The Kite Runner Friendship By Stefanie & Leanne

One of the kite runners main themes is the deep friendship between a privileged Afghani boy named Amir and Hassan his fathers servant.

The relationship between Amir and Hassan, to some extend, lacks warmth, loyalty and courage. He can’t admit to others that they are friends due to Hassan being a Hazara which is viewed as being inferior. “he’s not my friend!...he’s my servant!” As he only thought this, it shows his feelings towards Hassan being Hazzara and how much influence the community have on discrimination. However by not saying it shows the strong friendship between the young boys.

There are many incidents throughout the book which highlight how devoted a friend Hassan was to Amir. The first incident which clearly shows this devotion is when Amir asks Hassan to eat dirt as a test of his loyalty and friendship. Amir: “Eat dirt if I told you to?,” I knew I was being cruel.(pg47) As Amir admits he’s being cruel just signifies how little he must think of their friendship The second incident is the pomegranate. “Hit me back goddamn you!” Again emphasises how much the friendship is one way. Hassan would never hit Amir back. He’s to loyal

The final incident that is the turning point of the friendship is the rape attack. “I ran because I was a coward” Amir describes himself to a tee. He can’t even help is his one true friend in his time of need,he may not be able to admit it to others but actions speak louder than words. This shows the selfishness of Amir. He doesn’t want to see Hassan again because of his loyalty this just makes Amir feel more selfish. Hassans loyalty is so deeply ingrained in him that he eventually returns to rekindle the relationship.However Amir rejects this! Again emphasizing his selfishness.

“For you a thousand times over” This is Hassans expression for loyalty and friendship which he sticks by throughout the whole book. We see a clear change from Amir when he is an adult. When he goes to save Sohrab, he eventually admits to, not just friends with Hassan but blood relatives.

All in all, the unique friendship between Amir and Hassan is a big part of the story. Hassan does not change throughout the full book and remains so devoted to Amir which makes this friendship even more special. The fact that Hassan didn’t change makes Amir seem even more cowardly and selfish. “It melts the snow one flake at a time and maybe I just witnesses the first flake melting” This shows that by saving Sohrab, Amir has addmited his mistakes and are being fixed.