The Theme Of Betrayal In The Kite Runner By Khaled Hosseini [He] laughed because [he] saw that, in some hidden nook in the corner of [his] mind, [he'd] even been looking forward to this [His] body was broken- just how badly [he] wouldn 't find out until later- but [he] felt healed" (289). He reached for me, but I shed his hand. Maybe so. Never mind that to me, the face of Afghanistan is that of a boy with a thin-boned frame a boy with Chinese doll face perpetually lit by a harelipped smile. Thats what I told myself as I turned my back to the ally, to Hassan Hassan was the price I had to pay, the lamb I had to slay, to win Baba. Log in here. She holds an MFA in Creative writing and a B.A.S. Even when Baba is on his deathbed, Amir remains silent. While Hassan faces the unspeakable to loyally return the kite to Amir, Amir considers Hassan an expendable Hazara that may be sacrificed for Amir's relationship with his father. Something warm was running down my wrist. But does this really help Amir? Amir has just learned that Baba had betrayed Ali, Babas servant and friend, by fathering Hassan. My suspicions had been right all those years. Critical Essays Themes in The Kite Runner. STUDY. "There is a way to be good again." (Hosseni 192) These words hold a powerful meaning to Amir, the main character of Khaled Hosseni's novel The Kite Runner. Did you have children? Free trial is available to new customers only. But I hadnt turned out like him. I blinked, saw I was still biting down on my fist, hard enough to draw blood from the knuckles. A land mine. This moment has an enormous impact on his life, because his goal becomes to be the son his father wants, regardless of what it. Ill tell you why, Hazara. This is why Amir crouches in fear every time he hears Hassans name being mentioned. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. Free trial is available to new customers only. And I can't lie now and say my eyes didn't scan it for any rips.'. This is what metaphor Amir used means how the past tries to claw its way out, because Amir had so much guilt the whole time. 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Throughout the novel The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini addresses the different concepts of betrayal through the characters of Amir, Hassan, and Sohrab. He was telling me how most people thought it was better to plant tulips in the fall and how that wasn't true, when I came right out and said it. The novel, The Kite Runner, written by Khaled Hosseini, is a story about betrayal, forgiveness, and redemption that revolves around that two main characters, Amir and Hassan. When we discover how the winter of 1975 in Kabul makes Amir Jan struggle throughout life. for a customized plan. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. In this particular quote, it was Amir betraying Hassan. On the other hand, Babas actions were committed knowingly and when Baba was an adult. I felt like a man sliding down a steep cliff, clutching at shrubs and tangles of brambles and coming up empty-handed. The different dissensions support the ideas of characterization by how they react to the sudden adversity in their lives. I stopped watching, turned away from the alley. There were not nearly as many kite tournaments as in the old daysno one felt safe outside for too longbut there were still a few scattered tournaments. One Final opportunity to decide who I was going to be. I laughed because I saw that, in some hidden nook in the corner of my mind, Id even been looking forward to this My body was broken just how badly I wouldnt find out until later but I felt healed. Like Rostam, Amir figures out much too late who fathered Hassan. Not only that, but he's also cheated Amir, his own flesh and blood, by depriving him of a role model, someone he can look up to. This situation emphasizes the idea of circularity because Ali devotes his whole life to serve Baba, with Hassan later showing a similar level of dedication towards Amir. I ran because I was a coward. ), [Amir:] "Well, Mr. Faisal thinks that it would really help if we couldif we could ask you to stay in a home for kids for a while." "Would I ever lie to you, Amir agha?" Amirs decision affected not only himself, but also Hassan. He stopped, turned. Khaled Hosseinis The Kite Runner is a fascinating story that through its pages it releases a remorse content to the audience. (including. But I can take you with me. When Amir witnesses Assef raping Hassan. And thou didst it of thine obstinacy. He cannot tell him he is sorry anymore. Amir's question, of course, must pain Baba quite a bit since Hassan is his son. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Subscribe now. creating and saving your own notes as you read. Ace your assignments with our guide to The Kite Runner! Amir, to some extent, takes the blame for Hassan's death. May 1, 2023, SNPLUSROCKS20 Amir could and should have intervened, but chose not to because he was jealous of Hassan due to the attention and affection lavished on him by Baba, Amir's father. character, conflict, etc.). Basically, Rahim Khan is saying to Amir: "Here's how you can undo the damage you lavished on Hassan." Yet Amir finds after his father's death that Baba has committed these sins himself: He has fathered the child of Sanaubar, Ali's wife--cheating on his faithful servant; and he has kept it a secret--a lie that infuriates Amir and causes him to see the seemingly infallible Baba in a completely new light. This passage, along with the passage in which Amir plants a wad of cash and his watch under Hassan's mattress, counts as Amir's two major betrayals of Hassan. - But he is nothing like Baba/ his strengths aren't valued by Baba Explanation: The quote puts emphasis on the idea that Amir is a very jealous towards Hassan. | You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. (Those reminders would be Ali and Hassan since Baba slept with Ali's wife and fathered Hassan.) By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. He knew about Assef, the kite, the money, the watch with the lightning bolt hands. