Kite Runner Chapter 3

This chapter starts off with Amir describing his father as a very powerful man who had once wrestled a black bear and has the scars to prove it. He also says that in the 1960's, Baba built an orphanage with his own money. It took him three years and was a great success. After that, he and his friend and co-worker Rahim Khan built a carpet exporting business, two pharmacies and a restaurant. All of these were wildly lucrative and he became one of the richest men in Kabul. Amir seems to look up to his father greatly, and wants everyone to see that Baba is his father. While Baba is giving a speech, Amir says, "He motioned me to hold his hat for him and I was glad to, because then everyone would see that he was my father, my Baba. Amir also doesnt like how sometimes Baba favors Hassan and Amir gets jealous. I think that even though they love each other like brothers, there will be some conflict between them later in the book. An Islamic religous man visits Amir's school and teaches them about the values of Islam. When Amir tells his father about it, Baba tells him not to listen and tells him to "piss on the beards of all those self-rightous monkeys." Baba clearly has things his way in the world, and is a heavy influence on Amir. Amir begins to read many books and poems to occupy himself at home. He is ashamed of not having Baba's athletic ability in soccer and decides to bury himself in literature. At the very end of the chapter, Amir is eavesdropping on his father and Rahim Khan talk. Baba says, "If I hadn't seen the doctor pull him out of my wife with my own eyes, I'd never believe he's my son." This quote is very hard-hitting and Amir seems like he will be more defensive about things. I like how this author writes; there is always foreshadowing at the end of each chapter that makes you want to read more.