Hassan Character Analysis Essay

Hassan, an 11 year old boy, a servant and a Hazar, has not had life come very easily. His mother was never accepting of his face deformity, refusing to hold him as a newborn. Sanaubar had taken one glance at the baby in Ali's arms, seen the cleft lip, and barked a bitter laughter. [...]. She had refused to even hold Hassan, and just five days later she was gone. (2.29-30) Unfortunately, she decided to run away five days after his birth, leaving him without a mother for the rest of his life. Although his mother was not accepting of Hassan’s face, Amir has a different opinion. He describes Amir as having an almost perfectly round face, a face like a Chinese doll chiselled from hardwood. From the start through to the end Hassan remains the same Loyal, forgiving and good-natured character. Amir calls Hassan a "coward" and begs Hassan: "Hit me back!" (8.88). Hassan just takes it and never fights back. Hassan remains loyal and honest to Amir throughout the story, despite Amir’s actions towards him.

Because of the life that Hassan has been brought up with he has come to learn that it is his duty to sacrifice himself for others.

It also becomes known through the story that Hassan is a character not prone to envy. He tells Amir that he is happy with all that he has, even though he constantly sees how much more Amir receives than himself. A major event in Hassan’s life in the story is when he is raped by Assef and his friends. Hassan had just run after the last kite when Amir wins the competition, only to be greeted by Assef and his gang when he finds the kite. Assef chooses to give Hassan an alternative. “Give us the kite or else.” Hassan has run this kite for Amir and he is not giving it up. Leaving him with only one option. Amir witnessed the rape, but instead of standing up for Hassan he fled. Hassan never forgave Amir for this, but he never told on him either. He remained Loyal, despite Amir’s lack of

bravery.
As we don’t hear the story through Hassan’s eyes we are not able to really say what his true feelings and thoughts were. We know that Amir had his opinion on what he thought Hassan was thinking, or what Hassan should be thinking, but we don’t actually know.
Throughout the novel, Hassan remains a character that could be viewed by many as “too good to be true,” as despite Amir’s actions towards Hassan he remains loyal, true and respectful to Amir.