Hassan, The Kite Runner
At the end of chapter 7, Amir witnesses the attack and rape
of Hassan after Hassan has run down the final kite of the tournament for Amir.
Why doesn't Amir step in or help? What is he thinking as he witnesses this? How does he "justify" or rationalize his decision not to help Hassan? Discuss your opinion of Amir's actions. and consider, honestly, what YOU would have done.
Amir doesn’t save Hassan from being raped because, as he said himself, he is a coward. Amir says that he could stand up for Hassan but he decides to run away and let Hassan feel true fear. While Amir did see this atrocity he also didn’t really care. Amir states in the chapter that he look from Hassans discarded pants to the blue kite. Hassan was the sacrifice for Amir to obtain the blue kite that would make his father proud of him. He rationalized this as thinking of it as a necessary evil for him to be worthy in his fathers eyes. Amir’s actions make me angry to the point of wanting him to fall into a pit of despair. I would have gone into the ally way, hell I would have told Hassan to just give them the kite from the beginning, but I was not there so how knows to what extent I would go. All I do know is that I would have gone into that ally way and while reading the book I thought of all the weapons that could have been used in that situation.
ReplyDeleteTrevor
Thein
As far as we know up to this point, Amir has never stood up to anybody if it involved potentially becoming violent - it simply isn't in his nature as a character. But to witness Hassan be attacked and raped and to do nothing about it, is honestly a really disappointing point rather than having some character development come from Amir. Rape is one of the most absolutely heinous crimes that can be committed in my opinion, and if I were there I would have done anything in my power to attempt to save the person, in this case, Hassan.
ReplyDeleteAmir lets Assef rape Hassan because he is a coward and terrified of conflict. Earlier in the book it talked about how Hassan was always the one to step in and help Amir if he was being picked on or threatened. Amir almost didn’t feel sorry for Hassan because in a twisted way he thought this was something that had to happen to win Baba from Hassan. He had every chance to step in and tell the kids to back off to repay the favor that Hassan had granted him countless times before. I couldn’t believe that Amir had let Hassan get raped. If I were in that situation I would have tried to distract Assef and his friends so Hassan could have tried to at least run away. If that didn’t work, I would just have him hand over the kite to prevent any further conflict. There is no reason that Hassan had helped Amir countless times and he couldn’t just once.
ReplyDeleteAmir doesn’t step in to help Hassan because he is afraid of Assef and Amir doesn’t care for Hassan the same way Hassan cares for Amir. While he is watching this happen, he is only concerned about the kite and not what’s happening to Hassan because he believes that if he brings the kite home it will help his relationship with his father. He says it’s ok to not step because Hassan is “just a Hazara”. Amir’s action are a sign of him being a coward, because Hassan would literally do anything for Amir and Amir does nothing for Hassan. If I was in Amir’s position I would go into the ally and stop it from happening probably starting a fight and standing up for my friend.
ReplyDeleteHugh Molony
Amir doesen' help Hassan because he said it himself, that he was a coward and was afraid of what Assef and what they would do to him. He was afraid of getting hurt. While this was all happening Amir says maybe Hassan was the price I had to pay to win Baba and be worthy of him and this is also how he justifies his decision to not Hassan. My opinion of this is that I think Amir should of stepped in and helped Hassan because he is one of his best friends and friends stick up and help each other in difficult times. If I were in that situation, I would stand up for my friend, I would somehow distract Assef away from Hassan so he could run away quickly.
ReplyDeleteLuke M
Amir doesn’t want to help Hassan because he is scared that Assef will do something to him. Amir thinks Hassan is a sacrifice for the kite. This rationalizes necessary evil because it makes Amir look good in his father’s eyes that he got the kite. If I was Amir in that situation I would have stepped in and helped Hassan get away from them even if we don’t get the kite because friendship is more important that a kite.
ReplyDeleteBen Miller
In my opinion this messed up in so many ways. Amir is the biggest coward ever. I despise him after this happen. Amir doesn't help because during that in his mind he wast thinking that Hassan wasn't that good of a friend and he was the sacrifice for his world to be better. Amir was sitting watching him get rapped and he really didn't care at all. Overall Amir did not care that Hassan was getting raped, he was selfish, and a coward. If I were in Amir position I would immediately jump in beat up the three kids, give them a lesson no to mess with us and walk away like nothing happened.
