Similarities Between Amir And Ali In The Kite Runner By Khaled Hosseini

Throughout time individuals have progressed through the collaboration of diverse ethnic groups by developing significant relationships. Although, regardless of exchanging knowledge as well as foreign goods, distinct regions seldom undergo cultural diffusion, as they believe that their cultures may conflict with one another leading to certain tribulations. Plus, many foreign regions do not desire to even interact with other certain regions because they consider them to be barbaric. Likewise, within the novel The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, one is able to determine that one’s social class within society as well as their religion, ultimately conflict with their affiliation with another individual. Nonetheless, although, the protagonists Amir

and Hassan possess a strong relationship with each other as aspects such as the protagonists; if one individual is mentally superior to their acquaintance, this ultimately diminishes one’s relationship as well, as there is a disparity between the knowledge one individual possesses over their associate.

Within the novel The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini, the reader is portrayed that one’s relationship to another individual is impeded by one’s social class as well as the branch of religion they practice, regardless of preceding occurrences. For example, “Ali and Baba grew up together as childhood playmates… Baba was always telling us about the mischief he
and Ali used to cause, and Ali would shake his head and say, “But, Agha sahib, tell them who was the architect of the mischief and who the poor laborer?” Baba would laugh and throw his arm around Ali.

But in none of his stories did Baba ever refer to Ali as his friend.” (Hosseini 25). Here, the reader is able to comprehend that by considering Ali’s culture in practicing Shi’a Islam, a separate branch of Islam, Baba does not truly Ali to be his true friend regardless of their past experiences as well as Ali’s perspective towards Baba. Additionally, one is conveyed a similar concept between the association of Amir and Hassan, as Amir himself ultimately comprehends that he does not consider Hassan his true companion because of the diverse branches of Islam in which they follow. As seen here, “The curious thing was, I never thought of Hassan and me as friends either. Not in the usual sense, anyhow. Never mind that we taught each other to ride a bicycle with no hands… Never mind that we spent entire winters flying kites, running kites… history isn’t easy to overcome. Neither is religion. In the end, I was a Pashtun and he was a Hazara, I was Sunni and he was Shi’a, and nothing was ever going to change that. Nothing.” (25). Therefore, the reader is able to identify that although Amir and Hassan have progressed throughout their life’s events together, their relationship is impeded by their religion, which causes Amir to socially consider Hassan inferior, as he is a

Hazara.

Although, Amir was aware that Hassan’s social class within society as well as his religion conflicted with their friendship, regardless, Hosseini chronically demonstrated events in which Amir and Hassan would attend to together.

For instance, “We chased the Kochi, the nomads who passed through Kabul on their way to the mountains of the north… We saw our first Western together, Rio Bravo with John Wayne, at the Cinema Park, across the street from my favorite bookstore… After school, Hassan and I met up, grabbed a book, and trotted up a bowl-shaped hill just north of my father’s property in Wazir Akbar Khan. There was a pomegranate tree near the entrance to the cemetery. One summer day, I used one of Ali’s kitchen knives to carve our names on it: “Amir and Hassan, the sultans of Kabul.” Those words made it formal: the tree was ours. After school, Hassan and I climbed its branches and snatched its bloodred pomegranates.” (26-28). Here, one is portrayed that Amir and Hassan significantly value each other as acquaintances as they spend a large quantity of time with each other in performing different activities, therefore revealing that they possess an imperative relationship to one another. Nevertheless, the knowledge in which one individual possess may be greater than their companion, ultimately causing one to consider themselves to be mentally superior leading to the relationship being moderated. As seen here, “What does that word mean? Which one? Imbecile. You don’t know what

it means? I said, grinning. Nay, Amir agha. But it’s such a common word! Still, I don’t know it. Well, everyone in my school knows what it means, I said. Let’s see. ‘Imbecile.’ It means smart, intelligent. I’ll use it in a sentence for you. ‘When it comes to words, Hassan is an imbecile’.” (29). The reader is demonstrated that Amir possesses more knowledge than Hassan as Amir is able to obtain education by attending school, while Hassan is unable to, causing him to implicitly be castigated by Amir for his ignorance as he is illiterate. Therefore, the distinction between Amir and Hassan in terms of knowledge portrays that Amir does not truly consider Hassan to be a friend on equivalent terms.

Hence, although Amir and Hassan possess a strong relationship as they have experienced numerous preceding activities together, their status, religion, and knowledge ultimately impede them from developing a significant relationship as true friends. Amir is a Sunni Muslim or Pashtun while Hassan is a Shi’a Muslim or a Hazara, causing as distinction in their social classes within society, as Hazara’s are portrayed as inferior individuals. As a result, regardless of their past experiences Amir does not truly consider Hassan his companion. Additionally, by possessing more knowledge than Hassan who is illiterate, Amir is ultimately mentally superior to him as he purposely demonstrates Hassan as ignorant, causing a disparity in their knowledge and resulting in the diminishment of their relationship. Therefore, Amir and Hassan do not possess a mutual relationship, as they have diverse perspectives towards each other. Thus, regardless of preceding actions certain aspects hinder one from progressing an affiliation and recognizing another individual as a true friend.