The Kite Runner: Unrequited Love Essay Example

Amir because of his inability to stand up for himself; “a boy who can’t stand up for himself becomes a man who can’t stand up to anything” – and as a result, often does not give Amir the affection that he craves from him. Also, because of Baba’s power and status, he is accustomed to be able to change anything he wants to whatever suits him. It is evident that he wrongly applies this attitude to Amir – “with me as the glaring exception, my father moulded the world around him to his liking. ” The reader can now establish that Baba’s disinterest in

Amir is justified by his unsuccessful attempts made to change Amir to be more like him. Hassan, on the other hand, is courageous, and always intervenes whenever Amir is in trouble with other boys, namely Assef. “You know what always happens when neighbourhood boys tease him? Hassan steps in. ” Because of Hassan’s trait, Baba gives him far more attention and affection, to Amir’s envy. It is clear that Amir wants to have Baba ‘all to himself,’ as he frequently lies to his father about something being wrong with Hassan whenever it is suggested that Hassan should go anywhere with them.

Furthermore, we are told of Hassan and Amir’s first words. “... we spoke our first words. Mine was Baba. His was Amir. ” This clearly shows, even from such a young age, that Amir loves Baba as Hassan loves Amir, and this is carried on through to the pivotal moment in the novel that heavily influences the rest of their lives. Although Amir envies Hassan for being second to him in the

eyes of Baba, they still have a good friendship, and it reaches its peak when they win a kite flying competition where the objective is to “cut” opposing kites till the last one flying is the winner.

Amir clearly sees winning the competition as an opportunity to gain Baba’s approval. “With a tug of my string, I’d cut loose my pain, my longing. ” This is effective use of word choice, as in this context, the word ‘cut’ has a double barrelled meaning to literally ‘cut’ the opposing kites, but in doing so, metaphorically ‘cutting’ loose the anguish he has suffered for so long from not being accepted by Baba.

The peak of Amir and Hassan’s relationship is also highlighted after the last kite has been cut when Hassan shouts to Amir “For you a thousand times over” when he goes to run the kite in order to keep it as a trophy as a reminder of their success. However, a tragic twist in the story occurs, and Amir ends up finding Hassan with the kite but cornered by Assef and his sidekicks moments before his brutal rape occurs. Amir watches as the boys close in on him, but does nothing. “I opened my mouth, almost said something. Almost. The rest of my life might have turned out differently if I had.

But I didn’t. I just watched. Paralysed. ” This clearly summons the theme of ‘love betrayed,’ as it is within Amir to shout for help or to make some sort of attempt to prevent Hassan from having to endure such an experience. Instead, Amir acknowledges that Baba is more important to him. “Maybe Hassan was the

price I had to pay, the lamb I had to slay, to win Baba. ” It is also a realisation that Amir cannot have both Baba and Hassan, and has to choose between them, quite clearly betraying Hassan’s love and commitment for Baba.

Hassan is allowed to keep the kite, and due to his loyalty, brings it back to Amir - but it is now not a reminder of the success of the tournament, but a sickening association of the rape that will stick for the rest of his life. This, shockingly, is still not a strong enough deterrent from Amir to want to bask in the glory of winning the tournament and being accepted by Baba, as he brings the kite home and embraces him. “In his arms, I forgot what I’d done. Which was good. ” This further emphasises the theme of love betrayal.

The rape of Hassan is not only the climax of the novel and the point of no return, but it also symbolises the end of Amir and Hassan’s friendship. The juxtaposition of Amir and Hassan winning the tournament to Amir witnessing Hassan being raped is ironic because of the combination of their short lived glory and the end of their friendship that had lasted their whole lives. Amir is not able to live with himself if he does not achieve redemption, so in his latter life he brings it upon himself to redeem himself by saving Hassan’s son, Sohrab from the hands of Assef, and adopting him.

The rape also triggers huge character development for Amir, who over the years, learns to stand up for himself and becomes a better person. In

conclusion, I feel that the theme of ‘love betrayal’ sends us a powerful warning that love of the intensity that Amir has towards Baba is very dangerous. The love Amir has for Baba blinds him from being able to think clearly and stops him from making the right decision to attempt to save Hassan from Assef’s mercy.

However, I also feel that Baba was responsible for not acting like a fatherly figure when he should have given Amir unconditional love and affection, as a father should. Had Amir received love and affection from Baba, he would not have been so desperate for it so could have decided that there was no need to “slay” Hassan to gain Baba’s affection. Love is something that everyone has to give and receive for stability, but too much of it or not enough of it can cause disaster.