In Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner, the theme of shame is shown through the character of Amir, and through the culture of Kabul. Amir represents shame in his recognition of his actions. While his actions during Hassan’s rape were cowardly enough, he realizes that he should have done something, or at least tell someone. In not doing either, Amir acknowledges what he was supposed to do, and ignores it, berating himself all the while for what he knows he ought to have done. The culture of Kabul also revolves around certain actions which are seen as shameful. For example, in chapter eleven, Amir says, “And that was how Baba ... alleviated one of his greatest fears: that an Afghan would see him buying food with charity money”, meaning that Afghan