The Kite Runner

Loyalty between Amir and Hassan had a very different meaning for each of the two boys. Hassan was very loyal to Amir despite everything Amir had done to him. Amir on the other hand, was willing to sacrifice Hassan's friendship for the approval of Baba.

"I could step into that alley, stand up for Hassan-the way he'd stood up for me all those times in the past-and accept whatever happened to me. Or I could run. In the end I ran," this shows just how loyal Amir was to Hassan (77). After this act of betrayal towards Hassan, Amir was stricken with guilt. I believe he had realized he had gone too far to turn back. Amir continued to physically and verbally abuse and taunt Hassan. But Hassan continued to befriend Amir regardless of his taunts. Amir ultimately decides the only way to get rid of his guilt is to get rid of Hassan. Amir eventually succeeds and Hassan leaves his life for good. "I saw in his slumping shoulders that the life I'd known since I was born was over," Amir knew this decision would change the rest of his life (108). Amir would never see Hassan again, the only memory Amir had of Hassan was a Polaroid. Amir is able to redeem himself in the end when he faces Assef and rescues Hassan's son.

"For you a thousand times over," were the words that Hassan said to Amir when he ran the blue kite (67). Unfortunately that is when Hassan encountered Assef in the alley. Assef demanded the blue kite but Hassan refused to give it to him. Hassan promised Amir the kite therefore he was going to bring it to his friend. Hassan paid the ultimate price for his act of loyalty. But when it was all said and done Hassan delivered the blue kite to Amir. That shows the true meaning of loyalty he was willing to suffer in order to get his friend what he promised him. Even when Amir betrayed him Hassan remained loyal to his friend. I find it very sad that the letter he wrote to Amir was not read until after he was dead. What made it even more painful was the fact that Amir and Hassan were actually brothers. The death of Hassan in the hands of the Taliban was a terrible fate for such a great soul.