Monday, October 22, 2007

The Kite Runner - Discussion Ques # 5

Describe Amir’s relationship with Rahim Khan. How did it differ from his relationship with Baba? Give specific examples.

7 comments:

Safa said...

Amir and Rahim Khan had an honost friendship. Unlike Baba Rahim Khan encouraged Amir to be a writer while Baba believed it was a waste of Amirs time and effort. Rahim Khan offered to read Amirs first story while Baba didn't even comment on the fact that he wrote a story. During Amirs birthday party Rahim Khan tells Amir a personal story from his past. baba never shares any personal info from his past with Amir not even about amirs mother. Rahim Khan always encouraged amir to do what he loves, while baba encouraged him to become successful even if he has to sacrafice his dreams to obtain it. at the end baba was the role model while rahim khan was the friend.

Denise Persaud said...

Amir and Rahim Khan have more of a father-son-relationship that Amir and his actual father, Baba. Rahim accepts Amir for who he is and supports his creative side by giving him a book to write his stories in and reading them while writing notes of encouragement. Baba wants Amir to be someone he's not. Rahim Khan talks to Amir and tells him stories that are quite personal while Baba never tells Amir anything of the sort. Baba doesn't show much of father abilities until him and Amir move to California but up until before then, Rahim Khan sort of filled in for that role.

martha said...

I agree with both Safa and Denise when they say how Baba was not much of a father figure for Amir. It was really Rahim Khan who acted like a father to Amir. He was the one encouraging Amir to pursue is writing. When Amir was little and he wrote a short story, Baba did not even bother to ask and see it, it was Rahim Khan who took the inciative to ask about it and make comments on his writing. Afterward, Rahim Khan gave Amir a note telling him to fulffill his dreams of becoming a writer and to not hesitate to show him anymore stories that he writes.
Rahim Khan also gave Amir a leather notebook to write in as a birthday gift.
Baba on the other hand was just there for him. He really did not do much to encourage his son with the things he wanted to do. For example when he told Baba he wanted to major in English. He did not support him until later on. It was not until CA as Denise mentioned that Baba started to act like more of a father espcially when Amir asked him to ask Soraya's father if he could marry his daughter. This is where the reader begins to see the reasons why Baba wanted Amir to stand up for himself because Amir begins to worry that he will be alone when Baba got sick. I can see where Baba was coming from in trying to prepare Amir for this time.

Drilona said...

The relationship between amir and Rahim khan is a very honost relationship. being a close frient of baba Rahim had the chance to stay close to amir and observe almost every move he made. rahim was at their house almost every day spaending his free time with baba. since kids are attracted to those peole who offer love and care for them amir got really close to rahim . He considered him as a friend and as he says in chapter fourteen Rahim was one of his adult friends. he trusted him with his first story, the one that baba had totally refused to look at. rahim also was very kind to amir,telling his his prive past stories at his birthday party.Based on their relationship i could say that it is better than the relationship between baba and amir. at chapter fifteen amir goes to Afganistan to visit his old friend,rahim,who is suffering grom some terminal disease.that shows that amir really loves and cares for him.the leather notebook that rahim gave amir for his birthday is another element that encourages amir to keep up with his talent,and work hurd because one day he will be a great writer.

Dave DeLuca said...

There is one major difference between Rahim and Baba. Baba doesnt really act like a father towards amir. he kind of ignores him alot or he is dissapointed in him with how he doesnt like sports or anything that baba likes. once amir finds something that he is good at (writing) and wants to show baba his stories he kind of blows them off. but rahim wanted to look at them and read them. once he read them he gave amir a note and encouraged him to write more, which makes him seem like more of a father figure. he also gave him a notebook and told him to keep writing.

Its not like baba was never there with amir. once they moved to cali baba and amir started to create a better relationship. they went to the garage sale and the flea market and sold stuff together. they started to bond alittle bit, also he got amir a car. But still it wasnt perfect when amir wanted to major in english baba didnt really support him, he wanted him to be something else. But he also asked the general for amir for his daughters hand in marriage, which shows a better of a father. baba was always hard on amir so that he could stand up for himself and be prepared for the world

Oleg said...

Rahim Khan’s and Amir’s relationship is different rom Baba’s, because Amir Khan knows about the true relationship of Hassan and Amir. Rahim Khan was Amir’s first adult friend, he was the one who always listened to his stories and encouraged him to keep on writing and reading, as long as it was what Amir really wanted to do. Amir writes his stories in the notebook that Rahim Khan gave to him, but Rahim Khan doesn’t remember about it.
Baba is Amir’s father, and therefore their relationship is different. I think that Baba was trying to teach Amir how to survive on your own in the real world, and Baba wanted to embrace the idea into Amir that one day he will be gone and Amir would have to live by himself. Baba didn’t want to be soft towards Amir, because he wanted him to be like himself. Even though he did not support his hobby of writing, at the end he asked Soraya to read the stories Amit wrote to him. I think at the end, when Baba is dying, he realizes that as long as his son is happy with his life happy, he has nothing to worry about.

Unknown said...

I disagree with some of my classmates becousei belive that baba was in his own way a good father. The definition of a "good father" varies from each person in my opinion. The difference between baba and Rahim Khan is that Baba was just a stricted dad that wanted his son to become strong and more man-like. On the other hand Rahim was more of a softer "dad" who showed affection towards Amir. I belive in their own ways both Baba and Rahim had a impact in Amir's life and in their own ways a good "father".