The novel The Kite Runner, written by Khaled Hosseini has several different themes. One of the themes in this book that stood out to me the most is friendship. Amir and Hassan seem to be great friends who face life together as it is. Amir is very wealthy while Hassan is apart of the lower class. Amir always challenges Hassan's loyalty and trust to see if he is a good friend. One example of the tests is that Amir told Hassan to slingshot a rock at a dog and Hassan didn't want to but said he'd do it for Amir. Amir tests his trust because Baba which is Amir's father always compares the two kids. Baba is constantly telling Amir that he should be more like Hassan who is loyal and not self centered. To me this friendship is very questionable because on page 75 Hassan was being harassed and ended up being raped by several random boys on the streets. Another theme that is presented here is betrayal. To me this is considered betrayal because Hassan think he's great friends with Amir, but Amir doesn't show his true loyalty when he is a key witness to Hassan's rape. Amir shows his true colors of who he is. Amir was off in the distance and could see what was happening but did not stand up for his friend at all and ran away. Did Amir not help Hassan because he is embarrassed that Hassan is considered to be dirty and is apart of the lower class? Hassan didn't know Amir was there at all. Amir becomes distant to Hassan and Hassan doesn't know why. I believe that he is distant because he is ashamed that his friend Hassan was raped and he was a bystander to the situation. To me, Amir is a coward. Does Amir really care for Hassan as much as Hassan cares for Amir? For a deeper meaning I think Amir is facing a conflict with himself. If you were Amir in this situation and your friend was being raped would you help save him or would you run away?
This is a very tough situation. I, myself, would try to stop the rape but if i stood no chance in stopping the rape, I would runaway too. However, I would go get help. I agree that Amir betrayed their friendship because instead of getting help, he let the rape continue on. He also distanced himself from his friend. No true friend would do that.
ReplyDeleteI most definitely would try to stop the rape if I was a bystander to it all. Even if this person wasn't my friend or they were apart of the lower class, I would still try to help regardless. The fact that Amir and Hassan are supposed to be such great friends should be even more of a reason for Amir to try to defend his friend and stop him from getting raped. In the beginning, you said that Amir would always test Hassan's loyalty to see if he was a good friend. I just find that to be annoying because Amir tests Hassan's loyalty when Hassan has always been loyal to him and Amir himself isn't even loyal to Hassan whatsoever. Amir wants Hassan to be a true friend to him when Amir is the one who doesn't even know how to be a true friend to Hassan in the first place.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you Sam. To me I think Hassan should be the one to test Amir for loyalty. Also I agree with what you said, friend or foe I would help stop a rape because no one should ever have to go through that.
DeleteIt is crazy to me that Amir tries to test Hassan's loyalty to see if he is a good friend, but can't even stand up for him when Hassan needs him the most. Amir is definitley not a good friend. I think Amir should listen to his father and not be so self-centered and always thinking about himself. I also think Hassan should rethink about their friendship because Hassan would definitely stand up for Amir if he was in his shoes.
ReplyDeleteI would stick up for my friend and help him out. Amir talks about how he was scared of Assef and what Assef would do to him. Even if I knew i would get my butt kicked for standing up for my friend it would be worth it because it would take the attention off of him and help him get away or even jump back in a help. He has to step up and be the a good friend to Hassan in return for the loyalty that Hassan had for him. Amir talks about the decision he had to make and even called himself a coward for running away.
ReplyDeleteI would do everything in my power to stop the rape from happening. I would not coward away and be selfish only focusing on my safety if you are my friend i am going to stand by you even if it puts me at risk its the right ting to do. I feel like he is not a true friend no one should leave their friend helpless. Loyalty is the key to a friendship and Amir is lacking it.
ReplyDeleteI agree on what you said on how loyalty is key in a friendship or any relationship. That is so important and having someone there to help you, you then know they will always have your back. Amir is lacking that and it isn't right that Amir questions Hassan. If I was in Amir shoes I would stop the rape and get the help needed even if I couldn't stop it.
DeleteIf I was in this situation I would try my best to stop the rape, I would not leave my friend like that. That shows the complete opposite of loyalty
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