The Kite Runner – Chapter 8

Chapter eight focuses on Amir’s attempts to forget what he has done to Hassan. He treats him like a servant instead of his friend, he lies about him being ill, he hits him with the pomegranates, and Amir even asks Baba to get new servants. Amir is racked with guilt.

The relationship between Baba and Amir improves after the kite flying tournament, which confirms Amir’s belief that Baba wants him to be more like him. As Amir’s and Baba’s relationship improves Amir’s and Hassan’s deteriorates because of Amir’s guilt.

Amir asks Baba if they can go to Jalalabad because he wants to spend time alone with him. He is not happy about Baba’s suggestion that Hassan comes with them and he is jealous that Baba is worried about Hassan’s health. Baba manages to invite two dozen people and Amir is very uncomfortable with the praise he receives about the tournament. This is also indicated by his travel sickness and his insomnia.

The boys go to see their favourite pomegranate tree and Amir is upset by the words carved into the tree. He pelts Hassan with pomegranates. The boys’ friendship continues to deteriorate and Amir pushes Hassan away and rebuffs any attempts at communication. Amir asks Baba about the possibility of “getting new servants”. Baba is very upset and he tells Amir that, “you bring me shame.” The relationship between father and son weakens again.

The trip to Jalalabad and Amir’s birthday party reinforce Baba’s position in society. Amir sees the hundreds of guests at his party and the pile of presents as a tribute to the power of his father. He sees the presents as ‘blood money’.

At his birthday party Amir has to deal with the emptiness inside him every time he is congratulated for winning the kite tournament and he has to stand speechless while Hassan has to serve Assef. Assef presents Amir with a gift- a biography of Hitler, Amir reluctantly accepts it but later throws it away. Rahim Khan tells Amir that he can talk to him anytime and gives a blank book for writing.

This chapter with the trip to Jalalabad, the birthday party and celebrations of Amir’s victory show how his self-loathing increases. His illness and insomnia show how guilt is affecting him. Amir can no longer sleep well because he does not have a clear conscience.