Themes: Fathers and Sons
The complex relationship between fathers and sons is an overarching force, shaping Amir’s actions throughout the novel. Amir is constantly driven to seek his father’s favor but often feels shut out of his father’s world. He finds more of a father figure in Baba’s friend Rahim Khan, who encourages his love of writing. It is also Rahim Khan who reveals the truth about Hassan’s parentage, enabling Amir to fully understand the past and come to terms with reality. Baba’s philosophy, including his belief that the only sin is that of theft, acts as a blueprint for much of Amir’s life, blinding him to the reality of Hassan’s parentage and his father’s affair.
Learning the truth about Baba angers Amir because Baba had insisted on the abhorrence of “robb[ing] . . . children of a father,” yet Baba not only robbed Hassan of the knowledge of his parentage but also stole Amir’s right to a brother.
The event at the heart of The Kite Runner, the kite tournament, is also shaped by Amir’s desire to make Baba proud. His singular focus on winning the tournament is motivated by a need to be accepted so that his “life as a ghost in this house would finally be over.” When Amir wins the tournament, he finally sees evidence of his father’s pride, and it is partially this longing to retain his father’s admiration that stops Amir from intervening when Hassan is raped. Baba’s relationship with Amir remains problematic because it is always contingent on Amir’s achievements.
Baba feels that there is something “lacking” in Amir, as Amir appears to be utterly unlike Baba and is often lost in a world of books and stories. While Baba may feel shame that his legitimate son does not resemble him, his illegitimate son, Hassan, is perhaps more like Baba. Amir’s stark differences to his father therefore threaten to expose Baba’s infidelity. Rahim Khan tells Baba that “Children aren’t coloring books. You don’t get to fill them with your favorite colors.” But this is precisely Baba’s wish, and its impossibility is the cause of the tension in his relationship with Amir.
Later in the novel, Amir realizes that Baba carried shame with him his whole life and projected this onto Amir, which impacted Amir’s sense of self. If Amir had admitted to witnessing Hassan’s rape and doing nothing, he would have admitted to being as his father views him: lacking courage and conviction.
The insidious pattern of behavior between Amir and Baba is in sharp contrast to the relationship between Hassan and his son, Sohrab. Sohrab spends time playing with his son and appreciates his son’s individuality. When Amir invites Sohrab into his own family unit following Hassan’s death, the cycle of lies and deceit is ended. Amir admits openly that his nephew is a Hazara and that Hassan was the result of an affair between Baba and Sanaubar. By bringing Sohrab into his family, Amir also has the opportunity to become a father and begin to heal the wounds of his past.
Expert Q&A
What sacrifices for Baba in The Kite Runner led to Amir feeling "damned"?
"I would stand my ground, I decide. I didn't want to sacrifice for Baba anymore."
Amir feels "damned" because sacrificing his own needs to meet Baba's expectations led to deep guilt and shame, particularly over his betrayal of Hassan. Baba's neglect and criticism pushed Amir to adopt a tough persona, culminating in the ultimate sacrifice of his innocence and friendship. Determined to break free, Amir now rejects Baba's expectations to pursue his own path.
In The Kite Runner, is Ali and Hassan's relationship healthy?
Ali and Hassan have a healthy relationship characterized by kindness, loyalty, and mutual respect. Despite knowing Hassan's true parentage, Ali raises him with love and integrity, contrasting with the flawed relationship between Baba and Amir. Ali and Hassan's bond demonstrates resilience in the face of societal challenges and personal hardships, emphasizing personal choice over fate. Their relationship reflects a positive example of overcoming adversity with dignity and compassion.
What is the meaning of this quote from The Kite Runner?
"Perhaps something, someone, somewhere, had decided to deny me fatherhood for the things I had done. Maybe this was my punishment, and perhaps justly so. It wasn’t meant to be, Khala Jamila had said."
This quote from chapter thirteen of The Kite Runner reflects Amir's belief that his inability to become a father is a punishment for his past actions, specifically his failure to save Hassan. Amir's guilt leads him to think that a higher power or fate has decided to deny him fatherhood as retribution for his perceived sins.
In The Kite Runner, what does Amir mean by "I wanted to be just like Baba and I wanted to be nothing like him"?
Amir's statement reflects his complex feelings towards his father, Baba. He admires Baba's ability to command respect and his willingness to sacrifice for his child, as seen when Baba leaves Afghanistan. However, Amir also wishes to avoid Baba's negative traits, such as his inability to show approval, his harmful secrets, and his emotional distance. Thus, Amir aspires to embody Baba's strengths while steering clear of his weaknesses.
What factors influence Amir's fear of being Hassan's true friend in the novel? What themes are explored through their friendship?
What is the significance of this quote in The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini?
“I was learning that Baba was a thief. And a thief of the worst kind, because the things he had stolen had been scared from me the right to know I had a brother, from Hassan his identity and from Ali his honour. His nang. His namoos."
In "The Kite Runner," this quote highlights Amir's realization of the profound betrayal by his father, Baba, who concealed the truth that Hassan was Amir's brother. This revelation underscores Baba's hypocrisy, as he outwardly presented himself as honorable while secretly stealing crucial aspects of identity and dignity from his sons and Ali. The quote encapsulates Amir's ongoing struggle with guilt and betrayal, prompting him to seek redemption for both his and Baba's actions.
Are either of these good thesis choices for The Kite Runner: 1) Amir's journey to rescue Hassan's son is a repayment of loyalty, or 2) Hassan's loyalty initially brings guilt to Amir, but it's resolved after twenty years?
Both thesis choices need refinement for clarity and focus. Instead of restating plot elements, aim to express a thematic statement that explores the author's message about loyalty and guilt, such as "Loyalty is often strengthened by guilt," or "Forgotten loyalty is remembered and remedied through guilt." Consider focusing on Amir's actions as the source of his guilt rather than Hassan's loyalty, and avoid suggesting Amir is entirely guilt-free by the novel's end.
What are three ways Baba is a hypocrite in The Kite Runner?
In The Kite Runner, Baba is considered a hypocrite because, first of all, he tells Amir that the worst sin is lying, yet he has lived a lie himself by not revealing that Hassan is his son. Second, Baba lectures Amir that when you cheat, you lose the right to fairness, yet he himself cheated by having an affair. Finally, Baba counsels his son against theft, and yet he has committed theft by stealing another man's wife.
Amir and Baba's Relationship and Perspectives in The Kite Runner
In The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, the relationship between Amir and Baba undergoes significant changes after they immigrate to the United States. Baba, once a wealthy and influential figure in Afghanistan, struggles with the loss of status and cultural adjustment in America, working menial jobs and facing challenges assimilating. This transition, however, brings him closer to Amir, who matures and gains confidence in the new environment. As they bond over shared experiences and Amir's achievements, their relationship becomes more respectful and affectionate, ultimately strengthening their connection.
Amir's fear of being Hassan's true friend and his testing of Hassan's loyalty in The Kite Runner
Amir's fear of being Hassan's true friend stems from his internal conflict and societal pressures. He struggles with his own insecurities and the ethnic divide between them, leading him to test Hassan's loyalty in cruel ways. This ultimately reveals Amir's deep-seated guilt and desire for his father's approval, highlighting his complex relationship with Hassan.
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