THIS...is what an essay should look like.

[Daddy]

James Valente
Mr. Wallach
English IV Honors

The Kite Runner: Essay Test

   Literature often uses a dominant theme to convey a message that is, usually, important to the author. A recurring motif in Khaled Hosseini's novel The Kite Runner involves the relationships of fathers and sons. There are many examples throughout the novel, but three stand out the most;  Amir and Baba's relationship, Hassan and  Ali's relationship, and Hassan and Baba's relationship are the best examples provided.

   Although there were times that Amir felt that his father, Baba, hated him, the fact that Amir loved Baba and Baba loved Amir remained true..   Amir was interested in reading and writing whereas, father, Baba, loved sports.  Amir wanted to believe in Allah, Baba was not religious.  These differences made it hard for Amir and Baba to get along.   They could not find much which they were both interested in.  Amir tried playing soccer but he didn't like it. He tried watching soccer, this too was something which he could care less about.  Amir struggled to gain his father's affection.   There was one thing that allowed this, kite flying. Amir was a great kite flier, Baba was proud of him for this.   When around family and friends Baba would brag about Amir winning the tournament.   That was the year he threw Amir his biggest birthday. When they moved to the United States Baba worked at a gas station, something he hated but continued doing to support Amir.  He worked hard and when Amir graduated from high school he bought him a car.  He helped Amir with college.  Baba even worked with Amir at flea markets.  Amir was getting the attention and love that he always wanted.   Baba's final act was arranging a marriage for Amir. 

   The relationship between Hassan and Ali was, in it's part, a great relationship.  Hassan never felt  neglected by his father.  He always knew Ali loved him.  Hassan and Ali were poor but they did not let it bother them.  They happily served Amir and Baba.  After Hassan was raped by Assef Ali noticed a change in his behavior.   He was concerned and asked Amir about it, who angrily replied that  he did not know what was wrong.   Ali was quick to defend his son.  When Hassan admitted to taking Amir's money and watch Ali decided it was not wise, or safe for them to stay with Amir and Baba anymore, they had to leave.   Another example of Ali's love for Hassan is his financing of plastic surgery to fix Hassan's cleft lip.

   The relationship between Hassan and Baba is a particularly interesting one.  Baba was Hassan's real father, but Hassan did not know about  that.   In fact, this detail was not revealed until late in the book.    Baba was described as being torn between two sons, this is why he was so hard on Amir. Hassan and Baba had much more in common than Amir and Baba.  Both were interested in sports.  This allowed for a connection between Baba and Hassan that did not exist with Amir.  The guilt that Baba felt from hiding who Hassan's true father really was also played a role.   Baba would be sure to include Hassan in every activity that he did.  This succeeded in making Amir jealous, although it was not Baba's intent. 

    The above three relationships are all different in the aspect of how father and son interact.  Baba and Amir's relationship shows that although love may not always be evident it can still exist.  Ali and Hassan's relationship is an example of a relationship in which a father loves his son so much that he puts his son's needs before his own.  Indeed, the relationship between Baba and Hassan is a prime example of a love that must be suppressed to protect others.  Ali and Baba were best friends, in fact, they were practically brothers. If Ali found out his wife cheated on him with Baba there would have been major issues.  Baba decided it was best to keep this a secret from everyone, save for Rahim Khan, who reveals this to Amir years after both Hassan and Baba have died.  At first Amir is upset, but he comes to terms with the fact that Hassan was his half brother and he goes to make things right.  He adopts Hassan's son.   He raised Sohrab with the love that he desired to receive from Baba.  This is Hosseini's final example of a father son relationship.  He combines the three relationships into one.  Amir has the guilt,like Baba, about how he treated Hassan, he has Ali's selfless sacrifice to protect his child, and Baba's strict, yet caring fatherly love. Hosseini does a great job portraying the different types of father/son relationships.

I don't have the final version any more.  I made a few minor revisions.  I got a 90 on this essay.