General Taheri Soraya 's father and Baba 's friend, a former general in the old pre-soviet regime of Afghanistan, he is a conservative, traditional Afghan man who in the United . Taking into account Baba, Ali, Hassan, Amir and Assef, each of them have their meaning. Perhaps, too, Rahim Khan helps expand Amir's understanding of ethnicity. Amir is not exactly the son that Baba dreamed of having and because of. Stephanie Das from Miami, US on December 27, 2011: Loved the book, and I have yet to watch the movie! Rahim Khan, Baba's best friend and business partner, also serves as a father figure to Amir , the main character, encouraging Amir to write. The Kite Runner describes the life of Amir. We search for meaning, love, and power. Moreover, their best friends are their servants. Shame means that you feel remorse for something weather it is your actions or the actions of another. DK (author) from London on December 23, 2011: Beata Stasak from Western Australia on December 22, 2011: Loved the book and the movie as well:)thanks for sharing:). A conflicted character, Amir struggles between the logical and emotional sides of his being. Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. We learn nothing about him here, as the chapter instead sets up an extended flashback to Amir's youth in Afghanistan. An error occurred trying to load this video. Explain with details from. After graduating high school Amir will leave for college. Jenna received her BA in English from Iowa State University in 2015, and she has taught at the secondary level for three years. How has Rahim Khan impacted Amir? Erin has taught college level English courses and has a master's degree in English. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. They convey the authors ideas and beliefs about and relationships with the world and other people. Rahim Khan Rahim is the best friend of Baba, and the one man who knows all of Baba's secrets. Fortunately, he survives, and Amir takes him to the US with Sorayas help. Even though he has excellent intentions, Rahim Khan can also be manipulative, as demonstrated through his deceptive statement that an American couple in Pakistan was going to take in Sohrab, who is Hassan's son and Amir's nephew. Additionally, Rahim Khan is utilizing this story to try and manipulate Amir into confessing his betrayal. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. from your Reading List will also remove any As an adult, Amir travels to Pakistan to see Rahim Khan, where they discuss his relationship with Hassan. Decades later, Rahim Khan manipulates Amir to return to the Middle East through the significant statement that ''There is a way to be good again.'' Amir in The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini | Who is Amir? Rahim Khan also respects his father's decision because he recognized the negative impact his marriage would have had on the family and his prospective wife. These two ethnic groups are very different. Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! Rahim Khan is a minor character in Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner, but nevertheless he plays an important role. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. Most Hazaras worked for Pashtuns, in this case, Amir is a Pashtun and Hassan is a Hazara that works for him and his father. My mother actually fainted. By the storys end, Amir and Baba become closer. In your opinion, is Rahim a good person? He is persuasive because he convinces Amir to travel to Pakistan and adopt Sohrab. Someone with conscientious traits acts carefully and takes purposeful action. The defining event in his life is his betrayal of his closest friend, Hassan. Some characters in plays and novels simply aren't rich, fully developed characters. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. Please wait while we process your payment. Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. People with power end up abusing it, which leads to the corruption of power. 57-63) Rahim Khan tells Amir about Baba's betrayal of him, Hassan, and Ali. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Hassan and his wife are killed, and Sohrab is orphaned, setting the stage for Amir to reenter and rescue the boy. Despite Amirs jealousy toward Hassan, Hassan displays unwavering loyalty toward Amir. The time when Amir triumphed the competition, Hassan run after the last losing kite for. Include at least two quotations from different characters and explain each quotation. (one code per order). Need Custom Character Analysis Sample With Quotes or Maybe Help With Editing? Rahim Khan is Baba's closest confidant, and the one man who knows all of Baba's secrets. When Baba ignores Amir, Rahim Khan is right there with an encouraging word. However, when Amir fails to protect Hassan and then further betrays him, Rahim Khan calls upon the adult Amir to make amends and seek forgiveness, even if he is only able to forgive himself. For this reason, he chooses to go after the blue kite, thinking it will bring Babas applause for him. Below are examples of how to answer these questions. With this statement, Amir, realizing that Rahim Khan knows about Amir's treachery, returns to the Middle East and begins his journey toward redemptive goodness. Amir, although living a luxurious life feels something is missing, and its his fathers approval, he would do anything for it. The first words we hear from Rahim are ''There is a way to be good again.'' The recurring theme of sacrifice for the ones you love is presented all throughout the novel through Hassan, Baba, and Amir. Assef becomes a member of the Taliban who idolizes Adolf Hitler and abuses his position of power in order to demonstrate the political muscle of the men in charge. