The Kite Runner – Chapter 9

Only another sixteen to go …

The next morning, Amir opens all his presents. He reflects bitterly that “Baba would never have thrown a party like that if he hadn’t one the tournament.” Amir sees the gifts as blood money. He does receive two significant presents – the writing journal from Rahim Khan and the illustrated edition of the Shahnamah from Ali and Hassan. The book is expensive and one that they can barely afford.

The next morning, Amir waits until Ali and Hassan leave to do the shopping. He picks up his new watch and some cash and takes them to their hut. Amir places the items them under Hassan’s mattress. Shortly after, he goes into Baba’s study where he reports the ‘theft’. When Baba asks Hassan if he stole Amir’s gifts, Hassan says yes. Amir understands that this is Hassan’s final sacrifice for him. He also understands that Hassan knows that he watched everything that happened in the alley and yet he is rescuing Amir once again. Baba forgives Hassan but Ali announces that they are leaving. He is cold to Amir and he shows that he also knows about the rape and Amir’s betrayal.

The reader’s sympathy for Amir is challenged by his calculated actions in this chapter. Morally, it is Amir’s lowest point. However, the narrative voice gives no excuses for Amir’s shameful behaviour. Amir’s guilt is so great that all he knows how to do is to deny it. The only way he can do that is to turn his back on Hassan. By framing Hassan for stealing his gifts he forces Ali to insist on leaving. It is ironic that this is that it will only make his guilt greater. Note as Ali and Hassan leave in Baba’s car the rain begins to fall. The image of rain is suggestive of deep sorrow – Amir’s and for the death of a close friendship. Amir’s guilt is deepened as we see that Hassan has once again sacrificed himself to protect Amir.