The Kite Tournament and Its Aftermath

Follows the 1975 winter kite tournament, Amir's victory, Hassan's rape, and the unraveling of their friendship.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Tournament Begins

The Tournament Begins The Morning of the Contest On the day of the annual kite-fighting tournament, the streets of Wazir Akbar Khan are covered in fresh snow. Amir and Hassan prepare their kite, a red one with yellow borders from Saifo's shop. Baba watches from the rooftop, and Amir feels the weight of his father's expectations. He is determined to win, believing that victory will finally earn Baba's love. The Battle in the Sky Amir proves to be a skilled kite fighter. He cuts down kite after kite, his confidence growing. By afternoon, only two kites remain: his and a blue one. The crowd chants "Cut him! Cut him!" Amir executes a perfect lift-and-dive maneuver, and the blue kite spirals down. He has won. Baba stands on the roof, pumping his fists. It is the greatest moment of Amir's young life. The Promise to Run the Kite Hassan, the best kite runner in Kabul, volunteers to run the last kite for Amir. He shouts, "For you, a thousand times over!" and disappears around a corner. Amir waits, basking in the praise, but Hassan does not return. He goes looking for him and eventually finds him in an alley, cornered by Assef, Wali, and Kamal. The blue kite lies behind Hassan. Assef demands it, but Hassan refuses. The confrontation that follows will change everything.

The Rape in the Alley

The Rape in the Alley The Witness Amir peers around the corner of the alley. He sees Assef, Wali, and Kamal surrounding Hassan. Assef taunts Hassan, calling him a loyal dog, and asks if Amir would ever do the same for him. Hassan insists they are friends. Assef laughs and orders the others to hold Hassan down. He unbuttons his coat, folds it, and places it against the wall. Amir watches, frozen, as Assef rapes Hassan. The Choice Amir has a chance to intervene. He could step into the alley, stand up for Hassan as Hassan has stood up for him countless times. But he is afraid of Assef's brass knuckles, afraid of getting hurt. More shamefully, he thinks, "He was just a Hazara, wasn't he?" He turns and runs, leaving Hassan to suffer. The memory of that decision will haunt him for the rest of his life. The Aftermath Hassan emerges from the alley, the blue kite still in his hands. He limps toward Amir, his shirt torn, his pants stained with blood. He does not accuse Amir; he simply hands him the kite. Amir pretends not to notice the blood or the tears. They walk home in silence. That night, Amir brings the kite to Baba and weeps in his arms. He has won his father's love, but at the cost of his soul.

The Unraveling Friendship

The Unraveling Friendship The Growing Distance After the rape, Amir avoids Hassan. He cannot bear to look at him, because Hassan's face reminds him of his own cowardice. Hassan, in turn, becomes withdrawn. He stops singing while ironing and spends most of his time sleeping. Ali notices the change and asks Amir if something happened, but Amir snaps at him. The once inseparable friends now live in the same house like strangers. The Pomegranate Tree Incident One summer day, Amir asks Hassan to go up the hill to their pomegranate tree. He brings a story he has written, but instead of reading, he picks up a pomegranate and throws it at Hassan. He hits him again and again, screaming, "Hit me back!" He wants Hassan to retaliate, to give him the punishment he craves. But Hassan does nothing. Finally, Hassan picks up a pomegranate, crushes it against his own forehead, and says, "Are you satisfied?" He walks away, leaving Amir alone with his guilt. The Final Break Amir realizes that one of them must go. He frames Hassan for theft, planting his watch and money under Hassan's mattress. When Baba confronts them, Hassan confesses to a crime he did not commit. Ali, knowing the truth, decides to leave. Despite Baba's pleas, they pack and go. Amir watches from his window as the car drives away, taking Hassan out of his life forever. The friendship that began with their first words—"Baba" and "Amir"—ends in betrayal.

winter of 1975

winter of 1975

spring 1976