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Bahnam
11/20/2020 06:25:59 pm
Hassan is a supportive brother and friend figure that Amir needs even if Amir does not want to admit it; Hassan is also able to make Amir more self aware and see the world through another perspective. Throughout the novel, the boys are always together and Hassan even stands up for Amir against Assef, a bully, who believes that Hazaras are inferior to Pashtuns. Even though Hassan is a Hazara and Assef is a Pashtun, Hassan still stands up for Amir when Assef bullies them. This shows how much Hassan cares for Amir even if Amir doesn’t see Hassan as a friend. Despite not being labelled as friends, Hassan and Amir’s strong bond is shown when they are playing cards. While the two are playing cards, Amir overhears the radio being played in the other room and says that he will buy Hassan a television when they grow up. Hassan responds with he knows just where to put it in his shack and Amir later feels bad. This dialogue is able to depict the difference between Amir and Hassan’s lives. Amir is a Pashtun and has many opportunities while Hassan is a Hazara and will most likely still live in the shack where he and Ali currently live until he is an adult. Through Hassan, Amir is able to understand how hard life is for Hazaras and even feels bad for Hassan. Hassan is able to make Amir more self aware of the privilege Amir has and even makes him sympathize with him unlike Assef another Pashtun who utterly hates Hazaras.
Pazir
11/23/2020 01:15:25 pm
I totally agree with you Bahnam. I also believe that Hassan is a support system to Amir and that he makes him more self aware about how privileged he really is. The information you brought up about the book talking about how Hassan sticks up for Amir against Assef, a bully, always makes me a little upset because I truly believe that instead of Hassan sticking up for Amir, it should be Amir sticking up for Hassan. I love the way you talked about how when they were playing cards and Amir said that he would buy a TV for them when they grow up and he actually thinks about what Hassan actually said. Which is that he would live in that shack forever and I believe that made Amir feel bad as well and made him have a different viewpoint on Hassan's life.
Jaah
11/23/2020 02:00:25 pm
I totally agree with your statement Bahnam! Amir really does not take time to truly appreciate Hassan, but we can clearly see that there is a stronger bond and connection between them throughout the novel and their interactions. I really liked how you used Hassan as a way for Amir to look at the world differently, I had not even thought about that. I definitely agree that Hassan can be a representation of Amir’s sense of privilege and show how grateful he should be. Because Hassan who has a lot less than Amir is always happy and this also speaks to his character. I think you do a great job of defining their complex relationship and giving specific events to support your claim. I think viewing Hassan as a way for Amir to see how hard life is for Hazaras is also a great idea and I am glad you brought that up!
Azoom
11/23/2020 07:56:06 pm
I agree that Hassan is a sort of support system or comfort person for Amir. He doesn’t want to admit that Hassan is really his most reliable and true friend. Although Hassan does unknowingly help Amir better understand Hazaras and their struggles, I think Amir still can't get past that difference between them. When he’s mean to Hassan he tries to use the fact that he’s a Pashtun while Hassan a Hazara as a way to justify his actions. Hassan is the complete opposite where he recognizes their difference but doesn’t let it stop him from treating Amir as a friend, even if it makes him overly devoted to Amir.
Zarak
11/24/2020 09:26:35 pm
I agree with you Bahnam, I think that Hassan does really care about Amir and they have a strong bond even though they may not be labeled as friends.I think Hassan who is a Hazara, and stood up for Amir shows how important Amir is to him, that despite how Assef was bullying them and saying that he wants to get rid of the Hazaras, Hassan, who was afraid on the inside still toughen up and had the courage to stand up for him which got Assef to walk away. I also agree that Hassan has shown Amir a different point of view that gives Amir sympathy.
Derrell
12/4/2020 09:20:54 am
I agree that for Amir, Hassan is a kind of support system or a person of comfort. He doesn't want to admit that Hassan is really his most trustworthy and true friend. Although Hassan unknowingly helps Amir to better understand Hazaras and their struggles, I don't think that Amir can still overcome that difference between them. He's trying to use the fact that he's a Pashtun when he's meant to Hassan while Hassan is a Hazara as a way to justify his actions. Since Hassan is always content, and this also speaks to his character, who has a lot less than Amir. I think it's also a great idea to see Hassan as a way for Amir to see how difficult life is for Hazaras.
