LRB #6: Summary

In Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner, chapters twenty two and twenty three are definitely two of the most hard hitting of the entire book. Basically what happens is this: Amir has already traveled back to Afghanistan in search of his nephew, Hassan's son, Sohrab. After being sent to an arena and meeting with a man from the Taliban, Amir finds himself in quite a predicament. He comes face to face with a man from his childhood - the infamous Assef that used to bully both him and Hassan when they were children.

This is where the question of Amir's strength comes into play. All throughout his childhood, Amir was a weakling, having Hassan defend him when someone would try to push him around. Assef agres to let Amir leave with Sohrab on one condition - he has to fight him for him.

"We have some unfinished business, you and I," Assef said. "You remember, don't you?" 
He needn't have worried. I would never forget the day after Daoud Khan overthrew the king. My entire adult life, whenever I heard Daoud Khan's name, what I saw was Hassan with his slingshot pointed at Assef's face, Hassan saying that they'd have to start calling him One-Eyed Assef instead of Assef Goshkhor. I remember how envious I'd been of Hassan's bravery. Assef had backed down, promised that in the end he'd get us both. He'd kept that promise with Hassan. Now it was my turn. 

This part of the book highlights Amir's inner struggle; he's been weak all of his life and now he finally has the chance to stand up and take Sohrab back with him. Does he take it? It's sad to say that he does try, but fails miserably and is nearly beaten to death by Assef before Sohrab stops him by shooting his eye out with a slingshot. The two of them then escaped and Amir stayed in a hospital for a few days until he is well enough to at least walk again before they leave once more.

Alas, it is eventually revealed that there was never a couple to adopt Hassan like Rahim Khan said there was, and Amir finally figures out what he's supposed to do. "A way to be good again" for him, he realizes, is to adopt Sohrab.