The Kite Runner

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The Kite Runner
Khaled Hosseini in “The Kite Runner” narrates a story of friendship and treachery between a father and son. It is based on the Afghanistan’s days of monarchs and the present modern world and their happenings. The story describes the friendship of two young boys one who was the son to the wealthy master and the other one a son to the master’s servant. The novel gives a description of the family set and how betrayal and redemption work hand in hand; in addition to the power that fathers have over their sons (Hayes, 49). It describes their experiences in love, sacrifices, and lies to hold on to what they desire. This paper describes the novel; the plot, the themes and lessons derived from it.
The main characters are Amir the son of the wealthy father (Baba) from the Wazir Akbar Khan district in Kabul and Hassan the son to the Hazara servant (Ali). The setting is during the attack of the monarch of Afghanistan by the Soviet Union, triggering an exodus of refugees to other countries and the start of the rule of the Taliban. The book creates a good setting to describe how friendship and family is tested through bad times but still holds since it is true and unshakable.
Amir and Hassan live in Kabul in their early years where they both fly kites as children; but the problem is that Amir’s father likes Hassan more for being manly and looks down on his son Amir (Ashton, 43). On the other hand, Amir looks up to Rahim Khan who supports and likes him better than his father. The two boys face many challenges including Amir being mocked by Assef for being friends with Hassan who is considered an outsider from Hazarajat.
Hassan an expert in kite running is able to play with Amir and teach him his skills and Amir is even able to win a trophy where Baba praises him a lot. Amir narrates “Then I saw Baba on our roof. He was standing on the edge, pumping both of his fists. Hollering and clapping. And that right there was the single greatest moment of my twelve years of life, seeing Baba on the roof proud of me at last” (Hosseinni, 58).
Regrettably, Assef takes the kite and Hassan confronts him to take it back, Assef beats and rapes Hassan as Amir stands and watches helplessly. Indeed, he does not even report it to Baba since he feels guilty for his cowardice. This makes the two friends keep their distance but Baba continues to have affection for Hassan. Wanting his friend turned foe to leave, Amir sets up Hassan that he has stolen some money and watch, but he is forgiven by Baba who was very hateful for thieves. Luckily, to Amir, Ali and Hassan leave and this relieves him off his betrayal, guilt and cowardice; but Baba remains sorrowful (Hosseinni, 64).
Life takes a turn around for Amir and Baba when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan; they are forced to flee to Pakistan and leave their luxurious life behind. They settle in an apartment and Baba starts to work to make ends meet....