Pazir
11/23/2020 01:01:45 pm
Amir and his father Baba have a very complicated relationship with each other. They love each other dearly, but they each have their own personality types which makes it so difficult for them to understand each other. From reading the book we know that when Baba was a kid, he was way different than how Amir is now as a child. Baba was athletic, loved to run and play sports, he would stand up for himself and fight. Unlike Amir who likes to instead read and write, and enjoys telling stories to his friend Hassan who sticks up for him rather than Amir standing up for himself. Amir and Baba have a hard time communicating with each other and Baba can find it frustrating talking to his own son. When Baba is talking about how there is only one sin, which is theft, Amir does not seem to understand what his father is saying and says that “Baba heaved a sigh of impatience. That stung too, because he was not an impatient man”. This shows how their communication with each other is very uncomfortable. They do not understand each other in a way that a father and son should. Baba needs to learn that his son is different from him and news to embrace what he is interested in. He is not a coloring book in which you get to decide the colors that go into it. But also, Amir needs to realize that everything he did or does is not the reason why Baba “hates him”.
Pazir
11/23/2020 01:03:51 pm
needs to*
Jaah
11/23/2020 02:17:23 pm
Badih
12/9/2020 10:04:21 pm
I agree with you Jaah because I think that any father out there no matter how different or rare personality their son might have they shouldn't be treated any differently. I think that he should embrace his sons differences and learn to love himself more so he can be able to show the same love to his son. I also agree on how his mother not being here has a huge part on their father and son relationship. It's not easy adapting to a new lifestyle without your loved one and it's not easy for someone who never got the chance to meet their mother and blamed himself for that.
Zarak
11/24/2020 09:36:42 pm
I agree with you, I think that Amir and Baba do have a complicated relationship when it comes to communicating. I also think that Baba has to be more patient with him and not expect him to be like Baba and win at everything he puts his mind to. I believe that Amir should be himself and not have to win his father’s affection and do the things that Baba wants him to do just to please him. Baba should love and care for his son for who he is. I also think the mother’s death may be a reason that causes the relationship discomfort. It makes Amir feel guilty and feel like he needs to do better to make his father proud.
Bahnam
11/29/2020 11:15:05 am
I completely agree with you that Baba and Amir have a very complex relationship. A majority of this is due to the fact that they do not communicate well with each other and cannot see eye to eye. Baba, like every other parent, has high expectations of Amir that Amir cannot fulfill which strains their already complicated relationship. If Baba and Amir could come to a compromise with each other their relationship would be more healthy. Baba needs to understand that Amir will never be him and Amir needs to understand that it’s okay to be himself. If the two were to understand those ideas, they’d be able to understand each other better.
Zemar
11/29/2020 01:48:16 pm
I agree with Pazir’s point of view and the argument they make with the evidence provided. I also think that that piece of evidence shows how their communication is uncomfortable. And I also agree that Baba does need to learn to embrace and accept Amir for who he is. I think that even though Amir and Baba are so different, they can still have a healthy relationship and come to some kind of understanding of each other. Amir is already constantly trying to please Baba and I think the only way for Baba to kind of break that huge separation between them and better their relationship is to start understanding and embracing Amir for who he is and as his son.
Farjaad
12/4/2020 10:53:53 pm
I agree with you completely! I believe the strain and disconnect in their relationship is definitely rooted in their differences. Amir and Baba are simply two different people, however they both seem to hate it. When discussing sin Amir reprimands himself for not understanding, not because he thinks he’s stupid, but because he doesn’t want to upset Baba. Baba's perception of Amir is the only thing that matters to Amir, he pretends to be passionate about things for Baba's approval, he wants so badly to be like his father, but it's simply not possible. Baba also chooses to acknowledge their differences rather than their similarities. He displays the contrast between them when confiding to Rahim Khan about Amir.
Asadi
12/6/2020 07:10:18 pm
Yes, I agree with you because Baba does believe that the biggest sin is theft, and as Amir did accuse Hassan of stealing when it was him all along, makes Baba frown upon Amir even more, causing more anxiety about how much Amir wants Baba's attention. They also, do have a hard time communicating with each other, and it is noticeable because Baba is more of an impatient and straight forward person. I also agree with how you said that Baba needs to learn that his son is far from different than what he expects him to be, and that if he loves him he would learn to deal with it. I also love how you compared Amir to a coloring book, that you cannot decide what color you want to go into it, that was a powerful statement.
