Close Reading 2/15

"'Tell him he'd better kill me good with that first shot. Because if I don't go down, I'm tearing him to pieces, goddamm his father'" (116).

Baba says this on the way to Pakistan, heading toward freedom during the war raged time in Afghanistan. He says this to a Russian soldier as a way to try and protect a young woman from being raped by the soldiers as a payment for passage.

This is a way to show Baba's personality using a form of direct characterization. The author directly shows through what Baba says that he is willing to give up his life to save this woman. Baba is very strong and has strong morals that allow for him to consider giving his life for this woman. He does not even think to consider the fact that he has a son to take care of. Him not even considering Amir, shows a few things as well. He would rather stick to the strong morals he has been trying to instill inside of Amir, to not be a coward, to stick up for those in need. But, it also shows how little he thinks of his son. In a way, it seems as though Baba wishes that Amir was the one who offered his life to save the woman. It seems like he wishes that Amir had the same courage that he has. But, unfortunately he does not and so Baba feels that he has to stick up for the woman.

This quote also shows the anger that Baba feels in regards to having to leave the home he has always known. Baba has lived in the same town, in the same area his whole life. He is leaving behind the life he has always known. He does not really know where he and Amir will end up and the uncertainty of his life right now is making him think irrationally. If he was not trying to leave Afghanistan, he probably would have thought about trying to save the woman, but I do not think he would be willing to give his life to save her. The location of where he is, is playing a large role to his decision making. But, because Baba has no idea where in the world he will end up, he is willing to risk losing his life, dying to save another, than seeing where he may go.

Amir's after reaction also show that he would not do the same thing. He is in a way, angry and upset that Baba would even consider doing what he is about to do. He says, '"It's done, then. I'm eighteen and alone. I have no one left in the world. Baba's dead and now I have to bury him. Where do I bury him? Where do I go after that?" (116). Just by his reaction, it seems like he would never consider doing what Baba is doing. He cares too much about the future. He is more concerned about his own life. In a way, it is selfish, but rightfully selfish to want to keep living.