The kite runner: Why did Baba make hassan a hazara when he actually wasnt? (chapter 17)?

Question

If hassan is actually blood related to Baba and baba "had" Hassan as son, why did he make everyone think he was a Hazara?

This is from chapter 17, when Amir goes to see Rahim Khan in Afghanistan. Thsi chapter confuses me.

Also, can someone explain chapter 17 to me? what's the significance Ali having a first wife? Did Ali know that Hassan wasnt his son? Ali would've had to know it wasnt hs son, right? otherwise that doesnt make sense.

Please someone clear this chapter up for me.

Answer 1

Hassan's mother was a Hazara.  Ali knew that Hassan wasn't his son.

EDIT:ispike93, it was that it was easier for Amir. That might have been a factor. It wasn't the biggest reason, though. As it says, all a man have back then was his honor. Baba had an affair with a Hazara servant. If people knew that, they wouldn't respect him, to say the very least.

EDIT: Amir is older. Baba's wife died giving birth to him. Hassan's mother and Amir's mother were different people. Therefore they were half brothers.

Answer 2

I think it was just easier for Amir to believe that they were best friends rather than know that they were brothers. But you should watch the movie, it might be easier to understand that way.. It's REALLY good, sad but good.