The Kite Runner, written by Khaled Hosseini, depicts the childhood and growth of Amir, a privileged Afghan boy. The character development of Amir is an important literary element of The Kite Runner. Amir is highly influenced by his father, his opportunities in America, and his moral obligations. One source of Amir’s character development is his father, Baba. Amir’s mother dies giving birth to him, so Amir’s only parent and most significant role model is his father. Baba is an affluent, hardworking businessman that exhibits the honor and pride of Afghanistan. He is honest, well known, and opinionated; and he wants his son to be just like himself. Baba also values loyalty and strength. Amir’s sole goal as he grows up is to impress his father; however, Amir is the opposite of Baba. Amir is intelligent, creative, and fantastic at kite fighting. However, he is also uninterested in sports, bookish, and allows Hassan to protect him. In Amir’s quiet personality, Baba sees only a disappointment to his legacy, and says to his friend Rahim Khan, “ A boy who won’t stand up for himself becomes a man who can’t stand up to anything . . . 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”(23). Baba thinks that he and Amir have nothing in common, and that Amir will never be as strong and independent a man as himself. Baba’s attitude toward Amir makes the boy desperate for attention and affection, and this affects Amir’s actions. Amir is willing to do anything to impress his father, including lying about his actions and betraying his friend, Hassan. This longing to impress his father and the regret his actions bring affects Amir’s mental and emotional development throughout his life. Amir’s many opportunities and challenges in America force him to grow and develop.
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America is very different from Afghanistan; in Afghanistan, tradition and lineage are very important. In America, anyone can start new and make a life for themselves. After spending time in America, Amir contemplates, “America was a river, roaring along, unmindful of the past. I could wade into this river, let my sins drown to the bottom, let the waters carry me someplace far”(136). Though he faces challenges in America, Amir is excited because he can create his own future as a writer, which would have been unacceptable in his homeland. Thus, Amir’s new independence allows him to be responsible for his own actions, and being away from people that knew him allows him to be independent from his father. Amir’s moral obligations force him to face his fears and grow as a person. When Amir returns to Afghanistan to find Sohrab, he is forced to finally face his betrayal. In finding his nephew, Amir finally accepts responsibility for his wrongdoings and tries to right his wrongs. In accepting his mistake, Amir becomes a stronger person and is able to begin healing. In standing up to Assef, Amir faces his cowardice. As he awaits his meeting with the Talib official and childhood nemesis, Amir thinks to himself: This isn’t you, Amir. You’re gutless. It’s how you were made. And that’s not such a bad thing because your saving grace is that you’ve never lied to yourself about it. Not about that. Nothing wrong with cowardice as long as it comes with prudence. But when a coward stops remembering who
America is very different from Afghanistan; in Afghanistan, tradition and lineage are very important. In America, anyone can start new and make a life for themselves. After spending time in America, Amir contemplates, “America was a river, roaring along, unmindful of the past. I could wade into this river, let my sins drown to the bottom, let the waters carry me someplace far”(136). Though he faces challenges in America, Amir is excited because he can create his own future as a writer, which would have been unacceptable in his homeland. Thus, Amir’s new independence allows him to be responsible for his own actions, and being away from people that knew him allows him to be independent from his father. Amir’s moral obligations force him to face his fears and grow as a person. When Amir returns to Afghanistan to find Sohrab, he is forced to finally face his betrayal. In finding his nephew, Amir finally accepts responsibility for his wrongdoings and tries to right his wrongs. In accepting his mistake, Amir becomes a stronger person and is able to begin healing. In standing up to Assef, Amir faces his cowardice. As he awaits his meeting with the Talib official and childhood nemesis, Amir thinks to himself: This isn’t you, Amir. You’re gutless. It’s how you were made. And that’s not such a bad thing because your saving grace is that you’ve never lied to yourself about it. Not about that. Nothing wrong with cowardice as long as it comes with prudence. But when a coward stops remembering who