Betrayal

Betrayal helps define some of characters in the novel.  One of the most important events in this book is during the rape of Hassan. While it is brutal, violent, and wrong, it is important to think about what it means. To Amir, it was a sacrifice. Amir describes it as Hassan resembling the lamb that was slaughtered during the Muslim Celebration of Eid Al-Adha, which honors Abraham's near sacrifice of his son for God. Through this sacrifice, he was able to obtain the blue kite, which would supposedly redeem his relationship with Baba. But it also was a monstrous betrayal to his best friend and brother, and it changed his life forever. Baba also betrays his best friend, Ali, by sleeping with his wife.