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. This quote from the novel hints at the main point of the story and the reason he is telling it. Think about a time that either someone betrayed you or you betrayed another person. Did you know you can highlight text to take a note? Kite Runner Betrayal Analysis 1254 Words | 6 Pages Does some unconscious part of Amir send Hassan and Ali away so he can have Baba all to himself? Had you married? The man needs some redemption. I deserved this (355). This passage goes back to when Amir was a kid, and how on multiple occasions had asked Hassan to prove that he was a loyal friend to him. The Kite Runner Quotes - The Kite Runner Important Quotes | Shmoop The novel The Kite Runner is a story about an Afghan named Amir who experiences and causes betrayals between friends and family. Purchasing Was it a fair price? In his novel The Kite Runner author, Khaled Hosseini uses the actions of main character Amir to demonstrate that when man betrays one another, he seeks redemption from his guilt, and once redemption is found, he feels at. 9 chapters | Speaking of which, Baba shows himself no stranger to betrayal himself. Why does Amir ask Baba if he has seen Amirs new watch? "I don't know. In The Kite Runner the novel begins with flashbacks. Amir and Hassans relationship throughout the book, The Kite Runner, is based off of love, betrayal, and forgiveness. The two are now bound by guilt and sin and that's not healthy. A third symbol of betrayal is Hassan himself. Until this moment, Amir has never won. In Amir's neighborhood, there is an annual kite-fighting tournament during the icy season when schools close. I loved him in that moment, loved him more than I'd ever loved anyone, and I wanted to tell them all that I was the snake in the grass, the monster in the lake. And this is what I want you to understand, that good, real good, was born out of your father's remorse. Have you ever wondered why he never includes you in games when he has guests? Amir twice betrays his loyal servant, Hassan, while they are still boys in Kabul: First, Amir fails to come to Hassan's aid when he is sodomized by Assef. Why does Hassan lie about stealing Amirs watch? flashcard sets. Summer has taught creative writing and sciences at the college level. The Kite Runner Quotes: Chapters 16-17 | SparkNotes Because history isnt easy to overcome. It becomes apparent that from generation to generation, humiliating and taking advantage of people like Ali and Hassan has become a cycle of life for the Afghans. Now that we think about it, this story has a lot in common with Oedipus the King and other Greek tragedies. Then he smiled his Hassan smile and disappeared around the corner. Amir had went looking for Hassas because he was suppose to be chasing down the winning kite of the Kite Fight. In fact, why did he ever have to feel Latest answer posted May 23, 2020 at 12:44:11 PM. One of the themes, Personally, I couldnt see the tragedy in Rostams fate. There was a monster in the lake I was that monster. Continue to start your free trial. Just when you thought Amir did something nice for a changehe goes back on his promise to Sohrab. The Kite Runner Admiration | Shmoop TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. Amir betrayed Hassan b. Kite Runner Themes Amir expresses how thankful he is in this quote and proves how much his family meant to him. He knew I had betrayed him and yet he was rescuing me once again, maybe for the last time. Like Hassan did for him, Amir now has to prove himself worthy and loyal to Sohrab in order for them to have a trusting relationship. Why doesnt Amir help Hassan in the alley? . Rostam mortally wounds his valiant nemesis, Sohrab, in battle, only to discover that Sohrab is his long-lost son. Contact us All rights reserved. In Amir's attempt to prove himself to his father and to himself, he throws Hassan under the bus. Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! Quotes Chapters 10-11 I wanted to tell him I was sorry, but suddenly I was salivating, the back of my throat tasting bile. One of the symbols of betrayal is the last kite of the kite fighting contest. During these times, there is a lot of betrayal between Amir and Baba, but also between Hassan and Amir. 20% I lifted Hassan's mattress and planted my new watch and a handful of Afghani bills under it. What was so funny was that, for the first time since the winter of 1975, I felt at peace. When you betray someone, it might seem like a good idea in . Amirs decision not to act also underscores the ethnic tensions between the Pashtuns and Hazaras, as Assef remarks coldly, its only a Hazara.. Why does Amir sometimes treat Hassan badly in childhood? Hassan has proven his loyalty on several occasions, as he is always the one to take a stand for Amir, but when Amirs loyalty is tested, his betrayal becomes evident. SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. Betrayal, which can be considered a form of sin, is enduring and ends up being cyclical in The Kite Runner. Hassan would prop Sohrab on his shoulders and they would go trotting through the streets, running kites, climbing trees where kites had dropped. What can you possibly say to make things better? Betrayal is a selfish action where one puts themselves before others which can result in painful difficulties amongst individuals.