Student Question
What is the quote about Rostam and Sohrab on page 25 of The Kite Runner?
Quick answer:
In "The Kite Runner," Amir reads the story of Rostam and Sohrab to Hassan, who is illiterate. The tale features the warrior Rostam who unknowingly kills his son Sohrab in battle. This foreshadows Amir and Hassan's relationship, as Amir wrongs Hassan, who is later revealed to be his half-brother. Sohrab's dying words express regret over his father's stubbornness, paralleling Amir's guilt and missed opportunities for reconciliation with Hassan.
In my copy of the novel, this scene occurs on page 29, but basically this is a description of Amir reading the story of Rostam and Sohrab to Hassan, who has been denied an education and so is illiterate.
The Rostam and Sohrab story is central to their friendship and is their favorite story to share. Some of the information quoted on this story includes a short description of the plot and then a longer quote from the story. The description says this:
is the tale of the great warrior Rostam and his fleet-footed horse, Rakhsh. Rostam mortally wounds his valiant nemesis, Sohrab, in battle, only to discover that Sohrab is his long-lost son.
This quote discusses the relationship between Rostam and Sohrab as one of conflict; however, the two eventually realize they are related. This foreshadows the revelation later in the novel that Amir and Hassan are half-brothers. They...
Unlock This Answer Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
are not exactly enemies, but Amir does wrong Hassan greatly. Amir also feels responsible for Hassan's death, although he doesn't physically kill him (as Rostam does to Sohrab).
The quote from the story, which is an account of Sohrab's "dying words," is as follows:
If thou art indeed my father, then hast thou stained thy sword in the life-blood of thy son. And thou didst it of thine obstinacy. For I sought to turn thee unto love, and I implored of thee thy name, for I thought to behold in thee the tokens of my mother. But I appealed unto thy heart in vain, and now is the time gone for meeting.
Here, Sohrab tells Rostam that he had hoped to build a relationship with Rostam, but Rostam was too stubborn. Sohrab's efforts to bond with Rostam were "in vain." This could reflect the later attempts Hassan makes to rebuild his relationship with Amir after Hassan is sexually assaulted by Assef. Amir's guilt stops him from engaging with Hassan, to the point where he frames Hassan for theft in an effort to get Baba to dismiss him from their service. It is also significant that, when Hassan has a son, he names him Sohrab, and then Sohrab is in need of Amir's help. Hosseini allows Amir the opportunity for a second chance that Rostam did not have in the story.