The Divide and Connection

The Kite Runner written by Khaled Hosseini focusses on the life of young Amir and his life through the political turmoil and revolution in 1970s Afghanistan. The first portion of the book describes life in Afghanistan prior to any unrest within the country, or at least any unrest visible to a young boy. Hosseini admits that Amir's childhood mirrors very much so of his own childhood (xii). The book is written from first hand emotions and memories riddled with fiction.

The Afghanistan described is much more liberal and free than that of the image that has populated the news of today. However, the young boy Amir unknowingly shows many signs of prestige and supremacy over other races and classes. Amir grew up with the servant's boy, Hassan, who was a Shi'a Muslim and an ethnic Hazara (8). "He said the word Shi'a, like it was some kind of disease"(10). Being Shi'a was not considered a good thing, "the Pashtuns, had persecuted and oppressed the Hazaras" (9). Hassan and his family were considered second class citizens purely for their race, a theme that is common throughout the world. These norms had polluted Amir's young mind so deeply that he "never even though of me and Hassan as friends" (25). They had grown up together yet what separated was their ethnicity. Hassan furthermore was a different class and therefore considered lesser and not to be friendly with. Amir emphasizes the differences between the two boys through their class difference, however, Hosseini makes a contrast by emphasizing the connection between the two. The same nursing woman was hired to nurse both boys and Ali, Hassan's father and Amir's caretaker/servant, always said "there was a brotherhood between people who had fed from the same breast" (11). Creating an almost spiritual obligation towards each other while society rejects it.

There is also a very prevalent lack of female figures in the young boys' lives. Amir's mother died during his childbirth while Hassan's mother left him after a week to join travelers (6). No mothers were present for either childhood as the boys were raised by their single fathers. These relationships with these male figures are very prominent in the emotions of the Amir, as he struggles to gain approval from his sole parent. Amir describes a family photo in which he, his father, and his father's best friend Rahim Khan are depicted. His father was holding him "but it's Rahim Khan's pinky my fingers are curled around" (5). Even as Amir grows, Khan is the one to encourage Amir in his endeavors and the care he wished to have "I sat on my bed and wished Rahim Khan had been my father" (32). Amir and his father had always struggled to relate "I always felt like Baba hated me a little" (19). Amir although struggles with his relationship towards his father he loves and cares about his father very much (13). Amir's devotion towards his father is only heightened by the jealousy that is created when he over hears his father makes comments in favor of Hassan, "Hassan steps in and fends them off" (23). Furthering Amir's feelings of not being sufficient for his father as well as adding in extra levels to the relationship between Amir and Hassan.