Relationships Between Father and Son

To begin, the strained relationship between Amir, the protagonist, and Baba, his father, as well as the events influenced by this relationship, demonstrates the necessity of a fatherly figure in one’s life. “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” is a well-known expression that holds true for many father and son relationships; however, this is not the case for Amir and Baba. In terms of father-son relationships, the father is a very important role model for his son, and every boy needs a fatherly figure. Baba is not there for Amir because he doesn’t understand why Amir isn’t exactly like him. Baba speaks to Rahim Khan, his best friend and business partner, about his confusion with Amir, and doesn’t understand why his son’s interests aren’t similar to his own: “He’s always buried in those books or shuffling around the house like he’s lost in some dream…I wasn’t like that.’ Baba sounded frustrated, almost angry” (23). Baba is actually angry that his son is not a reflection of himself because he wants a son to carry on his name, his machismo, and his business, but he won’t even take the time to develop a bond with his son. Baba is very emotionally distant from his son because he feels that there is no real connection between the two of them other than Amir coming “out of” Baba’s wife: “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” (25). Baba has little emotional attachment to his son, other than lineage. He doesn’t put forth much effort towards forming a bond with Amir during his childhood, because the emotional detachment prevents him from providing the fatherly figure Amir needed in his life. Amir’s early years are very tough on him because he lost his mother during his own birth, blames himself for his mother’s death, and lacks a relationship with his father. Baba is a smart and good man at heart; he’s just unable to come to terms with his son’s interests, and ultimately neglects him because there is a lack...