How Does Power Affect Relationships In The Kite Runner

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Humankind has only thrived and achieved so much because of communication and collaboration between each other; positive relationships are the root of our survival, the reason behind our successes as a species - likewise, the main origin for *our hindrances are noxious relationships. The majority of the relationships found within Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner, are unhealthy due to significant power imbalances between the parties. Due to these inequalities within relationships, the ‘lesser’ party is typically expected to sacrifice for the benefit of the other party and also face the consequences of their decisions. The impacts of the normalization of these relationships are shown on a grander scale between Afghan citizens and their

For example, when Hassan was approached by Assef and his friends who desired the kite Hassan had just run, Amir believed that “Hassan was the price [he] had to pay, the lamb [he] had to slay, to win Baba” (Hosseini 82). Amir sacrifices his best friend - his best friend who “fed from the same breasts” and has protected him since his birth, to present himself as competent in front of his father’s eyes (Hosseini 12). Hassan sacrifices his body, his dignity, and his smile for Amir’s temporary happiness. In no way are the sacrifices equal, and are even less equitable; the wealthier party sacrifices another* while the other sacrifices himself. Evidently, Amir feels a sense of ownership over Hassan by regarding him as a tool to win Baba’s approval - a mere sacrificial lamb (Hosseini 81). The lack of respect and refusal to view Hassan as an equal has caused Hassan to face multiple physical and emotional attacks throughout his childhood years. In the end, the relationship was forced to end when Ali decided to leave Baba’s property in order to protect Hassan from the toxicity of the relationship. Had Ali not made that decision, Hassan would likely have been forced to make several more sacrifices for Amir, worsening Hassan’s wellbeing in order to

This is seen within Hassan’s character; Hassan was not provided with any education or means of improving his quality of life as he was simply expected to serve others due to his Hazara race. Eventually, these societal norms started to be enforced, as seen through the Taliban, who believed that Hazaras should not be given responsibility over valuable objects and would thus enforce their belief through acts of violence (Hosseini 231). A country can not be successful if the relationship between the *governmental power and its citizens includes such a significant imbalance of power; after all, humankind’s achievements have been built upon countless positive relationships - it is only our hindrances that have been caused as a result of these negative *relationships. Since being published in 2003, The Kite Runner has shed light on how the toxic relationship between Afghan citizens and their government has caused their country to fall behind. Twenty years later, the Taliban continue to terrorize the citizens of Afghanistan while the rest of the world makes no attempt to help for their own selfish