Kite Runner
Daily routines/home
1. It may be argued that Hosseini presents the ruling class in a different light at the
beginning of the novel; one that mechanism for power was not violent and
inhumane. Hosseini uses the older, self-critical narrator of Amir to show how the
ruling classes were not always so brutal. Hosseini contrasts the routine of Amir who
“dragged” himself out of bed and ‘lumbered to the bathroom’ with Hassan who had
“washed up”, “prayed” and “prepared my [Amir’s] breakfast”. While Amir “ate and
complained”, Hassan had “made my bed, polished my shoes, ironed my outfit…”.
The oblivious child narrator effectively highlights their lack of awareness of the
political/historical situation. Hassan has internalised his daily routine, doing
everything for Amir, who is rather dismissive of their relationship. In this way,
Hosseini explores the subtle suppression of the Hazara’s in Afghanistan by the ruling
class, far removed from the corrupt and inhumane mechanisms used by the Taliban.
Although it can be seen as essential for the ruling classes to suppress those below
them, Hosseini effectively indicates the subtle and less brutal cultural domination of
the Pashtuns, which greatly contrasts with that of the Taliban.
2. Hosseini presents contrasting worlds of the Hazaras and Pashtuns in order to expose
the inequality and disparity between the livelihoods of those privileged in
Afghanistan society and those oppressed. The explicit difference between both
worlds is marked through the inequality of their settings and homes. Despite Amir
and Hassan living physically close to one another, metaphorically their worlds are
miles apart. Whilst Amir (a Pashtun) lives in a “mansion”, Hassan (a Hazara) lives in a
“little mud hut”. Whilst Amir’s house was lit by a “tall marble fireplace”, Hassan’s
modest home had just a jar of “kerosene lamps”. The difference between privileged
possessions and deprivation is made remarkably evident by Hosseini who writes to
reveal Afghan society for what it today is. The personal homes of Amir and Hassan
reflect a much wider picture of Afghanistan whereby inequality is widespread and
deep rooted. The contrasting worlds successfully remind readers that Amir, being a
naïve child narrator, does not necessarily recognise his privilege as he comments
without feeling or sympathy on the “worn Herati rug” and “blue walls”. This
resembles a common attitude amongst the powerful who become so accustomed to
their privileged lifestyle or want to imitate change despite a different world being
presented right before their eyes.
3. Contrasting worlds between Amir and Hassan are also presented through their daily
routines through which both Amir and Hassan witness each other’s differences in
daily activities, but accept the position society has granted them as permanent. By
the time Amir had “dragged himself out of bed and lumbered to the bathroom”,
Hassan had “already washed up”, “prayed and prepared” Amir’s “breakfast”. This
clearly presents an unequal dynamic to Amir and Hassan’s relationship whereby
despite being friends, it is reminded on a daily basis that Hassan is subservient to
Amir. The contrasting worlds are evident as whilst Amir ‘complained about
homework’, Hassan ‘made (his) bed’ and ‘polished (his) shoes’. It is clear that Amir is
blinded by his privilege as he fails to understand that he is lucky to have ‘homework’
and attending school where he will be able to achieve great success. It must be
noted that Amir is a child narrator and therefore naïve, meaning his outlook on life
is not reliable but at the same time, cannot be blamed for his upbringing. It is clear
that the contrasting worlds in their daily routines each exposes their acceptance to
their position in society. As Hassan ‘hums quietly’ it is clear that he is content in his
Daily routines/home
1. It may be argued that Hosseini presents the ruling class in a different light at the
beginning of the novel; one that mechanism for power was not violent and
inhumane. Hosseini uses the older, self-critical narrator of Amir to show how the
ruling classes were not always so brutal. Hosseini contrasts the routine of Amir who
“dragged” himself out of bed and ‘lumbered to the bathroom’ with Hassan who had
“washed up”, “prayed” and “prepared my [Amir’s] breakfast”. While Amir “ate and
complained”, Hassan had “made my bed, polished my shoes, ironed my outfit…”.
The oblivious child narrator effectively highlights their lack of awareness of the
political/historical situation. Hassan has internalised his daily routine, doing
everything for Amir, who is rather dismissive of their relationship. In this way,
Hosseini explores the subtle suppression of the Hazara’s in Afghanistan by the ruling
class, far removed from the corrupt and inhumane mechanisms used by the Taliban.
Although it can be seen as essential for the ruling classes to suppress those below
them, Hosseini effectively indicates the subtle and less brutal cultural domination of
the Pashtuns, which greatly contrasts with that of the Taliban.
2. Hosseini presents contrasting worlds of the Hazaras and Pashtuns in order to expose
the inequality and disparity between the livelihoods of those privileged in
Afghanistan society and those oppressed. The explicit difference between both
worlds is marked through the inequality of their settings and homes. Despite Amir
and Hassan living physically close to one another, metaphorically their worlds are
miles apart. Whilst Amir (a Pashtun) lives in a “mansion”, Hassan (a Hazara) lives in a
“little mud hut”. Whilst Amir’s house was lit by a “tall marble fireplace”, Hassan’s
modest home had just a jar of “kerosene lamps”. The difference between privileged
possessions and deprivation is made remarkably evident by Hosseini who writes to
reveal Afghan society for what it today is. The personal homes of Amir and Hassan
reflect a much wider picture of Afghanistan whereby inequality is widespread and
deep rooted. The contrasting worlds successfully remind readers that Amir, being a
naïve child narrator, does not necessarily recognise his privilege as he comments
without feeling or sympathy on the “worn Herati rug” and “blue walls”. This
resembles a common attitude amongst the powerful who become so accustomed to
their privileged lifestyle or want to imitate change despite a different world being
presented right before their eyes.
3. Contrasting worlds between Amir and Hassan are also presented through their daily
routines through which both Amir and Hassan witness each other’s differences in
daily activities, but accept the position society has granted them as permanent. By
the time Amir had “dragged himself out of bed and lumbered to the bathroom”,
Hassan had “already washed up”, “prayed and prepared” Amir’s “breakfast”. This
clearly presents an unequal dynamic to Amir and Hassan’s relationship whereby
despite being friends, it is reminded on a daily basis that Hassan is subservient to
Amir. The contrasting worlds are evident as whilst Amir ‘complained about
homework’, Hassan ‘made (his) bed’ and ‘polished (his) shoes’. It is clear that Amir is
blinded by his privilege as he fails to understand that he is lucky to have ‘homework’
and attending school where he will be able to achieve great success. It must be
noted that Amir is a child narrator and therefore naïve, meaning his outlook on life
is not reliable but at the same time, cannot be blamed for his upbringing. It is clear
that the contrasting worlds in their daily routines each exposes their acceptance to
their position in society. As Hassan ‘hums quietly’ it is clear that he is content in his
