“Now I was the one under the microscope, the one who had to prove my worth” (Hosseini 184). This quote demonstrates the role change that encourages Amir to change from the disloyal person he was previously into the person he is at the end of the novel. Hassan has always been tormented by Amir's little "tests" to prove Hassan's loyalty. Now it was up to Amir to prove to the world and to himself that he was worthy of Hassan's unending loyalty. Khaled Hosseini does an excellent job of portraying this transformation in his writings. Hosseini's novel, The Kite Runner, illustrates the value of loyalty in the relationships between Hassan and Amir, Sanaubar and Sohrab, and Amir and Baba. The first is the relationship between Hassan and Amir. "Hassan never denied me anything" (4) is one of the quotes in the novel that best describes Hassan's true personality. One of the most important symbols of Hosseini is the pomegranate tree. As children, the boys recorded “Amir and Hassan, the sultans of Kabul” (27). The tree was their safe haven; where they could escape Assef's taunts and the citizens' judgments. It was where they could just be themselves without a care in the world. One of the most important quotes in the book is "For you a thousand times." (67, 371) said by Hassan to Amir, then repeated by Amir himself. This is the phrase that seems to guide Amir on his long journey. Without Hassan and his extreme loyalty in the back of his mind, Amir would not have been able to find the strength and drive to do what he should have done long ago. He should have redeemed himself while his best friend was still alive, even when they were still children. Throughout their childhood, Amir tried to escape his guilt. He ke... middle of the paper... this secret would affect both Amir and Hassan, but it would have an even greater impact on the two later in their lives. Once Baba and Amir immigrate to the United States, their relationship strengthens. Now there's more to talk about without the awkward silences. Baba now finally takes on the encouraging role of a father after all these years. But why? Is it because Hassan is now out of the picture? Whatever the reason, Amir is finally satisfied with their father-son relationship. A story told by Baba that was often on Amir's mind is about Baba wrestling with the black bear. Amir simply sees it as a story that no one has ever questioned, but it seems to have a different meaning. Perhaps the black bear is not just an animal, but a person. One possibility is Baba's children. Baba is said to be struggling physically with the bear, but he may also be struggling with his emotions towards his son, Amir, and his secret, Hassan..