Baba In The Kite Runner (Free Essay Sample)

A father can make or break a child’s life, they need a positive role model in order to succeed. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini is a heartfelt story about two boys, separated by social norms, who become friends in a war-torn country. The story tells of Amir and his father, Baba, in a town in Afghanistan. Amir and his father are part of a large group in Afghanistan called the Pashtuns. The two Pashtuns are accompanied by Hassan and his father who are Hazaras, the minority in Afghanistan. Despite the difference between Pashtuns and Hazaras, Amir and Hassan are still best friends. Baba is a good father because he has a positive impact on Amir’s life. Although Baba struggles to understand Amir in his childhood he becomes proud when he starts to show success in his college courses, earning all A’s. Baba knows he isn’t like Amir personally but shows how much he cares for his son by understanding his ways and trying to be flexible for him. 

Baba struggles to fully comprehend the way Amir thinks and acts but is still proud when he shows success in his school work. A moftakhar is a teacher or parent who is proud of someone or something, honoring them. “‘I am moftakhar, Amir,’ he said. Proud” (Hosseini 139). Throughout Amir’s childhood, he was constantly trying to win over Baba’s approval. This quote shows Amir finally getting Baba’s approval that he longed for, that he wanted so bad. Baba being proud of Amir is very notable because it is a rare occurrence in the book seeing as Baba didn’t understand a lot of things Amir did in his childhood. This proves and supports my thesis because it shows the positive impact Baba had on Amir’s life. 

Baba is aware that he isn’t like Amir but shows that he cares by verbally communicating it with him and being understanding like when Amir had a special relationship with Rahim Khan. Baba knows that Rahim Khan and Amir have a special bond that he could never have with his son. “Look, I know there’s a fondness between you and him and I’m happy about that. Envious, but happy. I mean that. He needs someone who…understands him, because God knows I don’t” (Hosseini 23). Baba cares about Amir and tells him that but he never really exemplifies it. Baba lets Amir have a special relationship with Rahim Khan despite being evidently jealous. This proves and supports my claim because it shows how Baba was flexible to suit his son’s needs, knowing that he couldn’t fulfill them himself.