The Unsuspecting Hero

The Kite Runner

Khaled Hosseini 

Hosseini makes an effort to put a great deal of conflict into The Kite Runner. Once Assef's identity is exposed and Sohrab is found in his home, there is immediately a conflict between Assef and Amir. All Amir wants is to take Sohrab with him, away from Assef. However, Assef does not want for Amir to have what he desires so easily. Assef says Amir can take Sohrab with him if Amir can prove to beat Assef in a fight. As Sohrab was watching Assef and Amir fight, he was overcome with emotion and could not take the fighting anymore. He picked up a slingshot and "the slingshot made a thwiiiit sound when Sohrab released the cup. Then Assef was screaming"(Hosseini, 291). Sohrab's courage saved Amir's life. However, Sohrab's courage was not expected from Amir. He stood up for Amir, and because of this, he was able to escape from Assef's home.