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In Khaled Hosseini’s “The Kite Runner”, the narrator and protagonist, Amir, is presented in stark contrast to his servant, Hassan. Amir is bookish, introverted and conceited; Hassan, Amir’s servant, is loyal, kind and naïve. Hassan’s naivete leads to him being exploited by his mater Amir, which causes Hassan much suffering. This exploitation at the hands of Amir throughout ‘The Kite Runner’ shows that Amir is not worthy of his servant’s good faith.

Amir’s lack of respect towards Hassan is clear from their childhood interactions. Despite being young, Amir cares little enough about Hassan to betray him in small ways. For example, Amir lets Hassan take fault and blames Hassan when they get caught shining mirrors into neighbours’ windows. Hassan stoically takes the responsibility, and Amir is only too happy to exploit Hassan and evade responsibility every time. As well, Amir mocks Hassan’s illiteracy again showing that, even as a child, Amir is not prepared to extend the respect or trust that Hassan gives to him.

These small episodes are reflective of more significant and sadder happenings, where Hassan again offers goodwill and loyalty to Amir and is in return exploited for his usefulness. As an eleven-year-old, Hassan puts his safety on the line for Amir in the kite race, standing up to the bullies while Amir happily flew the kite. Hassan knows he faces persecution and indeed rape, but acts as the ‘sacrificial lamb’ to Amir. Amir takes this sacrifice and loyalty for granted, and does not think to repay Hassan because Hassan is his servant. Amir’s greed for “the key to Baba’s heart” blinds him against a consideration of Hassan’s humanity. Even after the rape, Amir tells Hassan’s father that Hassan has stolen money, showing a lack of pity or remorse on Amir’s part. He sees Hassan as a servant or a tool first, and as a fellow human second, and for this reason Amir is not worthy of Hassan’s loyalty.



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