Essay on "Character Relationship"

Essay 5 pages (1438 words) Sources: 0

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Character Relationship

The relationship between the two children in "The Kite Runner" is not only the main theme of the book, but also the revolving instrument used by the author throughout the book in order to touch on some of the other auxiliary themes of the book, such as intolerance or individual development. Their relationship is also a dynamic one, a relationship that evolves from the bond in the first part of the book to the acceptance that things will never be the same again, after Hassan's rape, and to Amir's admitting his mistakes and trying to make them right by adopting his nephew, in the second part of the book, as well as the revelation that Hassan and Amir were, in fact, brothers.

Initially, the relationship between Hassan and Amir is one of subordination. Amir is the son of the servant and a servant himself. At the same time, he is also part of the minority population in Afghanistan, which makes him tolerated in a society that was still strict about its social norms and conventions in terms of ethnical divisions. As it often is in real life as well, the fact that the two main characters are children seems to smooth these differences, although the reader is tacitly aware of them. As children, the two characters share games and time together, while Amir reads for Hassan, opening up a whole new world for him.

It is interesting how the author is trying to suggest that this type of subordination is wrong by noting many of the activities that the two children did together and which, in a normal world, would make them equal. Key activities in the life of an individual, such as learning to crawl, had been done by the two together. At the same time, their otherwise normal childhood including things like playing hide and seek or cowboys and Indians in an apparent equality. It is also probably a way by which the author attempts to put things into perspective and induce to the reader the idea that the subordination will, at some point, potentially be wiped away by normality. It is also probably why he occasionally puts in events where the two characters appear equal, such as the carving into the tree of the statement "Amir and Hassan, sultans of Kabul."

Nevertheless, the subordination exists and it is perhaps best exemplified through the fact that Hassan is in charge with finding and bringing the kite to Amir, who can then claim it as his action, taking credit for it. The event itself is much more significant than it may look at first glance. In the Afghan society, the kite contest marks not necessarily an event that will point towards the expert kite finder in town, but rather an event showing the transformation of the individual from child to adult, his evolution as an individual. At the same time, it also shows an individual's position in society: the fact that he has a good record of kite finding will make him more respected by the other members of the Afghan society.

Following these considerations, it is obvious that the fact that Amir can take Hassan's work and claim it as his own, as well as all the additional things that such an act brings, means that Hassan is subordinated to Amir and it is in both of the characters' belief that, because of their position, this is something normal to do.

On Hassan's part, this subordination is not seen as something negative. The fact that he worships Amir is seen in many parts of the book. He always smiles, despite the fact that Amir often makes fun of him and of his lack of knowledge. However, the best aspect of his adulation of Amir is the way he behaves during the kite flying contest. He not only finds the kite and claims it for Amir, but, in a truly martyr fashion, he defies Assef and retains the kite, protecting it, despite knowing that he will be hurt. He puts Amir's happiness above his own physical integrity, which is essential in crystallizing Hassan's behavior and approach to the relationship with Amir.

The rape moment is obviously key in the development of the novel, both in terms of the evolution of the relationship between the two characters… READ MORE

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