Kite Runner Essay Wyatt Paxton, Block B
One of the worst feelings that a person can experience is the feeling of shame or humiliation. In the dictionary it is described as "The painful feeling arising from the consciousness of something dishonourable or improper done by yourself or another." To a believer, shame is something that can alter a spiritual progress. Shame can often get the best of people to the point of action which is what happened in Amir's case. In the Kite Runner, there are many people who are impacted by shame for what they have done or said. Although, some try to fix what they did wrong, this shame often carries onward into the future even when they may be forgiven. It is a destructive force that should never be used as a tool of correction. This is shown in the case of Amir and Hassan's relationship. Shame can sometime be broken down into two parts. The present feeling of shame and the after feeling of shame and the actions taken to fix what has caused it in the first place.
Amir, the son of a wealthy and well known man in the northern area of Kabul, develops a friendship with one of his servants named Hassan. As young boys, they enjoyed doing many things together although Amir never considered Hassan and him friends. This was because he knew that their religion did not change who they were. Amir being a Pashtun and Hassan being a Hazara, but since they were just children, religion was not a huge concern for the two of them and therefore it was often forgotten about. Amir spent most of his first 12 years of his life with Hassan playing many sorts of games and sharing many laughs. In the Kite Runner, Hassan was both mentally and physically stronger than Amir. According to Baba, there was something wrong with Amir since the day he was born. He never stood up for himself. One day while Hassan and Amir were walking towards their tree, they met Assef and his friends along the way. Right before Assef was going to hurt them, Hassan grabbed his slingshot and aimed it for his eye. He wants revenge. In Amir's case, shame is a very destructive force since it carries with him throughout his whole life and only wishes he could do something to prevent the shame from getting the better of him. His shame is brought on by Assef's revenge. As Amir and Hassan are flying kites, Assef returns and rapes Hassan. For his whole life, he had always stood up for Amir, and as he continued to get raped, Amir did nothing. "I ran because i was a coward. I was afraid of what he would do to me. I was afraid of getting hurt" said Amir. Because Amir does not stand up for Hassan, and later lies about what happens, he feels ashamed. This leads him to hide the money and watch, which leads to Hassan and Ali's choice to leave Kabul. This event deepens Amir's feelings of shame and cowardice, and becomes a key moment in his life that colours his thoughts and actions for many years. Another important quote from the novel about shame comes from Baba in his courage in confronting the Russian soldier. He says, "I want you to ask him something," Baba said… "Ask him where his shame is. He says this is war. There is no shame in war. Tell him he's wrong. War doesn't negate decency. It demands it, even more than in times of peace." This helps assure the refugees success in fleeing Afghanistan for Pakistan. The scene gives us an example of Baba's courage which strengthens Amir's admiration for his father. All these examples of shame in Amir's life have occurred and now it is up to him to see what he can do while he carries all this shame with him as he ages.
