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Analysis of the relationship between Amir and Baba in the novel the Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

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Analysis of the relationship between Amir and Baba in the novel the Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
The relationship between Amir and his father is a tragic paradox, which has yet to be broken. As Amir tries harder and harder to win Baba's pride and love, their bond loosens more and more. At this point in the book, family obligation is the only thing holding them together. Amir's plan, whether is succeeds or not, will ultimately distance the two of them further.

Looking back on some of their previous bonding attempts, we can see this paradox pushing them apart. When Amir took up soccer, hoping to impress his father, it only proved that he did not carry the natural athletic talent and interest that ran through his father's veins. After Amir watched someone get trampled to death at the Buzkashi tournament, his sobbing revealed a sensitive side that was interpreted by Baba as weakness. These events, although intended to strengthen their relationship, did the exact opposite. Baba is looking for a mirror image of himself in his son. Amir tries to portray that mirror image, but his father can see that it isn't actually there.

Amir's new plan to win the tournament seems to be viable due to his kite flying skills, however, I don't think he will get his desired outcome. The problems between Baba and Amir go deeper than Amir's former failure as an athlete. They have never authentically connected on an emotional level, so in a way, they don't really know each other. As I said before, Baba can't see any of himself in Amir, and therefore doesn't know how to connect with him. He expresses his frustration to his friend Rahim Khan, "'He needs someone who… understands him, because God knows I don't. But something about Amir troubles me in a way that I can't express. It's like…' I could see him searching, reaching for the right words. He lowered his voice, but I heard him anyway. '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'" (Hosseini 23). That said, I do not believe that winning a tournament, will make all of the
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