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. Create your account. Why did Baba lie about Hassan being his son? For example, he tells him that only people who have a conscience and goodness can suffer. I've got to catch it before netflix takes it off of streaming :) Nice review. He insults Hassan every chance he gets. Analyze Rahim Khan from The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. In this society it is very difficult to find your true identity, a lot of factors come into play, whether it is people or events that you encounter. Baba favors physicality and can not understand or identify with his son, who loves poetry. Rahim Khan is Amir's father's best friend and business partner. He and Amir were nursed by the same woman and, unbeknownst to them both, they are half-brothers. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. It is delineated by natural inclination that people sympathize with others who undergo an unfortunate circumstance or event. Rahim Khan includes these words in his final letter to Amir. Moreover, their best friends are their servants. on 50-99 accounts. However, he feels betrayed when bullies attack him and rape him, and Amir merely watches from a distance without coming to his aid. Rahim Khan. He dies at the hands of the Taliban, defending Baba's house from takeover. Character #5 Sohrab. He reached in his coat pocket and handed me a set of keys. 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. Active Themes He is one of the few people who knows Hassan's real identity and about his rape. Baba in The Kite Runner: Description & Character Analysis, Assef in The Kite Runner: Character Description & Analysis. 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. Jenna received her BA in English from Iowa State University in 2015, and she has taught at the secondary level for three years. Also, it was Rahim who said Amir to come back to Afghanistan to atone for his and Baba's sins. and any corresponding bookmarks? I am moftakhir, Amir, he said. DK (author) from London on December 28, 2011: Thanks Steph, It's here if you want it : http://www.novamov. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. Sohrab is another major character of the novel, The Kite Runner. She shamed her family as a young woman by running off with a man. While Amir prepares for school in the morning, Hassan readies Amir . Amirs kite became the ultimate kite flying on the empyrean. from your Reading List will also remove any Understanding - Baba"I loved him because he was my friend, but also because he was a good man, maybe even a great man. Not only was Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, almost entirely destroyed, but the cost to human life was also huge. Baba is complaining about Amir's passivity and his love of reading. The author puts a lot of moral ambitious character in the story the Kite Runner. Baba holds the secret that Hassan is his son to protect his social status in society, Amir hides Hassans rape and keeps it to himself and pretends it did not happen. Sometimes it can end up there. Some scenes were a little unemotional I found too, like when Amir runs back with the kite to see Baba, but I suppose that's because the mind imagines things with emotion, not subtly haha. Many years later, the Taliban, an Islamic fundamentalist movement , seized power in Afghanistan. This point relates back to Baba's statements to Amir about a man's. Soraya is Amir's wife. Include at least two quotations from different characters and explain each quotation. Baba Character Analysis. Amir. 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. According to Amir, Rahim Khan ''was the only person I knew who could get away with saying something like that to Baba. Khaled Hosseini in his novel the Kite Runner Explores the theme of sin and atonement. Rahim also knows that when it happened, Amir was young and being driven by forces he wasnt mature enough to fully understand. Baba, as Rahim Khan explains in his note, felt guilty over his rich . I feel like its a lifeline. Whilst Baba is the biological father and role model of Amir, it is Rahim Khan who is the one to provide emotional support, and stability. Rahim Khan is a minor character in Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner, but nevertheless he plays an important role. This sentence pushes Amir toward Afghanistan and functions as a further form of foreshadowing, predicting the future fight between Assef and Amir. Sohrab is another major character of the novel, The Kite Runner. The Question and Answer section for The Kite Runner is a great The The Kite Runner quotes below are all either spoken by Sohrab or refer to Sohrab. Create your account. When Baba ignores Amir, Rahim Khan is right there with an encouraging word. Amir hasnt talked to Rahim in years. How did Ali become a part of baba's family? For this activity, you will be answering discussion questions to further your understanding of Rahim Khan, a character from The Kite Runner. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. As a servant to Baba and Amir, Hassan grows up with a very particular role in life. Did you know you can highlight text to take a note? What are good character traits for Rahim khan in The Kite Runner? Most Hazaras worked for Pashtuns, in this case, Amir is a Pashtun and Hassan is a Hazara that works for him and his father. In this novel, the author demonstrates the journey of one boy through his struggles with. He uses the endearment ''jan'', which is important given that Amir, in four chapters, realizes that he never heard from Baba. The Kite Runner describes the life of Amir. The recurring theme of sacrifice for the ones you love is presented all throughout the novel through Hassan, Baba, and Amir. Rahim Khan. 