By Gabrielle and Oliver
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Throughout “The Kite Runner” the theme of Father and Son is
prevalent in most places, being at the root of the cause for many of
the events that happen over the course of the novel.
We have decided to focus on the Father-Son relationships
between: Baba and Amir, Baba and Hassan, Ali and Hassan and
Amir and Sohrab.
The tension between fathers and sons (or lack of) in The Kite
Runner is the foundation for a couple of the main themes in the
novel (primarily loyalty and betrayal). Such as Amir’s loyalty to
Baba resulting in his betrayal of Hassan.
The most important/interesting Father-Son relationship in the text
is between Baba and Amir due to the fact that it is the cause of
Hassan’s Rape which leads on to many issues throughout the rest
of the novel.
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passage
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Ali is Hassan’s adopted father
Relationship is healthy and both participants are happy despite living in
poverty.
“Sometimes tears would pool in Hassan’s eyes as I read him the passage… Personally I
couldn’t see the tragedy in Rostams fate.” –Amir speaking of Hassan’s reaction to a book
Provides strong contrast against other Father-Son relationships being one
of the only relationships in healthy condition.
The Ali-Hassan relationship is calm and lacks tension.
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Baba is Amir’s biological father
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Relationship between the two is far from healthy
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Minimal common interests
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Amir is constantly trying to impress Baba
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Amir’s number one priority is impressing Baba, no matter the cost
(Hassan Incident)
“We spoke our first words, mine was Baba… looking back on it now I think the
foundation of what happened in the winter of 1975 –and all that followed– was
already laid down in those first words” -Amir
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This relationship shows how quickly Amir would turn on his friends
simply to temporarily please Baba (Betrayal)
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Sohrab is actually the son of Hassan and is Amir’s biological nephew
Sohrab is rescued from the hands of the Taliban by Amir because
Sohrab is the last remaining part of Hassan.
Things start off promisingly between Amir and Sohrab until Sohrab
attempts to commit suicide due to depression
Being in high pressure scenarios together may have brought them
closer.
“You saved my life” –Amir to Sohrab
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Amir finally saved Hassan (in spirit) from Assef and has Redeemed
himself.
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Hassan is Sohrab’s biological father
We don’t now much about the relationship between the two other than
the fact they were happy with what they had.
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It was very similar to the relationship between Ali and Hassan
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It was a generally healthy relationship
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Hassan is killed in the street by the Taliban, it is possible Sohrab
witnessed this. Sohrab wishes things would go back to the way they used
to be and attempts to commit suicide.
“I want my old life back”, “I want father and mother Jan” –Sohrab in hospital
In a lot of ways the Hassan-Sohrab relationship is a repeat of the
relationship between Ali and Hassan, which is another way that
Sohrab turns out just like his father.
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Baba is Hassan’s biological father
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Hassan is unaware of the true relationship between them
“Agha Sahib was like my second father” -Hassan
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Hassan is like the son Baba wishes Amir was.
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Amir is often jealous of the way Baba treats Hassan and wishes at
times that, that treatment was exclusive to him.
“Baba gave US each a weekly allowance”, “I wanted Baba all to myself” –Amir
The discovery regarding Hassan’s real biological father is the topic
of a large plot twist in the novel and a further drive for Amir to
save sohrab due to the fact they are related.