Final answer:
Amir's intelligence indeed leads him to manipulate and play cruel tricks on the illiterate and loyal Hassan, which is a reflection of Amir's complex character and moral struggles in 'The Kite Runner'.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question you asked pertains to the characters Amir and Hassan in the novel The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. When we examine Amir's actions towards Hassan, it is evident that Amir's intelligence often leads him to manipulate Hassan, who is illiterate and deeply loyal. Amir sometimes uses his knowledge to play cruel tricks on Hassan, taking advantage of Hassan's naivety and trust. For example, Amir would sometimes deceive Hassan when reading to him by inventing his own stories, which is inherently deceptive, and can be considered cruel given Hassan's sincere admiration and trust for Amir. Additionally, Amir's feelings of jealousy and inner conflict contribute to these negative actions, raising questions about his moral integrity early in the story.