The Kite Runner: Journal Prompt 3

Explain why you think a character is acting as he or she is.

In Chapter 7, Amir and Hassan go to the neighboring city to join the annual kite running contest. Amir was the champion in this kite running contest. Afterward, he leaves his kite and is celebrated by the people. Hassan goes to find Amir’s kite, but he gets raped by Assef, Wali, and Kamal. In Chapter 8, Hassan gets raped after the kite contest, and Amir witnesses it but ignores it, even if he is Hassan's best friend. Therefore, their relationship becomes awkward. Amir ignores Hassan until Hassan leaves to Hazarajat and in a way, until Hassan dies. I thought that this was the worst way to make a better life for Amir from all the guilt he felt.

I think Amir ignored and ended up braking his relationship with Hassan because he did not know how to act in such a situation. Thus, he could not reply to Hassan whenever he tried to talk to him after the incident. Another big reason why I think Amir ignored Hassan is probably because he felt sorry for Hassan, and his remorse lasted for too long of a time. I mentioned earlier that ignoring Hassan was not the right way for Amir to better his life. A best friend will be around for a lifelong time, so I think it would have been important and beneficial for Amir to treat his best friend nicely although it might have been hard for him to do so after the incident.