Sacrifice In The Kite Runner
In The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini uses sacrifice, whether for family or love or out of guilt or honor, to depict the impact of altruism in times of adversity. Throughout the novel, sacrifice has an impact on all of the characters. Some of them sacrifice more than others, but the theme remains consistent.
Sacrifice is almost personified in Hassan, with the author even going as far as comparing him to “a sacrificial lamb” (82). Hassan is extremely loyal to Amir. Whether he’s taking the blame for Amir’s actions or suffering through a brutal sexual assault just for Amir to win a kite running competition, Hassan’s loyalty does not waiver, painting him as a dedicated friend to Amir. He sacrifices his innocence and health for Amir’s good, a fact that goes unacknowledged by Amir …show more content…
Initially, out of selfishness, Amir sacrifices his friendship with Amir for his own gain, choosing to sit by idly as his companion is assaulted and then refusing to acknowledge the event. Amir later attempts to rectify his sins when he returns to his homeland of Afghanistan after about 20 years away. After learning that Hassan, now known to be his half-brother, has been killed by the Taliban, Amir attempts to save Hassan’s son Sohrab from an orphanage. After finding out that Sohrab has been taken by a Taliban member, Amir arranges a risky meeting in an attempt to save Sohrab. The Taliban member is revealed to be Assef, the perpetrator of the sexual assault that Hassan endured years prior. Amir agrees to endure a severe beating from Assef. The event serves as an atonement and a relief for Amir, demonstrating selflessness to save his nephew in a way he couldn’t do for Hassan when they were children. During his assault, Amir shows gratitude for this, stating, “...for the first time since the winter of 1975, I felt at peace...My body was broken...but I felt healed”
Sacrifice is almost personified in Hassan, with the author even going as far as comparing him to “a sacrificial lamb” (82). Hassan is extremely loyal to Amir. Whether he’s taking the blame for Amir’s actions or suffering through a brutal sexual assault just for Amir to win a kite running competition, Hassan’s loyalty does not waiver, painting him as a dedicated friend to Amir. He sacrifices his innocence and health for Amir’s good, a fact that goes unacknowledged by Amir …show more content…
Initially, out of selfishness, Amir sacrifices his friendship with Amir for his own gain, choosing to sit by idly as his companion is assaulted and then refusing to acknowledge the event. Amir later attempts to rectify his sins when he returns to his homeland of Afghanistan after about 20 years away. After learning that Hassan, now known to be his half-brother, has been killed by the Taliban, Amir attempts to save Hassan’s son Sohrab from an orphanage. After finding out that Sohrab has been taken by a Taliban member, Amir arranges a risky meeting in an attempt to save Sohrab. The Taliban member is revealed to be Assef, the perpetrator of the sexual assault that Hassan endured years prior. Amir agrees to endure a severe beating from Assef. The event serves as an atonement and a relief for Amir, demonstrating selflessness to save his nephew in a way he couldn’t do for Hassan when they were children. During his assault, Amir shows gratitude for this, stating, “...for the first time since the winter of 1975, I felt at peace...My body was broken...but I felt healed”