The Kite Runner

Essay by Imogenbrown1998 November 2014

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Imogen Brown

'To what extent does the novel The Kite Runner show that it is more damaging to deny the truth than to acknowledge it?'

The Kite Runner tells the story in the 1970s of Amir, a young boy from the district of Kabul that lives in a posh house with his father, whom he calls Baba, and their servants, Ali and Hassan. Amir betrays his best friend Hassan by running away while three bullies assault and rape Hassan. Hassan is shaken up by the incident, but he doesn't talk with Amir about it so both boys pretend it didn't happen. But the guilt begins to wear on Amir - how can he go on with life if seeing Hassan everyday reminds him of his cowardice? Also, Baba seems to be acting even more affectionate towards Hassan, which adds jealousy to Amir's list of mounting troubles. Amir's solution is cruel and cowardly.

Instead of telling Baba what happened, or confessing to Hassan that he saw the rape, Amir decides to send Hassan away by putting a bunch of money and a watch under Hassan's mattress. He tells Baba his stuff is missing and Hassan is found out for 'stealing' and instantly leave which leaves Baba heartbroken and Amir feeling terrible. In this essay it will explain the extent that the novel the kite runner goes to that shows that it is more damaging to deny the truth than to acknowledge it.

If Amir were to have told Baba the truth, all of their lives would have been dramatically changed. Amir's regret for being a coward haunted him ever since the day he didn't protect and stick up for Hassan. Just like Baba said that "every sin is a variation of theft" which proves once more its...