There are at least 2 scenes in this novel that I will never forget. Amir definitely develops the courage to confront evil after he becomes an adult. The courage that he lacks as a child haunts him throughout his life. How do you think the story would have been different if he had confronted the evil Assaf in the alley as a child?
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If Amir had just confronted the evil that haunted him his whole life at the beginning of the novel then I think he would have lived a peaceful life. I think him and Hassan would have been best of friends and grown up together and that he wouldn't have to of carried all of that guilt around with him his whole life. But I don't think that Hassan would have ever been able to stand up to that evil as a child because he was too envious of Baba and Hassan's relationship. He just wanted Baba all to himself and wanted Baba to truly love him. I think another important factor in Amir finally being able to stand up to that evil was Rhahim Khan's explanation of why his father seemed not to love him at times. And knowing that Hassan was his half brother. I loved how the story played out so I am glad that he wasn't able to stand up to Assef at that young age because not many kids that yound would have. And Amir was able to redeem himself and get rid of that haunting after all of those years by standing up to Assef and taking Sohrab back with him. Which made me so happy. I'm sure if he had confronted evil that day in the alley the story would have been a whole lot happier, but he didn't and life went on as it willed.
Amir was constantly haunted by the events that happened in the alley. If he had confronted Assef in the alley, he would not have had to deal with the memory and guilt all his life. For example, when he was on the phone with Soraya, she let out her secret and he felt guilty that he could not tell her. He did not have the courage to reveal his horrid secret. Most children would not have stood up for another at that age, and Amir wanted Baba's approval more than anything in the world. I'm somewhat glad that Amir did not stand up to Assef in that alley because the story would have been different and he would not have learned from it.
If Amir had saved Hassan in his childhood, then Amir would have the bravery to stand up to any evil afterwards. Amir did not stand up to Assef in the alley because of his tragic flaw- his weakness. It was inevitable that Amir would run away from Assef because he had run away from every other problem in his life. If he had confronted Assef, that would be the moment that his courage would come through, but instead he failed to do so and lived his life under Baba and other peoples’ protection.
Amir is the biggest wimp ever until he "grows a pair" when he is faced with Assef, and even then he needed Sohrab's help. That good for nothing turkey!
oh, and the turkey is Amir, but it could also be Assef because Assef is a turkey in that he is a good for nothing pervert/creeper.
I am responding to all of our comments so far! Just thinking of Amir in the alley, we say that he should have done something to help Hassan, but i don't think we would have done anything either. Personally, if I had the strength that Amir didn't have, I would not fight but I would just yell to Assef "I'm gonna tell everyone you're gay!" What do ya'll think he should have done?
If Amir had confronted Assef in the alley while he was watching Hassan being raped, his life probably would have turned out radically different. Ali and Hassan probably would have moved to the US with Baba and Amir, and Hassan and Amir would have remained very close friends, perhaps even closer than they were before. On the other hand, Baba and Amir's relationship probably would not have become as strong as it did when the came to America if Hassan had been there as well. Ultimately, the reason Amir left Hassan in the alley to be raped was to win Baba's affection, and though it took until they reached the US, that's ultimately what Amir got.
Grace, how you said even when he decided to defend Sohrab, he couldn't do it without his help- what Amir did for Sohrab exactly mirrors the situation with Hassan Had Amir decided to "grow a pair" as you so wisely put it when they were in the alley, Amir probably would've gotten beat up as badly as he did when they were older, and Hassan would have come to the rescue with his slingshot.
You're being kinda hard on Amir.. yeah he was a little bit of a wimp, but he was given a second chance and he took advantage of it and was able to redeem himself through it. At least he was able to learn from his mistake.
Nothing would have been the same if he had confronted Assaf in the alley. I know this is horrible to say, but I think that it was good that Amir didn't do anything to help. If he had, Hassan would have been tortured by Amir slowly until they left each other. I believe that the story would have still had Amir going to America no matter what, but Hassan would live there the rest of his life.
In response to Chelsea's comment, I believe that no matter what Hassan and Amir would never have gotten closer if Amir had saved him. If anything they would have grown apart or Amir would have still run away because of his fear of that or something else.
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