The Kite Runner

The Kite Runner: A Broken Bond Between Father and Son

What contributes to a healthy father and son relationship? A healthy father and son relationship primarily includes affection from the parent and a mutual understanding of each other’s ways. For example, a father should be highly supportive of their son in any dreams they might pursue, and in return the child must be grateful for their father’s encouragement. In the novel, The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini, Amir and his father, Baba, do not have this kind of healthy relationship. When Baba shows disappointment and uninterest in Amir, he feels depressed and neglected. Also, Amir constantly battles with the thought that his own father loves their servant and Amir’s childhood friend, Hassan, more than he loves Amir. After many years, however, Amir finally understands Baba, which allows their relationship to heal even after Baba has deceased. Amir’s conflicted relationship with his father, and their resolve that is evident in the end of the story immensely characterizes Amir’s life.

Baba often shows disappointment in Amir, which discourages him and prevents him from living a happy life. Amir constantly cares too much about what his father thinks of him, and it pains him every time he feels Baba is dissatisfied. As Baba explains to Amir that the only sin in the world is theft, and every other sin is a variation of theft, Amir is young and does not understand. Baba asks if Amir understands and he replies, “‘No Baba jan,’ I said, desperately wishing I did. I didn’t want to disappoint him again. Baba heaved a sigh of impatience. That stung, too, because he was not an impatient man” (18). Later in his life, Amir becomes disheartened when he hears Baba talking about him to Rahim Khan in another room. “There’s something missing in that boy,” Baba says, “A boy who won’t stand up for himself becomes a man who can’t stand up to anything” (22). He continues discussing Amir and says, “But something about Amir troubles me...