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. In conclusion, Rahim Khan is an important yet minor character within The Kite Runner. Baba's great sin is committing adultery with Ali 's wife, and he is Hassan 's real father. He is one of the few people who knows Hassan's real identity and about his rape. Another form of courtesy Rahim Khan shows is his respect for other people's privacy. succeed. Lets get to know him better. com/video/mprw7kwamu54u. Explain why you chose . The Kite Runner Amir's Personality Traits, Amir was pretermitted by his Baba. Baba in The Kite Runner: Description & Character Analysis, Assef in The Kite Runner: Character Description & Analysis. The Question and Answer section for The Kite Runner is a great He's also the son of Ali. While his father is represented as a physically imposing man, a bear wrestler in fact, as well as an important male in his community and land, Amir is calm and apparently without courage and determination. Finally, he is wise because he often gives helpful and enlightening advice to Amir. Sohrab is another major character of the novel, The Kite Runner. Thats just the way of things. Rahim Khan (p99). PolitenessPoliteness plays a part in Rahim Khan's speech, using the expected formalities such as Agha (title of respect), Sahib (companion or follower), Inshallah (If God wills, let it be by the will of God), Mashallah (by the grace of God, used as an expression of surprise), Jan (added to the end of the name of someone you love or hold dear - my dear, my life, my soul). She refused to even hold Hassan when he was born. Amir 's father, a larger-than-life figure with wild hair and a loud voice, who works hard and succeeds at all of his endeavors, but stands by his strict moral principles. Rahim Khan encourages Amir to write and gives him a leather-bound notebook at Amir's thirteenth birthday party. Manage Settings Continue to start your free trial. Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! One of the central characters, Amir, belongs to an elite class of Afghans having the privilege of living in villas and visiting foreign countries. However, Baba does not realize that Amir is jealous of the affection that Hassan receives from Baba. Courtesy When showing courtesy, Rahim Khan strives to treat people better than himself. Conscientious. lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. She takes care of Baba when he is ill and eagerly accepts Sohrab into her family. Baba and Amir both grew up wealthy as they are Pashtuns. Rahim Khan takes care of Baba's house, brings Hassan back to Kabul. Later, he understood that the only way Amir could feel better about himself is by taking the chance to sacrifice something for Hassan, allowing him the knowledge of Sohrab and how to save him. People in our life can influence us in many ways. He then assumes the role of Sohrabs father, adopts him, and takes him to America. 2023 Course Hero, Inc. All rights reserved. He is a former general who prefers collecting welfare to lowering himself to a blue collar job. He not only identifies the creative soul in Amir but also encourages him to write stories. Many critics consider Hassan's character "too good to be true," for even after he is betrayed by Amir, Hassan continues to lie for the person he considers his friend. He is an imposing, strong figure, full of bluster and strong opinions. Amir reflects on Rahim Khans words spoken over the phone. It happened like this: After Rahim Khan hears of Baba's death, he drives to Hazarajat to search for Hassan and asks him to move to Kabul with him. An error occurred trying to load this video. He is a wealthy and well-respected man with a dark secret; he had an affair with Ali's wife and Hassan is his illegitimate son. His persona exudes not only self-assurance having developed his own ethical framework. At the end of the story, he calls Amir back so that he can redeem himself, saying himself that money is not the issue when talking about getting Sohrab, leaving the opportunity to save Sohrab to Amir alone. Rahim Khan. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Why or why not? Hassan. The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini, tells the story of a boy named Amir and his story and journey throughout his life. His father was a diplomat, and the family lived in Paris when the Soviets invaded Afghanistan. I enjoyed the book a lot, but I thought the movie was so-so. Discount, Discount Code (Barker, Guilt and Shame).A wrongdoer must deal with guilt by making atonement- by making reparation and penance. Amir, too, tries to repay him m by hiding some money under the bed to help him out of his poverty. Khaled Hosseini in his novel the Kite Runner Explores the theme of sin and atonement. Stephanie Das from Miami, US on December 29, 2011: Cool thank you, but just last night I watched it on streaming. Sohrab in The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini | Character & Traits, Hassan in The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini | Analysis & Significance, Soraya in The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini | Character & Analysis, Baba Quotes in The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini | Context & Analysis, Forgiveness in The Kite Runner: Quotes & Examples, Amir & Hassan in The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini | Relationship & Key Events, Ali & Baba's Relationship in The Kite Runner, Religion in The Kite Runner: Influence & Quotes, Assef in The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini | Quotes & Analysis, Amir & Baba in The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini | Relationship & Analysis, The Kite Runner: Friendship & Loyalty Quotes, Anne Frank - The Diary of a Young Girl Study Guide, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde Study Guide, Create an account to start this course today. Miller, W.C. ed. Is Rahim Khan a major or minor character? In Amir's early years, Rahim Khan is a father