He is one of not a big amount of people about Hassans real inner world and his physical abuse. Amir and Baba well, they are something between bad and good. By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. Being a moral compass, pushing characters to reach beyond themselves and see others for who they are, and helping characters find their ways back to redemption, Rahim Khan plays a significant role in the novel. This is how he redeems himself of his past guilt. As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 88,000 Rahim Khan's statement ''There is a way to be good again.'' 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. The recurring theme of sacrifice for the ones you love is presented all throughout the novel through Hassan, Baba, and Amir. Amir constantly lets him down in this regard, and he has trouble showing affection toward his son. Summary and Analysis Chapter 16. Removing #book# Make sure to get rid of the space before the com? flashcard sets. Why does Amir want Hassan to hit him with pomegranates? Farid in The Kite Runner: Analysis & Quotes, Psychological Research & Experimental Design, All Teacher Certification Test Prep Courses, The Kite Runner Cultural & Historical Context, The Kite Runner Character List & Flashcards, Amir in The Kite Runner: Description, Character Analysis & Development, Hassan in The Kite Runner: Description & Character Analysis, Sohrab in The Kite Runner: Analysis & Character Traits, Ali in The Kite Runner: Description & Character Analysis, Soraya in The Kite Runner: Description & Character Analysis, Rahim Khan in The Kite Runner: Character Analysis & Quotes, Who is General Taheri in The Kite Runner? A rough and tough taxi driver, Farid befriends Amir and helps him. 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. Why does Amir ask Baba if he has seen Amirs new watch? What do other characters say about Rahim? Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. Continue to start your free trial. Unable to have children of her own, Soraya willingly agrees to the adoption of Sohrab. Rahim Khan takes care of Baba's house, brings Hassan back to Kabul. Proud (Hosseini 139). The move to America is very difficult for Baba, who is used to being wealthy and well-respected in his community. Each one of them sacrifice a piece of their own happiness for the one they love. Best summary PDF, themes, and quotes. How did Ali become a part of baba's family? He felt himself causative for the death of his mother who passed away during childbirth. Rahim Khan. Also, if the question asks for specific details from the text, make sure to include that information in your response. In Chapter 3, Rahim tells Baba that he can be the most self-centered person he knows. 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). Copyright 1999 - 2023 GradeSaver LLC. Terrified of returning to a situation as he had with Assef, Sohrab tried to kill himself. ''Children aren't coloring books. The official at the American Embassy who urges Amir to give up trying to rescue Sohrab. Later, Rahim is the character who orchestrates Amir's path back toward goodness, giving him the opportunity to atone for his past and redeem himself. When Amir confronts Assef, he thinks that Sohrab is like a lamb to be sacrificed, but he saves him and sacrifices himself. General Taheri in The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini | Character & Analysis. Rahim Khan understands Amir's pain and his need to please Baba. Hassan wasn't exactly the Hazara I imagined but he did look different to the rest haha! And that, I believe, is what true redemption is, Amir Jan, when guilt leads to good. Rahim Khans letter to Amir (p302), Understanding - AmirBut I hope you will heed this: A man who has no conscience, no goodness, does not suffer -Rahim Khans letter to Amir (p301), Manipulative - AmirI have a wife in America, a home, a career, and a family. In your opinion, is Rahim a good person? copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. ManipulativeWhen he feels strongly about something, he is capable of lying and manipulating people in order to achieve a goal. succeed. I feel like its a lifeline. Yet his relationship with Amir improves. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. His father gives him an essential gift so he can get there. He grew up alongside Baba just as Hassan did alongside Amir. Amirs desire to have his babas attention and acceptance is powerful. Guilt is an emotion that comes from believing one was responsible for a particular mistake whether the assessment was accurate or not. As a Hazara and a Shia Muslim, he is an outcast in Kabul; despite this, Baba treats him with love and kindness. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. from your Reading List will also remove any '', To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. As an adult, he is a Taliban official who delights in killing people. on 50-99 accounts. 