Hi,
The following is a practice essay which I've written up in preparation for SAC #1. English is my weakest subject, so I was hoping some of you would be able to point out any areas where I could improve upon, and possibly give it a numerical mark. Thanks!
“In the end I was a Pashtun and he was a Hazara ... nothing was ever going to change that.”
‘The Kite Runner shows that prejudice harms even the closest relationships.’
Discuss.
The Kite Runner is a coming of age story which explores the life of the main protagonist and narrator, Amir, throughout his life. One of the main issues examined throughout the story is the effect that racial intolerance can have on close relationships. Set in Afghanistan, the novel explores the division that exists between the Pashtun and Hazara ethnic groups in Afghanistan. The Pashtuns are a majority and hold many of the positions of power within the country. Conversely, the Hazaras are a minority group who are often picked on throughout the book; moreover, they serve as servants. This division is explored through the eyes of Amir, who in attempting to come to terms with the bigotry surrounding him, betrays his best friend and servant, Hassan – a Hazara.
Whilst Amir and Hassan act like friends, there is an underlying subservience towards Amir shown by Hassan. This ‘unwavering loyalty’ (p45) undermines any sort of friendship between the two by creating a situation where Amir is able to unfairly exploit Hassan. This is shown when Amir fools Hassan into thinking that when he calls Hassan an ‘imbecile’ (p27), he is actually calling him smart. Indeed, the loyalty and trust demonstrated by Hassan is so deep that when Amir asks Hassan whether he would eat dirt, Hassan replies ‘If you asked, I would’ (p51). Whilst the trait is an admirable one, it also creates resentment in Amir who after betraying Hassan in the alleyway is ‘unable to sleep at night’ (p81) unless he is punished. When Amir seeks for Hassan to punish him by having Hassan throw mulberries at him, Hassan instead smashes it onto his own head. This is indicative of the unequal relationship which exists between the two and through this, it shows how the friendship may have been strained because Amir is unable to ever feel on equal terms with Hassan.
This lack of equality between Amir and Hassan also creates a situation whereby Amir effectively does not respect Hassan as a friend. In Afghanistan, it is seen as peculiar and even somewhat wrong for a Pashtun ‘to talk to, play with and let [a Hazara] touch you’ (p38). It was perhaps due to the fact that Hassan had an ‘ingrained sense of his place in the hierarchy’ (p39) that Amir would then go on to vindicate that social norm. Indeed, it is because of Hassan’s loyalty and lack of assertion that Amir briefly thinks ‘he’s [Hassan] not my friend! He’s my servant!’ (p38). Moreover, Hassan can be thought of as a toy, as Amir only plays with him when other kids are not around. This is again because of Hassan’s lack of assertiveness towards Amir which, in essence, causes Amir to take Hassan for granted. It is more important to note however, that it is the prejudice held towards Hazaras, and the fact that Hassan knows his place in society which prevents him from asserting himself to Amir and thus gaining his respect.
It is the lack of respect which is held towards Hassan which results in Amir betraying Hassan in the novel’s most horrific scene. In this scene, where Hassan is raped in an alleyway, Amir simply watches on. He allows this to happen simply because he is zealous about gaining his father‘s affection at any cost. Indeed, Amir articulates that ‘Maybe he was the lamb I had to slay to gain Baba’s affection’ (p73). This exhibits Amir’s lack of respect towards Hassan in two ways. Firstly, it portrays Hassan as weak and helpless. Secondly, it again shows Amir’s willingness to give Hassan up for his own gain. This is a critical turning point; the point where the friendship between the two is basically extinguished. The reason for this is shown on the same page, when Amir thinks ‘He was only a Hazara, wasn’t he?’ (p73).
During the early course of the book, it is said by Ali that ‘There was brotherhood between people who had fed from the same breast, a kinship that not even time could not break.’ (p11) The events of The Kite Runner would have us believe otherwise, there is something that could break that affinity – prejudice. The Kite Runner profoundly shows us that when prejudice is so deeply ingrained into a culture, and into the people within that culture, it has the ability to affect even the closest of relationships.
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