Kite Runner

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Masculinity on Kite Runner
In contemporary society, masculinity has always been distinct for it gives prejudices and stereotypes in the roles of humanity. It is unmistakably distinct, even in literature where the authors create fictional characters, behaviors, and roles. One of the novels that illustrate this distinction is Hosseini’s novel in 2003 entitled, The Kite Runner. Hosseini tackles masculinity by analyzing the ability of a man to stand up for himself since it is only when people take action to defend what is right that they can feel complete. This statement was demonstrated by Hosseini in the various aspects of the novel. This paper will focus on men’s masculinity and their actions to make themselves a complete human being.
Amir, one of the main characters in the story, continuously doubts his manhood. From his early childhood, he explains that most of the time, he cannot reach Baba’s expectations of how a man should properly act. However, Amir has a hidden talent for poetry. He likes literature, writing stories, and reading poems. But these characteristics are not expected of a man, especially during the time where the story was set. Being close to literature was a culture that closely resembles feminism instead of masculinity. Amir even stated that,
"Of course, marrying a poet was one thing, but fathering a son who preferred burying his face in poetry books to hunting...well, that wasn't how Baba had envisioned it, I suppose (Hosseini).”
Amir’s talents and innate nature earned great disapproval from Baba since this is not the kind of man that the latter has imagined. Amir was weak and constantly bullied due to his frail body and the inability to play any kind of sport. To Baba’s dismay, he even admitted, “If I hadn’t seen the doctor pull him out of my wife with my own eyes, I’d never believe he’s my son (Hosseini).”
Amir’s lack of masculinity indeed became the primary issue in his life. Since masculinity is also a large part of the Afghan culture where the people honor a man based on his bold achievements, Amir’s cowardice was treated as a “defect” in society. To treat this “defect,” Baba even opted to train Amir to become like him. This was evident in Amir’s statement, “He signed me up for soccer teams to stir the same passion in me. But I was pathetic, a blundering liability to my own team (Hosseini).”
Amir’s personality might not be what Baba expects him to be but he has always strived his best to show him that he is still worthy to be his son by doing what he is best at. Although Amir wants to please Baba, he cannot h...