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. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. All rights reserved. After he beats Amir nearly to death, Assef loses an eye to Sohrab's slingshot. See eNotes Ad-Free Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. Finally, he is wise because he often gives helpful and enlightening advice to Amir. He is an imposing, strong figure, full of bluster and strong opinions. 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. Hassan is loyal to Amir even though in their childhood Amir was not a good friend. Heather Lustig-Curran has been teaching English for twenty-eight years. The role of a father-figure, shared by Baba and Rahim Khan is a complex relationship that heavily impacts Amirs actions and emotions. 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. We don't know much about him as a person and only learn about him through how he affects other characters. They are similar because they are father and son and share similar characterises. Amir's Moral Ambiguity is important to this story because he provides readers to like and hate him. This was accompanied by intense violence and the consequences were immense. Rahim, now old and sick, attempts to clean the slate and bring some long-buried truths into the light of day. She is a kind woman who likes to sing, although her husband does not let her. Understanding - Baba"I loved him because he was my friend, but also because he was a good man, maybe even a great man. 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. For Amir, he serves a father figure, often giving Amir the attention he craves and filling the holes left by Baba's emotional distance. Few dare to cross him, but Rahim has a special relationship with Baba. He often tried to be very open to Amir, not to cause any problems to him and to try to fill that hole left by his fathers emotional distance. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Hurricane.' When Amir stays at his house, Wahid is kind to him and does not judge him for being American. Rahim Khan admits that the primary reason he searched for Hassan was his own loneliness. Rahim Khan is a counter-balance to Baba's gruffness. | 2 Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. As a result, he often has difficulty relating to his son, leading him to think that there is something missing in [Amir], because he is not like himself (Hosseini 24). An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. 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. Later, Amir tries to send him to an orphanage while arranging the legalities of adoption. He is the son of Hassan and Farzana. During Amir's childhood, Rahim is a frequent visitor thanks to his friendship and partnership with Baba, Amir's father. As a result, Amir develops a habit of being overly jealous towards people, such as Hassan, that hold Babas interest. What is the significance of Alis first wife? A sociopath who worships Hitler. However, Assef, the neighborhood bully, traps Hassan in an alley and rapes Hassan. Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. 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. Erin has taught college level English courses and has a master's degree in English. Baba in The Kite Runner: Description & Character Analysis, Assef in The Kite Runner: Character Description & Analysis. Khaled Hosseini in his novel the Kite Runner Explores the theme of sin and atonement. 5. To begin the novel, Hosseini leads the reader to believe that all Amir wants is love and approval from his father. After the country became a republic instead of a monarchy, the former Soviet Union invaded the country. '', Rahim Khan, in Chapter Seventeen, has just told Amir the truth about Hassan's biological father, Baba. And Ill tell you this, Amir Jan: In the end, the world always wins. Rahim Khan's character is consistently proven to be loyal and caring. However, Sohrab doesnt speak again for the rest of the novel. He is persuasive because he convinces Amir to travel to Pakistan and adopt Sohrab. In Amir's early years, Rahim Khan is a father figure to Amir. Not only does he not help Hassan, but also has these thoughts afterward, Hassan put his life on the line and Amir starts to think, Nothing was. 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. 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. Even as an adult, Assef uses a pair of brass knuckles to demonstrate both his power and cruelty. 