"I became what I am today at the age of twelve," begins the narrator of The Kite Runner, "on a frigid overcast day in the winter of 1975". While defining moments are plentiful in the news and media, few people I have encountered can attribute the shaping of their character to a specific age, far fewer a specific experience. However, it is the case for the narrator, who after receiving a phone call is drawn back to the experience that shaped him, back to his childhood in Afghanistan, and back his past: a "past of unatoned sins".
As the novel begins the narrator's "past of unatoned sins" does not appear to fit its title; rather it seems filled with parts many associate with childhood. The narrator, Amir lives with his father Baba and their two servants, Ali and Hassan, on Baba's estate in Kabul. Hassan and Amir go on adventures, share stories, and engrave their title as "the sultans of Kabul" on a pomegranate tree; the two live basically live as brothers.
Yet, despite the optimism infused with parts of Amir's youth, there also exists an undertone of sadness in the relationships that exist. Between the servants, Hassan and Ali, and the masters, Amir, and Baba, there exists an ethnic division. Hassan and Ali are Hazara, a Shia Muslim ethnic group, while Amir and Baba are Pashtun, a Sunni ethnic group. The Pashtuns are the dominant ethnic group and predominantly view the Hazara as lower quality, serving people. The Pashtun-Hazara relationship, while not stopping the bond from forming between Hassan and Amir, does lead to Amir not treating Hassan as an equal at times. However, Amir does not treat Hassan poorly because he truly sees him as lower quality, (frequently he describes Hassan as more talented that him) but because of another key relationship introduced in the novel; Amir's struggle for his father's love.
Baba, Amir's father, is another central character within the novel and in almost all regards is the opposite of his son. For those who have read Life of Pi, Baba in many senses echoes Pi's father in his secularity and misunderstanding of his son. Amir, despite his differences, desperately craves his father's attention, often limiting Hassan's positive impression on his father to better his own image. In this aspect, Amir's rudeness becomes understandable as it becomes apparent that it is not based upon ethnic differences, but instead largely rooted in his desire for his father's love and fear of his father loving Hassan more than him.
The other two father figures in the novel are Ali, Hassan's father, and Rahim Khan. Ali raises Amir partly as he raises Hassan, and imparts upon Amir a value for religion and emotion that Baba does not. His kindness and humility characterize him very positively. While Rahim Khan is simply Baba's business partner, he jumps out as the most fatherly figure in the novel, offering Amir consolation, advice, and support when he needs it, and it is Rahim that calls the narrator back to his past.
At the center of Amir's youth, more so than all of the father figures, is Hassan. Like his father, Hassan is humble, and passionately loyal despite often receiving the repercussions for Amir's actions. Furthermore, he is wise, physically strong, and kind, appearing perhaps the most positively towards the reader. Hassan does contrast strongly with Amir on the outside; while Amir is an educated, wealthy, Sunni Pashtun, he is uneducated, Shia, Hazara, and a servant. Yet, these differences fade away and the bond between the boys comes to be the heart of the novel.
I think that the backstory you give to explain the current conditions of Afghanistan in the novel are very helpful when describing the first portion of the novel. The connections you make between The Kite Runner and Life of Pi shows the reader how common these father-son relationships are in novels because it comes back to the theme of the need for love. The need for Amir to have a close connection with his father definitely shows that he is in need of emotional security. While I was reading the novel as well as your blog post, I began to think that since Rahim is becoming a positive father role for Amir, could Amir become more attached to Rahim rather than Baba? By inferring or discussing this possibility in your blog soon, you might be able to use future blog posts to track the progression of Amir and Rahim's relationship.
ReplyDeleteYou make a very good point about the thematic ideas regarding love and its importance, as well Amir's need for his father's love. I think, based upon the tone of regret that has existed throughout the book, that Amir will have an almost father-son relationship with Rahim and perhaps not realize it, similarly to how he regrets not understanding and accepting his relationship with Hassan. It will be interesting to see how both relationships develop and play off one another.
DeleteI really like how you interpreted the different emotions for the main characters. I also likes the comparison to the Life of Pi. As the book goes forwards which relationship to do you believe will be more important for Amir, the one he has wife his father or the one he has with Hassan?
ReplyDeleteI think they both relationships will develop and interact with each other, but given the significant amount of regret associated with Hassan that it will ultimately be Amir's relationship with Hassan that is the most important. Also, I think this because the narrator mentions that Hassan's face comes to mind when he thinks of Afghanistan. Glad you like it!
DeleteI really like the opening of your post, as it frames the novel to follow well. The book is a great example of a coming-of-age story.
ReplyDeleteYour discussion of the character relationships, and the conflicts that exist within them, is strong, and I like that you highlighted the universal elements, not just the specific cultural ones. The importance of a father's approval reminds me of the poems we read before Song of Solomon (wish I knew how to italicize that). The link to Life of Pi is also good.
I'll be interested to see how you view the boys' bond as the novel goes on.
That's a great connection to Song of Solomon poems, it also seems to apply to the tone of regret at points in the novel. About the boys, it seems like it will, or perhaps would have, developed into almost a romantic relationship if not stopped by some force. When the narrator begins the book, it sounds like he hasn't seen Hassan since his youth, or perhaps since something separated them indefinitely. Just shots in the dark.
DeleteAlthough I have not read this book, your description is very thorough. From what I gather, it seems this story evokes a classic divide between social standards and that of a personal connection. Obviously it seems there is a political division between Sunnis and Shias, but is there more a push from the government or just social beliefs? Is there more of a resistance against ethnic division than just the beliefs of these few people? I think understanding political atmosphere of Kabul at the time would give some insight onto what lead to the division. But great post! Very informational!
ReplyDeleteI think you'd enjoy the book, it has some very classic divisions, yet establishes them in a refreshing manner. The divisions themselves are primarily social. Although there is an undertone of growing political strife, at this point much of the character's turmoil seems based in simply struggling against social norms. Amir doesn't have many peers who have similar thoughts as him, and he is pushed towards thinking like the majority. On another note, the book is really insightful regarding the culture of Afghanistan.
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