Khaled Hosseini’s "the Kite Runner" Demonstrates That Hard and Unsettled Times Bring Out the Best as Well as the Worst in Human Nature

Khaled Hosseini’s “The Kite Runner” is a touching tale about one’s struggles through hard times. Although the author does not specifically relate to the reasons of Hassan’s loyalty, the text explores how the incident of the alleyway has brought out the best as well as the worst in human nature. The unconscionable horrors that follow might dehumanize the victim, erode their faith to mankind irrevocably, however, Hassan never sinks to such levels but rather transcends from this and shows the full degree of his devotion to Amir. Contrary speaking, Amir fails to overcome his shame and resorts to such acts as betraying Hassan’s loyalty, as his guilt has resulted him to frame Hassan where these actions have caused Amir fleeting moments of remorse and despair.

On one hand, we have our oppressed Hassan, whose life was determined at birth for being a hazara. However, throughout Hassan’s childhood, Hassan clings onto Amir, unwavering in his devotion to him. The one thought which runs through Hassan’s mind, through all his experiences with Amir was “for you, a thousand times over”. As his unquestionable commitment and devotion never changes. The loyalty he displays to Amir is shown when he did not fight back against Amir, when Amir had thrown pomegranates at him. We can here see the intensity of Hassan’s loyalty, as it takes an immense amount of forgiveness to not retaliate against such pain. Then again, Hassan had drawn upon a goodness far stronger then this pain, that is, the love that he had for Amir and Baba. However the culmination of his devotion was shown when he accepted the blame for stealing Amir’s watch, regardless of the fact he knew Amir had deserted him in the alleyway. It is here we can see that, the good in human nature can prevail, even at bad times.

On the other hand, Amir fails to overcome his guilt, resolving his pain with the disposal of Hassan. The fact that Amir had resorted to the removal of Hassan was that, he judges himself too harshly. Interestingly, Amir’s anger was only directed at his inactions rather then towards Assef, for having inflicted the pain on Hassan, as the thought of revenge never came to his mind. Seeing that this unpleasant incident had brought pain to Amir for 26 years, we are able to see that, it was out of desperation, the need to escape his guilt, which had motivated him to frame Hassan earlier in the story. It is also interesting to note that, Amir was only 12 at that time. Nevertheless if Hassan had once fought back with Amir, both his life and Amir’s may have differed. However it is Amir’s actions