Comparison Of Amir And Holden In 'The Kite Runner'

In the book, Amir burst into laughter while Assef was beating him, but sadly this did not happen in the film. This event was important because Amir at this point finally felt like he had received his punishment for what he had done to Hassan and felt totally at peace.

Amir always looked up to him and tried to impress him. EX: (ch.7) When Amir and Hassan won the kite race Amir immediately looked up to where baba was and he said, “I saw Baba on our roof. He was standing on the edge, pumping both fists. Hollering and clapping. And that right there was the single most greatest moment of my 12 years of life, seeing baba on that roof, proud of me at last.” (pg.66) His dad demonstrated all throughout this novel his character; kind, brave, truthful, and loving father. His dad has been nothing but there for him and showed him how a good Afghan man is supposed to be, but, for some reason Amir doesn’t pick up on his father’s character traits or Hassan’s. Amir longed for his father attention, affection, and most of all

always buried in those books or shuffling around the house like he’s lost in some dream… I wasn’t like that.” (Hosseini 23). Baba expresses his frustration that his son is not alike his father. He expects his son to enjoy and plays sports tremendously that he forgets that his son is another person with his own likes and hobbies. This shows us the disconnect between Baba and Amir. Moreover, Baba shows more examples that he is not a good father when he criticizes his son for lacking a quality that he thinks is vital. Later in the same conversation with Rahim Khan, he says: “That’s not what I mean, Rahim, and you know it… There is something missing in that boy.” (Hosseini 24). He argues that Amir is lacking a “mean” streak that he thinks is needed for the child. He continues to tell Rahim that Amir does not have the ability to stand up for himself and he sounds as if he is losing patient over the child. This is an example of a terrible father as Baba tries to put what he has in mind unto his son. Furthermore, he displays being an incompetent father

Throughout generations, fathers have played an important role in their children’s life; specifically their son’s. A son may learn many life lessons from their father figures, such as morals and how to confront difficult situations. In the novel, The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini, the main character Amir, does not seem to inherit the same morals and common sense as his father, Baba. Both Baba and Amir have sinned a plethora of times, but their individual sins and how they dealt with the guilt, differs greatly. This perspective proves that although a father and son may share the same DNA, they do not always think or react in the same manner.

The character of Amir goes through drastic changes as he moves from adolescence to adulthood. As a child Amir begins his life in Kabul, where his character is shaped through conflicts with his father and Hassan. Later, when he moves to America he leaves these conflicts behind and is able to create a stronger relationship with his father. However, when Amir is an adult he is called back to Afghanistan by an old friend to confront these earlier conflicts. In The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, observable changes can be seen in Amir’s character as he moves from Kabul, Fremont, and later back to Kabul.

Have you ever experienced an event that you thought you have previously been through? This can be due to Déjà vu, or in Amir’s case, another chance at redemption. In The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini, Amir redeems himself when he goes back to Afghanistan to make things right. The usage of cycles in The Kite Runner show the changes in Amir throughout the book by highlighting his changes when cycles repeat. This is shown in the cycles of Hassan’s family undergoing abuse, when Amir puts cash under mattresses, and how characters laugh when they are beat.

Salinger is said by Mr.Spencer toward Holden in Mr.Spencer's house. Holden stopped by Mr.Spencer's house before he left Pencey and started a conversation with Mr.Spencer. The Conversation soon leads to Mr.Spencer saying, "Life is a game, boy. Life is a game that one plays according to the rules," to Holden when Holden revives the topic of failing Mr.Spencer's class. Mr.Spencer's dialogue irritates Holden. Holden does not consider "Life as a game" and points out only those who are "hot-shots" can consider life as a game where as if "you were on the wrong side" then there is no game to begin with. Holden's response to Mr.Spencer's words can be interpreted as Holden's struggle in life and transitioning to adulthood. Holden is hunting for his future, hinted by the symbolism of his red hunting hat, and that this hunt is very dangerous and should not be considered a game. The quote itself is ironic and can be interpreted as part of the novel's underlying themes, that life is not a game because one error could ruin your whole

Throughout the novel, The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini, the main character, Amir, undergoes a massive change when he decides to stand up to the “bad guys” in the novel that he has hid from for so very long. Primarily, in Amir’s childhood, he acts cowardly towards the neighborhood bully, commonly known as “…Assef Goshkhor, or Assef “the Ear Eater.”,” (p.41). Each confrontation with Assef and his gang results in Amir retrieving gutlessly, and Hassan stepping in the fend them off. In addition, as the time advances, Amir becomes easily labeled as the “…boy who [would not] stand up for himself,” (p.24) but in Chapter Twenty-Two, Amir’s actions and attitudes change. Astonishingly, Amir does not withdraw his request to meet with the Talib official

In a conversation between Holden and Spencer, Holden is lectured about the importance of “playing by the rules.” Spencer, his former history teacher at Pencey, explains that life should be “played by the rules.” and calls life a game. To himself, Holden goes on to say, “Game, my ass. Some game. If you get on the side where all the hot-shots are, then it’s a game, all right—I’ll admit that. But if you get on the other side, where there aren’t any hot-shots, then what’s a game about it? Nothing. No game” (Salinger 8). Clearly, Holden identifies himself with the people on the other side. He shows that he is sort of isolated from the rest of the world and created this cynical view of everyone and everything. He shows that he has no hope in becoming on of the “hot-shots” and already expresses that he is a lost cause and does not know what to do with his life. It seems as though “Holden 's oversized inferiority feelings are in contrast to his ex­tremely high goals of superiority. Thus he is sure to feel small and inferior”

