The Kite Runner Response

Analyse how a section of the written text showed purposeful development of a theme. The section which showed a purposeful development of the theme of loyalty and betrayal in the text The Kite Runner, written by Khaled Hosseini, was the event of Hassan's rape. This event of Hassan's rape from Assef is the most important part of the book when thinking about Amir's character because it is this event that is the catalyst for the way in which he treated Hassan afterwards through the thoughts that only benefited himself. If we consider how this event links to the theme of loyalty and betrayal we think about how Hassan was unfailingly loyal to Amir when running the kite for him, however Amir endlessly betrays Hassan for his own personal aspirations. In the text, Hassan grows up a servant to Baba and Amir which all his life he has known to do. Whilst growing up, Amir and Hassan became the closest of friends. However there is an evident difference between the two characters personalities. Hassan is respectable, noble and loyal character who is limited by social hierarchy that effected who he could be in public and placed him at the bottom of the pecking order in afghan society. Throughout the beginning of the text, Hassan is unfailingly loyal to Amir both as a servant and as a friend because he does not know any better and because of who he is as a character. The quote "If I asked, if I really asked, he wouldn't deny me anything.” Shows that Hassan would do anything Amir asked because he is his servant and his friend. The loyalty shown towards Amir from Hassan is received casually and taken for granted. Amir doesn't show his loyalty to Hassan by the way he tricks him and teases him for not knowing as much as he did and for being his servant. Another example of Hassan's unfailing loyalty to Amir was when he was cornered in the alley by Assef and he was forced to give up the kite or suffer consequences but Hassan kept the kite for Amir because it was his to be won and