Khaled Hosseini emphasizes many times within this chapter, the relationships children share with their parents. At the beginning of this chapter, Amir tells several stories about his father and begins to give details about how his father and he, don’t have as strong of a relationship, or as much in common, as he wishes they had.
Character:
Simply analyzing this chapter alone, it is apparent that Baba, Amir’s father, is a static character. Baba, like most parents, is single-minded and is not easily swayed towards an opinion once his mind has been made. Throughout the chapter and the conversation with Rahim Khan, it is revealed that Baba believes that Amir is missing something; something that greatly differentiates him from the other children and Baba himself, when he was young. Baba makes no change to his manner towards his son and does not put in any effort to strengthen their relationship. He is stagnant in his ideology that all men, or boys, are meant to be one way and they should not deviate from that. “That was how I escaped my father’s aloofness, in my dead mother’s books” (Hosseini, 19) In using the word aloofness, Amir enables the reader to get a better idea of his father. This word paints a picture of how Baba distances himself from Amir, he is not forthcoming with him, and he does not feel that they are similar, which manifests in Amir’s thoughts. “We’d had a fleeting good moment–it wasn’t often Baba talked to me, let alone on his lap–and I’d been a fool to waste it.” (Hosseini, 17).
Development of Theme:
One of the most prominent themes throughout this chapter is familial relations, specifically the relationship between Amir and his father. There seems to be a divide between the two of them; Amir struggling to be a son his father could love and be proud of, while Baba has a hard time loving a son without any mutual characteristic traits or interests. Amir loves Baba very much. Just to be known as his son was something Amir was quite proud of. “He motioned to me to hold his hat for him and I was glad to, because then everyone would see that he was my father, my Baba.” (Hosseini, 14). It is clear through this quote, the deep appreciation Amir has for his father. Reading the chapter, Amir was so desperate to relate to his father or get him to love him genuinely, and he was willing to do whatever it costs. “Baba took me to Ghargha Lake, a few miles north of Kabul. He asked me to fetch Hassan too, but I lied and told him Hassan had the runs. I wanted Baba all to myself. And besides, one time at Ghargha Lake, Hassan and I were skimming stones and Hassan made his stone skip eight times. The most I managed was five. Baba was there, watching, and he patted Hassan on the back. Even put his arm around his shoulder.” (Hosseini 13). Amir makes it clear that he hungers for whatever time he can get with his father. He is not concerned with what issues lying might cause to his friendship with Hassan, which shows just how much Amir values both his father and his father’s time. This quote also shows the envy Amir feels about the relationship Baba and Hassan share; he believes Baba loves him more than his own son. Despite Baba’s best efforts to sign Amir up for soccer and watching soccer with him, he does not appear committed to trying to relate to his son when his attempt at brainwashing Amir failed. Baba also feels envious himself of Rahim’s relationship with Amir, which he expresses, but not directly to his son. “Look I know there is a fondness between you and him and I’m happy about that. Envious but happy…He needs someone who…understands him, because God knows I don’t.” (Hosseini 23). Baba is not a poor father, he still looks out for him but is simply not yet able to adjust his thoughts to be the father Amir needs. Although neither one shares their feelings with the other, it is evident both Baba and Amir long for a stronger relationship with one another.
Question #1: Baba has his own negative opinions of Amir and his differences. Why do you think Baba is not able to be accepting of Amir and his interests? Do you think this might have anything to do with the death of Amir’s mother? Baba’s idea of “real” men? Explain.
Identification of Literary Elements:
1. “At parties when all six-foot-five of him thundered into the room, attention shifted to him like sunflowers turning to the sun.” (Hosseini 13).
Hosseini uses a simile in this quote, comparing the way Baba grabs peoples’ attentions when he walks into a room and the way sunflowers turn towards the sun. Sunflowers turn towards the sun to absorb as much light as they can. Similarly, Hosseini is trying to emphasize how people had to turn towards Baba to see him because there is so much of him for others to see (his height). Baba was to people what the sun was to flowers, a great source. He was a very credible man in the community, as Amir explains that everyone believed his stories and he also built the orphanage, which was a huge benefit to the community.
2. “Real men didn’t read poetry –and God forbid they should never write it! Real men-real boys- played soccer just as Baba had when he had been young.” (Hosseini, 20)
Hosseini uses anaphora in this quote to emphasize the importance of the use of “real men” explicitly stating that according to Baba, in order to be a man or even a boy, one would never read or write poetry, but only play or be interested in hunting or soccer. Amir is trying to express his frustration with the standards his father and society have set, restricting his individuality and not being able to do what interests him without losing his father’s love.