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. - Analysis & Quotes, Sanaubar in The Kite Runner: Analysis, Redemption & Quotes, Relationship Between Amir & Sohrab in The Kite Runner, Relationship Between Amir & Hassan in The Kite Runner, Relationship Between Amir & Baba in The Kite Runner, CLEP Analyzing & Interpreting Literature: Study Guide & Test Prep Course, Technical Writing Syllabus Resource & Lesson Plans, American Literature Syllabus Resource & Lesson Plans, Study.com SAT Reading Test Section: Review & Practice, AP English Literature Syllabus Resource & Lesson Plans, Study.com SAT Writing & Language Test Section: Review & Practice, 11th Grade English Curriculum Resource & Lesson Plans, 12th Grade Assignment - Plot Analysis in Short Stories, 12th Grade Assignment - Essay on Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, 12th Grade Assignment - Writing the Opening Scene for an Original Play, 12th Grade Assignment - Extended Analysis of Poetry, 12th Grade Assignment - Satirical Response to a Political Speech, 12th Grade Assignment - Television Series Analysis, 12th Grade Assignment - Evaluation of a Political Debate, 12th Grade Assignment - Technical Writing, 12th Grade Assignment - Brainstorming & Writing Narrative Essays, 12th Grade Assignment - Writing an Original Short Story, 12th Grade Assignment - Self-Created Field Trip, 12th Grade Assignment - Outlining an Original Novel, 12th Grade Assignment - Graduation Speech, Working Scholars Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community. Rahim Khan encourages Amir's writing, takes care of Baba's house, brings Hassan back to Kabul, and brings Amir back to Afghanistan. succeed. Shame means that you feel remorse for something weather it is your actions or the actions of another. 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. Bravo.''. aving developed his own ethical framework. These two ethnic groups are very different. Baba kept pushing Amir to graduate high school and when he did, Baba was very proud. However, Rahim Khan takes the story, reads it, and returns it to Amir with feedback and a note praising him. He maintains this through his age and even when explaining what had happened in Amir's absence in Kabul he uses a concise and clear way of explaining what happened, letting Amir ask further questions, not elaborating himself. One feels guilty when there is a feeling of responsibility for an action one regrets. However, he feels emotionally detached from his father, and he always lets Baba down when it comes to showing courage in the face of trivial confrontations, including protecting his friend and servant, Hassan. ''You know,' Rahim Khan said, 'one time, when you weren't around, your father and I were talking. However, Rahim Khan discusses the importance of honor and how society would have condemned Baba for fathering a child with a Hazara woman. In essence, humans are always searching for something on their journey through life. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one: ). He cupped his hands around his mouth. An error occurred trying to load this video. During Amir's childhood, Rahim is a frequent visitor thanks to his friendship and partnership with Baba, Amir's father. Wed love to have you back! One of the only people in the novel to know everyone's secrets (Baba being Hassan's father, Hassan having been raped, Amir having betrayed Hassan), Rahim Khan works toward helping Amir redeem himself. '', To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. It takes three times for Rahim to convince Amir to go through with the rescue. A neighboring bully from a German mother and Afghan father, Assef is the antagonist of the novel. Want 100 or more? Intro: Critically acclaimed author and psychiatrist, Elisabeth Kubler-Ross once said Consciously or not, we are all on a quest for answers, trying to learn the lessons of life. lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. In time, though, we come to learn more about Rahim Khan. To begin the novel, Hosseini leads the reader to believe that all Amir wants is love and approval from his father. Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. 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. for a group? Amir lives in San Francisco from the age of eighteen. Best summary PDF, themes, and quotes. Manage Settings Hassan is brilliant, brave, trustworthy, and athletic. Farid. Years later, she returns to Wazir Akbar Khan to beg forgiveness from Hassan and ends up helping raise Sohrab. