Baba starts to change

 America: the land of opportunity, freedom, and change. Even though Baba feels that America is where he cannot escape his memories, he has a change of heart for Amir. No longer does he compare Amir to Hassan or look at Amir with disappointment. Baba left Kabul for Amir, not for himself. He wants Amir to have a better life and be able to become successful. For the first time in Amir’s life, Baba tells him that he is truly proud of him but still wishes that Hassan could be with them to see Amir graduate. Although Baba has changed for the better, it seems to be an unwelcomed changed because he does not want to be there. This was clear when Amir describes Baba’s love for the “idea of America” not with actually living there. “It was living in America that gave him an ulcer” (pg. 125).  This loathing for America was shown by Baba’s political interests. He hated Jimmy Carter but loved Regan and supported “Reganomics”. Baba was now surrounded by democrats and was considered the outcast while in Kabul, he was a well respected Republican who was looked up to. Baba constantly thinks of his life before America. This change was clearly seen in the differences in between how Amir and Baba felt about living in America. For Amir, America was a place to burry his memories but for Baba, it was a place to mourn his.  Instead of taking pictures of the whole senior class graduating, Baba stood in the corner with his hands in his pockets and smiled only when he saw Amir alone. Besides his emotional change, Baba also changes physically. He is described by Amir as worn out and aged. The loss of his wife, country, and his second son, Hassan, seemed to have taken a toll on him. On top of being alone and in a new country, Baba has to deal with new cultures. When Baba goes to buy oranges with a check and is asked for his ID, Baba responded aggressively and shows that he has not yet adjusted to life in America. Baba is used to being known by everyone and trusted. When he confronted Mr. Nguyen he commented in frustration “What kind of a country is this? No one trusts anybody!” (pg. 128)  Even after a year of living in America, he is struggling to adjust to American life.