Examples Of Morality In The Kite Runner

“The line between good and evil is permeable and almost anyone can be induced to cross it when pressured by situational forces” (Philip Zimbardo). In life, most people experience times of stress in which their character is tested. In The Kite Runner, by Khalid Hosseini, the protagonist, Amir, is surrounded by many people who live on one side or the other of a supposedly black and white world and who help shape his own character and morals. The story has three important characters (Hassan, Amir, and Assef) who each have distinct types of morality (good, ambiguous, and evil). Throughout the entirety of the story, Hassan consistently represents loyalty, kindness, and a good moral character. Hassan always stands up for what is right, even when he faces threats against his life. Hassan’s first instance of good character and loyalty is shown on page 42 when he stands up to Assef for bullying Amir. “But perhaps you didn’t notice that I’m the on holding the slingshot. If you make a move, they’ll have to change your name from Assef ‘the Ear Eater’ to ‘One-Eyed Assef,’ because I have this rock pointed at your left eye”. Hassan is always willing to protect Amir and others who are unable to fight back because he, more than anyone, knows what it is like to be bullied. Even willing to take abuse from Amir (e.g., when Amir throws pomegranates at Hassan (p. 92-93), when Hassan takes the blame for stealing Amir’s presents (p. 105)), he refuses to sink to anybody else’s level of character