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. Below are examples of how to answer these questions. Rahim Khan wants to convince Amir to forgive his father, to release the anger he has felt after learning how Baba betrayed a friend. He is persuasive because he convinces Amir to travel to Pakistan and adopt Sohrab. Amir's father. More importantly, Rahim Kham is a father figure to Amir and, at times, serves as Amir's moral compass. While Amir prepares for school in the morning, Hassan readies Amir . How does Rahim directly impact the plot of the story? Rahim Khan is Baba's best friend and business partner. Another form of courtesy Rahim Khan shows is his respect for other people's privacy. Rahim Khan is Baba's best friend and business partner. One of the central characters, Amir, belongs to an elite class of Afghans having the privilege of living in villas and visiting foreign countries. I feel like its a lifeline. To support Amir, Hassan wished to be his kite runner since he had a good instinct to run after a kite by sensing the blowing wind. A man of compassion, Rahim Khan, is the first adult to encourage Amir when he discovers his talent and passion for writing. When Amir writes his first story and attempts to give it to Baba, Baba merely dismisses his son. Don't forget to include text details when prompted. My sisters splashed her face with water. Explain with specific details from the story. Chapter 25 Quotes. Fortunately, he survives, and Amir takes him to the US with Sorayas help. It was obvious in the expression on his face. You'll be billed after your free trial ends. He loves Hassan and passes his admirable character traits, such as loyalty and love, on to him. 2023 Shmoop University Inc | All Rights Reserved | Privacy | Legal. Rahim Khan is in favor of Amir. The role of a father-figure, shared by Baba and Rahim Khan is a complex relationship that heavily impacts Amir's actions and emotions. Well EducatedBeing Baba's business associate and from the way he speaks, it is clear that Rahim Khan has been well educated, and as a result, he is both eloquent and has a wide vocabulary. By the storys end, Amir and Baba become closer. Therefore, Rahim Khan repeats this conversation with Baba that Amir overheard in Chapter Three. Rahim Khan learns that Hassan is married and that his wife is expecting a child. aving developed his own ethical framework. His obsession and guilty conscience, along with his adult perspective looking back on childhood events, render him a usually reliable yet simultaneously potentially suspect storyteller. The difficulties of the past have faded and they have a special bond now, a father and son bond. Although not a completely sympathetic character, Amir is one for whom most readers feel compassion. Amir has conflicted feelings about his father, Baba, and his playmate, Hassan. Rahim Khan tells Amir a story about how he almost married a Hazara woman. For the next 7 days, you'll have access to awesome PLUS stuff like AP English test prep, No Fear Shakespeare translations and audio, a note-taking tool, personalized dashboard, & much more! He thinks that his Baba has never pardoned him for this. In addition, both Amir and Baba show an act of kindness and generosity in the novel. He also shares Baba's deepest secret with Amir. 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.'' All Rights Reserved. Soraya's mother. 110 lessons Not only is Assef a villain, but he also symbolizes all villainy. Baba sacrifices his life in Afghanistan for Amir to have an education in America. Amir, too, tries to repay him m by hiding some money under the bed to help him out of his poverty. . Someone with conscientious traits acts carefully and takes purposeful action. Baba sees Amir as physically weak, even feminine. | 2 Hassan eventually marries Farzana, and has a son named Sohrab. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini, tells the story of a boy named Amir and his story and journey throughout his life. Through this single sentence, Rahim Khan shows that he knows that Amir betrayed Hassan and is offering Amir the ability to regain his inner sense of goodness. Rahim Khan encourages Amir's writing, and as an old man he summons Amir back to Afghanistan for a chance to redeem himself by rescuing Sohrab from Afghanistan. Stephanie Das from Miami, US on December 27, 2011: Loved the book, and I have yet to watch the movie! 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. A bully to the core, he carries steel brass knuckles to fix the boys who do not fall in line with him. Erin has taught college level English courses and has a master's degree in English. Hassan Quotes in The Kite Runner In this, the relationship between Rahim and Amir demonstrates qualities and traits in the exposition of the novel that will help to play a formative role throughout it. However, Rahim Khan takes the story, reads it, and returns it to Amir with feedback and a note praising him. 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. Rahim Khan encourages Amir to write and gives him a leather-bound notebook at Amir's thirteenth birthday party. Why or why not? Rahim Khan is Amir's father's best friend and business partner. 