The Price of Approval

Why does it always appear that the honest person always loses, while the dishonest, selfish, and cowardly person comes out on top? This is a question I would like to raise after reading chapter seven of “ The Kite Runner”, and learning the sacrifice that Hassan made, only to aid in Amir agha’s glory. When Hassan fought till the end in order to give the promised “ blue kite” to Amir agha, he showed true loyalty, along with an honest and pure character. In return for his outstanding character, he experienced a sexually devaluing act, which played a huge role in the negative change in his character. At this same point in time Amir agha had the opportunity to save his so called “ friend” from this traumatic experience, and in the least give his verbal praise for his loyalty, but in reality he chose to be the dishonest, selfish, and cowardly person, and who uses Hassan to gain the approval of his father. It is evident when Amir agha describes seeing his father as “ just the way he’d imagined”, that he has gained his fathers approval but all at the cost of Hassan’s dignity.
After analyzing the out come of this situation, I realized that although Amir agha gains his fathers approval, its is only for a mere second, and after that second his cowardly choice haunts him, and leaves him feeling empty. Amir agha after the situation continues to fight for his father attentions like when he asked if his father will take his to the movies, but still his father poses, “ Do you want to ask Hassan to come along?” This aggravates Amir and in his head he reflects, “ Why did Baba have to spoil it like that?” Amir believes that because it appears as if he won the kite tournament, and got the blue kite, that he should continue to have the attention, and he wonders why his father still cares about Hassan. The answer to his question in my mind is that when people cheat, and try to get by the easy way they gain nothing, and their moment of glory is short and superficial. After it is over they are left with nothing but guilt. Even though Hassan does not appear to have gained anything at this point I am sure the in the end his strong character will benefit, while Amir’s weak and shameful character will only cause his more emptiness and hardship in the future.