Amir and Baba's Relationship in The Kite Runner

The Kite Runner is an ambiguous story in the sense that is covers so much ground. It not only tells the story of two friends who are microcosms of the Afghan society, but it also tells of Afghanistan’s struggles, it depicts multiple sides of humanity, and portrays the conflict between a father and a son. The relationship between Baba and his son, Amir undergoes significant phases throughout the novel. The reader quickly becomes aware of Amir’s desire to be noticed by his father, Baba’s frustration with his son, and the battle they suffer to try to understand one another. But as their worlds begin to fall apart and they are forced out of their country to escape the rise of the Taliban, they realize their dependency on one another and form a stronger bond. Their relationship contributes and relates to the prime struggles throughout the novel.

The first chapters of The Kite Runner give a thorough background of the relationship between Baba and Amir. Amir is constantly vying for his father’s attention and often feels like an outsider in his father’s life. As a highly respected diplomat in society, Baba received a lot of attention. The novel portrays the feelings that Amir felt when he was in public with his father; he was proud for the people to see that he was his son. However, the book shows that Amir has most definitely taken after his deceased mother, who was a literature teacher at a university. In one of the chapters, it describes how Baba tries to steer him in the other direction. He tries to get Amir to play soccer, which he fails at miserably. He then tries to simply take Amir to watch soccer games. Amir tries to show interest to impress his father, but his true lack of interest could not be hidden. Baba had to accept that Amir did not receive any of his traits.

After Amir wins the kite running tournament, his relationship with his father changes. Baba finds something to be proud of Amir for. Amir then receives the closer bond with his father that he always wanted. However, the day of the kite tournament is the day that Amir witnesses Hassan’s tragedy in the alleyway. Amir is beginning to feel the guilt for betraying his friendship with Hassan and not coming forth with the truth. Thus, the strength of Amir and Baba’s relationship cannot last. In the text, Amir states, “We’d deceived ourselves into thinking that a toy made of tissue paper, glue, and bamboo could somehow close the chasm between us,” (Hosseini). This quote offers more insight on everything else going on in the story. Deception cannot hide the truth, and eventually one has to face reality and confront their awaiting battles.

It is not until Baba and Amir escape to America together that their relationship becomes a more solid one. As their native country becomes a land they no longer know, they are both forced to turn their backs on their pasts and start a new life together. Baba expresses his pride in his son’s accomplishments, such as when Amir graduates college. Amir takes care of his father. It is not a perfect father/son relationship, but it finally reaches a medium. There is still conflict, as in any relationship. For instance, Baba expresses his discontent in Amir’s decision to become a writer. However, Amir decides to stand his ground. This type of relationship truly brings The Kite Runner full circle. One cannot deceive himself to forget the past and accept the benefits of something undeserved or unreal. One has to work through the tasks in their path and do what it takes to be good again.

The Kite Runner Adaptations

The Kite Runner was adapted into a film in 2007. The screenplay was written by David Benioff and it was directed by Marc Forster. Young Amir was played by Zekeria Ebrahimi, young Hassan was played by Ahmad Khan Mahmoodzada, who won a Critic’s Choice Award for best young actor, and Amir was played by Khalid Abdalla. The film was nominated for an Oscar and a Golden Globe in 2008.

Below is the trailer for the film, The Kite Runner.

America: The Land of Opportunity?

Amir and his father were two of the many Afghans that were frowned upon for their decision to escape to America. America is often thought of as “the land of opportunity.” However, America plays significantly different roles in the lives of each Amir and Baba. It was a place for Amir to forget his past and start a new life and a place for Baba to mourn his past.
Amir is of higher society in his early childhood in Kabul. He goes to school, where he deepens his passion for writing. It is not until Afghanistan is undergoing its changes that this life disappears. While he is leaving his culture behind, he is also leaving the guilt he feels for betraying Hassan. He goes to America, goes to school and graduates college, and becomes a writer (much to his father’s dismay). It is not until he receives the phone call from his past that he realizes that his memories cannot be buried and America cannot erase his history.
In contrast, Baba does not get a chance at a better life when he goes to America; he only has the opportunity to better his son’s life. In Afghanistan, he is held high in society as a diplomat. In America, he is a mere immigrant. He must adjust to a whole new lifestyle and grieve for his former Afghanistan until his death.

The Only Sin is Theft

“Now, no matter what the mullah teaches, there is only one sin, only one. And that is theft. Every other sin is a variation of theft. When you kill a man, you steal a life. You steal his wife’s right to a husband, rob his children of a father. When you tell a lie, you steal someone’s right to the truth. When you cheat, you steal the right to fairness,” (Hosseini 18).
This is, perhaps, one of the most profound quotes in the whole novel. At first glance, the lines are a bit baffling. We often hear the horror stories of the Middle East of how those who steal get their hand cut off, so when reading the first part of the quote, one tries to relate it to this. However, it is much more complex than this. When looking at the Ten Commandments, as well as the equivalent in other religious texts, one subconsciously ranks the sins, deciphering which ones are the worst. Theft is not thought to be the worst, in most cases. However, this quote proves this theory wrong. It breaks down the word “theft” it gives it a deeper meaning.
This quote seems to gain momentum throughout the novel. One is not only able to link theft with other sins, but is able to recognize the hypocrisy of the quote. It is a strong excerpt to place in the beginning of the novel.

The Kite Runner Publication Blurb

The Kite Runner was written by Khaled Hosseini and published by the Penguin Group (USA) Inc. in New York, NY.It not only gives a glimpse of the struggle of Afghanistan, but it also tells a story of betrayal and redemption. Written in an Afghan's perspective, it offers a new perspective on a country and a culture most often misunderstood.

Khaled Hosseini Bio Blurb

Khaled Hosseini, the son of a diplomat, was born in Kabul, Afghanistan and moved to the United States in 1980. He now is a physician in California and wrote his first novel, The Kite Runner, in 2003.