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. Explain with details from. Sanaubar in The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini | Who is Sanaubar? Early in the novel, he is Baba's close friend and business partner and a father figure to Amir. They fanned her and looked at me as if I had slit her throat. Rahim Khan is trying to show Amir that he understands that holding secrets can be destructive. For example, he tells him that only people who have a conscience and goodness can suffer. Are you sure you want to remove #bookConfirmation# Rahim finally speaks the truth to Amir to save himself as well as Amir from their guilt of the past. Thats just the way of things. Rahim Khan (p99). Miller, W.C. ed. Rahim Khan appears in 'The Kite Runner' beginning in chapter one, standing as a minor, yet important figure in the protagonist's life. If Amir's character arc is about growth, Hassan's arc is about not changing at all. Farid in The Kite Runner: Analysis & Quotes, Psychological Research & Experimental Design, All Teacher Certification Test Prep Courses, Heather Lustig-Curran, Erin Burke, Jenna Clayton, The Kite Runner Cultural & Historical Context, The Kite Runner Character List & Flashcards, Amir in The Kite Runner: Description, Character Analysis & Development, Hassan in The Kite Runner: Description & Character Analysis, Sohrab in The Kite Runner: Analysis & Character Traits, Ali in The Kite Runner: Description & Character Analysis, Soraya in The Kite Runner: Description & Character Analysis, Rahim Khan in The Kite Runner: Character Analysis & Quotes, Who is General Taheri in The Kite Runner? He returns to Afghanistan at the age of thirty-eight and ends up adopting Hassan's orphaned son, Sohrab. You dont get to fill them with your favorite colors. Rahim Khan (p21), You should have seen the look on my fathers face when I told him. Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! He is also the best kite runner in Kabul. for a customized plan. He reveals that Hassan, now dead at the hands of the Taliban, was Baba's illegitimate son all along, and, therefore, Amir's half-brother. May 2, 2023, SNPLUSROCKS20 Rahim Khan is one of the only people in the novel who knows all of the secrets; however, he carefully guards this information and protects each individual. He balances Baba's dismissal with the words about his door always being open to Amir. Baba's great sin is committing adultery with Ali 's wife, and he is Hassan 's real father. Continue with Recommended Cookies. 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. This is because those parts that he does intervene in Amir's life are vital for his transition from boy to man. Rahim Khan's significant character traits include courtesy, empathy, calmness, and manipulation. Need Custom Character Analysis Sample With Quotes or Maybe Help With Editing? Baba favors physicality and can not understand or identify with his son, who loves poetry. (one code per order). Look into the character of Rahim Khan with a limited analysis and quotes on the impact of his well-intentioned manipulations. Next. The Pashtuns are the upper class and the Hazaras were much lower than them. For this reason, he chooses to go after the blue kite, thinking it will bring Babas applause for him. Some characters in plays and novels simply aren't rich, fully developed characters. From the start and through his death, Hassan remains the same: loyal, forgiving, and good-natured. But Baba never told Amir or Hassan about it. He goes from having wealth and a position of power to working a low-paying job at a gas station and living modestly. I am moftakhir, Amir, he said. Amir. Rahim Khan is unquestionably a good man, but he does employ some manipulative methods to achieve his desired ends. Amir's driver and friend. Provide at least one specific example. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Let's review. Amir, although living a luxurious life feels something is missing, and its his fathers approval, he would do anything for it. His father was a diplomat, and the family lived in Paris when the Soviets invaded Afghanistan. Hassan is an excellent kite runner, and is naturally intelligent, but illiterate because of his social class. She had a dimpled smile and a walk that drove men crazy.'' . She refused to even hold Hassan when he was born. Amir, furious, condemns Rahim Khan and Baba for hiding the truth, most likely because Amir would never have betrayed his brother. Later, when Amir discovers his talent and passion for writing, Rahim Khan reads Amir's stories and offers feedback. People in our life can influence us in many ways. Amir notices that Baba prefer to favor Hassan. Explain why you chose . A wealthy and secular liberal, Babas first reaction toward everything is whether it is right or not. This website helped me pass! Answer the remaining questions in a similar way. Amir abuses his privileges over his servant and loyal friend, Hassan, and then fails to come to his aid when Hassan is being raped by local bullies after a kite -fighting tournament. Baba appears to exemplify a man who lives by his own moral code, yet he is carrying a secret that if revealed, may undermine everything he stands for. Rahim Khan is Baba's business partner and best friend. That being said shame is both the greatest motivator and the greatest deterrent, a lot of people build their lives around forces like shame. In the novel the Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini he illustrates the sacrifice one gives for love. Due to the large difference in both Pashtuns and Hazaras, the idea of power plays a strong role. Rahim is able to stand up to Baba and has earned his respect. And that's OK they might serve another purpose. It was a shameful situation. 