Kaylee's Third Reaction

In the next section of The Kite Runner, things take a turn for the worse. Amir wins the kite competition, bringing him great honor and happiness. Seeing Amir work hard through the competition and take the victory in the end is rewarding as a reader because he finally gets what he so strongly desired. However, his pride and happiness is only temporary as a result of Hassan’s rape.  I was shocked to read that Amir failed to intervene on the malicious attack from Assef. The scene is truly heartbreaking. From the minute Amir approaches Hassan in the alley, his eyes are locked on the precious blue kite, aka “the key to Baba’s heart”. Amir is paralyzed by the situation and unable to help Hasssan or walk away.  Amir is a coward of a man and terrible friend. I believe that Amir failed to intervene for two reasons – one because he is ashamed to defend a Hazara and the other is a dark part of him wanted Hassan endure the pain to weaken his good spirit. Amir is well aware that he is wrongful in his doing; all he can do is stand there.

            “There are two kinds of evil people in this world. Those who do evil stuff and those who see evil stuff being done and don't try to stop it.” (Janice Ian, Mean Girls) I would like to consider Amir evil. I really want to because I just hate him for not helping Hassan, but I can’t. I think that his desire for Baba’s love and the division of class rank between the boys are deciding factors in Amir’s inability to help Hassan. Amir tries to justify the situation, but cannot get past the remorse and how f**ked up it was. His pride from obtaining the kite and connection to Baba is short-lived, as it should be.  Amir deserves the intense pain and disgust in himself that he is feeling. The events that follow highlight the power of guilt and remorse that Amir feels. That single moment has transformed Amir’s life into sh*t. He is unable to enjoy things like he used to and him and Hassan’s relationship has been ruined. It breaks my heart to see Hassan after the rape. His spirit has been beaten down and changed him forever. I hate Amir for disconnecting Hassan from his life and causing him more pain than he hasn’t already experienced. This aspect pisses me off. Its like Amir you f**ked up his life, so why don’t you dedicate yours to making his better, instead of making it worse. Amir so desperately wants to justify his actions and get Hassan to act out violently on him or get Amir back, but Hassan is just too good a person. He accepts his life, he accepts his troubles and he lives on.