Father and Son Relationships in the Kite Runner

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Hosseini uses the theme of father and son relationships to focus on its importance and to propel the plot forward. He uses the father figures of Baba, Rahim Khan and Ali and their Afghan culture to bring up Amir; knowing they are all men focus on the absents of women which pay a big part in Aimr’s life as he is always intrigued to hear about his mother but fails to by his own father, Baba. Although, culture, forgiveness and religion also important themes in the novel which Hosseini focuses on to create a moving, memorable story line. Throughout ‘The Kite Runner’, Amir craves for the love and affection that his father never gave him. His attempts to close the distance between them have a great influence on his personality and the events that happen in his life. The relationship between them is split into two parts; life in Afghanistan and the relocation to America. Their relationship changes throughout the novel; in the start him doing anything which would catch his father’s attention, at football matches with Baba ‘I faked interest for as long as possible.’ Here Amir is pretending to be someone he is not so he gets to spend time with his father and try to be the person Baba requires him to be. However they cannot have the relationship Amir desires because of the characteristics and expectations of each other – Baba is physically powerful, does financially well and is loved throughout the community and therefore expects Amir to follow in his footsteps, however is disappointed in Amir’s interest in writing, ‘Baba sensed my lack of genuine interest and resigned himself to the bleak fact that his son was never going to either play or watch soccer.’ Ironically with the move to America, Baba finds it hard to adapt and seems lesser than his former self, however life in America makes it easier for him to become a father. He is proud of Amirs accomplishments and

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