The Kite Runner Baba Character Analysis

Baba's Progression
Over the course of the novel, we are introduced to many new characters who share their own separate personalities. But in this book, there is a character named Baba who is brought upon us readers in the first chapter. As we progress deeper into the story, his personality drastically changes as he seems to become a whole new character. He turns himself from an inattentive parent who is caught up in his social status to a proud father who cherishes everything he has left in his life. His transformation begun later in the book when his son, Amir, started reflecting signs of his father by becoming more of a man. Not only has Baba become a better person, but he went under
He is very independent and does not treat his son like others do. He does not pay much attention to him. "Sometimes I would ask Baba if I could sit with them, he would stand at the doorway and say, 'Go away now'" (5). he treated his son like he was not even there. This was a poor parenting decision made by Baba because Amir does not have a mother. Although he grew up with very minimal parenting, Baba was extremely strict when he wanted to be. In early stages of The Kite Runner, Baba is never around, he is often seen leaving the house to go somewhere out of town. Amir’s father is mostly seen in his smoke room with a cigar and drinking with his friends when he is home, “Baba smoked his pipe and talked...he then closed the door” (Hessieni 56). Amir thinks his father overlooks him because he has yet to live up to his expectations and that Amir was not the type of son that Baba imagined. He never went out of his way to speak to his son and the only time they communicated was when Amir had done something
Amir is preparing for this years’ kite running contest and his father is excited for him to enter into this big contest that is celebrated all over Afghanistan, it's a very big deal since it is apart of their culture. When Baba was Amir’s age, he won the contest by cutting down fourteen kites in one day so he has big expectations as usual. Amir and his partner Assef win the whole contest and Baba is extremely proud of him. He greets his son by giving him a hug and congratulating him. After this pleasant moment, we do not see much of Amir and Baba until they move to America. From here on out, Baba is now one of the most important characters in the book. He still posses his tough and hard edged charisma though as he defends a woman from being raped by a Russian soldier. But we do begin to see the soft and loving side of this older man. When they are in the U.S., Amir is much older and he is marrying a young afghan named Soraya. This changes the way Amir and Baba communicate completely. For example, Amir is about to meet his newly wedded wife’s parents with Baba and just before they knock on the door, they say, ”Thank you Baba. Are you all right? Do you feel up to this?” “Up to this? It's the happiest day of my life, Amir” (Hoesseini 166). Years ago Baba would never have spoken to his son like this but now, Amir is all he has left and he cherishes