Badih
12/14/2020 10:03:35 pm
Yes, I agree with you Asadi because I think that Amir just truly wants his father to pay more attention to him. He wants his father to learn more about him and accept his differences of course. I think that Amir blaming Hassan wasn't such a good idea because it just made his father see him in a worst way then he already does giving Amir a more difficult time trying to get his father to accept him.Yes, I agree with you Asadi because I think that Amir just truly wants his father to pay more attention to him. He wants his father to learn more about him and accept his differences of course. I think that Amir blaming Hassan wasn't such a good idea because it just made his father see him in a worse way than he already does giving Amir a more difficult time trying to get his father to accept him.
Jaah
11/23/2020 01:50:18 pm
Amir has a complex relationship with Hassan. Even though Hassan and Amir spend most of their time together hanging out during the day, Amir does not really consider Hassan a true friend. He thinks of him as someone that he just spends time with. Although Amir views Hassan in this manner his actions tend to show a different side. When he takes his time to read to Hassan and go to the movies with him, it shows that there is a stronger connection and relationship than Amir wishes to declare. Amir views Hassan almost as a servant boy but I think Amir within himself, knows how much he values Hassan and his friendship. Amir is already an introvert and kind of has a disconnected relationship with his father, so without Hassan, Amir would truly feel the loneliness. Hassan on the other hand shows his admiration for Amir by the respect he renders to him each time he speaks to him. Hassan also showed his protective side when he stood up to Assef while Amir stood there lifeless not doing anything. Instead of Amir, who is looked at to be of “higher status” because of his background and father, intervening and protecting Hassan. It is Hassan who has the courage to stand up to Assef. This shows that even though Hassan knows that he does not receive the same level of respect from others, he will not let that stop him from protecting the people he cares about. In a way I feel Amir takes Hassan for granted.
Azoom
11/23/2020 07:45:57 pm
I completely agree that Amir takes Hassan’s friendship for granted. Amir knows that Hassan will do anything for him and uses that when he can. I also agree with the idea that while Amir sometimes doesn't want to admit it, he would be lost and painfully alone without Hassan in his life. He knows this which is why he keeps Hassan at arms length. There is a sort of disconnect between them as Amir is sometimes hesitant with talking about his feelings or thoughts with Hassan. He also gets annoyed when Hasan “reads his mind.” When Hassan tries to console or comfort Amir he just gets pushed away. They definitely are not true friends.
Pazir
11/24/2020 01:30:10 pm
I totally agree with what you have to say Jaah. I also believe that Hassan and Amir have a complex relationship with each other. For Hassan, he sees Amir as a good friend and even maybe as a brother, while Amir thinks that Hassan is just someone that he hangs out with and or a servant to him. I like how you included the part where Hassan and Amir are getting bullied and it is Hassan who has to stick up for Amir rather than Amir sticking up to Hassan. I truly also believe that Amir should have stood up for Hassan with him being of high status, from what the community thinks.
Zemar
11/29/2020 01:57:36 pm
I agree with you Jaah when you talk about how there is a stronger connection and relationship between Hassam and Amir than Amir wishes to say. And also how you said that deep down Amir knows how much he values Hassan and how he would really feel the loneliness without him. I never really realized that while reading and even after. I also agree that normally you would think that Amir being of a “higher status” than Hassan, would stand up for himself and others around him like Hassan, but maybe due to his introvertedness, it's the other way around.
Shahmeer
11/29/2020 08:21:10 pm
I agree that Amir doesn't really appractice Hassan. I feel that Amir internally believes that he is better than Hassan because of class differences. It seems less and less like a friendship as the story progresses and Amir makes comments that show their class differences. For example when Amri notes that Hassan makes his breakfast and bed every morning for school. Also, Hassan and Amir's relationship can be compared to Baba and Ali's relationship. Both play and hang out with one another like friends, but one is always ordering around the other similar to a servant and boss relationship. I can only see Amir and Hassan being friends if they were both treat each other equally, however it seems like social class and ethnicity makes it more difficult.
