Relationships In The Kite Runner

Words: 811
Pages: 4

Creating and maintaining strong, healthy relationships are key in life. Without friendships, acquaintances, and bonds one will be lonely and unattached from the world. It is important to have people that will be there in tough times and someone to trust. In The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, the main character, Amir, has an important although inadequate relationship with his best friend and servant, Hassan, because it is one-dimensional.
A friendship can only be successful if effort is put forth by both sides, otherwise it will crumble. Hassan and Amir have a unique bond, where a vast majority of the loyalty comes from one party, so that it is overall seen as one-dimensional. At times throughout their lives, Amir takes advantage of Hassan. In this passage, Amir says, “Hassan never wanted to, but if I asked, really asked, he wouldn’t deny me. Hassan never denied me anything” (Hosseini 4). Hassan's loyalty is to Amir, this much loyalty is unhealthy to an extent. Hassan displays the qualities of a people-pleaser, because he will do whatever it takes to make Amir happy. Nothing can ever break the bond that Hassan maintains with Amir, but the bond that Amir maintains with Hassan is weak.
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Hassan would do anything, including giving his life up for Amir and still not expect anything from him in return. Hassan is loyal beyond words, while Amir is a fraud of a friend who is to embarrassed to admit that he likes him. The friendship they have is unbalanced and a sham. A strong relationship has contributions from both sides and is healthy, while also being sufficient. It should not be obvious that one person is putting in more effort than the other, like it is in this novel. Amir and Hassan do not have a true and loving friendship, but one that is unbalanced and unacceptable to