ReplyDeleteJesus Barrios
We learned that Amir is not brave enough to stand up for himself or anybody. Once he found where Hassan was, he hides behind the corner and never attempt to help Hassan. Amir didn’t really think about jumping in and help Hassan, instead he stands there like nothing is happening. Even though Assef raped Hassan, Amir was too scared to help because he didn’t want Assef and his friends to beat him up too. If I was there, I would’ve done anything to help Hassan escape from Assef and his friends. I wouldn’t let them keep hurting Hassan.
ReplyDeleteJose Nava
We learned that Amir didn't stand up for Hassan because he was scared so he let Hassan to get beat up and fear. When Hassan was attacked by Assef and other two more guys Amir ran away and he didn't do anything about it and also Amir has never stood up for anyone because he is scared. In my opinion i would stand up for my best friend if i was Amir i would anything to protect Hassan.
ReplyDeleteRogelio Nunez
Amir is to much of a coward to step in and help because he is more scared of what Assef do to him then to Hassan. Amir tries to make himself go in and help, but he has to much fear in him and decides to run away. As he watches the fight in the alley, he thinks of all the time Hassan had stepped in to help, but Amir doesn’t want to look like he is friends with Harazas. He knows that he doesn’t stand a chance against Assef and will lead to him beating them both up, so he chickens out and acts like he never saw anything. In a situation like this, I would have to force myself to step in and help a friend. Even though I may get hurt, it would let the other person know that you care about them. So, in this situation, I would have to step in and do whatever it took to help out a friend.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion this is very strange. I find this messed up in many ways. Amir doesn't step up to help Hassan because he is selfless and a coward, he wants to impress his dad and Amir has no feelings for others. During this attack Amir probably does not care, because he is not the one getting abused and he doesn't care for anyone besides himself. In my opinion Amir should have helped his long time best friend out because they have been together for so long and you would never want to see a friend get abused like this. The reason Amir did not help Hassan out is because Amir wants to look good in his fathers eyes and wants to be the best, he doesn't care what happens to others, and he is using others to make himself look great. If I was Amir in this situation I would have tried to find a weapon of some sort to try to defend my friend and not get put through this attack.
ReplyDeleteWill Potter
Amir doesn't step in to help Hassan because he is afraid of what Assef might do to him. He lets cowardice get the better of him. While he was witnessing this his mind drifted to past memories as what I'm guessing is some sort of psychological defense mechanism. Amir thinks that Hassan has to be sacrificed so he could get the blue kite and make his father proud. I think his actions were wrong and selfish. He let Hassan get sacrificed so he could have a blue kite and didn't tell anyone what happened. I cant say I would have intervened then and there I can say how fear would have taken hold of me and there were three boys which would make my chances of fighting them off low I probably would have been apt to do something if it was only one kid versus three but regardless I would have told someone what happened later on and it was when he didnt say anything that I lost all respect for Amir even his motivations were pathetic I can understand being afraid and if it was just a matter of he was afraid I would be more forgiving but this whole sacrificial lamb stuff is a load of bs and Amir just being selfish there was no reason he couldn't have at least told someone.
ReplyDeleteJarett Connolly
ReplyDeleteAmir doesn’t save Hassan from being raped because he is a coward and is scared of Assef. After reading this I see Amir as a little rich kid that get helps from everybody else but when somebody else needs help he is nowhere to be found. Amir tries to make himself go in, but he is to scared of getting beat up. If I was Amir in this situation I would of stepped in no problem to defend Hassan. Also its pretty bad for Assef and as big as he is to be picking on little kids and raping them.
Amir doesn’t help because the feelings in the relationship between Amir and Hassan aren’t the same towards each other. Amir has never helped anybody out he only cares about himself. He doesn’t like getting involved in those type of situations. Instead he just sits back and only cares for himself. He was thinking he was going to get beat up, so he didn’t step into the situation. He is a coward because he was only thinking of himself in that situation and not trying save Hassan after Hassan has done many things for Amir. I think it is pathetic he couldn’t return the favor back. That is what he was thinking and justified the situation going on. I think Amir did the absolute wrong thing. He should have stepped in and assisted Hassan. Rape is a terrible thing and ruins the lives of people mentally. It tears them down and makes them very scared and may cause them to go sit through many therapy sessions to talk about what went down. If I was Amir I would’ve gone into the ally and stepped into the situation to stop it from occurring. This is his friend so I don’t know why he wouldn’t want to look out for Hassan and stand up for him.
