In the end it all comes down to
nature v. nurture. Hassan had the inbreed characteristics of his father. Hassan
had his father’s kindness, happiness, loyalty, and gratefulness. He was Amir’s
greatest friend and blood brother in a way. He stood up for Amir in every
situation, and I think this is partly due to the kindness and love that Hassan
received from not only his father but also from Amir’s father. Hassan grew up
in an unconditionally loving and supportive environment, which led him to his
love Amir and everyone with the same sincerity that he was shown. Amir had a strong
character encoded into his genes. His father and mother were two of the most
incredible people in all of Kabul. This was demonstrated in all of his father’s
endeavors, the construction of his orphanage, his marriage, and his
professional success. His father is brave, strong, and personable yet Amir is
the exact opposite. Amir has no bravery or honor. He’s weak and self centered and unnaturally cruel. These
traits are definitely a byproduct of the obvious coldness or lack of interest
that Baba has for Amir. Baba distains Amir, and nearly swears that Amir is not
his biological son. He seems to much prefer Hassan to Amir. Baba’s apathy
towards Amir causes Amir to suffer greatly. Amir thinks of himself as his own
mother’s murderer because he understands that that is how his father perceives
him. He believes that his father’s love is almost unattainable. He’s jealous of
his father’s affections toward Hassan. I believe that it is his father’s lack
of concern and willful distain that causes Amir to be cowardly and cruel.
The proof of Amir’s cruelty to
Hassan has been clear throughout the beginning of the novel. He constantly toys
with Hassan. He uses Hassan’s loyalty as a tool and his ignorance as a source
of amusement. Hassan continues to worships Amir, considering him his better in
all subjects large or small.
Hassan does not only respect Amir but loves him with a type of
brotherhood, only found once in a life time. He overlooks all of Amir’s imperfections
and fully understands Amir’s mind and person. Yet, Amir continues to look on at
Hassan as a lesser being, partly because his father looks at Amir as a lesser
being, worthy of his contempt.
Even after Hassan’s extreme loyalty and love, Amir looks on as Hassan is
violently beaten and raped in an alley. If things had been different, perhaps
Amir would have defended Hassan. Amir, in that moment, believes that Hassan was
the sacrifice that he had to pay to win his father’s love.
I agree with everything said on this post. Amir clearly struggles with some mental issues surrounding his mother's death, and this has caused him to become more and more of a disappointment to his father. The fact that Amir is so much the opposite of Baba has resulted in a tension between them that has prevented them from having a true father-son relationship. Baba, a strong, intelligent, resourceful, and important man, says he would not believe Amir was his son if he had not seen him been delivered with his own eyes. This is a strong thing for a man to say, and it is shown through his words that somewhere in him, he is slightly ashamed of Amir. But this is all a product of Amir's experiences, and there are some things he cannot help such as the death of his mother. He feels the tension between him and his father as well, but unlike Baba, Amir admires and looks up to Baba as his protector and guide. He is possessive of his father and proud that he is related to him, but knows that he will never be the great man Baba is.
ReplyDeleteI feel that Amir's actions towards Hassan partly root from Baba's actions towards Amir. His father makes him feel worthless and cowardly, and this causes Amir to do the same towards Hassan. He feels powerful compared to him due to their "positions in society" and uses the hurt and anger that his relationship with his father generates in order to feel better about himself.