Kite Runner

The Affect Ethnic Class Has on Amir and Hassan's Relationship

The relationships you have with others are shaped by our identities in society. In The Kite Runner, Amir and Hassan's relationship is highly affected by their social classes, the title of this book accurately reflects this. Amir is a higher ethnic class than Hassan is, this is represented as Amir flies the kite, and Hassan runs them. The title also represents how Hassan is always doing things for Amir, and it seems as though he would do anything as long it makes Amir happy. Yet it is shown throughout the book, that Amir wouldn't do the same.

In the society they live in, Amir is looked upon as wealthy and upscale, as Hassan is looked upon as dirty and poor. This affects the roles they play in their relationship with each other. An example of this is during the annual kite tournaments, Amir flies the kites, and Hassan runs them.

Hassan, weighing fish

Hassan, melons

HASSAN

Hassan has the harder job. This is a passage from the text that establishes this, "Every kite fighter has an assistant-in my case, Hassan-who held the spool and fed the line."(54). As a result of Hassan's social class, he is Amir's servant, because he is Amir's servant, he is Amir's Assistant in the kite tournament.

Although Hassan does all of these things for Amir, Amir never really thanks him. An example form the text of this is right after Amir and Hassan win the kite tournament:

"Hassan we-"

"I know," he said, breaking our embrace. "Inshallah, we'll celebrate later. Right now, I'm going to run that blue kite for you," he said. He dropped the spool and took off running, the hem of his green chapan dragging in the snow behind him

"Hassan!" I called.