Kite Runner - Relationship Essay

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We begin to understand in the novel that Amir is constantly vying for Baba’s attention and often feels like and outsider in his father’s life, as seen in the following passage;

“He’d close the door, leave me to wonder why it was always grown-ups time with him. I’d sit by the door; knee’s drawn to my chest. Sometimes I sat there for an hour, sometimes two, listening to their laughter, their chatter.”

Discuss Amir’s relationship with Baba.


The ‘father-son’ relationship between Amir and Baba is not always positive throughout The Kite Runner. At the beginning of the novel, Khaled Hosseini gives an impression to the reader that Amir is looking for the love, respect and approval of Baba he felt he has never had. Whereas Baba feels that his son is not living up to his physical, social, religious and cultural expectations and provides little time for him. However, as the novel unravels the strength of the relationship between these two key characters increases and Amir’s constant vying for Baba’s attention produces positive results in the relationship. This essay will look at the development and change of the relationship between Amir and Baba and their characterisation as the novel progresses.

With Amir feeling that “Baba hated me a little” and Baba feeling that Amir is one of those boys “who won’t stand up for himself and becomes a man who can’t stand up to anything”, the reader is able to understand the sketchy relationship between Amir and Baba - through the depiction of the characters and their interaction.

From early on, Amir is portrayed as a son who vies for Baba’s attention, being proud of him and continually admiring him and his work, “I wanted everyone to see that he was my father, my Baba”. On the other hand Baba is portrayed as a father who believes that his son should be more motivated and more independent, a son who fulfils his expectations, “‘If I hadn’t seen the doctor pull him out of my wife with my own eyes, I’d never believe he’s my son’”, illustrating the true character of Baba and the sketchy relationship he has with his son.  

From the first time Amir and Baba interact the reader understands the loss of love, “Sometime I asked if I could sit with him … it was always grown-ups time” highlighting the rejection Amir continually feels at the beginning of the novel. Consequently the character of Rahim Kahn takes over the reins of ‘father’ for some time in which he guides and mentor’s Amir “I was always learning things about Baba from other people”, portraying the limited time Baba has for Amir and as a direct result Amir feels that he is an outsider in his life.  

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Additionally, Amir feels jealous of Hassan, whom the reader finds out is actually Amir’s brother. This jealousy, “I lied and told him [Baba] Hassan had the runs. I wanted him all to myself”, puts strains on Amir and Baba’s relationship and despite the fact that “I [Amir] was so proud of Baba of us”, Amir still feels that “Most days I worship Baba with intensity approaching the religious … but sometimes I wish I could open my veins and drain his cursed blood”, thus showing that the positive relationship is not always evident.

However the sketchy relationship between ...

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