The Kite Runner Essay

Throughout the novel The Kite Runner the theme of loyalty is repeatedly portrayed in the story. Loyalty becomes a driving influence on the novel having a big impact during important events. Hassan undoubtedly shows exemplary loyalty towards Amir throughout his life. He once said, "for you a thousand times over.." (71) These words truly came from Hassan's heart as he has sacrificed himself in numerous occasions. Amir was everything to Hassan, his best friend, his master and his companion. He put Amir before himself and never expected anything in favor. As Amir is unable to protect himself Hassan stands up from him. When Assef would confront them Amir would always back away, luckily Hassan carried his slingshot wherever he went. He was able to make Assef retreat and allow them to escape. Later into the book Amir wins the kite tournament and as usual Hassan went out to retrieve the kite. Upon finding the kite Assef, Wali and Kamal surround Hassan and threaten him. At times where most people wouldn’t be loyal, Hassan did not give up until the end. Hassan says, "Amir agha won the tournament and I ran this kite for him. I ran it fairly. This is his kite." (77)  He could have given them the kite and ran away but decided to put Amir's needs before his. Overall, Hassan is a character that displays unwavering loyalty, respect and love for Amir. His dependability and trustworthiness makes him very accountable for Amir.

Amir abused Hassan's loyalty for his own personal benefits as he was blinded with the goal of getting his father's approval. He needed Baba's approval as he felt so much shame upon him as he was the reason for his mother's death. Amir had countless attempts to gain this acceptance. He wasn't athletic or couldn’t defend himself which upset his father. Baba is so disappointed to the point that he says, "If I hadn't seen the doctor pull him out of my wife with my own eyes, I'd never believe he's my son." (24-25) From that point forth, the only thing in Amir's mind was to make Baba proud. Upon winning the tournament, Amir was overwhelmed with joy as he had made his father satisfied. However, he went searching for Hassan as he took longer than usual to bring the kite back. Once finding him he noticed that Assef, Wali and Kamal were threatening Hassan for the kite. If it weren't for Amir's selfishness to get his personal desires Hassan wouldn't have been raped. As he watched Hassan get abused he knew that it was the wrong thing not to help, "I blinked, saw I was still biting down on my fist, hard enough to draw blood from the knuckle. I realized something else. I was weeping." (82) This affected Amir's entire life as his self guilt kept growing bigger and bigger. This not only shows how he misused Hassan's never ending loyalty but that he realized had made a shameful mistake.