During their lives, many people find themselves in situations where they can either help someone in need either ignore the situation and do what is best for themselves. In the film The Kite Runner and the novel A Thousand Splendid Suns written by Khaled Hosseini, each of the characters is placed in a situation where that particular character can display courage or cowardice. Characters who show cowardice were no longer able to live with this guilt and changed their lives while characters who show courage die with courage. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay The Kite Runner tells the story of Amir, a boy living in Afghanistan, and his life experiences. During his childhood, he is known for being a coward who does not stand up for others when needed, while his best friend, Hassan, is the complete opposite of him and stands up for what he thinks is right. At the beginning of the film, Hassan protects Amir from Assef and his friends who are tyrants. Hassan puts himself in danger when he says, “You are right. Agha. But maybe you haven't noticed that I'm the one holding the slingshot. “Hassan shows courage by standing up to a group of city bad boys who are older and bigger than him. Then, when Amir wins the kite tournament, Hassan runs to get the kite. Assef surprises Hassan in an alley and wants the kite. Hassan is so loyal to his friend that he does not give the kite to Assef because it belongs to Amir. Assef rapes and tortures Hassan. Amir witnesses Hassan's rape and does nothing; in fact, he ran away. This situation defines the rest of Amir's life; he knows he has to make up for what he did, otherwise he will live with regret for the rest of his life. Years later, Amir returns to Afghanistan and discovers that Hassan was killed protecting Amir's home. The Taliban wanted to take the house, but Hassan was so loyal to his friend that he was killed for that loyalty. Amir discovers that Hassan's son, Sohrab, has been kidnapped by Assef. Amir sees this kidnapping as a chance for redemption. Amir risks his own life to make up for what happened to Hassan. By saving Sohrab, Amir feels free from the guilt caused by his childhood mistakes. His act of bravery redeems him from his cowardice. The novel A Thousand Splendid Suns depicts Jalil as a cowardly man at the beginning of the story. Jalil is so concerned about maintaining his reputation that he pushes Nana out of his house. Nana is the housekeeper who is pregnant with Jalil's illegitimate child, Mariam. Jalil keeps in touch with them and tries to stay in Mariam's life only at her convenience. For Mariam's birthday, her only wish is to go to town with him. Jalil disappoints his daughter and allows Mariam to fall asleep in the street while waiting for him. After Nana's suicide, Jalil forces Mariam to marry Rasheed, a shoemaker. There are hints that Jalil deeply regrets the way he treated Mariam, as seen when Jalil keeps a box containing a tape of the film Pinocchio. Pinocchio is the cartoon that Jalil promised to take Mariam to see on her birthday, but he never did; he also wrote a letter in which he regretted not having taken her in and he locked Mariam's share of the inheritance in a box which returned to Miriam after her death. Mariam is one of the main characters who is very dynamic. She demonstrates courage throughout the novel, not so much through speaking out, but through her courageous actions. Mariam shows courage after enduring verbal abuse and.