Describe Baba's character development in Chapter 11 of The Kite Runner.

This is a great question, as chapter 11 is somewhat of a turning point. In this chapter, two thing events stand out. Baba, who is now in Fremont, California and works at a gas station, goes to buy something at the local store. He goes to pay by check and the store attendant wants an ID. Baba is furious and overturns a magaine rack. He feels insulted, not knowing that this was people do in America. More importantly, he feel frustrated at his new life. Back in Kabul, he was a powerful and respected man.

As one can see he is having a hard time adjusting to life in America, but he presses on. Why? The text explains that he does it for Amir, his son. He wants a better life for his son. This show Baba's love and sacrifice.

The other scene is when Amir tells Baba that he wants to be a writer and studing English in college. Baba is not happy and says that the degree would be useless. However, later on when Baba has a meeting with general Taheri, he tells the general that his son will be a great writer some day. This show Baba's heart for Amir. He might disagree with Amir's decision, but he loves him and will support him.

In many ways, this dynamic can be seen in this quote: "For me, America was a place to bury my memories. For Baba, a place to mourn his." Amir looks towards the future; Baba is haunted by the past.

How does Baba's physical, social, and psychological character change in The Kite Runner?

Baba is an imposing man, but it seems to me that his stature and prominance in Afghan society belie a certain moral conflict or even cowardice. In chapter three we get some description of Baba as "Mr. Hurricane," the man that wrestled a bear with his bare hands. Even in sleep, he is imposing (his snoring was like "a growling truck engine"). Baba is rich and powerful -- one of the most successful businessmen in Kabul. His wife is highly educated and respected. However, perhaps because of his will to succeed, Baba is emotionally distant from his acknowledged son Amir and his unacknowledged son Hassan. As Amir puts it,

"Father molded the world around him to his liking. The problem, of course, was that Baba saw the world in black and white. And he got to decide what was black and what was white. You can't love a person who lives that way without fearing him too. Maybe even hating him a little."

Baba's worldview, and his image of himself, makes it impossible to admit his relationship with Hassan's mother. So, Baba tries to "mold the world" to atone for his failure with Hassan, most significantly by building the orphanage. However, it is only after Baba leaves Afghanistan and comes as a refugee to the United States that he is able to stop seing things in "black and white" and connect with his son.

How does Baba's physical, social, and psychological character change in The Kite Runner?

Baba was a physically imposing man, standing 6'5 with a thick beard and unruly brown hair. His hands were so large that they seemed "capable of uprooting a willow tree." His eyes produced a "black glare that would 'drop the devil to his knees begging for mercy,' " according to Rahim Khan. Khan provided Baba with the nickname "Toophan agha"--"Mr. Hurricane"--and he was often compared to a black bear, which, according to legend, Baba once fought with his bare hands. One of the wealthiest men in Kabul, Baba loved throwing parties and hosting friends in his study, the "smoking room," which was filled with comfortable leather furniture. He was always the life of the party and the instant center of attention. During his days in Kabul, he was a philanthropist, building an orphanage which he designed and financed himself.

However, his life changed drastically after he was forced to flee Afghanistan to California. He became a member of the lowly working class, taking employment in a gas station/convenience store. He eventually lost his health to the cancer that killed him, and he seems to have lost much of the confidence that propelled him to his exalted status in Kabul. However, he never lost his respect in the Afghan community, where people still remembered him as "Toophan agha."

How is Baba a dynamic character in The Kite Runner?

A dynamic character is someone who experiences a dramatic inner change throughout a novel that affects their personality, perspective, or attitude. Amir's father Baba could be considered a dynamic character, because he experiences a dramatic change of heart as the novel progresses. At the beginning of the novel, Baba is portrayed as a relatively distant, callous man, who continually ignores Amir. While Baba is a generous, courageous person, who is respected by his neighbors, he has a terrible relationship with Amir. Baba resents the fact that Amir is not athletic or masculine, and is ashamed that his son would rather read stories than play sports. According to Amir, Baba favors Hassan, who is secretly his son. To Baba, Amir is an afterthought, and he goes out of his way to avoid bonding with him.

Following the Russian invasion of Afghanistan, Baba makes the selfless decision to flee Kabul and immigrate to America. In America, Baba gives Amir a new beginning and accepts a low-paying job to provide for his son. In America, Baba experiences a change of heart and becomes closer to Amir. Baba relies on Amir to help him communicate and spends the majority of his time with his son. In addition to financially supporting Amir, Baba gives his son a chance to start over at life, which positively affects Amir. Baba develops into a sensitive, loving father, who demonstrates compassion and concern for Amir. Baba's emotional development and acceptance of his son are what makes him a dynamic character.

How is Baba a dynamic character in The Kite Runner?