Farjaad
12/4/2020 11:01:24 pm
I agree that Amir takes Hassan's friendship for granted. I believe that he values the things Hassan brings to him more than he actually values Hassan and I believe the societal pressures presented to them is the reason for that. If their backgrounds were things that hold no historical significance and Hassan was JUST a servant I believe Amir would be more likely to refer to him a friend. I also think that Amir views Hassan as replaceable because that is what he's heard regarding people like Hassan all his life. Although they hang out a lot, I don't think Amir would truly care if Hassan was gone.
Azoom
11/23/2020 07:33:26 pm
Amir has extremely mixed feelings about Hassan which impacts the way he views their friendship, if you could call it that. While playing cards with him, Amir notes to himself how sad Hassan’s life is and how he feels bad for him. But not a moment later, he gets a little annoyed at Hassan’s purity and speaks to him with an attitude. We see this kind of behavior from Amir not only in this moment but throughout The Kite Runner so far. Amir plays with Hassan and talks to him in a friendly manner most of the time. But when narrating, we see Amir’s inner thoughts and how he sometimes insults or messes with Hassan. He isn’t at all ashamed to narrate about how he lies to Hassan about the meaning of words and how he sometimes uses his literary advantage to insult Hassan. However, he has referred to Hassan as his friend and even brother. Amir doesn’t seem to know how he feels about Hassan since he likes him sometimes and dislikes him other times. Hassan is the complete opposite and never changes the way he views or treats Amir. Hassan is secure in how he values and cares for Amir despite how he is treated. He is devoted to Amir and sees him as his best and really only friend.
Azzami
11/30/2020 09:56:09 am
I agree with you. I feel as though every friendship has their issues, but in this situation Amir is hiding how he really feels about Amir. Amir will laugh and play along with Hassan but when Hassan does something better than him or points something out that could've been better, like Amir's plot in his short story, Amir gets angry with Hassan and remembers that he is viewed as lower than Amir. Hassan on the other hand would do anything for Amir while Amir might not. Amir seems to be selfish in their friendship and not caring if Hassan were to ever leave.
Tashfeen
12/5/2020 12:31:03 am
I think that at the beginning, before the incident that happened during chapter 7 occurred, Amir cared deeply for Hassan and he very much so would have been devastated if he were to have left or the friendship would have ended. Granted he was selfish throughout their relationship, I still feel as if Amir cared deeply for his friend. The only reason why he had such a hard time expressing genuine feelings for Hassan is that his father did not show him the correct way to go about loving people. Had Amir been taught this lesson, he would more than likely have been a better person.
Azfaar
12/8/2020 09:34:04 pm
I agree Hassan and Amir's relationship is complicated. In some moments the boys are like brothers or best friends and in other moments you would think that Hassan did not even like him. I like how you pointed out that if it were not for the narration of the inner thoughts of Hassan we wouldn't really know how he felt about Amir. We would be just as clueless as Amir is about where the pair's relationship stands. To me it's kind of sad how loyal and good Amir is to Hassan when the energy is not genuinely returned. word count-100
Azfaar
11/23/2020 10:40:28 pm
The relationship Amir has with his father, Baba is complex but rooted from love. There are multiple instances where Amir can sense his fathers distance and disinterest. This in turn affects other relationships he has such as the one with him and Hassan and him and Rahim Khan. A part of this lack of connection comes from the fact that Amir's mother died while giving birth to him. Amir carries that guilt with him and it gets in the way of him having a relationship with his dad without feeling like he blames him for the loss of “his princess”. Rahim Khan, his dad's best friend is one of the people, in a way, who relieves him of this guilt. A flashback in the book describes a photo taken the day Amir was born, “I am a baby in that photograph and Baba is holding me, looking tired and grim- I’m in his arms, but it's Rahim Khan’spinky my fingers are curled around“ (Hosseini 3). Amir holding onto Rahim Khan symbolizes the support and connection they will always have even if he’s not where he wants to be with Baba. Another cause of the subtle strain on Amir and Baba’s relationship is the fact that they don't have the same interest. Baba is a big athletic man and Amir is small and likes to read and write stories. This difference between the two makes Amir feel as if he is letting his father down by not being a miniature version of him. Word count:255
Azzami
11/30/2020 10:07:06 am
Yes! Baba loves Amir so much but just because Amir isn't like him he doesn't show much interest in Amir. Rahim Khan on the other hand fills in for Baba when he doesn't show interest in Amir. Rahim Khan is the one who read Amir's story while Baba didn't even touch it. Rahim Khan understands who Amir is and knows that he isn't like his father. Although Rahim Khan is a father figure to Amir, Amir still wants to please his father and make him love who he is. Amir isn't going to change who he is just to please his father. Instead Baba should learn to appreciate who Amir has become and love who he is.
