart, Amir then takes the money he recieved for his birthday and a watch given to him by Baba and places it under Hassan's bed matress. Through all of this chaos, Baba tells Amir to meet him in his office , Hassan and Ali eventually joined them. Baba asked Hassan if he had stole Amir's watch and money. Hassan replied and said. "Yes." Once, again Hassan had shown his loyalty for Amir and sacrificed himself. Amir doing nothing allowed Hassan to take the blame for what he had done, additionally betraying Hassan. At this moment, Amir realizes that Hassan had seen him in the alleyway and he was also aware that it was Amir who had put both the money and watch under his matress.