Khaled Hosseinis The Kite Runner shows how the persistent and somewhat altruistic characters can obtain courage and strength of character because of their struggles.

                Amir shows a great deal of strength in his character and a developing sense of courage through his experiences with his father, Soraya, and his search for redemption. In the first few chapters, his strength of character is shown in his love for literature when he participates in Sherjangi, the battle of the poems, and tells how he took on his whole class and won. His father is not even slightly impressed when Amir “told [him] that night [but] he just nodded [and] muttered” (Hosseini 19). Amir exhibits strength of character through his ability to endure the hardships of living with his father, who expects too much out of him and does not express any affection or care about him.  A lesson that one can learn is that by being one’s self and developing unique qualities, one can become stronger in character and earn a sense of acceptance later on. Although Amir is criticized by his father for his female characteristics, he does not let himself be put down for pursuing his aspirations. As a result, he graduates as a writer from the community college giving him a better view of courage for his life in the future. Many years after his success in literature, he earns the courage to tells Soraya about his own sin with the same great amount of courage that Soraya had. Amir “told [Soraya] everything [and he] had pictured this moment so many times, dreaded it, but, as [he] spoke, [he] felt something lifting off [his] chest…” (Hosseini 325). Amir demonstrates strength of character because he has done the right thing that had to be done when they got married, but also shows courage because he risks a negative outcome from Soraya. The fact that is able to live with the secret (of Hassan’s rape) shows that Amir is strong in the sense that he did not let interfere with his daily life. Hosseini teaches the reader that although one risks the chance of receiving of bad judgment, one must accept their own judgement and do what one believes is right. In like manner, Amir shows a great deal of courage when he stands up to Assef to rescue Sohrab from the inhumanity and cruelty of the guards . In this scenario, it is considered that if Amir had the same mentality at twelve years old, the whole trip for Sohrab would not be thought of in the first place. Here, Amir, despite Assef’s opinion of the situation, does what he believes is right and in the end saves Sohrab from the orphanage in Mazar-i-Sharif. Hosseini attempts to show that courage is when one has to do what has to be done, despite earlier misconceptions about the situation from a lack of courage. After Amir says to the guard that he is looking for Sohrab, Assef “wonder[s] why [he came] all this way for a Hazara [and] why [he is] here” (Hosseini 285). Amir realizes that this is his punishment for abandoning Hassan and that he must endure it with courage, even if it is life-threatening. By saving Sohrab, Amir respects Hassan’s memory and finds a way to be good again. Through these actions, Amir shows that he changes for the better and becomes a more courageous person. He shows courage and strength of character in every turn despite past beliefs of himself and others that benefit him for the future.

The last person who shows courage and strength of character is Hassan. Through his experiences of bigotry as a Hazara and his unequal relationship with Amir, Hassan acknowledges the value of these situations to prepare for what the future holds. Hassan shows courage founded on unflinching loyalty and moral rigidity when standing up for Amir against Assef. When Assef ridicules Hassan, he warns Assef that “ he is the one holding the slingshot” (Hosseini 42) and that if any harm is to come to Amir, Assef would hereafter be known as “one-eyed Assef” (Hosseini 42). It is quite evident that Hassan is genuinely concerned for Amir’s well-being. He is aware that threatening Assef will put him in danger since the Kabul society regard Hazaras as inferior and conditioned to accept slavery as their role. Hosseini suggests to the reader that to live with courage is to face the imperfections that adorn one’s life and to embrace them as one’s individuality, ultimately giving one courage for upcoming challenges. Even though Hassan is mocked for his harelip and race, he does not simply acquiesce to society’s norms, which help him become more courageous of how he views the world. Hassan also demonstrates strength of character when Amir pelts pomegranates at him and wants Hassan to hit him in return. Hassan then “opened up [a pomegranate] and crushed it against his forehead [with] red dripping down his face like blood” (Hosseini 93). Hassan knows — through Hosseini’s effective use of pathetic fallacy —that Amir is a cold and emotionally frozen character like the “frigid overcast day in the winter of 1975” (Hosseini 1). Hassan is aware that Amir cannot save himself from his sins and that he is tormented by his constant guilt. Yet, Hosseini presents the concept that one may gain strength of character by being humble and considerate towards this type of situation when someone else is affected by the burden of the past. Hassan does not retaliate to feel a sense of revenge but musters enough courage to handle Amir’s reprehensible behavior. As a result, his pain helps him respect the significance of his friendship more and accept the responsibility of growing up with conflicts. Hassan’s courage is shown when Amir is so distraught by his shame in attempting to get rid of him that Hassan sacrifices himself for the consequences of Amir’s cowardice. Hassan admits that he is the thief who stole Amir’s watch and money after Amir “lifted Hassan’s mattress and planted [his] new watch and a handful of Afghani bills” (Hosseini 104). At this particular point, Hassan does not tell Baba what Amir allowed to happen, he does not pressure Amir to ask for forgiveness or even slacken his loyalty to Amir. Rather, he has the courage to lie for perhaps the first time to suit Amir’s initial lie of thievery. Hosseini shows the reader that to have courage is to go against one’s own reputation in order to emerge as a better and stronger person. Hassan understands that by doing this, his innocent and good-natured personality is destroyed but he feels that it is necessary to do, as it is a pivotal moment for his friendship so can Amir learn from his wrongdoings. Therefore, although it is tragic that Hassan undergoes the challenges of society and friendship, these difficult experiences lead him to some important life lessons of courage and strength of character for the future.

Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner presents three characters who are met with difficult situations that can give them courage and strength of character for the challenges in the future. Baba quickly learns that his pride and morality are meaningless once he is placed into tough situations. In his moments of bravery, he finds value in his achievements, his deep concern against injustice, and his individuality. Similarly, Amir—who is constantly affected by his guilty conscience—finds a lesson in courage and strength of character. From his experiences, it changes his worldview on the possibilities for himself and on others. Lastly, Hassan’s journey brings him into distressing situations. By standing up against Assef, withstanding against Amir’s peer pressure to retaliate, and sacrificing himself for Amir’s theft, Hassan shows that he has courage and strength of character even if he is just a Hazara. Baba, Amir, and Hassan all got through experiences that challenge their view of the world and themselves in it. Life’s experiences can be difficult but can they strengthen one’s character and courage to deal with adversity in the future. These three characters provide examples of tremendously shocking experiences that become very life-changing for them on the edge of adversity.