Zarak
11/24/2020 09:10:44 pm
Amir seems to have a unique and ambivalent relationship with Hassan. Hassan seems to really care about Amir when Hassan, who was afraid, stands up for Amir with his slingshot when Assef was bullying the both of them. They have had a very close relationship since childhood. In the story “The Kite Runner” they enjoy each other's company and spend their days playing together. However, they also have an ambivalent relationship because in the story, at times Amir gets jealous over Hassan when Baba treats Hassan like a son. Amir wants his father and his affections only to himself. Amir’s treatment of Hassan shifts throughout the story because although he treats him like a good friend, he also has his moments where he plays tricks on Hassan’s education. In the end of chapter 6, Hassan, a Hazara boy who lives in a small hut, makes Amir feel bad about his living conditions when Amir states about buying a television for the both of them when they get older and Hassan says he’ll place it in his table in the hut. When Hassan tells Amir that he likes where he lives, Hassan teaches Amir that he appreciates the little that he has.
Dadvar
12/3/2020 09:18:42 pm
I agree especially with the idea that Amir is getting jealous over keeping Baba’s affections to himself. I think Amir has his own insecurities that come along with not having the best relationship with his father and may cause him to act out in different ways; but certainly seeing Baba and Hassan get along would anger him. I do disagree with saying Amir treats Hassan as a good friend. I think that their relationship mostly serves to benefit Amir; he gets a companion when he wants; to do the things he wants with someone etc… but I don’t think Hassan is benefiting as much from their friendship; even basics like having someone you can depend on I don’t think Amir is that person for Hassan. Even at times where it seems Amir is close to being Hassan’s friend; his “friendship” seems fickle, he never truly appreciates Hassan.
Shahmeer
11/28/2020 12:02:32 am
Amir’s relationship with his dad seems like the stereotypical rich kid and their distant parents who don’t have enough to time to give attention to their kids because they’re focusing on work. Amir is young and it seems like he dislikes his father because of the lack of attention and care he receives. This can be shown through the times Amir has felt jealous towards Hassan when his father gifts Hassan presents. Though Amir has a lot more materials than Hassan, he is still envious because he doesn’t long for the actual gift, but reviving it from his father. Because of this lack of attention he believes that his father truly hates him. During the conversation about sin Amir was very self conscious about how his words and how his father reacted. He could feel a distant between because of their lack of views and Amir interiors that disconnect to hatred. Amir believes that a reason for his father hating him is because his birth has caused the death of his love of his life, implying that his father has never loved. Hopefully as the story progresses, and Amir matures that he will no longer believe his father hates him and overcome his feeling of envy towards Hassan.
Bahnam
11/29/2020 11:23:29 am
This is spot on! I strongly agree that Baba and Amir’s relationship is like the stereotypical rich kid and their distant parents trope because instead of giving Amir actual attention Baba gives Amir gifts to compensate for not being around even though Amir actually prefers spending time with Baba. The example you used was able to depict this really well. Amir definitely feels jealous when Baba also gives Hassan attention because Amir doesn’t get that much attention from Baba in general, so he doesn’t want to share Baba with anyone. This stereotypical relationship between rich kids and their distant parents definitely contributes to how complicated and complex Baba and Amir’s relationship is because not only this, but they both do not understand each other.
