Kite Runner Paradox

Submitted By Malorie_smart
Words: 1364
Pages: 6
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1. Summary In this novel - “The Kite Runner” , the author Khaled Hosseini portrays the character Baba as an evident paradox. As we pass through the plot, the real Baba was exposed gradually. During Baba’s prosperous days in Afghanistan, Baba has a famous nickname “Mr. Hurricane”(Pg.13). At that time, Baba seems admirable and unreachable- he wrestled a bear, clusters crowds around him, runs a successful business, builds an orphanage, despises the laws, and radically defines the world in his own words. Also, he is born in a prestigious wealthy family, enormously affected by his father, “who was a highly regarded judge and a man of impeccable reputation,” therefore, “justice” and “reputation”, became the most important things in his life. However, his superiority also leads him to a big ego. Even though he was nearly down and out in the USA, he “drops the stack of stamps on her (the officer’s) desk,”(Pg.138) rejects the charity money. What’s worse, he was excessively opinionated and self-centered. He exacts obedience from Amir, imposes his values and wishes on Amir and the world, and refuses to adapt to America. Thereby, people who love him “maybe even hating him a little.”(Pg.16) Baba seems strong and has no fear, but it’s wrong. There is one tragedy hurts him times over and over like a curse - losing what he loves - his father, his wife, Ali and Hassan, and his mother country Afghanistan. The only one he has now is Amir, the son which represents him. That’s why he was so strict to Amir. Yet, Amir never stops trying to earn Baba's love and approval. Later, as he sees Amir adapts to America better than himself, he soften his attitude towards Amir. Baba proudly matches Amir with Soraya, and he dies with happiness knowing that Amir is on the way to a man “who can stand up for himself” that he expects all along. After Baba’s death, Amir finds out his terrible hidden secret - Hassan is his illegitimate son as a result of his affair. In conclusion, Baba is the man who always deviates from himself. He hates theft, yet he steals the right to truth; he likes America’s idea, yet he distain to attend an ESL course; he regards his reputation, shamefully he got involved in the affair with his friend’s wife; he tries to shape Amir’s character better, but the barrier between Amir and him goes thicker and thicker. Next, to develop this character, I would like to dissect Baba with evidences and details.

2. Mind 1) How the character sees/understands the world? “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. Do you understand that?” (Pg.19) Baba has a intensive hatred for “theft” which is defined as the “only one sin” in his mind.“When you kill a man, you steal a life,” Baba said, “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.” Then I find out what he essentially detests is - to lose something. Since his father had been killed by a theft, he lost a father. 2) Baba’s opinions of Amir. “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.” (Pg.25) Through the conversation between Rahim Khan and Baba, the first time he speaks out his true opinions and worries of Amir - “A boy who won’t stand up for himself becomes a man who can’t stand up to anything.”(Pg.24) In his mind, Amir tends to be a mean boy, whereas Hassan “steps in and fends them (the boys tease Amir) off.” Deep down, the parts of Amir’s personalities that Baba dislikes is exactly previous himself - a liar, a betrayer, a man has no courage to confess his own crime. 3. Heart 1) Hopes Baba’s stony eyes bore into mine and, just like that, I wasn’t laughing anymore. “I mean to speak to you man to man. Do you think
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