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Baba foreshadows Amir's betrayal of Hassan, and Rahim Khan reflects on Baba's statement, showing the adult Amir that he has fulfilled Baba's unhappy prediction. Amir reflects on Rahim Khans words spoken over the phone. He encourages Amir to be a writer by giving him a notebook and it is he who summons Amir back to Afghanistan to atone for his and Baba's sins. Unable to have children of her own, Soraya willingly agrees to the adoption of Sohrab. Therefore, Rahim Khan repeats this conversation with Baba that Amir overheard in Chapter Three. Copyright 2023 IPL.org All rights reserved. The Kite Runner study guide contains a biography of Khaled Hosseini, 100 quiz questions, a list of major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. However, working with what we do know, let's take a closer look at Rahim Khan. He's kind of like Horatio in Hamlet you couldn't base a whole play on him, but you're glad he's there because he makes you feel sane.Come to think of it, Rahim Khan is literally the moral center or voice of reason in The Kite Runner. How has Rahim Khan impacted Amir? She proves a grandmother to Sohrab by the end. for a customized plan. As an adult, Amir travels to Pakistan to see Rahim Khan, where they discuss his relationship with Hassan. Answer the remaining questions in a similar way. He also knows, however, that real good came out of the guilt both felt over their actions. If Amir's character arc is about growth, Hassan's arc is about not changing at all. Rahim Khan is referred to several times throughout the story by other characters and plays a large part in the latter half of the novel when he calls Amir back to Afghanistan. Rahim Khan learns that Hassan is married and that his wife is expecting a child. My sisters splashed her face with water. In conclusion, Rahim Khan is an important yet minor character within The Kite Runner. Rahim has always been like a father figure for Amir even after years of no connection. Conscientious people also have a higher level of self-discipline and strive to complete every task to the best of their ability. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! Leaving Amir money and trying his best to look after Baba's house in his absence also shows just how caring Rahim Khan is for his friends. creating and saving your own notes as you read. Amir in The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini | Who is Amir? As we have said, some characters arent tich and fully-developed. Rahim Khan tells Amir a story about how he almost married a Hazara woman. Because he is the only person who knows people's secrets, Rahim Khan carefully navigates his relationships with the various characters. One of the central characters, Amir, belongs to an elite class of Afghans having the privilege of living in villas and visiting foreign countries. He then becomes a focus of the plot when he comes across Assef and Amir, who we learn is actually his uncle. Eventually, Amir and Soraya bring him to America and adopt him. In the culture of Afghanistan, a mans betrayal of his friend is an extremely shameful situation. Need Custom Character Analysis Sample With Quotes or Maybe Help With Editing? In your opinion, is Rahim a good person? Soraya's father. SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. She refused to even hold Hassan when he was born. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. . Finally, he is wise because he often gives helpful and enlightening advice to Amir. Rahim Khan is encouraging, persuasive, and wise. The Kite Runner By Khaled Hosseini, is a novel about a young boy named Amir and how he grows up in the Afghan war and how life was during the war. The first words we hear from Rahim are ''There is a way to be good again.'' Amir in The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini | Who is Amir? We're sorry, SparkNotes Plus isn't available in your country. These words, written by Rahim Khan in his final letter to Amir, reflect one of the central themes of the book: the power of grace. Rahim Khan is a man of compassionate honor whose empathy enables him to help guide Amir toward making better decisions. He and Amir were nursed by the same woman and, unbeknownst to them both, they are half-brothers. Hassans mother and Alis wife, Sanauber, abandons Hassan after he is born. Contact us Explain why you chose . The History of Afghanistan during the Time of The Kite Runner, Read the Study Guide for The Kite Runner, Amirs Quest for Salvation in The Kite Runner, A Journey for Redemption in The Kite Runner, Redemption in Kahled Hosseini's The Kite Runner, Emotional Intertextuality Between Death of a Salesman and The Kite Runner, View the lesson plan for The Kite Runner, View Wikipedia Entries for The Kite Runner. Furthermore, when Rahim Khan counsels Amir not to be too hard on himself, he is referring to Amir's betrayal of Hassan (the servant, best friend, and unknown half-brother to Amir), encouraging Amir to seek forgiveness. Not as described! Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you True grace results when someone who has committed a wrong tries to make amends for it. Explore Rahim Khan's traits and bond with Amir, and review his quote, "There is a way to be good again". Hassan is Amir's playmate and servant and is a Hazara and Shi'a Muslim. Free trial is available to new customers only. In doing so, he sacrifices Hassan to Assef and his bully friends, who rape him.As an adult, Amir recognizes the injustice that he has done to Hassan and feels remorseful. A rough and tough taxi driver, Farid befriends Amir and helps him. The narrator and the protagonist of the story. 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. Additionally, Rahim Khan is utilizing this story to try and manipulate Amir into confessing his betrayal. 