The Kite Runner

I'm confused at why they're leaving their hometown of Kabul. I know there's a war going on but why did Baba decide he wanted to leave? I can't believe that Baba stood up for that woman in the truck, and was willing to take a bullet for her. I know this book was published in 2003 but I don't want to believe that soldiers would do that to a woman as a "tax" (Khaled 115). How could Karim take those people to Jalalabad and lock them in the basement with the rats? And then have enough guts to tell them that his brother Toor's truck was broke down and had been for a week, and that he was waiting for parts when in actuality his truck was unfixable (Khaled 118). When Karim found his friend that had a gasoline truck that had taken people to Peshawar everyone seemed relieved; deep down I think Baba knew that God was looking out for them. Although, its sad when they get there and Amir's friend is dead and then his father shoots himself in the head (Khaled 124).

When they get to America Baba becomes someone he has not been throughout this whole novel. Before he was a loving nurturing man and now he's become a hard working, grumpy, stubborn, ill-tempered man. When Amir suggests to Baba that he should enroll in ESL classes Baba's not too happy about it (Khaled 126-127). For the first time Amir is embarassed of Baba, when he throws a fit at the grocery store (Khaled 127).

Towards the end of the reading Baba says and does things to Amir that almost bring him to tears. When they get started in the flea market business it seems that Baba and Amir talk about more things then they once did and Baba knows about Amir liking the Generals daughter. But all he says to Amir is, " becareful and don't embarass me" (Khaled 145).