Kamal is a minor character in Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner, serving as one of Assef's cowardly and obsequious "lieutenants." Alongside Wali, Kamal follows Assef's lead in bullying others, including participating in the attack on Hassan. Kamal's character is emblematic of weakness and subservience, and his tragic end—dying of asphyxiation—adds poignancy to the story, further highlighted by his father's subsequent suicide.

Baba's real name is never revealed in The Kite Runner. Amir always refers to him as "Baba," meaning "father" in Arabic, emphasizing Amir's idealized view of him. Baba is also known as "Toophan agha" ("Mr. Hurricane"). The family name might be Akrami, inferred from Amir's mother's name, Sofia Akrami, mentioned in the novel.

Hassan named his son Sohrab after a character from the "Rostam and Sohrab" story in the Shahnamah, a favorite childhood tale he often read with Amir. This epic, featuring themes of familial bonds and tragedy, deeply resonated with Hassan, who identified with the wounded Sohrab. The emotional connection and cherished memories of reading under the pomegranate tree influenced his decision to honor the character by naming his son after him.

Wali and Kamal are friends of Assef and help him torment Hassan. Both are depicted as followers who admire and fear Assef. Initially, they are shocked when Hassan stands up to Assef. Later, they reluctantly assist in holding Hassan down while Assef rapes him. Ironically, Kamal is later revealed to have been raped himself, leaving him traumatized.

The external conflicts between Amir and Hassan in The Kite Runner include their differing cultural and social statuses, as Amir is a privileged Pashtun and Hassan is a marginalized Hazara. This disparity influences their relationship and societal treatment. Additionally, the character Assef introduces conflict by bullying both boys and later raping Hassan, creating a significant rift. Amir's eventual rescue of Hassan's son, Sohrab, symbolizes the resolution of these conflicts.

In The Kite Runner, Rahim Khan is symbolically linked to Amir's journal and the phone call he makes to Amir. The phone call symbolizes Amir's unresolved guilt and his need for atonement, as Rahim Khan prompts Amir to confront his past. The notebook Rahim Khan gifts Amir for his birthday represents his encouragement and support for Amir's writing aspirations, symbolizing Rahim Khan's role in nurturing Amir's identity and dreams.

The exact birth dates of Amir and Hassan are not specified in Khaled Hosseini's novel. However, clues suggest that Hassan was born in the winter, as indicated by the gift of surgery for his cleft palate during that season. Amir's birthday is in the summer, as noted when he turns thirteen in 1976, accompanied by a large birthday party. The specific days and months remain unspecified, allowing readers to imagine them.

Young Amir in The Kite Runner displays several character weaknesses, including entitlement due to his privileged background and a lack of genuine friendship with Hassan, whom he often manipulates. He plays pranks without considering consequences and allows Hassan to take the blame for his misdeeds. Amir's cowardice is evident when he fails to defend Hassan during an assault, later feeling guilty but too afraid to confess. He struggles with self-centeredness, guilt, and a lack of courage throughout his youth.

Baba can be seen as both a hero and a hypocrite. As a hero, he is charitable, builds an orphanage, treats Ali and Hassan like family, and bravely confronts a Russian soldier to protect a woman. He sacrifices his affluent life in Kabul for his son's future in America. However, he is a hypocrite for fathering Hassan and never acknowledging him due to his Hazara ethnicity, despite being close friends with Hassan's supposed father, Ali.

Amir proves himself both a coward and a hero in the novel. While his actions as a child show insecurity and a lack of courage, his adult life shows bravery, compassion, and heroism. This is seen when Amir faces numerous dangers to rescue Hassan's orphaned child and make up for his past mistakes.

Baba initially feels disappointed in his son, Amir, due to his literary interests and perceived weaknesses, such as needing protection from Hassan. Baba's pride is momentarily restored when Amir wins a kite flying contest, but it diminishes again following Amir's request to dismiss Hassan. However, their relationship improves after emigrating to America, as Amir matures, graduates, becomes a writer, and marries, allowing them to grow closer before Baba's death.

Assef's friends in "The Kite Runner" are Kamal and Wali. They share some of Assef's prejudices against the Hazaras, including Hassan, and assist Assef in chasing Hassan to retrieve a kite. Although hesitant, they reluctantly participate in Assef's assault on Hassan, illustrating their fear and desire to fit in. Later, the narrative reveals that Kamal also suffers a similar fate when trying to escape to Pakistan, suggesting a form of karmic justice.

Amir and Hassan's relationship is defined by both similarities and differences in their personalities. Despite their different backgrounds—Amir being a privileged Pashtun and Hassan an oppressed Hazara—they share a love for literature and kite fighting. Amir is literate and reads to Hassan, while Hassan excels in athletics. Amir lacks confidence and seeks his father's approval, whereas Hassan is confident and humble. Their complementary traits and shared interests strengthen their bond, making them an effective pair.

