Kite Runner--Amir Jan

Michelle David

Read015 Sm06

Dr. Weiss

9 July 2006

Amir jan

The character I feel is most important is Amir. Amir is the narrator of the story, a story that details his childhood and continues through his lifetime. He recalls the tragic events of 1975, in which he commits terrible sins against his friend and half brother, Hassan. Amir tells us that he is what he is today because of his sin at the age of twelve. His childhood is one that he struggles with everyday. It is in that sin that he seeks and finds atonement to be good again.

Baba and Amir are members of the Pashtuns, the majority, who believe they are better than the Hazara and follow the Sunni sect of Islam. Baba is a wealthy, astute businessman, one who, Amir imagines as larger than life, and is determined to win his father's acceptance and approval but more often does not. Moreover, he often believes that his father hates him. In addition, like that of his father, Baba is one that carries his own secret, a secret not revealed until after his death. In the winter of 1975, Baba tells him, "This is the year he can win the kite tournament." Amir's goal is to win so that from his father's mouth, he will hear the words, "Amir jan," which is a term of affection. In March 1982, as the Russians invade Afghanistan, Amir and Baba are forced to flee their country, a dangerous journey, ironically, they survive their travels through Pakistan and then to Fremont, California in the United States. Although, America offers Amir a place to avoid his memories, his memories and his sins; the old saying is true that he will not be able to hide and they will catch up to him. For Baba, America is a difficult adjustment, he works as a mechanic instead of a businessman. Baba's statement years ago still rings true that in a single day can change the course of a whole lifetime.

Amir has a unique relationship with Hassan, but often fails to see the value of their relationship. Hassan, Amir's loyal servant, best friend, and secretly known half-brother lives in a mud hut with his father, Ali. This unique relationship began one year after Amir's mother had died giving birth to him. Hassan's mother refuses to even hold him and leaves five days later, as a result, Baba hires a the same woman who was nursing Amir to nurse Hassan and so the brotherhood begins, a kinship that not even time would break. The winter of 1975, Amir would see his best friend, Hassan, run the kite and smile for the last time. With Hassan, the best kite runner, Amir cannot fail and they win the tournament. Needing the blue kite to present to Baba, Hassan responds with loyalty and states, "For you a thousand times over!" and these words are words that he will never forget. After Amir brings his kite home, he searches for Hassan and the blue kite, unfortunately, his search ends at the end of an alley, but he stands hidden, watches, and does nothing while Hassan was beaten and raped. Like a coward, he runs away, running home, he then buries his face into his father's chest and

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