Visual Representation:
Throughout this poster, the idea that is presented is the differences between Baba and Amir and their struggle to find common ground. The quote used to represent this is: “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.” (Hosseini, 15). This demonstrates the way Baba wants his life and anyone and everything in it to be, putting pressure on Amir because he wants to be loved by his father without sacrificing his individuality.
Towards the bottom of the poster, there is a silhouette of two people fighting to represent Baba and Amir. On the left side, the ideas of what Baba thinks a real boy should be and the hobbies he wishes Amir would take interest in are shown all in black in white. The black and white represents the simple mindedness of Baba and how he believes things are either one way or the other. The soccer ball and the hunter are the hobbies. The father who is angry at his son is to demonstrate the disappointment Baba feels in not meeting his standards. The fist is to show how Baba wishes Amir would stand up for himself when the other kids bully him, instead of having Hassan defend him. On the right side, Amir’s personality is shown through the use of poetry, books, and many colours. These are Amir’s true colours. This is the way Amir wishes to be that is very different from his father’s ideology. The silhouettes wrestling shows the pressure and strained relationship between Amir and Baba.
Literary Criticism: Psychological/ Psychoanalytical Approach
In speaking about his father and his past experiences with him, Amir’s behavior and thought process is revealed through the actions he takes and his choice of words. “With me as a glaring exception, my father molded the world around him to his liking…You can’t love a person who lives that way without fearing him too. Maybe even hating him a little.” (Hosseini 15). Amir exposes his raw emotions to us, the readers, in saying how he’s scared; scared that this man who admires perfection may toss him aside if he resists. Amir was the only thing in Baba’s life that he was unable to mold to his liking. He is not fearful of his father in such a way where he is afraid of being physically hurt by him, but rather fearful that he will lose him if he is not capable of achieving his father’s idea of how a “real” son should be. This hate Amir feels is not towards his father directly, but towards his father’s ideology. Also, due to how often Baba and Amir interact, living in the same house, Amir has developed this emotional barrier, anticipating being hurt by his father. “I muttered, marveling, not for the first time, at how badly Baba could sting me with so few words…it wasn’t often that Baba talked to me- let alone sit on his lap- I’d been a fool to waste it.” (Hosseini 17). In his own mind, Amir bottles up his emotions and despite knowing he will be hurt in the end, he still looks forward to whatever time he gets to spend with Baba. There is no doubt that there is a psychological factor behind Amir’s responses to the situations with which he faces.
Question #2: It is clear that Baba and Amir have certain problems with their relationship. Do you think that Amir’s experiences with his father will affect his other/future relationships? With Hassan or with others? Explain.
Relation to Current Event:
Often, people are not accustomed to change or the idea of others being different. There is a lack of acceptance that occurs everywhere these days, just walk down the hallway and you should see it. Like Baba with Amir, we don’t accept people who have belief systems, values, or characteristic traits that differ from our own. Today, many Syrian refugees have been welcomed to Canada with open arms. This multitude has had to leave their homes out of fear for their lives, yet are continuously degraded and discriminated against. Similarly, in The Kite Runner, Baba wishes Amir would be just like all the other boys or himself, loving soccer instead of poetry; loving violence instead of self-control. When we find others as having opposing opinions/beliefs to our own, we tend to not be mindful of them or give them a second thought.
This video shows how people are discriminated against simply for not living up to society’s standards: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIgHjRUreQk
As can be seen, some people read the sign and kept walking, while others didn’t even take the time to understand what was going on. It is incredible how prejudiced refugees are and how quickly we judge others because of these labels we place. The mere word “refugee” turned people away, because they were different from what these people are used to seeing. Instead of being single-minded, we should learn from Baba’s mistakes and from those who were willing to just give a hug to show support. We should try to be more understanding and accepting of the differences we have with others.
Key Principles of Catholic Social Teaching: Rights & Responsibilities
The Catholic Social Teaching of Rights & Responsibilities is one that is about ensuring that each and every person, regardless of gender, race, culture, religion, or sexuality has their basic human rights. Often, when we hear about human rights, we instinctively think of food and shelter, but what we forget are the most important ones such as love and family. Throughout this chapter, we see that yes, Amir has Hassan who never denies him of anything that he asks. However, by simply looking at both characters’ first words, it is clear whom they look up to or seek validation from the most. Amir’s first word was “Baba” and we know how much he looks up to his father and seeks his love, but we also see how Amir is deprived of his own basic human right to be loved, genuinely and unconditionally. It is also Baba’s responsibility, being Amir’s father, to provide him with the love and care that he needs. Being part of any family, each member has both the right and the responsibility to love and to be loved.