This quote reveals Amir's deceitful and self-serving nature, as he plans to frame Hassan for theft to rid himself of guilt. Amir justifies this betrayal by convincing himself it will lessen both their sufferings, but his actions are driven by jealousy and a guilty conscience. Unlike his father, Amir lacks strong character traits and prioritizes his own interests, failing to consider the consequences for Hassan and Ali.

Amir is a Pashtun, a member of the predominant Sunni ethnic group in Afghanistan. As Pashtuns, Amir and his father Baba enjoy privileges and status that the oppressed Hazara minority do not. The Pashtuns have historically dominated Afghanistan, often discriminating against Hazaras, who are a Shiite minority. Hassan and Ali, who are Hazaras, work as servants for Baba. Despite being Hassan's biological father, Baba does not acknowledge him due to his Hazara ethnicity.

In Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner, Soraya and Amir share complex relationships with their powerful fathers, shaped by their Afghan upbringings. Both fathers, Baba and General Taheri, were influential figures in Afghanistan but struggled to adapt in America. Amir seeks Baba's approval, often feeling inadequate due to his non-masculine traits, while Soraya openly challenges her father's expectations. Both characters carry past secrets—Amir's betrayal of Hassan and Soraya's elopement—yet find redemption and strengthened familial bonds as they mature, particularly through their shared adoption of Sohrab.

The relationship between Baba and Hassan in The Kite Runner is complex, as it is later revealed that Baba is Hassan's biological father. This secret shapes their interactions, as Baba's guilt and affection for Hassan are evident, yet constrained by societal norms and personal pride.

In The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, key characters who die include Hassan, who is executed by the Taliban, and Baba, who succumbs to cancer. These deaths significantly impact the protagonist, Amir, driving much of his emotional journey and quest for redemption.

Assef in The Kite Runner is a significant antagonist symbolizing cruelty and ethnic hatred. As a teenager, he is depicted as a sociopath, known for his violence, including carrying brass knuckles and idolizing Hitler. Assef's actions, such as bullying and sodomizing Hassan, reflect his belief in Pashtun superiority and ethnic cleansing of Hazaras. Born into privilege, he seamlessly transitions into a Taliban official, continuing his oppressive actions under their regime.

Soraya in The Kite Runner is portrayed as a compassionate, strong, and resilient woman. She overcomes cultural and personal challenges, including a troubled past, to build a loving relationship with Amir. Her character is marked by her kindness and dedication, particularly in her role as a supportive wife and a caring teacher.

Baba is a complex father figure to Amir, displaying both strengths and weaknesses. He is authoritative, hardworking, and principled, often emphasizing the importance of honor and integrity. However, Baba struggles to connect emotionally with Amir, sometimes appearing distant and critical, which creates a strained relationship. Despite his flaws, Baba's actions ultimately demonstrate his deep, albeit imperfect, love for his son.

In Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner, Amir undergoes significant transformation, maturing from a guilt-ridden boy into a responsible, paternal figure. This change is catalyzed by his experiences in America, where he becomes a successful author and marries Soraya, and by returning to Afghanistan to rescue his nephew Sohrab. Amir's journey towards redemption involves confronting his past sins and forgiving himself, ultimately becoming an honorable man as he embraces his new role as Sohrab's guardian.

Baba is portrayed as a complex character, embodying both strength and moral contradictions, while Ali is depicted as humble, loyal, and caring, despite his hardships. Baba's actions reflect his internal struggles and societal expectations, whereas Ali's character highlights themes of loyalty and resilience.

Baba in The Kite Runner embodies both a tragic hero and an admirable figure. His tragic flaws include his infidelity and pride, which cause significant pain to those around him. However, he is also admirable for his bravery, generosity, and commitment to principles, particularly his efforts to provide for others and stand up against injustice.

Many readers find Hassan to be the most sympathetic character in The Kite Runner due to his unwavering loyalty and innocence despite suffering numerous injustices. Additionally, Amir's journey of redemption and growth earns him sympathy as he seeks to make amends for past mistakes.

In The Kite Runner, Amir is portrayed as a flawed hero whose journey is driven by a quest for redemption rather than traditional heroism. Initially, Amir fails to defend Hassan from Assef, a cowardly act that haunts him. However, he later returns to Afghanistan, risking his life to rescue Sohrab from Assef, demonstrating courage and selflessness. Amir's actions, including adopting Sohrab and confronting societal prejudices, ultimately reflect his growth into a heroic figure despite his past failings.

Rasheed, Luke O'Neill, and General Taheri are all overbearing, sexist, and self-centered. General Taheri, from The Kite Runner, is a conservative traditionalist who values honor and respects his family, making him the most sympathetic. Luke O'Neill, in The Thorn Birds, is mean-spirited and exploits women for personal gain. Rasheed, from A Thousand Splendid Suns, is violent and oppressive, more powerful due to his societal context, unlike the ineffectual Luke.