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How Does Amir Use Discrimination In The Kite Runner

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Throughout The Kite Runner, racism and discrimination are shown by the treatment of Hazaras, specifically Hassan and Ali. They are servants to Amir and Baba but believe their relationship to be more of a friendship. However, Amir struggles to treat Hassan as a true friend due to their power dynamic created through Afghanistan society’s pressure to uphold a reputation of high class. Amir views Hassan as lesser because of his ethnicity and doesn’t return the kindness Hassan displays. Due to this inequality, it is easier for Amir to betray Hassan early in the novel, similar to Baba’s betrayal of Ali, since “no one was going to risk anything for a pair of Hazara servants” (Hosseini 220). During Hassan’s attack, Assef refers to him as “just a Hazara,” …show more content…

The relationship he develops with Sohrab is to replenish and save the relationship he failed to have with Hassan. Early in the novel, Hassan’s attack stems from the kite fight they just won. He refuses to give Assef their kite because “Amir agha won the tournament . . . and (it) is (Amir’s) kite” (Hosseini 72). This kite acts as a symbol of Amir’s abandonment and betrayal. Later in the novel, Amir is kite flying with Sohrab when he “look(s) up at those twin kites” and, “thinks about Hassan” (Hosseini 370). While flying, Amir “thought of the life (he) had lived until the winter of 1975 came along and changed everything. And made (him) what (he) is today” (Hosseini 370). The kite’s symbol develops into one of redemption and satisfaction as Amir helps Hassan’s son fly the kite, the way he should have helped Hassan in the past. It’s a full circle of Amir’s relationship with Hassan, and now his relationship with Sohrab. He struggled to give his friendship in the past due to the barrier between their ethnicity and race. However, he learns the lesson that friendship and kindness trump ethnicity. Amir is trying to improve life for Sohrab, helping a Hazara, and pushing back their boundary. Similarly, in the article, the author believes “We should be equal at the same level, no matter if we are Hazara, Tajik, Uzbek or Pashtun” (NPR para 29). Comparably, both the article and the novel symbolize the importance of looking at what’s inside of a person, not what is seen on the

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