The Kite Runner- How Does Hosseini Create the Character of Hassan?
- Submitted by: Felix120
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- Category: English: Novels
- Date Submitted: 12/07/2010 01:40 AM
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Write about the ways in which two of the writers you have studied create their characters
Firstly, Hosseini uses imagery of Hassan’s physical form in The Kite Runner, to portray the diversity of culture and religion in Afghanistan. In this light the form of the novel could be interpreted as one that explores the social conditions in Afghanistan. Hosseini describes how Hassan is deformed by being ‘hare lipped’ and having a ‘cleft lip…where the Chinese doll maker’s instrument may have slipped.’ The metaphor of Hosseini suggesting that Hassan was hand sculptured by a ‘Chinese doll maker’ makes the reader see Hassan as being unrealistic and too perfect to be a member of this corrupt society. Hosseini may have given Hassan the defect, so that he has a disadvantage in Afghanistan, through the inability to progress in society and reach his final goal of happiness. However, a more realistic argument considers that the defect, which makes Hassan abnormal could represent a wider social defect that Hazaras don’t belong in Afghanistan and the hare lip may be symbolic of the continuous persecution. It seems more feasible to believe that the hare lip represents the persecution of the Hazaras as Hassan’s father also has an abnormality of a ‘twisted atrophied right leg’ which causes him to be devalued in society, this clearly reinforces the novel as being a social protest about the bad treatment of Hazaras in Afghanistan.
Another way in which Hosseini creates the character of Hassan in The Kite Runner is through portraying him as being an idyllic character as a symbol of Afghanistan. Hassan seems to be a loyal and artificial childhood friend when Amir informs us that he ‘never told on me’ and always ‘asked if something was bothering me.’ Hassan is portrayed as being an ideal friend for doing anything for Amir and appears to be concerned about Amir’s well being. Hassan’s loyalty and purity is established through the narrative gaps prior to the rape scene. In the opening,...
Firstly, Hosseini uses imagery of Hassan’s physical form in The Kite Runner, to portray the diversity of culture and religion in Afghanistan. In this light the form of the novel could be interpreted as one that explores the social conditions in Afghanistan. Hosseini describes how Hassan is deformed by being ‘hare lipped’ and having a ‘cleft lip…where the Chinese doll maker’s instrument may have slipped.’ The metaphor of Hosseini suggesting that Hassan was hand sculptured by a ‘Chinese doll maker’ makes the reader see Hassan as being unrealistic and too perfect to be a member of this corrupt society. Hosseini may have given Hassan the defect, so that he has a disadvantage in Afghanistan, through the inability to progress in society and reach his final goal of happiness. However, a more realistic argument considers that the defect, which makes Hassan abnormal could represent a wider social defect that Hazaras don’t belong in Afghanistan and the hare lip may be symbolic of the continuous persecution. It seems more feasible to believe that the hare lip represents the persecution of the Hazaras as Hassan’s father also has an abnormality of a ‘twisted atrophied right leg’ which causes him to be devalued in society, this clearly reinforces the novel as being a social protest about the bad treatment of Hazaras in Afghanistan.
Another way in which Hosseini creates the character of Hassan in The Kite Runner is through portraying him as being an idyllic character as a symbol of Afghanistan. Hassan seems to be a loyal and artificial childhood friend when Amir informs us that he ‘never told on me’ and always ‘asked if something was bothering me.’ Hassan is portrayed as being an ideal friend for doing anything for Amir and appears to be concerned about Amir’s well being. Hassan’s loyalty and purity is established through the narrative gaps prior to the rape scene. In the opening,...