Zemar
11/29/2020 01:41:40 pm
The huge difference between Baba and Amir affects Amir in ways that Baba doesn’t really seem to notice. In the quote, “When I was in fifth grade, we had a mullah who taught us about Islam… But I hadn’t turned out like him. Not at all.” by Amir in Chapter 3, we see Amir basically comparing himself and Baba. He comments about what he learned from the mullah and goes on to tell it to Baba, then to in the end have to make the comment on how he turned out nothing like Baba, due to Baba’s comments/words on the topic. This area shows the relationship between Amir and Baba in the way that shows that yes they are father and son, but they are very different people, and that seems to get to Amir a lot. Amir wants Baba’s acknowledgement and love. He’s constantly trying to please him and get his attention, but because of the huge difference between them, and probably other factors, it’s hard for Baba to do or give these things. Amir and Baba live together and yet still Amir compares it to being a ghost in his own home. And he seems to get that feeling from, again, the unintentional separation between the two. I don't think Baba purposely tries to make Amir think these things or feel the way he does. I think he just doesn’t know what to say or how to connect with him.
Shahmeer
11/29/2020 08:50:24 pm
I believe that Baba can only show his affection through gifts and materials. Amir does have good life, but all he wants is to seek attention and affection from his father, which unfortunately Baba doesn't know how to reciprocate. There was one time that Baba was talking with Ali (I think it was Ali) and how he wished that his son was more like him, so he can be strong enough to defend himself. That conversation showed that Baba cares for Amir and doesn't hate his son, but is just frustrated that Amir isn't reaching his expectations. In addition, a previous comment by Pazir that Baba needs to mature and realize that Amir will not live up to your expectations because he is different.
Tashfeen
12/5/2020 12:11:01 am
I never took into consideration that the way Baba was expressing his love for Amir, is through materialistic objects. Now that you’ve brought it up I can’t help but think about all the objects that he would give Amir to fill up his time. Also, would Amir classify as an“object” that Baba gifted Amir with to show his love? Like I get that he was Ali’s son, but Baba didn’t have to take Hassan with him every time that he would spend time with Amir. The fact that he decided to do this, whether that was to make Amir feel more comfortable or because he was doing out of the kindness of his heart, I can’t help but feel as if Hassan’s purpose was to offer Amir the love that Baba couldn’t.
Azzami
11/30/2020 09:40:08 am
Amir and his father have a complicated relationship while Amir and Rahim Khan seemingly have a closer relationship. Baba and Amir both love each other greatly but seem to be complete opposites. Baba mentions how Amir is nothing like him. Amir tries his hardest to please his father by just being who he is, which is someone who likes books and likes to write, yet his father doesn't appreciate his writing. Amir writes his first short story and intends to share it with his father, but his father doesn't pay attention to him. Instead, Rahim Khan takes his short story and reads it. After he reads it he hands Amir a note telling him that he will be a great writer. This shows that Rahim Khan appreciates the effort and the work that Amir does. Rahim Khan seems to be more of a father to Amir than Baba is. Baba may love him and take great care of him but they don’t have the connection that Rahim Khan and Amir seem to have. In a picture from when Amir was a baby Baba is holding Amir but Amir is holding onto Rahim Khan’s finger. This shows that while Baba and Amir love each other, Rahim Khan is there to fill in the spaces that Baba doesn’t fill in as Amir’s father.
Dadvar
12/3/2020 09:29:40 pm
I think the obvious part of the reason Amir, and his father have a distant relationship is because of their differing personalities and so with Rahim Khan not only are their personalities more similar than compared to that of Amir and Baba, but Rahim’s willingness to understand Amir and attempt at relating to his interest seems to be more than Baba's which furthers his relationship as a father-figure to Amir. I think that although they have this relationship Amir will always continue to want his fathers attention overall else, especially as a child I think even if that relationship with Rahim Khan satisfies part of him I don’t think it will ever fully satisfy him.
