The Kite Runner Equality Quotes

Serena Koopmans

Ms. Joseph, Ms. Nguyen

English 1

January 28, 2023

The Kite Runner’s Hidden Message of Equality

The proverb “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” is often said because children tend to replicate their parent’s patterns, for better or for worse. In the novel, The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini, the main character, Amir, initially follows his father’s pattern of manipulating others. However, over the course of three relationships, he develops an understanding of coequality and breaks his father’s pattern. In Amir’s youth, he views his father, Baba, as a god and yearns for his approval. Because Baba is a large influence on him, Amir replicates Baba’s manipulative behaviors by training his friend, Hassan, to unconditionally

Amir learns that although using manipulation to create power dynamics benefits oneself, equality proves essential for longevity and health in relationships.

Amir’s initial relationship is with his father, Baba, and it is unhealthy because Amir intensely idolizes him. Amir describes his father as a “force of nature,” that commands attention when he “thunder[s] into the room” (13). This quote characterizes Baba as proud and demonstrates Amir looking up to him. He strives for his approval, often putting him on a pedestal and changing himself for Baba. For example, when Baba mentions hopes of Amir becoming the local kite running tournament champion, Amir’s focus becomes “running the last kite, then [bringing] it home and [showing] it to Baba,” to prove “once and for all that he was worthy,” (57). This motivation demonstrates Amir’s craving for Baba’s love and as a result, he disregards key people in his life. In fact, with his persistence and determination to win, Amir does not come to Hassan’s rescue when Assef (the book’s antagonist) was raping him. Despite knowing the immorality of running away, Amir rationalizes his decision as Hassan was “the price [he] had to

A large contributor to its success is that there is no inequality or hierarchy in the relationship: they are both devoted to and act selflessly toward each other. The two of them are open about their emotions and backgrounds, and when they are vulnerable or upset, they turn to the other. For example, after Baba dies, Amir does not process his emotions until Soraya embraces him and “[his] tears finally come,” (148). Or, when Soraya collapses over the double standard women are held to in Afghan culture, Amir “[wipes] tears from her jawline,” and “kisses her cheek,” (154). Their tendency to support each other through difficult times conveys the strength of their relationship, which occurs due to their equal treatment of each other. Amir describes men treating women equally as rare in Afghan culture, (155), but it clearly benefits their marriage, which was arguably one of Hosseni’s most vital concepts throughout the novel. Soraya and Amir both hold complicated pasts, and by sharing their regrets with each other, it equalizes them. For example, when Soraya tells Amir how she ran away as a teenager, he is not bothered, because he “had [a past] of [his] own,” and “knew all about regret,” (155). In addition, when Amir shares how he ruined his and Hassan’s friendship, Soraya listens for almost an hour, and “by the time [he finishes], she [is]