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The Kite Runner - Coggle Diagram
The Kite Runner
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Theme: Father & Sons
The theme of father and sons is a constant theme throughout the book defining its course and reasoning of the characters. This knowledge is a power in of itself and the withholding (and telling) of this knowledge from Hassan and Amir shapes the plot and dynamics of each relationship and the behaviour of the characters.
Amir and Baba
Their relationship is the most complex and constant throughout the book. Amir yearns and vies for Baba's attention and affection, constantly feeling jealous of Hassan and allowing it to affect his decision making to the point of not interfering with Hassan’s rape just for Baba’s approval.
Baba meanwhile remains distant and aloof with Amir, constantly giving off a sense of disappointment and disapproval that seems to thaw after Amir wins the Kite competition bringing back the last kite.However these emotions change once Amir starts to ask if they could change servants.(relationship becoming strained once again)
It isn’t until they get to America that their relationship becomes closer and warmer. Baba becomes a more human person for Amir. Amir in this unfamiliar environment is able to get a more even footing with Baba, coming out of his shadow and allowing their relationship to blossom.
After Baba’s death, Amir is alone without a father for the first time, out of Baba’s shadow and shoes too large for him to fill, though he does eventually fill them after the fight with Assef and sees himself in place of Baba fighting a bear. After this he finally feels as if he has gotten Baba’s approval, finally stepping and fitting into baba’s shoes.(makes peace with his approval and relationship)
Revelation of Hassan being Amir’s half brother and the understanding of Baba being torn between the two adds another layer of complexity to the relationship
Hassan and Ali
One of the healthiest father son relationships in this book. Hassan and Ali share a deep bond and it is clear that Ali loves Hassan very much and vice versa.
Their relationship is not strained and they share a deep trust as shown by Hassan telling Ali about the rape, and Ali not telling on Amir when Hassan asks him not to.
Hassan and Ali are clearly a unit against the world,worked together being the only Hazaras and their bond was made stronger through the discrimination they faced.
Ali’s love for Hassan as described by Amir, is his reason not to care about the taunts thrown at him and his reason to smile in Hassan. His love is also shown when despite his loyalty to Baba he takes Hassan and leaves knowing that would be the best course of action.
Hassan and Baba
Extremely complicated relationship in the book.Hassan is Baba’s biological illegitimate son whom as shown, Baba loves very much - never missing his birthday, bringing in a surgeon to fix his lip, praising him, getting furious at the thought of him leaving and even crying when he does leave.
Complicated by Hassan’s illegitimacy and by Hassan being a Hazara, which made it socially unacceptable for Baba to claim him as his own and openly love and care for him as Baba would like
Hassan never finds out that Baba is his biological father, and this lack of knowledge means he lives out his life as a servant, and even when he returns to the house taking up that position again. It inadvertently even allows the Taliban to shoot him as no one would save a poor Hazara servant without knowing he was actually Baba’s son.
Sorhab and Hassan
Hassan takes after Ali in his parenting, having a deep loving bond with Sohrab, showing him affection openly, playing with him, teaching him to read and write reading to him etc.
It is clear they hold a bond of trust and affection, with Sohrab taking after Hassan in looks and personality. This relationship is simply a father-son relationship with no hidden complications or lies making it the healthiest father-son relationship in the book.
Sohrab and Amir
This relationship too is complicated, with Sohrab at this point being a deeply traumatised child with trust and abandonment issues, that make having a relationship with him more difficult.
He and Amir bond through their shared trauma from the fight and Sohrab forms a tentative bond of trust with Amir as Amir had save him. Their relationship is formed on the truth and trust with Amir never lying to Sohrab and refusing to keep secrets from him as it was secrets that stained his own relationship with his father and hurt Hassan.
This bond is broken when Amir goes back on his promise, but by the end they are on their way to reforming it again and Amir takes Baba’s place, saving and standing up for Sohrab the way Hassan did for him. Amir though, becomes a better father figure than Baba in his refusal to let lies destroy his relationships again.
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