Examples Of Betrayal In The Kite Runner

Uriel Barboza

Mrs. Kimberly Sheffield

English 1A L28

2/28/2023

The Kite Traitor The word betray means to be unfaithful in guarding, maintaining, or fulfilling according to Dictionary.com. Betrayal can be found in movies, books, or even in history. As an example, Judas betrayed Jesus by revealing his whereabouts in exchange for 30 pieces of silver. Another scenario would be a kid who betrayed another kid, who had been faithful to him. Such is the case in the novel, The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. The main character, Amir, is a betrayer and demonstrates it when Amir lies to Baba, and betrayed Ali, Soraya, himself, and even Hassan.

Baba cared more about other people than his son, thus Amir made the decision to lie to him. For

Amir was conscious of his bad choices and even understood they were wrong. It’s like Amir didn’t care what he did in the past. Even at one point, Farid suggested to Amir that they spend the night at his brother's place. When Amir was at Wahid's home, Wahid served dinner to Amir, since he was a guest. The Wahid family's kids were observing Amir as he ate. However, Amir believed the children wanted his watch because one of them “didn’t take his eyes off [Amir’s] watch.” (Hosseini 238). The kids were staring at the food because they were starving, it turns out. The fact that Amir just assumed that the starving kids wanted his watch proves that he is a cruel person. Even the time when Baba was telling Hassan if he stole the money and Amir’s watch, Amir stood there watching knowing that he was responsible. “[Hassan] knew [Amir] had betrayed [Hassan] and yet [Hassan] was rescuing [Amir] once again, maybe for the last time.” (Hosseini 105). Even though Amir feels awful, he is only worsening the problem. Amir remembered wanting Hassan to strike him back as Assef was beating him up. “[Amir] remembered the day on the hill [Amir] had pelted Hassan with pomegranates and tried to provoke [Hassan].” (Hosseini 289). Amir remembered his previous interactions with Hassan. Before Assef kicked him, he had never experienced happiness or even felt better about what Amir had done. Amir was seeking redemption desperately, which is why he

Hassan was Amir and Baba's servant, and because Hassan was Hazara, Amir always saw him as a servant rather than a friend. Amir even said that Hassan was “…not [Amir’s] friend… He was [Amir’s] servant!” (Hosseini 41). Hassan has always been a good and loyal friend to Amir. “Hassan never wanted to, but if [Amir] asked, really asked, Hassan wouldn’t deny [Amir].” (Hosseini 4). Even when Hassan knew that it was wrong to do something bad, Hassan would still do it for Amir. Amir's decision to abandon Hassan on his own was his most terrible act. The biggest betrayal Amir has committed during this part of the story is this one. “[Amir] could step into that alley, stand up for Hassan-the way [Hassan] stood up for [Amir] all those times in the past and accept whatever would happen to [Amir].” (Hosseini 77). Hassan would always stand up for his friend Amir in the past. “[Amir] had one last chance to make a decision. One final opportunity to decide who [Amir] was going to be.” (Hosseini 77). Amir was put in a stressful situation and Amir had to make a final decision that could change everything. Amir could have stood up for Hassan but “in the end, [Amir] ran. [Amir] ran because [he] was a coward” (Hosseini 77). Amir admits that he is a coward for what he did. That choice would affect Amir for the rest of his life. Since Hassan noticed Amir looking at him before Amir started fleeing, he is aware that