In Khaled Hosseini’s novel The Kite Runner, there is a strong sense of friendship. The bond between two young afghan boys, one being a servant Hassan and the other his superior Amir, prove to be a difficult yet a beneficial companionship. Although the two boys cannot hurdle their way through class differences, their feelings towards each other, although not clear, are undoubtedly friends. The relationship between Amir and Hassan in The Kite Runner is a good example of how difficult it can be to befriend other people of other classes.
Amir and Hassan’s perspective of friendship toward each other are similar. Hassan looks at Amir as a friend, not just his boss, and evidently Amir also looks at Hassan as a friend, not just his servant. As Hassan was serving Amir tea, “He poured me a cup and added sugar, blew on it a few times.” (136) Clearly Hassan cares very much for Amir, cooling down the tea, preventing Amir from burning himself, is an act of brotherly love. Amir also loved his friend, Hassan. As they won the kite battle Hassan congratulated Amir for winning, but Amir shouted, “We won! We won!” (236) Obviously Amir acknowledges Hassan as a dear friend, as he says that. The major thing that causes conflict for their friendship is class.
Class is definitely something that affects the relationship of the two boys. Amir comes from a very wealthy and respected family. The last thing that people expect him to do is to befriend a mere servant. Amir in a way does look down upon Hassan. His class and lack of education clouds their relationship, but at the same time Amir respects him. He states, “Hassan couldn’t read a first-grade text book but he read me plenty… it’s sort of comfortable to have someone who always knew what you wanted.” (139) Although he is just a servant, he understands him very well. Thus Amir acknowledges Hassan as a good friend, even if he is just a servant.
The Essay on The Death of Class?
Contemporary class analysis must embrace the study of a wider range of social relationships than just those located within the sphere of work and production. Patterns of consumption and the lifestyles and opportunities that they facilitate have become particularly important in understanding the divisons and inequality on which the system of stratification is based in modern industrial societies. ...
Although friendship at times strains their relationship, it also benefits them. Through out the novel, Hassan aids Amir through obstacles. Without Hassan, Amir may not have been able to get through the so-called “monster”, and the kite battle. Hassan’s support gets Amir his long time goal, which is appreciation from his father. Just when we think Amir gives up, Hassan is always there to help, “I don’t know maybe we should go home…Remember Amir agha. There’s no monster, just a beautiful day.”(138) As Amir is about to abandon the kite battle, Hassan stops and motivates Amir from leaving. Without this Amir would not have won, which led to his goal he has been waiting all his life.
Although it is frowned upon to befriend people of different class, especially in the East, Amir and Hassan are undoubtedly friends. This is proved throughout the novel with Hassan always being there, aiding Amir through problems and Amir’s feeling of gratitude for Hassan. No matter the situation, with an open mind people will be friends with anyone, just like the story of Hassan and Amir.