Amir had great influences on him as a child; Baba was a brave person, generous to everyone, and should’ve influenced Amir to be the same. On the contrary, Amir was selfish and chose not to stand up for his friend, even when the situation desperately needs it. This is not because of how he grew up, of his environment. Amir’s genetics made him to be fearful and mean, as shown throughout the book. “I knew I was being cruel, like when I’d taunt him if he didn’t know some big word. But there was something fascinating - albeit in a sick way - about teasing Hassan.” (Hosseini 54). Even though Amir had great influences growing up, Hassan took the brunt of his attacks and neglect. Near the beginning of the book, Hassan is raped in the alleys running a kite for Amir. Going after Hassan, Amir finds Hassan while this is going on but does not stop the rapist or stand up for his friend. Instead, Amir ran away and proceeded to abandon Hassan emotionally after the event. Baba was a brave man and would’ve stood up for Hassan, regardless of the danger to him, but Amir was not influenced nearly as much by his positive environment rather than his negative cowardice, or

Spencer and Holden begin chattering and talking about Mr. Thurmer the headmaster and how life is a game. Holden is still skeptical about this metaphorical connection about life and how it is a game. He does not fully grasp the concept nor the idea of what he does now will affect the outcome of his future. According to Holden it is only a game if one is an important person that has an important role. As the conversation continues, Holden is asked if he cares, and if he ever wonders about his own future. Holden responds saying he does care, but says he is not too worried about what is ahead and is fine at the moment. Old Spencer’s statement to this response that Holden gives, he expresses to Holden in return that, “You will,’ Old Spencer said,

At this point Rahim explains to Baba that “Children aren't coloring books. You don't get to fill them with your favourite colors” (Hosseini 46) demonstrating his support for Amir’s aspirations. However Rahim Khan’s most significant role in the novel occurs in the very beginning when he calls Amir and says “There is a way to be good again" (Hosseini 2) It isn’t until later in the novel that we realize that Rahim Khan had summoned Amir to Kabul to rescue Hassan's son, Sohrab, from an orphanage and to ultimately redeem himself from past wrong doings. Rahim Khan also tells Amir about the relationship Baba had with Ali's wife, Sanaubar and that Hassan was actually Baba's son and therefore Hassan and Amir were half-brothers. Overall the impact Rahim Khan has on Amir’s life is equivalent to that of the relationship between my mother and I. Rahim Khan is undeniably a role model for Amir, much the same way in which my mother is a role model for me. Like Rahim, she appreciates my interests and encourages me to peruse my goals. The most important characteristic about my mother is that if I make a mistake she doesn’t just ‘give up’ on me. Instead she requests that I make it up somehow, much in the same way that Rahim Khan tells Amir how to redeem himself. Without the guidance and support I receive from my mom I know that my life would in fact be very different today.

His selfish bias making it impossible for Amir to begin earning redemption. This is again proven when he returns to Pakistan to visit Rahim Khan. Rahim Khan pleads with him to try and get Amir to rescue Sohrab, his nephew, from Kabul, but Amir refuses: “‘you know,’ Rahim Khan said, “one time, when you weren’t around, your father and I were talking. And you know how he always worried about you in those days. I remember he said to me, ‘Rahim, a boy who won’t stand up for himself becomes a man you can’t stand up to anything’ I wonder, is that what you’ve become?’ I dropped my eyes. […] Finally, I settled for this: ‘Maybe Baba was right’” (Hosseini, 221). When given the choice to defend his honour and go rescue a young boy, or insult himself and look at the world through a negative lense, Amir chooses to adopt an incredibly negative persona, as per his past. He chooses to refuse the opportunity to experience empathy and relate to Rahim Khan’s desperation and pain, and instead drives a wedge between their relationship. Pushing himself further away from the redemption he craves so desperately. As a fear of empathy inhibits one’s ability to find redemption and uphold healthy relationships.

As father and son, Baba and Amir have some similarities, but they are both very different people.

Baba’s influence on Amir can be described in two words, tough love. Baba desperately wants Amir to resemble him in everything he does and do things how he would, but Amir struggles to meet these standards. Baba is reminded by Rahim that he does not get to choose the man that Amir will become, “‘Children aren’t coloring books. You don’t get to fill them with favorite colors”’ (21). It hurts Amir that he does not get Baba’s compassion and love but he stays true to himself and does not change for him. Even though Amir stayed true to himself he would still do what he could to earn Baba’s love. When he won the kite flying tournament Baba shows Amir that love because he did something they can both relate to, sports. It seemed Amir would do anything to be recognized by Baba but Baba did not care about Amir’s thoughts on himself. Baba even said to Rahim “If [he] hadn’t seen the doctor pull [Amir] out of [his] wife with [his] own eyes, [he’d] never believe [Amir’s his] son” (23). This obviously would be heart wrenching to hear and hurt Amir deeply, but he did not let that make him stop trying. The two clearly had a rocky relationship.