The Kite Runner

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The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini is a work in which a small character, Hassan, highlights the strengths, but mostly the weaknesses, of the main character, Amir. Hassan’s qualities prove that Amir is weak and not courageous, as well as many other examples of contrast between the two characters. Hassan proves to be the foil character to Amir in The Kite Runner. In Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner, Hassan is the foil character to Amir. Hassan emphasizes the idea that Amir is immodest, because Hassan has the quality of being humble. On page 104 Amir narrates, “…Then I took a couple of envelopes of cash from the pile of gifts and my watch…I lifted Hassan’s mattress and planted my new watch and a handful of Afghani bills under it.” Amir wants his father to kick Hassan out of their house, so he plants his own birthday gifts to make it look like Hassan stole them. Hassan’s humble quality goes on to contrast Amir, “Baba came right out and asked. ‘Did you steal that money? Did you steal Amir’s watch, Hassan?’ Hassan’s reply was a single word, delivered in a thin, raspy voice, ‘Yes.’” Hassan took the blame even though he knows Amir framed him, which makes Hassan humble and highlights that Amir is immodest. Another way Hassan is the foil to Amir is on page 41, “Assef slipped on his brass knuckles…I looked in his crazy eyes and saw that he meant it. He really meant to hurt me…Hassan held the slingshot pointed directly at Assef’s face. ‘Perhaps you didn’t notice that I’m the one holding the slingshot. If you make a move, they’ll have to change your nickname to One-eyed Assef because I have this rock pointed at your left eye.” Assef is trying to beat up Amir, but Hassan acts courageous and stands up for Amir even though they are both scared. This is one of Hassan’s strengths, which shows that not being able to stand up for himself is one of Amir’s weaknesses. These qualities

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