ReplyDelete-Colby Holmes
Amir doesn’t want to help Hassan because as Amir said it in the book that he was a coward and is afraid of Assef. Amir didn’t want to help because he was afraid of what Assef would do to him. Amir wasn’t the one to step in and stand up for what was right because Hassan would always be the one that would. I think Amir didn’t want to stand up for Hassan because he wanted Baba to feel proud of him for winning and getting the blue kite. I thought that Amir would’ve stepped in and helped Hassan get away from Assef. If I was in that situation, I would either fight Assef or try to distract him so Hassan could run away.
ReplyDeleteMichael Droeszler
Amir does not like to show how he feels about Hassan and doesn't want to be embarrassed because he hangs out with him. He didn't want to help because he didn't want to know what would had happened to him if he did help Hassan. Amir didn't help because he would not be getting the praise from his father for winning the kite flight. I think that if I was in this situation I would try to do the best I could to get help, if that didn't work I would go in because he is my friend and I would not want to see them be treated like that.
ReplyDeleteJessica Kremer
I think Amir does not step in to help Hassan because he is afraid that the same thing will happen to him. He is afraid that if he speaks up, then Assef will hurt or rape him. During the rape, Amir keeps thinking that he should do something, but he cannot bring himself to step forward for Hassan. This is mainly out of his own fear. Amir justified his actions by thinking about how Hassan is Hazara, and Hazaras do not have the same rights as everyone. Even though Amir tries to tell himself that it is okay that he didn’t step forward, he feels so guilty about it. The guilt almost takes over his life. For a long time after, he won’t talk to or look at Hassan.
ReplyDeleteIf I was Amir’s position, I would have tried to stop Assef. I would want to stand up for Hassan because of all the times he stood up for me. Plus, I could not stand by and watch something that horrible happen to someone else without doing something. I know that I would be scared, but I would have to do something anyway.
Amir decides to stand back and watch hassan get attacked by Assef and his friends. Amir also decides to leave hassan during the attack so his father can finally accept for once.He’s just wanted his father to “love” him for once. But he watched his friend get raped and never told anyone not even Hassan. What he is thinking about while hassan being raped is the dream that hassan had at the beginning of the chapter and Amir realizes that he is the monster for not doing a single thing. He’s justify with himself by calling him a coward for not helping Hassan. My opinion on Amir's actions are he could’ve at least yelled at that to stop, but he didnt and that frustrates me. No one deserves to ever be treated the way Hassan was being treated because of his religion/ethnicity. What I would’ve done was look for something to help me like a metal pole, something sturdy. I would have gotten them off of Hassan and then yelled at them for treated him like that.
ReplyDeleteAmir stands by and allows the bully, Assef, to rape his friend because he is terrified. The boy is going through shock that freezes his mind and body, impairing his ability to think or act. The only thing can do is watch as his friend is wrongfully tortured by the bullies. Amir relates to the scene playing out before him to his past memories. One such memory is the look of acceptance on Hassan’s face reminds Amir of a look he once saw on the sheep his father was going to kill for the holiday of Eid Al-Adha. The sheep all but accepted its demise, knowing that there was nothing it could do to escape the situation. Hassan wears a similar reaction as he comes to realize that his fate is already determined, and the only thing left to do is accept this fact. Amir rationalizes his failure to act as a necessary evil in order to obtain his father’s love. He knows that if he allows this terrible act to go on, he’ll receive his blue kite and praise from Baba. However, he is foolish and also believes that if he were to act and stand up for Hassan, he will be beaten down and lose the blue kite. What Amir doesn’t understand is that his father would be much prouder if he fought for his friend and proved he was brave. I don’t blame Amir for what he did, he was scared, young, and has never been the brave one. However, if I were in the same situation, I would’ve fought tooth and nail to rescue my friend. I would’ve allowed myself to be beaten to a bleeding pulp instead of sitting there and watching such a horrifying incident occur.
ReplyDeleteColson Cruciani
Amir doesn’t step in and save Hassan because he is a coward, he was too scared. I think even if Hassan was a Pashtun and was in this situation Amir wouldn’t save him or do anything. Amir is a coward and deserves whatever karma is coming his way. I know I would’ve stepped in, but I’ve never been in this situation so how can I say. All I know is I wouldn’t of just left him there, I would’ve stepped in or got some help.
