The kite runner questions help ...?

Question

What is the significance of the irony in the first story that Amir writes? After hearing Amir's story, Hassan asks, "Why did the man kill his wife? In fact, why did he ever have to feel sad to shed tears? Couldn't he have just smelled an onion?" How is his reaction to the story a metaphor for Amir's life? How does this story epitomize the difference in character between Hassan and Amir?

Answer 1

The irony is that Hassan has never (to that point) experienced pain, sorrow, sadness, or despair for another.  Hassan's question about the story shows his naive nature and willingness to take things at face value, without question.    

In contrast, one might argue that Amir lacks empathy for others and is entirely focused on himself.  Amir doesn't see Hassan for who he is (Amir doesn't recognize that Hassan is his brother, in terms of love, devotion, willingness to sacrifice) -- but in fact, Hassan sacrifices/suffers for Amir (what he experiences in the alley, when he leaves the household w/ his father under false accusation of stealing, etc).   Amir is so blinded by jealousy (his perception that his father likes Hassan more than he), that Amir "kills" Hassan metaphorically when he accuses Hassan of stealing his birthday gift, the watch.  

So, if Hassan himself had just wanted to know what it was like to shed tears -- he could have simply smelled an onion; rather, Hassan takes on an immense burden and never sheds any tears (never tells what happened in the alley when retrieving Amir's kite, etc) because he loves Amir so much.  Similarly, Amir never unpeels that onion (of their relationship, love, and true connection) until it is too late to make amends or change.  Thus, why Amir takes on Hassan's son, in an attempt to atone for his past "failure" to Hassan.    

Answer 2

They're brothers, but they have to accept different circumstances. Hassan has to deal with being persecuted against because of his race, his father worked for the man that slept with his wife. there's lots of things for him to feel sad about. amir is like the man in the story: he will kill his wife and bring misery on himself. hassan is different from Amir because he's too good hearted to kill someone, and too simple to understand complex anger and sadness.