Azfaar
12/8/2020 09:21:57 pm
I agree with you. Amir and Baba are total opposites that struggle to meet in the middle and find that connection a good father son relationship should have. Although the relationship between Amir and Baba is forced, the one between him and Rahim Khan comes much more naturally. Baba does not seem to really see Amir as a person. He cares for him as a parent should but doesn't get to know him as an individual. Rahim Khan takes the time to. In the photo Baba holds Amir, while Amir holds Rahim Khan and that's just the start of the complicated relationship he will grow and have with the two. word count- 112
Dadvar
12/3/2020 08:45:46 pm
In “The Kite Runner”;Amir, the main character has a distant relationship with his father although from the very beginning it is clear Amir looks up to his father, and wishes nothing more than to be able to relate to him and make him proud the opposing personalities of him and his father do not help foster any kind of close relationship. “In 1933, the year Baba was born, and the year Zahir Shah began his forty-year reign of Afghanistan… and nothing was ever going to change that. Nothing." I think this quote near the beginning which is basically the introduction to Amir’s view of his father really exemplifies how much he looks up to his father.He along with so many other people see how powerful his father is and the influence he has. I think that the relationship between Amir and Hassan parallels the relationship between Baba and Ali. Maybe not fully, but I do see similarities where Amir doesn't really treat Hassan as a friend and where Baba does not call Ali a friend because of their differing social classes. I think that in a way Amir is mirroring his fathers “strength” and trying to fake the influence his father has in the only way he feels he can; because he can’t really treat others the way he treats Hassan most people would never allow that.
Derrell
12/4/2020 09:47:36 am
Amir has incredibly mixed feelings about Hassan that have an effect on the way he sees their relationship, if you might call it that. Amir states to himself how miserable Hassan's life like that time they were playing cards. But not a moment later, because of Hassan's purity, he gets a little irritated and talks to him with an attitude. Not just at this moment, but so far in The Kite Runner, we see this kind of action from Amir. Amir plays with Hassan and converses with him in a fun way. Since he sometimes likes him and sometimes doesn't like him, Amir hasn't seemed to know how he feels about Hassan. Hassan is the opposite, and the way he sees or addresses Amir never changes. Even after his treatment, Hassan is certain that he values and cares for Amir.
Farjaad
12/4/2020 10:38:39 pm
Amir’s relationship with his father is complex. Although it may be one tangled in love, it is not inherently positive. Baba loves his son. Amir loves his father. However, somewhere between them, there is a disconnect. This disconnect is acknowledged by Amir when discussing religion with his father, he says “When I was in fifth grade, we had a mullah who taught us about Islam… But I hadn’t turned out like him. Not at all.” Within this passage, Amir is seen once again comparing himself to his father. Although he tries so hard to know enough and be exactly what his father wants, it is clear it's simply not possible. The two are different and Amir hates it. All he’s wanted to do is be like his father and gain his approval, no matter the consequence. However, it seems the odds were pinned against him from the start. The loss of his mother during his birth sits with him and he believes that his father has resented him because of it. In the birth of his son, he lost his 'princess', but the disconnect didn't stop there, as Amir grows only more differences appear, this is even acknowledged by Baba himself while confiding in Rahim Khan he says “If I hadn't seen the doctor pull him out my wife with my own eyes, I’d never believe he’s my son”. Albeit harshly put, what Baba said would seem expected of most parents, sometimes your kid just doesn’t come out like you. However, in Amir's case, his words cut much deeper than that. All he wants is the approval of his father; to be like his dad, but no matter how hard he tries, it's always just out of his grasp.
Asadi
12/6/2020 06:53:48 pm
I think you are 100% right. Amir and his father had always had a difficult relationship. They both love each other, but their slight differences is what tears them apart, and also causes Amir to be attention-seeking. Then talking about the Mullah that had came into Amir's 5th grade class to teach him about Islam, he wanted to be everything his father wanted, but he just ended up accusing Hassan of stealing, letting Hassan take several falls for him, just to not look like the bad guy for Baba's attention. And like how you mentioned that Amir lost his mother during childbirth, his attention seeking ways was, more like a call out for help. He wanted to be heard.
Painda
12/4/2020 10:56:23 pm
Amir and his father, Baba, aren’t that close. For reasons like how their hobbies clash. Amir is the type of kid who would rather be dived into a book rather than investing his time into extracurriculars that involve athletics. Unlike Baba who has been athletic since he was a young boy. There is a lot of tension between the two of them because they both aren’t interested in the same things. Another side of this tension is that Baba lost his wife during childbirth. He referred to her as “my princess”, Amir feels like his father resents him because of the way his “princess” died and that Amir never inherited any of Baba’s traits. Amir and his father never really communicate even when they do Baba never explains himself in depth rather he sighs in frustration because Amir doesn’t always understand what he’s saying. Baba needs to understand that Amir is a kid living in a different generation. His values and hobbies as a kid might not be the same for Amir, and he shouldn’t push them upon his son. Amir shouldn’t feel like he can’t talk to his father about his hobbies and when his father doesn’t listen he should try to help him understand why he doesn’t want to do the things his father likes.
