Comparing Sanaubar And Ali In The Kite Runner

As children in Afghanistan, Hassan and Amir were very close with many similar interests, but Hassan seemed to be more truthful and brave while Amir seemed to be the troublemaker. They were around the same age with similar family problems (which included being raised by a single father), however, Hassan was Amir’s servant no matter what and thus he had to live in a completely opposite environment from Amir’s wealthy, privileged childhood. Hassan’s parents were Sanaubar and Ali. They were an odd couple with many differences and was rumored to be put together by their parents to restore Sanaubar’s family’s honor. Ali was very saint-like, disfigured by illnesses and poor in wealth, but was very religious, charming, and meek. Sanaubar was the town’s “naughty” girl, moving from one man to another and seducing them with her devious charms and beauty.

Since Hassan and Amir were left motherless, Baba (Amir’s father) hired a nursing woman to feed them both. Ali claimed that there is a unique connection between people who “fed from the same breast” (8). This accentuated the closeness Amir and Hassan shared, however, the distinct discrimination between social and racial differences in Afghanistan had weakened this bond. For instance, Amir lived in a mansion while Hassan lived in "the servants' home, a modest little mud hut" (4). This had caused Amir to think of Hassan as a servant instead of an acquaintance, and in addition to that, Amir's and Hassan's first words foreshadowed a dispute that will arise from Amir’s endearment to Baba and Hassan’s obedience to