figure to Amir. Make sure to answer the questions thoroughly and in complete sentences. All rights reserved. Hassan eventually marries Farzana, and has a son named Sohrab. Rahim Khan's statement ''There is a way to be good again.'' ManipulativeWhen he feels strongly about something, he is capable of lying and manipulating people in order to achieve a goal. These words are from Rahim Khans final letter to Amir. He keeps Sohrab as a sex slave until Amir comes to rescue him. Amir constantly lets him down in this regard, and he has trouble showing affection toward his son. They fanned her and looked at me as if I had slit her throat. Rahim Khan shows that he understands the difficult relationship between Amir and Baba and that Amir is willing to do anything to win Baba's approval, even if that means sacrificing Hassan. Sohrab suffers a lot of trauma by what hes experienced with Assef. Rahim Khan wants to convince Amir to forgive his father, to release the anger he has felt after learning how Baba betrayed a friend. Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. Although her role, like the role of all Afghan women under the Taliban, is minor from a plot perspective, the importance that she has on Amir's character development is immense. This website helped me pass! However, working with what we do know, let's take a closer look at Rahim Khan. I feel like its a lifeline. Why does Amir accept Soraya even after she tells him of her past? Character #5 Sohrab. Brief Summary. She had a dimpled smile and a walk that drove men crazy.'' . The narrator identifies Hassan as a childhood playmate and emphasizes, quite pointedly, Hassan's cleft lip. for a customized plan. I've got to catch it before netflix takes it off of streaming :) Nice review. Then he is a sex slave to Assef until Amir rescues him. Amir is reluctant, but he knows there is something deeper in Rahims invitation. Rahim Khan's Influence In The Kite Runner 1731 Words | 7 Pages. Their fates are contrasted in this meeting, as Rahim Khan is sick and dying, and Amir is a successful novelist and married man now. Rahim Khan, though, negotiates the differences between Baba and Amir, countering Baba's frustration with a metaphoric point that Baba needs to accept Amir for who he is and value Amir's talents. Amir's driver and friend. Rahim finally speaks the truth to Amir to save himself as well as Amir from their guilt of the past. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. Why does Amir sometimes treat Hassan badly in childhood? Bravo.''. Amir risked his life for Sohrab, Hassans son, to repay the wrong he commits toward Hassan. Why doesnt Amir help Hassan in the alley? Baba and Amir never quite seem to connect, especially in Afghanistan. Even though Hassan knows that Amir is lying, Hassan confesses to the crime before he and Ali, the man everyone believes was Hassan's father, leave. After the country became a republic instead of a monarchy, the former Soviet Union invaded the country. My brother Jalal actually went to fetch his hunting rifle before my father stopped him. Rahim is encouraging because he inspires Amir to continue writing. Amir's mother, who died in childbirth. Hassans mother and Alis wife, Sanauber, abandons Hassan after he is born. Hassan and Ali are from a lower class than Amir and Baba, but Amir and Hassan are best friends regardless. SparkNotes PLUS on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% Amirs selfish tendencies are a result of the lack of affection that is given to him by Baba, a man who wants to, but struggles to find similarities between himself and Amir. All this confirms that Rahim Khan is a stand-up guy. A very kind and loving lady, she helps Amir to have a different view of the world around him; that is, to treat near and dear ones with care and love. Lying about the existence of an American couple also showed understanding on Khan's part because he knew that without the couple Amir would not have gone, but that after Amir had got Sohrab, he would want to take him back to America instead. General Taheri in The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini | Character & Analysis. The story's narrator and protagonist. UnderstandingLinked in with being caring, is that Rahim Khan understands Amir and how what he did (betray Hassan) had affected him, as well as the effects Baba's disappointment had on him. When Rahim Khan calls Amir and beckons him back to Afghanistan, he appeals to this trait which he knows Amir possesses by telling him that "there is a way to be good again." Baba seems to care more about others than he does his own son, and he seems to have a distinct vision of what Amir should be and how Amir should live, but Baba sees very little of himself in his offspring. Amir continuously tries to impress Baba, a longing that has a lasting negative impact, as he bases his self-worth on the approval his father. The idea that people tend to draw conclusions based on other peoples decisions and character remains as one of the many underlying themes in literature. The Kite Runner is purported to be one of the first Afghan novels to be written in English. I remember he said to me, 'Rahim, a boy who won't stand up for himself becomes a man who can't stand up to anything.' It was a shameful situation. In time, though, we come to learn more about Rahim Khan. Finally, he is wise because he often gives helpful and enlightening advice to Amir. As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 88,000 He then becomes a focus of the plot when he comes across Assef and Amir, who we learn is actually his uncle. He is evil in the beginning of the story, but as he matures and grows up as an adult. While Amir prepares for school in the morning, Hassan readies Amir . In Khaled Hosseinis novel, The Kite Runner, Amirs character is considered worthy of sympathy by his redeeming actions towards the end of the novel, his good intentions toward Baba, and his ability to empathize with others. