Response to Jose

Camille Kelleher

The character transformations that Jose wrote about are sudden changes in the story that parallels Baba and Amir’s move from Afghanistan to America. Relative to Baba, Amir seemed more prepared and able to handle all of the changes associated with a long distance move, like adjusting to different customs, creating a new lifestyle and routine, and handling yourself correctly and intelligently in unknown situations. Baba is more selfish than Amir when it comes to adjusting to America because he is still attached to Afghanistan and his stature and reputation within that society. If Khomeini narrated this story through Baba’s perspective, then I think he would add a lot of references, illusions, and flashbacks to his Afghani life and memories. These memories not only include Hassan and Ali, but also his relatives, childhood, passed wife, and colleagues. I think this is depressing because all of Baba’s life falls under the American empire and wealth. Life’s sweet enjoyment and simple pleasures are plagued by what the Afghanis have left, “tea, politics, and scandals.” At the same time, it is refreshing to finally see Amir flourish as an individual separate from Baba. Like what Jose said about the Pacific Ocean, Amir will never be able to forget about his unfortunate past with Hassan. Yet, this might make him a better person and more aware of his actions and their respective influences on others.