Thursday, October 21, 2010

The Kite Runner Chapter 7-8

Chapter seven starts off on the morning of the kite tournament. Hassan explains to Amir a dream he had about there being a monster at Ghargha Lake. In the end there turns out that there was not a monster at all and Hassan and Amir are praised for discovering this fact. It appears as if this dream might be foreshadowing some event that is coming in the near future. Once again Hassan intelligence is displayed when he comforts Amir, who is having second thoughts about participating in the kite tournament. Hassan tells him"Remember, Amir agha. There's no monster, just a beautiful day." page 61. Amir marvels at the fact that Hassan is able to read him so well. He states that "That was a little unsettling, but also sort of comforting to have someone who always knew what you needed." page 61-62.This just goes to show that Hassan is always thinking of Amir, although Amir rarely thinks about what he could do nice for Hassan.

Amir and Hassan end up winning the kite tournament and Hassan runs for Amir's winning kite. When Hassan does not return, Amir goes looking for him. After talking to several people Amir finds Hassan, but he has been cornered by Assef and his two followers. Assef tells Hassan that he will let him go if he gives him the blue kite. Hassan argues that "Amir agha won the tournament and I ran this kite for him. I ran it fairly. This is his kite." page 72. Assef tells him that he is loyal to a fault and does he really think that Amir would do the same thing for him. It means something when even the neighborhood bully realizes that Amir treats Hassan unfairly. However, Hassan insists that Amir is his friend. Before the situation takes a turn for the worse Amir has the chance to say something however he chooses to remain silent. Hassan ends up being raped by Assef and Amir runs away instead of trying to help Hassan.

Amir meets up with Hassan and pretends that he had not seen anything. Amir feels extremely guilty so he is unable to determine whether or not Hassan knows that he could have helped him. Hassan and Amir end up returning home and Hassan never mentions what happened. When they get home Amir's Baba embraces him and congratulates him on winning the tournament. Amir states that "In his arms, I forgot what I'd done. And that was good." page 79. This shows that Amir is trying to slip into a state of denial. Amir is offered another chance to do the right thing when Hassan's father Ali asks him is he knows what is wrong with Hassan. However, once again Amir takes the cowards way out and omits any knowledge. Amir is unable to enjoy his new found relationship with his father because he is ridden with guilt. Also he takes to lashing out at Hassan whenever he suggest that they do something together. Amir even ruins his new relationship with his father when he asks if they can get new servants. Amir's Baba is highly angered by this suggest and forbids Amir from ever saying anything of the sort again.  Amir succeeds in alienating Hassan when he pelts him with pomegranate urging him to fight back, instead Hassan takes one final pomegranate and hits himself in the face asking "Are you satisfied? Do you feel better?" page 93. Then he turns and leaves. This statement alludes to the fact that Hassan might know that Amir was there when the incident took place.

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