ReplyDeleteAmir stands there and doesn't step in or help because he is a coward. He is afraid of getting beat up by them and doesn't feel the same way towards Hassan as Hassan feels towards him. Hassan would do anything for Amir and Amir wouldn't do anything for Hassan. He justifies his actions by reminding himself that Hassan is just a Hazara and it doesn't matter. If I was in Amir's position I would step in and help right away. You should stick up for your friends especially when they would do the same thing for you.
ReplyDeleteAmir wants the kite to bring back to Baba so he believes just because Hassan is an Hazara he should be okay with doing whatever to get him the kite. personally i would have stepped in no one should ever have anything like that done to them just because the other person does not have/get what they want
ReplyDelete~Denise Brady
Amir doesn’t stop Assef from raping Hassan because he is a coward and terrified of stepping in to help. Hassan always steps in to help Amir if he was being bullied or threatened. Amir doesn’t really feel sorry for Hassan because he was more focused on getting that kite and thought that this had to happen to win over Baba. Amir had so many opportunities and options to step in and either distract the bullies or stop them in general. It’s weird to think that Amir would let something so horrible happen to Hassan. Handing over the kite would have prevented this from happening.
ReplyDeleteAmir dosent help Hassan because he is a coward. He said it himself. I think he is afraid of what will happen to him if he does help. He justifies his action because Hassan is a Hazara. Amir is more focussed on getting that kite because he wants his dad to be proud of him. If I was in Amir's position I'm truthfully not sure what i would do. I would like to think I would step in and help but truthfully in the situation I'm not sure what I would do.
ReplyDeleteIzzy
When the incident occurred, Amir didn’t step in because he didn’t want Assef to beat him up. He didn’t want to disappoint Baba if he came home with no kite. So, he just let it happen to him that's the price he had to pay to win Baba over. He justifies it by saying Hassan is just a Hazara but just because he's a Hazara doesn’t mean he's not human. I think that Amir's actions were pure cowardliness and something that could never be forgiven in my eyes. Who could ever sit there and listen and watch something like that and not do anything that is not at all a true friend. If I was ever in that situation I would either go, get an adult someone stronger and scarier than them or I would step in. I would've said something before it ever got to that point. I would've taken any beating from them than ever watch or hear my friend go through that. Hassan was in that situation because Amir wanted a kite and he wouldn’t give the kite up even if it meant he got beat up. So, if I seen my friend was loyal to me like that I would've stepped in and had the same loyalty for them. If a friend has loyalty like Hassan that’s not a friend that’s family. No one friend or not should have to go through something like that it ruins a person mentally.
ReplyDeleteAt the end of chapter seven when Amir witnesses Hassan getting raped and didn’t step in to help. I believe that Amir did this because he is not a person to stand up for someone, is a coward, and scared of conflict. Amir believes he could have stopped him but was to scared and ran away from it. In the Kite Runner Hassan has always been the one to step in if Amir was being picked on. Amir didn’t really feel bad for Hassan because he thought it was something that needed to happen to win Baba from Hassan. I honestly would step in and help Hassan because even though they are mean to each other no one deserves to be raped. Even if I got beat up I still would have helped with the rape scene and make it not happen.
ReplyDeleteAmir does not step in or help Hassan in the alley because he is to afraid of Assef. As Amir is witnessing this, he is thinking to himself how happy his father will be when he hands the kite to him. Amir tries to justify this scene be convincing himself that Hassan is just a Hazara and he is getting what he deserves. If I was in Amir’s situation, I would’ve stepped in to try and save Hassan. I wouldn’t have cared about the kite and realize that friends are more important.
ReplyDeleteWyatt Lynch
Amir does not step in to help Hassan because he is afraid of what Assef will do to him. As Amir watches Hassan get rapes, he is thinking of how they were raised as brothers and how they were feed by the same mother. He is also thinking of how glad his father would be if he brought home the kite. Amir justifies Hassan for the kite by thinking that Hassan is a Hazara and is getting what any other Hazara would get. If I was in Amir's place, I would try to get the boys to stop and save Hassan. I would of stepped up to help Hassan out. I would let the boys have the kite because friends are not replaceable but kits are.
ReplyDeleteCharles Bruns
At the end of chapter 7 when Amir witness the rape of Hassan he doses not step in because he dose not want to get beat up himself and he does not see Hassan as a close enough friend to step in and help. He is constantly overthinking things weather he should go in and help or run off and get some help. He justifies it but not talking to Hassan. If I were in Amirs shoes I would have ran in there and helped Hassan get away even if it meant that I got beat up at least Hassan would not have had to go through what he did.
ReplyDelete~Rylan Crowley