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. A conflicted character, Amir struggles between the logical and emotional sides of his being. creating and saving your own notes as you read. Assef is a Kabul bully who ends up joining the Taliban. com/video/mprw7kwamu54u. He uses the endearment ''jan'', which is important given that Amir, in four chapters, realizes that he never heard from Baba. 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. Hassan. She proves a grandmother to Sohrab by the end. He confesses that hes covetous of his babas regard and love for Hassan. What are Ali and Hassan's distinct physical characteristics? Major characters in The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini are discussed below. How does Rahim directly impact the plot of the story? Then he smiled his Hassan smile and disappeared around the corner. Amir's most loyal and devoted servant, who is born with a clept lip. She shamed her family as a young woman by running off with a man. (Amir's mother would be the other someone.) Rahim wants Amir to ultimately own his actions, but he also wants Amir to show himself compassion and let the guilt go. 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. Rahim Khan What is the character in the Kite Runner? Provide at least one specific example. When Sohrab enters his life, he becomes an antidote to Amirs pain. Amir is the sensitive and intelligent son of a well-to-do businessman in Kabul, and he grows up with a sense of entitlement. Include at least two quotations from different characters and explain each quotation. The next time I saw him smile unabashedly like that was twenty-six years later, in a faded Polaroid photograph. We wonder if Rahim Khan's revelation makes life easier or harder for Amir. If Hassan and Ali are off in the land of bright, shining moral purity, and Assef is in depths of devilish cruelty, and Amir and Baba are somewhere in between, Rahim Khan is a voice reason standing outside this hubbub of moral questing. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Years later, she returns to Wazir Akbar Khan to beg forgiveness from Hassan and ends up helping raise Sohrab. [His] key to Babas heart (71). His family reacted very strongly (death threats!) Create your account. For this activity, you will be answering discussion questions to further your understanding of Rahim Khan, a character from The Kite Runner. Rich by Afghan standards, Baba, his father, provides Amir with all the comforts of life, including the best education available. Youve successfully purchased a group discount. Often, Amir is jealous of the way Baba treats Hassan, although Amir realizes that Hassan socially has a lower place in society. Not as described! He is also the best kite runner in Kabul. He saves Amir by taking him to a hospital in Pakistan. 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. The first words we hear from Rahim are ''There is a way to be good again.'' He comes to know this pain, even more, when he marries Soraya, and they are unable to have children. Rahim has always been like a father figure for Amir even after years of no connection. My brother Jalal actually went to fetch his hunting rifle before my father stopped him. Amirs kite became the ultimate kite flying on the empyrean. 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. Farzana and Sohrab share similar traits, both quiet, polite and intelligent. But other than that I thought they did well with the characters and staying true to the story etc. Rahim Khan's Influence In The Kite Runner 1731 Words | 7 Pages. 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. As we have said, some characters arent tich and fully-developed. Rahim Khan. However, Rahim Khan takes the story, reads it, and offers feedback to Amir, inspiring him further. Make sure to answer the questions thoroughly and in complete sentences. Rahim is encouraging because he inspires Amir to continue writing. He is Baba's foil, serving as a counterbalance to Baba, who seems gruff and uncaring toward Amir, who is sensitive and creative. Brief Summary. 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. Out of hatred for Hazaras, he tries to hurt Hassan, who threatens to use his slingshot to gouge out Assefs eyes. 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. 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 includes these words in his final letter to Amir.