In Khaled Hosseini's novel The Kite Runner, Amir is the privileged son of Baba, a prosperous businessman with important political connections. Sadly, however, Amir lacks the courage and resourcefulness of his half-brother, Hassan, who, despite being a minority Hazara and illegitimate in the eyes of society, is possessed of precisely those masculine attributes that the boys' father prides. The relationship between Amir and Hassan is complicated. Hassan is a loyal friend and sibling to Amir, but Amir, while appreciative of Hassan's friendship, is jealous of the esteem with which the latter is held by Baba. Amir determines, though, that, if we can win the kite-flying contest, his status in the home will be elevated, and Baba will view him with the same kind of respect he views Hassan. It is in this context that Amir, the story's narrator, suggests that such a victory will make him a more visible and prominent member of his family:
"I was going to win, and I was going to run that last kite. Then I’d bring it home and show it to Baba. Show him once and for all that his son was worthy. Then maybe my life as a ghost in this house would finally be over."
That Amir will stand by and watch Hassan be raped by Assef, though, will serve only to further emphasize his lack of moral and physical courage and will alter his life forever.
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