Representation of the Theme of Friendship in Khaled Hosseini's, The Kite Runner
How does Hosseini explore the theme of friendship in The Kite Runner?
• It is one of the predominant themes in the novel, especially in the sections recounting Amir’s childhood.
• Significance of friendship to childhood
• The obstacles made all the more poignant as neither of them fully comprehend them (novel deals with coming of age, coming understand social stigmas and in the light of friendship is perfect to convey this)
• Friendship and what it means to be a good friend are major components of the novel. The fact that the adult Amir demonises the child Amir in this way alludes to the maturity he has gained from their friendship o ‘He knew I had betrayed him’ o ‘I was the snake in the grass, the monster in the lake’
• For every good deed Hassan does, Amir repays him with an equally dishonourable one. To Hassan he shows his love for Amir ‘a thousand times over’, but perhaps for Amir each time is another lesson he must learn. In this way, the novel uses the concept of friendship to teach. o ‘For you a thousand times over!’
• The theme of friendship is often used as a vessel to portray Afghan culture: in the novel it stems between different classes, castes and generations. o Rahim Khan is arguably more of a friend than Baba ever becomes
• ‘I would very much like to read it (short story)
• ‘Your friend, Rahim Khan’ o Hassan and Amir – the pairs juxtaposing attitudes highlight this relationship in particular
• ‘But he’s not my friend!’
• ‘Amir agha and I are friends’
• It’s vital to talk about Hassan and Amir when talking about friendship o Consider to what extent their relationship can be called a friendship - Hassan’s loyalty and deep respect could be seen as an attitude borne of servitude
• ‘agha’ – term of respect used for those above you
• ‘loyal as a dog’ (Assef to Hassan)
• ‘”You won, Amir agha, you won!” “We won! We won!”’
• Only when Amir is secure in his knowledge that Baba appreciates him equally to Hassan can he love him
o
• It is one of the predominant themes in the novel, especially in the sections recounting Amir’s childhood.
• Significance of friendship to childhood
• The obstacles made all the more poignant as neither of them fully comprehend them (novel deals with coming of age, coming understand social stigmas and in the light of friendship is perfect to convey this)
• Friendship and what it means to be a good friend are major components of the novel. The fact that the adult Amir demonises the child Amir in this way alludes to the maturity he has gained from their friendship o ‘He knew I had betrayed him’ o ‘I was the snake in the grass, the monster in the lake’
• For every good deed Hassan does, Amir repays him with an equally dishonourable one. To Hassan he shows his love for Amir ‘a thousand times over’, but perhaps for Amir each time is another lesson he must learn. In this way, the novel uses the concept of friendship to teach. o ‘For you a thousand times over!’
• The theme of friendship is often used as a vessel to portray Afghan culture: in the novel it stems between different classes, castes and generations. o Rahim Khan is arguably more of a friend than Baba ever becomes
• ‘I would very much like to read it (short story)
• ‘Your friend, Rahim Khan’ o Hassan and Amir – the pairs juxtaposing attitudes highlight this relationship in particular
• ‘But he’s not my friend!’
• ‘Amir agha and I are friends’
• It’s vital to talk about Hassan and Amir when talking about friendship o Consider to what extent their relationship can be called a friendship - Hassan’s loyalty and deep respect could be seen as an attitude borne of servitude
• ‘agha’ – term of respect used for those above you
• ‘loyal as a dog’ (Assef to Hassan)
• ‘”You won, Amir agha, you won!” “We won! We won!”’
• Only when Amir is secure in his knowledge that Baba appreciates him equally to Hassan can he love him
o