The Kite Runner Group

Question:


mz-toxxic
Student
High School - 12th Grade

Can you please tell me how Amir puts self interest above honour in The Kite Runner?

And for Baba and Hassan (but Hassan doesn't put self interest above honour.)

Rate question:

Posted by mz-toxxic on Wednesday February 18, 2009 at 11:10 PM and tagged with amir, baba, characters, hassan, the kite runner, themes.

Answers:

  1. parkerlee
    parkerlee Teacher

    eNotes Editor

    Amir doesn't defend Hassan from Assef and his gang's aggression out of fear that he might get beat up and raped, too. This is the most poignant example of betrayal.

    However, there are other times in which Amir acts selfishly as well. Jealous of the affection Baba displays for Hassan, Amir hides money he received for his birthday under Hassan's mattress to make it look as if he had stolen it. The result is that both Hassan and his father choose to leave Baba's services rather than live under the shame of suspicion.

    As for Baba, he betrays Hassan by his silence. He never tells him he is really his father - because he slept with his servant girl after his wife's death (complications after Amir's birth). As in Amir's dream, Baba wrestles with his guilt over this for the rest of his life (symbolized by the bear). Amir learns only after Hassan's death that they were half-brothers.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/kite-runner/characters
    http://www.enotes.com/kite-runner/introduction
    http://www.enotes.com/kite-runner/themes

    Rate answer:

    Posted by parkerlee on Wednesday February 18, 2009 at 11:36 PM