The Kite Runner: A Character Analysis

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In the novel “The Kite Runner,” by Khaled Hosseini, Hassan is a loyal, selfless and compassionate young boy. Hassan is a small, dark haired, green eyed Hazara who has a cleft lip. Hassan and his father are servants to Amir and his father, Baba. Hassan’s mother abandoned him when he was newborn and since he has lived in a mud shack at the back of Amir and Baba’s mansion with his father, Ali. Hassan is illiterate, but smart and is also the best kite runner in Kabul. Hassan’s world is Amir! He loves and worships him; his first word was Amir. Although Hassan has many notable qualities, he lives a hard and sad life. Hassan’s most significant characteristic is his utter devotion and loyalty to Amir. Even though Amir is his master, Hassan views Amir as his best friend and spends most of his free time with him. He frequently tells Amir, “For you a …show more content…

“Hassan never denied [Amir] anything.” After the life changing moment when Hassan got raped by Assef, Hassan became withdrawn. Amir was riddled with guilt because he saw the rape and did not stop it even though he had the ability. Amir was aware that Hassan knew that he saw it and did nothing, making him even feel more like coward. This led to Amir trying to make Hassan have some sort of emotion, to hit him and to be angry with him. Hassan was just not capable of those sort of ugly emotions. Although Amir did nothing to stop the rape, Hassan still was faithful to him. Amir couldn’t live with the guilt so he concocted a plan where it looked like Hassan stole a watch and birthday money from Amir. When Amir’s Baba asks “Did you steal Amir’s watch, Hasan?”” Hassan’s reply was a single word, delivered in a thin raspy voice: Yes.” This proves that Hassan is selfless; even though there would be harsh consequences he was willing to lie in order to protect Amir. Hassan knew that if Baba found out that Amir lied, Amir would be in a great deal of trouble and Hassan would do anything, at any cost to protect

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