Characters

Amir~ The Kite Runner is told from the perspective Amir, a wealthy boy living in Afghanistan.  Amir’s mother died from giving birth to him so his only parental figure is his father whom he calls Baba.  From a young age Amir idolizes his father and is constantly working for his attention and approval.  This is difficult for Amir because he lacks the athleticism, bravery, and social skills that his father is known for.  Because in his eyes his father is a flawless hero, Amir thinks of himself as an inadequate coward.  Amir also genuinely believes that his father hates him because his mother died in childbirth.  Because this idea is impressed upon him at such a young age he goes on throughout childhood believing that all fathers have hatred for their sons.  Amir's only strong connection to his mother is through him reading her collection of books.  Along with his father, Amir lives with two servants, Ali, and his son Hassan.  Hassan and Amir grow up together, almost as if they are brothers.  Baba appreciates Hassan's bravery and candor which causes Amir to have great jealousy despite the fact that Hassan lives a much less privileged life than Amir.  Even though Hassan is loyal and kind to Amir, Amir does not consider him as his friend because of him being lower in the society’s class system.  Amir tests Hassan's unwavering loyalty by mistreating him to see if he will stand up against him. He has great guilt when Hassan does nothing in retaliation.   He begs Hassan to speak out against him, to do something to punish him.  Years after Hassan and Ali leave, Amir still feels this guilt.

Baba~  Amir’s father is a wealthy respected man.  He is known for his charm and benevolence.    Even though Baba does love Amir, he has trouble believing that his son could be so weak and cowardly.  I believe that Baba may even have doubts of his wife's fidelity.  Baba does not understand Amir's love for literature, thinking that it is a hobby for women.  The two have little in common which is one of the main reasons why their relationship is so tense.  The compassion and understanding that Baba lacks towards his son is made up by his friend Rahim Khan.  If Amir were being honest with himself he would realize that throughout his life, Rahim Khan has been a better father figure towards him than Baba.  

Hassan~ Hassan is Amir’s servant and childhood playmate.  His first word was Amir’s name, showing the unrelenting love he has for him.  In contrast Amir's first word was "Baba", which foreshadowed Amir choosing his father's approval over Hassan's dignity. As young children, Amir and Hassan spend much of their time together and have a brotherly bond.  Even at this young age Hassan always protects Amir, always taking the blame when the two get in trouble.  This carries on throughout adolescence.  Because of the social system it is so deeply engrained in Hassan to obey Amir that even when Amir deliberately harms him, Hassan never retaliates.  Amir and Hassan are character foils as they are both similar in that they are young boys living in living in Afghanistan, but despite this similarity they are very different people.  Hassan lives the humble laborious life of a Hazara while Amir, a wealthy Pashtun, lives a privileged life in which he is close-minded and egocentric.

Ali~  Ali and Baba are raised together, much like Hassan and Amir, but unlike Amir, Baba seems to openly express his love for Ali.  Because Ali is Hazara and has a limp his is taunted by the neighborhood children.  Even though he is mistreated, he never acts out in violence, much like Hassan.  Ali’s one happiness is his son, Hassan, whom he immediately loves despite his cleft lip.  The only time Ali goes against his submissive and reserved nature is when he decides it would be better for his son to be taken away from Kabul and Amir.