Works Cited:

Hosseini, Khaled. The Kite Runner. New York: Riverhead, 2003. Print.

Background Picture:

Ferris-Rotman, Amie. "Shattered Idyll in Kabul." POLITICO Magazine. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Dec. 2014.

Early Characterization

Oh, well hello! I didn’t see you there. I just finished the first three chapters of The Kite Runner and have so much to share! These chapters essentially introduced the main characters through Amir’s storytelling, so naturally I will focus on characterization for my first post.

The first character that I would like to discuss is Hassan, Amir’s best friend.  Hassan and Amir have been pals from the start. They live next to each other, spend most of their time together, and were even breast fed by the same woman. Although Hassan and Amir are the best of friends they seem to be foils of each other. Amir grew up rich and lives in a beautifully crafted mansion, while Hassan lives in a modest mud hut. Hassan has a cleft lip and is of Hazaran decent, while Amir’s family has royal background. And finally Hassan fits in with the other boys and even has to protect Amir, who is bullied. The contradictions between the two boys show that Hassan and Amir are foils.

Ali, Hassan’s father, shares many of the traits of his son. Ali is crippled with a disease that has left his facial muscles incapable of contorting out of the grim frown that characterizes his face, and one of his legs limp. He is a calm and patient man that rarely shows signs of a temper. Even when the village scoundrels harass him over his warped appearance, he limps on with a smile (figuratively of course).  Ali appears to be foiled with Amir’s father Baba, isn’t that cute? Ali is a gentle man, while Baba is the manliest of men (he should be in an Old Spice commercial). Ali is content with his destitute lifestyle, while Baba values the finer things in life; including his mansion. Most importantly, Ali is extremely proud of his son. He looks past his son’s imperfections and loves him deeply. Baba on the other hand has a hard time disguising his disappointment in his only son Amir.

Baba is the toughest, most successful, and most highly regarded merchant in all of Kabul. Legend has it that Baba wrestled a bear with his bare hands, and won. He runs four successful businesses. He married an educated descendent of royalty who was, apparently, quite easy on the eyes. He even built an orphanage with his own hard earned money. Even with all of his success, Baba is stilled rather distressed. Not about the orphanage or his businesses, but rather about his son Amir. Amir is not like the rest of the boys. While a normal eight year old would want to play soccer, Amir would rather read books or write poetry. Baba is concerned about Amir’s lack of manly intentions, and wishes that his son would just once throw a punch at a bully or even just score a goal in soccer. Baba is discontented by his son’s ways, and it is made clear through his words and actions towards Amir. While Baba is the envy of the town, he has his own problems: his son.

Now for the main character Amir. Amir is a strange young man. His mother died during childbirth, but he holds many of her values. He loves literature, just as his late mother. Being the son of Baba is not an easy role to live up to. The man wrestled a bear for God’s sake. Amir feels the pressure to be a rugged outdoorsman like his father, but simply cannot. He is a liability on the soccer field, he has no interest in hunting, and he refuses to stand up to the many boys that bully him. Amir sees his father’s disapproval on a daily basis. He felt that Baba, “hated [him] a little… After all, [he} had killed [Baba’s] beloved wife” (Hosseini 19). Amir desperately seeks his father’s approval, but never succeeds. Amir even hears his father complain that if, “ ‘[he] hadn’t seen the doctor pull him out of [his] wife with [his] own eyes, [he’d] never believe he’s [his own] son (Hosseini 21)”. Amir simply does not fit the mold of the son that Baba wanted to have, because of his shortcomings Amir is extremely insecure.

            As I progress through The Kite Runner it will be interesting to see how these characters grow and develop. I’ll keep you posted! That’s all for now, catch you next time.

Nolan “the breeze” Burgundy