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The theme of loyalty runs strongly throughout  the story of Kite Runner, as well as many other themes, such as Betrayal, War, Race, Forgiveness, Sacrifice, Class, Fear, Redemption, and the relationship between father and son, but on this page we will discuss Loyalty. 


In the Kite Runner, the theme of loyalty is shown between two of the main characters, Amir and Hassan. This is shown in many ways. 


For example, on page 42


Hassan shows his loyalty and his friendship by defending Amir when he is confronted by Assef. 


Assef gritted his teeth. "Put it down, you motherless Hazara."

"Please leave us be. Agha," Hassan said.

Assef smiled. "Maybe you didn't notice, but there are three of us and two of you."

Hassan shrugged. To an outsider, he didn't look scared. But Hassan's face was my earliest memory and I knew all of its subtle nuances, knew each and every twitch and flicker that ever rippled across it. And I saw that he was scared. He was scared plenty.

"You are right, Agha. But perhaps you didn't notice that I'm the one holding the slingshot. If you make a move, they'll have to change your nickname from Assef 'the Ear Eater' to 'One-Eyed Assef,' because I have this rock pointed at your left eye." He said this so flatly that even I had to strain to hear the fear that I knew hid under than calm voice.


On page 4


Hassan never wanted to, but if I asked, really asked, he wouldn't deny me. Hassan never denied me anything. And he was deadly with his slingshot. Hassan's father, Ali, used to catch us and get mad, or as mas as someone as gentle as Ali could ever get. He would wag his finger and wave us down from the tree. He would take the mirror and tell us what his mother had told him, that the devil shone mirrors too, shone them to distract Muslims during prayer. "And he laughs while he does it," he always added, scowling at his son.

"Yes, Father," Hassan would mumble, looking down at his feet. But he never told on me. Never told that the mirror, like shooting walnuts at the neighbor's dog, was always my idea.