Amir And Hassan Character Analysis

Despite the boys close upbringing together, numerous divides continue to grow between Amir and Hassan throughout the novel, and in return, weakening their friendship in the long run. In The Kite Runner, Hassan and Ali are Hazara, a poor social status and the minority group of Afghanistan; meanwhile, Amir and Baba are Pashtun, the rich and praised ethnic group of their homeland. This small detail of what seems indifferent plays a major role throughout the plot and continuously impacts Amir and Hassan’s relationship.
Amir and Hassan’s relationship was not the least bit ordinary. For example, Amir never called Hassan a friend as a child; the reader can interpret that this is because Amir is aware that Baba has never referred to Ali as his friend either. “‘But he’s not my friend!’ I almost blurted. ‘He’s my servant[,]” Amir’s conscious cried when Assef questioned him spending time with a Hazara. It becomes clear at this point in the novel that although Amir treated Hassan as a brother, he only showed his true liking for the boy in private because he feared oppression from his Pashtun peers; how could he call his servant his friend?

Moreover, ironically enough, Hassan remained loyal to Amir regardless of Amir’s harshness toward him.

Amir finds it difficult to comprehend Hassan’s adherence to him because he is unsure how to love properly himself, and Baba is rather hard on him, so he constantly tests Hassan. In addition, Amir exposes his jealousy of Hassan on more than one occasion because Baba often pays more attention to Hassan who possesses the same interests and athleticism as him. Furthermore, Amir’s resentment was at its fullest potential when he watches the town bully rape his closest “friend;” he refrained from helping Hassan out of not only fear but selfishness as well because he wanted his grand prize as a souvenir to win over Baba. It’s Amir guilt that eats at him, forcing him push Hassan away at the thought that seeing less of Hassan will ease his

pain.
In conclusion, the social class of the boys weakens their relationship as time passes in the novel. Although many of Amir’s actions and poor treatment are out of jealousy, the ignorant thoughts of Hassan as ‘just his servant’ and ‘only a Hazara’ are still present in his mind and other Pashtuns. Hassan’s poor social status along with Amir’s envy ultimately led to the downfall of what used to be a close-knit brotherhood.