Amir and Baba

            Like any other child, Amir only wants approval from his father. According to Amir, Baba only sees what he wants to see. There is no trying to convince him to view something in a different. Baba is always right and will prove it to those who deny him. In his Baba’s eyes, Amir is defenseless, too trusting of others, and too sensitive. For Baba, it is almost as if Amir is not his child. They have nothing in common. No matter how hard Amir tries to impress Baba, Baba never seems impressed. When Amir overhears Rahim and Baba conversing in the study, the next morning, he takes his anger out on Hassan. His jealousy drives him to snap at Hassan’s kindness. Amir is proud of his father but Baba does not seem to notice any of Amir’s accomplishments. Baba comments on how Hassan defends himself and Amir against the bullies. Amir and Baba’s relationship has a lot of tension. When speaking to Amir, it seems as if Baba has no patience and does not want to be there. He does not understand why Amir is so interested in reading, unlike the other boys who have a passion for sports. Baba expects his son to be similar to himself as a kid than Amir.

            When Amir speaks about the orphanage Baba is building I found it somewhat ironic. In a way, Amir represents an orphan. His father is never there for him mentally or physically and the only way he has his mother is through his thoughts. Amir believes his father views him as a sinner because his mother died during childbirth. Amir has taken away Baba’s “princess”, his companion, and his lover. Due to that feeling, Amir believes that his purpose is to please Baba and show him that he is thankful to alive and he will not disappoint him. It is sad to think that some parents make their children believe they do not love them because they have certain characteristics or have different interests. A parent should have unconditional love for their child and support whatever they choose to do with their life.