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). Why does Rahim Khan lie about the American couple? As revenge for Hassans humiliation of him, he later rapes Hassan. Taking into account Baba, Ali, Hassan, Amir and Assef, each of them have their meaning. Include at least two quotations from different characters and explain each quotation. Amir's mother, who died in childbirth. Even when confronted with horrific events and experiences, Rahim Khan chooses compassion over brute force. How has Rahim Khan impacted Amir? He has tried his best to instill the same qualities in his son, Amir. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. It's no accident that Rahim Khan is the one who offers Amir this chance 'to be good again.' - Contact Us - Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions, Definition and Examples of Literary Terms. It is during the birthday party, while Amir is guiltily hiding away from his guests, that Rahim Khan tells Amir not to be too hard on himself, referring to Amir's betrayal of Hassan and trying to help Amir mend the destroyed relationship. 5. Later, Amir tries to send him to an orphanage while arranging the legalities of adoption. 9 chapters | In Amir's early years, Rahim Khan is a father figure to Amir. Rahim Khan tells Amir about Sohrab, convincing him to rescue the boy and redeem himself. Although not a completely sympathetic character, Amir is one for whom most readers feel compassion. Furthermore, Rahim Khan's father, after learning about the romantic relationship between his son and a woman he believes is unsuitable, sends the woman away. And honestly, that is completely okay. He returns to Afghanistan at the age of thirty-eight and ends up adopting Hassan's orphaned son, Sohrab. Ali is lame in one leg and walks with a limp; this physical deformity makes him the butt of jokes from the street boys. Amir is hesitant, weighing the risks. The Kite Runner is a novel by Khaled Hosseini. Amir constantly lets him down in this regard, and he has trouble showing affection toward his son. They are similar because they are father and son and share similar characterises. Baba thinks that a person should have the courage of his conviction to the point of laying down his life for it. Guilt is an emotion that comes from believing one was responsible for a particular mistake whether the assessment was accurate or not. Rahim Khan What is the character in the Kite Runner? Rahim Khan tells Amir about Sohrab, convincing him to rescue the boy and redeem himself. Make sure to answer the questions thoroughly and in complete sentences. However, he hides the fact that he has had a childHassanwith a Hazara woman, an act of shame for an ethnic Pashtun at that time. However, he hides the fact that he has had a childHassanwith a Hazara woman, an act of shame for an ethnic Pashtun at that time. As an adult, Assef is a member of the Taliban and buys Hassans son, Sohrab, and subjects him to sexual abuse. 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.' He has an inexplicable capability to know what people are thinking and how to speak to them. He is also the best kite runner in Kabul. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. The role of a father-figure, shared by Baba and Rahim Khan is a complex relationship that heavily impacts Amir's actions and emotions. | 2 Get unlimited access to over 88,000 lessons. Explain with details from. He saves Amir by taking him to a hospital in Pakistan. Amir, not being the physical specimen his father was when he was younger, cannot live up to his fathers expectations. 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. 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. He is one of not a big amount of people about Hassans real inner world and his physical abuse. But I can take you . You don't get to fill them with your favorite colors.''. Why does Amir Hate Baba? Trying to use Amir's feelings in order to persuade Amir to tell him about what Amir had seen happen to Hassan and lying about the American couple orphanage runners are two examples. Baba sacrifices his life in Afghanistan for Amir to have an education in America. In the culture of Afghanistan, a man's betrayal of his friend is an extremely shameful situation. Over the course of the novel Amir, Hassan, and Baba all face dramatic events that shape them to the person they are. 20% Kabul is a dangerous place, you know that, and youd have me risk everything for I stopped.You know," Rahim Khan said, one time, when you werent around, your father and I were talking. Sohrab tries to commit suicide after Amir tells him he may have to stay in an orphanage again. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. He's also the son of Ali. Rahim reminds Amir that Baba always said that one is not a man if he doesnt stand up to anything. He has an uncanny way of knowing what people are thinking and how to speak to them. Rahim finally speaks the truth to Amir to save himself as well as Amir from their guilt of the past. Amir risked his life for Sohrab, Hassans son, to repay the wrong he commits toward Hassan. Baba is always doing things for others and always seems to expect more from his son. He was raised in America but speaks perfect Farsi. The same is with Rahim. Rahim Khan's character is consistently proven to be loyal and caring. Hassan is illiterate but smart and stands up for others. Each one of them sacrifice a piece of their own happiness for the one they love. He loves Baba's strength and culture. Baba thinks that a person should have the courage of his conviction to the point of laying down his life for it.