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. She earned her Masters in Arts from Longwood University in 1997 and has also earned her National Board Certification in addition to the Advanced Placement English Language and Composition and Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition endorsements. He's also the father-figure to Amir. Hassan disappears from the novel for a while and reenters as a married adult with a son, Sohrab. He's also a figure of the true father to Amir; he always tried to fill in that hole which Amir has after years of cold attention from Baba, his real father. Proud (Hosseini 139). Rahim, now old and sick, attempts to clean the slate and bring some long-buried truths into the light of day. Hassan epitomizes the perfect servant who is loyal to his master, even after the master betrays him. And Ill tell you this, Amir Jan: In the end, the world always wins. One feels guilty when there is a feeling of responsibility for an action one regrets. He has tried his best to instill the same qualities in his son, Amir. But I can take you . Are you sure you want to remove #bookConfirmation# We wonder if Rahim Khan's revelation makes life easier or harder for Amir. When Amir returns to Afghanistan from the United States, he is saddened to find that Hassan has died and that his son, Sohrab, is facing his fathers enemies. As a young man, when he was in love with a Hazara woman (forbidden in his society), Rahim Khan wanted to be honorable and marry her. Rahim Khan is encouraging, persuasive, and wise. As revenge for Hassans humiliation of him, he later rapes Hassan. The role of a father-figure, shared by Baba and Rahim Khan is a complex relationship that heavily impacts Amir's actions and emotions. 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. Few dare to cross him, but Rahim has a special relationship with Baba. He is Baba's foil, serving as a counterbalance to Baba, who seems gruff and uncaring toward Amir, who is sensitive and creative. Many years later, the Taliban, an Islamic fundamentalist movement , seized power in Afghanistan. Rahim Khan includes these words in his final letter to Amir. Rahim Khan asks Amir to rescue Sohrab, Hassans son, from Kabul. What do other characters say about Rahim? She is a kind woman who likes to sing, although her husband does not let her. In the novel The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, Amirs character has been shaped and heavily influenced by Baba, for shaping him into the man he is, also Hassan for showing him that forgiving is important and Sohrab for helping him redeem himself. He felt himself causative for the death of his mother who passed away during childbirth. Ace your assignments with our guide to The Kite Runner! Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. Sohrab in The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini | Character & Traits, Hassan in The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini | Analysis & Significance, Soraya in The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini | Character & Analysis, Baba Quotes in The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini | Context & Analysis, Forgiveness in The Kite Runner: Quotes & Examples, Amir & Hassan in The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini | Relationship & Key Events, Ali & Baba's Relationship in The Kite Runner, Religion in The Kite Runner: Influence & Quotes, Assef in The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini | Quotes & Analysis, Amir & Baba in The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini | Relationship & Analysis, The Kite Runner: Friendship & Loyalty Quotes, Anne Frank - The Diary of a Young Girl Study Guide, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde Study Guide, Create an account to start this course today. We try to understand fear, loss, and time. Maybe I'm jaded because I read the book first, but I thought the movie did a lot of things well without pulling it all together. She was a professor of literature at the university and her books inspire Amir to become a writer. However, it also gives courage and critical thinking when living in an orthodox society. Explain with specific details from the story. Soraya's mother. And honestly, that is completely okay. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! Explore Rahim Khan's traits and bond with Amir, and review his quote, "There is a way to be good again". He cupped his hands around his mouth. In flashback, Chapter 2 starts identifying characters and telling the story of the narrator and his relationships to the names mentioned in the previous chapter. She proves a grandmother to Sohrab by the end. You don't get to fill them with your favorite colors.''. This comment especially stings Amir, because he knows that it was his fathers life effort to make Amir into a man who acts. But Baba never told Amir or Hassan about it. (Amir's mother would be the other someone.) However, as an adult, Amir shows his love for Hassan by adopting his son, Sohrab. Tucked within the novel's first chapter, Rahim Khan says this to the adult Amir who had left Afghanistan decades earlier. She has taught 7th through 12 grade, including collaborative, general, gifted-and-talented, dual enrollment, and advanced placement. Baba sees Amir as physically weak, even feminine. Rahim Khan, a character from Khaled Hosseini's 2003 novel The Kite Runner, plays a significant role as a foil to the main characters in addition to reinforcing thematic development. When Amir writes his first story and attempts to give it to Baba, Baba merely dismisses his son. The move to America is very difficult for Baba, who is used to being wealthy and well-respected in his community.
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