The Kite Runner Chapter 4

     Ali and Baba grew up together as childhood playmates like Amir and Hassan did. However, Baba never referred to Ali as a friend, and Amir also never thought Hassan and himself as a friend. I wondered what their relationships are.

     Although Amir and Hassan always played together after school, they had completely different daily routine except that. Amir woke up late, ate late while complaining about homework, and went to school every day. On the other hand, Hassan did works as a servant like preparing breakfast and making a bed for Amir. I believe Hosseini depicted huge economical differences in Afghanistan. In my opinion, one huge reason Amir couldn't think Hassan as a friend was maybe he thought Hassan is just a servant after all.

     History and religion aren't easy to overcome, especially for children. Some people say children are not influenced by common sense or atmosphere in society but look at Hassan. He grew up illiterate like Ali and most Hazaras had been decided the minute they had been born although he was drawn to the mystery of words, seduced by secret world forbidden to him. Every day, Amir read Hassan fascinating poems and stories sitting on pomegranate tree. It seems like a wonderful childhood memory but Amir's favorite act while reading was quite mean. Amir teased Hassan and exposed his ignorance when they come across a big word that he didn't know. For example, when Hassan didn't know the word ''imbecile,'' Amir told him the wrong meaning, ''smart and intelligent.'' Then, gave out examples like Hassan is an imbecile. Amir always felt guilty about it later.

     One day, Amir played another trick on Hassan, he strayed from the written story and made up his own. Surprisingly, Hassan said it was the best story ever and these compliments made Amir fascinated and happy, hopeful for his future as a novel writer. That night, Amir secretly wrote a short story which I personally felt it teaches us a meaningful lesson. He tried to show it to Baba but Baba rejected as he thought writing stories are not what real man does. On the other hand, Rahim Khan praised bravo and said Amir is talented. Hassan complimented the new story too but he gave Amir a little advice. At that moment, Amir thought, ''What does he know, that illiterate Hazara？He'll never be anything but a cook. How dare he criticize you？'' He was looking down on Hassan at the bottom of his heart.

There was a shocking quote Amir said in the middle of the chapter. He put up a doubt, ''Didn't all fathers in their secret hearts harbor a desire to kill their son？'' I'm not a father and don't really understand deeply about the shape of families in Afghanistan or father-son relationship. Still, I believe fathers should not make their children feel this way, whatever the reason is.

     To conclude, Chapter four kept on explaining characters' complicated relationships. Religion and position barrier is hard to overcome. Baba and Ali, Amir and Hassan are different from friends, nearer to the sense of family but still employers and servants at the same time. Baba and Amir's father-son relationship fell into a vicious circle because they couldn't understand and accept each other. Hosseini finished explaining about overall setting through Chapter three and four so I believe some fascinating events would occur next chapter.