The father of Amir in Khaled Hosseini's novel, The Kite Runner, Baba is absolutely a character of dynamic dimensions. Growing up, Baba's own father rubbed shoulders with kings. A huge, imposing and handsome man, Baba became the center of attention when he entered a room. Baba amassed a fortune doing things his own way, which included designing his own buildings without the benefit of an architectural background. His wealth allowed him to throw great parties and meet influential people. His Mustang auto--a great rarity in Afghanistan--made him stand out even on the road. After fleeing to America, Baba lost his wealth but not his great will. By working hard and using his business skills in sometimes very small ways (such as at flea markets on the weekends), Baba managed to maintain a comfortable if not extravagant lifestyle in California. To the Afghan ex-patriots living there, Baba is still a great bear--larger than life and still someone to admire.

In The Kite Runner, how do Hassan and Baba show courage by facing their fears?

Hassan and Baba are both courageous individuals throughout the novel The Kite Runner. Hassan displays his courage by standing up to Assef and threating to shoot his eye out when Assef attempts to harm him and Amir. Hassan also faces his fears by refusing to give Assef the kite at the end of the tournament. Despite knowing that he will be harmed, Hassan stands his ground against Assef. Baba also faces his fears and displays courage throughout the novel. Baba is known for wrestling a bear and is viewed as a tough man. On their way out of Afghanistan, Baba stands up to a Russian soldier who attempts to rape an Afghan woman. Baba knows that the soldier could easily shoot him, but refuses to back down. Baba also faces his fear of becoming a failure when he moves to America. Despite losing his position of prominance that he held in Afghanistan, Baba displays courage by accepting a job at a gas station and working at a flea market on the weekends. His refusal to let his pride stand in his way depicts his courage. He also refuses to accept chemotherapy when he is diagnosed with cancer. Baba faces his fear and accepts the fact that he will die.

What did Baba do wrong in The Kite Runner?  

In The Kite Runner, Baba is certainly an imperfect character, but mostly because of his upbringing in a society in which his ethnicity, religion, and wealth place him in the ruling class. Within the limitations of that upbringing, he is by no means an evil man.  The most striking wrongdoing on Baba's part is his coupling with Ali's wife, Sanaubar, which results in the birth of Hassan.  This wrongdoing on his part, kept secret through throughout the novel, leads to his guilt, his loving treatment of Hassan, albeit as a servant, and his not so loving treatment of Amir, who is a less pleasing child.  This wrongdoing leads to Amir's resentments also. Although Amir has no clue as to the source of his resentments, he feels the undertones of the relationship between Baba and Hassan, a love that he cannot seem to gain for himself. All of these undercurrents drive the action of the novel and the feelings of its characters.  This is a toxic secret, but of course, in that time and place, disclosing it would have been even more toxic, possibly leading to death. I think it is fair to say that Baba was immeasurably regretful about his wrongdoing and did the very best he could thereafter. 

In what ways does Hassan show courage throughout The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini? 

In one sense, Hassan is not overly courageous in The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini because everything he does is done out of love for the people who are important to him.

In another sense, Hassan is the most courageous character in the novel. He is noble, kindhearted, and selfless, so it is not surprising that he does things which are courageous.

First of all, on the day he was born his mother laughed at Hassan and left a few days later.

Sanaubar had taken one glance at the baby in Ali's arms, seen the cleft lip, and barked a bitter laughter. [...]. She had refused to even hold Hassan, and just five days later she was gone.

Hassan grows up motherless and with a harelip, two things which put him at a disadvantage, even for a Hazara. And, of course, he is a Hazara and a servant, two things which put him on the lowest rung of Afghanistan society.

Specifically, Hassan allows himself to be brutally assaulted by the bully Assef just so he can get the blue flag for Amir. Even more, he says nothing about it to Amir, not one word, though of course he knows that Amir could have helped and did not.

He is also courageous when he lies and takes the blame for stealing Amir's money and watch. He should have stood up for himself, of course, but he is willing to be sent away (with his father) to spare Amir any more pain (which Amir caused for himself).

When Hassan's mother, Sanaubar, appears after being absent for decades, Hassan accepts her. It does take him just a bit to conquer his feelings, but he is gracious and kind to her until the day he dies. 

Hassan is courageous when he comes back to Kabul at Rahim Khan's request. He could easily have stayed in his small village and escaped the Taliban trouble in the city; however, he comes to try to help save Baba and Amir's house. It is an act that gets him killed. 

Hassan would probably not call anything he does courageous; however, it is clear that he lived a consistent life of courage.

Is Baba from "The Kite Runner" a courageous man?

One one level, Baba can be seen as a courageous man in terms of how others perceive him.  As "Toophan Agha," as Rahim calls him, Baba gains public notoriety because he is able to do great feats of strength.  He captures the imagination of the public because Baba is seen as courageous from a traditionally male point of view.  In the traditional setting of Afghanistan, Baba is seen as courageous because he fulfills the public perception of what "courage" is.  Baba is a "man's man," a legendary figure because he does not capitulate to anything.  To a great extent, he is courageous because he is seen as such.