Tashfeen
12/4/2020 11:34:44 pm
Amir’s relationship with Hassan, for a lack of better words, is built on convenience and cowardness; He uses Hassan to obtain his father’s affection and becomes angry any time that Hassan gains the minuscule amount of attention that he has had to work hard for. At the beginning of the book, he had a genuine relationship with Hassan. They did everything together; they watched movies, traveled, read books and they treated each other as semi-equals, even though Hassan was technically beneath him. Essentially, they were the best of friends and the relationship that they had is something that readers were envious of. This all comes to an end the minute he decides to put his lust for Baba’s affection above his loyalty and morals. Amir watches his best friend get taken advantage of and then dares to ask “where were you, I looked for you” when he didn’t even have the guts to stand up against Assef, who more than likely would not have harmed him because of Baba’s status. This honestly made me so mad, because Hassan is willing to do any and everything for Amir (Hassan even claims that he would go so far as to eat dirt if Amir asked him), yet Amir couldn’t even call an adult to help Hassan.
Asadi
12/6/2020 06:15:34 pm
(“It snowed heavily the night before the tournament. Hassan and I sat under the kursi… ‘Whatever,’ I said. ‘Get ready to lose again.’”)
Badih
12/7/2020 09:53:41 pm
Amir and Hassan have a unique type of relationship. They are best friends/brothers. Hassan seems to be the one that is always standing out for the other but as the story progresses we can read that Amir has mixed emotions about Hassan since they’re both from different classes one seen as inferior to the other. In chapter 2 Amir and Hassan are confronted by a bully called Assef. Hassan was Assef’s target but despite that he still protected Amir because of how much he cares about him. I think that Amir seems to be insecure about himself and the friendship they’ve had since their childhood days. Insecurities will not only affect himself but the people around him. Amir hides his real emotions and true thoughts about Hassan. I don’t think it’s fair that he’s hiding that from someone that simply cares about him. I think Amir blames himself too much for something that wasn’t his fault but at the end he’s a human being and he has the right to feel mixed emotions.
Taimur
12/7/2020 11:58:26 pm
Despite himself not thinking so, Amir and his father have a strong similarity between them: not recognizing the jewels in front of them, thus taking advantage of them. Amir recognizes Hassan as someone significant to him, as does Baba with Ali; however, neither of them truly see their acquaintances as complete equals. When Amir is describing a story of his father told to him by Rahim Khan, he shares: "But in none of his stories did Baba ever refer to Ali as his friend. The curious thing was, I never thought of Hassan and me as friends either" (Hosseini 19). Baba used to play outside with his son's present caretaker back when they were kids, just as his son does with Hassan. And despite neither Amir or Baba giving their companion the gratitude they deserve, they continuously have the back of the other person, making Amir, though specifically Hassan in this scenario, a constant victim in a toxic relationship. Amir might have the similarity with his father concerning obliviousness; nonetheless, it's much worse for Amir since he realizes how much Hassan does for him, much past the extent of a servant boy or just an ordinary friend. Amir himself recognizes the kindness in Hassan's heart and deliberately chooses to ignore it: "Never mind that we taught each other how to ride a bicycle with no hands, or to build a fully functional homemade camera out of a cardboard box. Never mind that we spent entire winters flying kites, running kites. Never mind that to me, the face of Afghanistan is that of a boy with a thin-boned frame, a shaved head, and low set ears" (Hosseini 20). Amir ignores these facts due to his own subconscious fears of not only disappointing his father in any way, shape, or form, but of also breaking out of the mold he made for himself based off of the society he was a part of, one that oppressed Hazzaras. Now, was Amir necessarily proud of this side of himself? No, yet he did not a single thing to cast away the side of him that degraded Hassan's name, save for reading Hassan books that would remind him how he was superior intellectually compared to his illiterate friend. Amir has a tendency to put himself before others, making him a sinner by his own father's words: he's a thief of other's time and effort.
Firash
12/9/2020 08:49:43 pm
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