This changes when Baba moves to America.  As time passes, Baba is courageous because he is able to see his own mistakes in life. He does not command the attention and stature he once did.  Rather, Baba can be seen as courageous because he is more reflective and more willing to sacrifice for his son.  In working at a filling station and living in a more humble manner, Baba gains courage in how he sees himself and his son.  When Baba tells Amir that  "I ammoftakhir [proud]," it is a moment of great courage because the old man has defined courage from within as opposed to seeing it as an external form of being in the world.  It is here in which one sees that Baba is courageous by the end of the narrative. 

Who does Baba kill in The Kite Runner?

In The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, Baba is brave and has a temper. In one scene, he comes close to killing a man but ultimately is stopped by the people around him who implore him to let the man go. Baba “almost choked a man to death” but finally is persuaded to release him.

This incident occurs as Baba and Amir flee Afghanistan. As the situation in their country worsens, it becomes clear that they must leave, despite all that he has amassed in Afghanistan and his relatively elevated position within his community. On the trip out, they encounter Russian soldiers, and Baba displays tremendous courage that borders on recklessness.

Baba and Amir are traveling with other passengers who are trying to flee the country, as well. Their journey is difficult and the refugees are all tense. Along the way, a Russian soldier tells them that the price for allowing the group to continue on their trip is for him to have half an hour alone with a young woman who is among the group. Baba tells the Russian soldier via their translator, Karim, "Tell him I'll take a thousand of his bullets before I let this indecency take place." Amir thinks to himself, “Do you have to always be the hero?”

Then, a few moments later, Karim informs Baba and the others that they cannot continue on the trip because the truck has broken down. Baba loses his temper and nearly kills the interpreter. Amir writes:

I caught a flurry of movement out of the corner of my eye. Then a blur of something zipping across the room, and the next thing I saw was Karim slammed against the wall, his sandaled feet dangling two feet above the floor. Wrapped around his neck were Baba's hands ... Karim was making guttural choking sounds. Spittle dripped from the corner of his mouth.

One of the other refugees pleads with Baba to put Karim down because he was "killing him." Baba replies, "It's what I intend to do." Amir notes:

What none of the others in the room knew was that Baba wasn't joking. Karim was turning red and kicking his legs. Baba kept choking him until the young mother, the one the Russian officer had fancied, begged him to stop.

What roles does Baba play in The Kite Runner?

Above all else, Baba serves as the powerful man and stern father who Amir desires to satisfy and emulate but never can.

I worshiped Baba with an intensity approaching the religious. But... I wished I could open my veins and drain his cursed blood from my body.  (Chapter Four)

A man loved by nearly everyone in whom he comes in contact, Baba is never able to show his love to his young son during his prosperous days in Afghanistan. It is only after they move to California and Baba is reduced to working in a gas station does he come to respect his son, who is able to assimilate into life in America much more successfully than Baba. As a youth, Baba's bigger-than-life persona is one which Amir can never approach: Where Amir is "introverted, tentative, and intellectual," Baba is "outgoing, strong, and decisive." Baba's "observes with disgust" Amir's weaknesses, and he refuses to accept his son's literary pursuits. Yet, Amir never stops trying to earn Baba's love and approval, and he finally does so in the final months of Baba's life. Baba proudly matches Amir with the daughter of General Taheri, and he dies a happy man knowing that his son is on the road to a successful career and happy marriage. Still, even after Baba's death, Amir is haunted by his past sins against Hassan, and he leaps at the opportunity to receive atonement by returning to Afghanistan. It is not only for his own sake, but also in tribute to Baba, to make amends for his perceived weaknesses as a son. But Amir eventually discovers that Baba has not always practiced what he preached: Always reminding Amir that

"When you tell a lie, you steal someone's right to the truth..., (Chapter Three)

Amir finds out the terrible secret that Baba has always kept from his son: that Hassan is also Baba's son, and that the boy he has come to Afghanistan to find, Sohrab, is actually Amir's nephew. This revelation helps Amir to ease the worshipful manner in which he has always viewed his father, and Amir sees that imperfection can be found in even the greatest of men. Amir vows to be a different kind of father to Sohrab, one who will accept the boy's limitations and love him unconditionally.

How does Baba's courage shape his character in The Kite Runner?

Courage shapes Baba in several ways.  The first would be in his role as Baba the legend.  In Afghanistan, Baba had the courage to embrace strength and honor as part of his being.  He carried himself in a manner that was demonstrative and clearly unafraid of that which being in the world presented.  For Baba, courage in the form of austerity was the exact reason that he was distant from his son.  Amir failed to demonstrate the characteristics that Baba felt defined courage in the most traditional of senses.  For Baba the legend, courage shaped his being in the world.

This demonstration of courage revealed itself in a different form when Baba made his way to America.  It was here in which courage shaped him as an individual.  Baba had to possess courage to embrace a different form of being in the world.  In America, Baba worked long hours in work that might have been seen as demeaning and did so for his son's benefit.  Baba possessed the courage to honestly and openly work for his son's betterment.  This courage shaped him in making him more reflective and thoughtful.  It shaped him to become proud of his son, more willing to accept differences in the world.  For Baba, courage becomes the ingredient that enables him to embrace change in the world and in his own sense of being.