The Kite Runner

Character Analysis Of: BABA & Ali

Baba

Baba (Profile)

Physical Attributes

Strong, Powerful, Dominant

Toophan Agha or also known as Mr Hurricane

Personality

Egotistical

Respects honour and pride

Expects Amir to carry his name and honour

Disappointed by Amirs cowardice (p. 23 & 24)

Persistent

Accomplished his dream while others doubted him

Rejects medication

Has high hopes in Amir to be successful (Initially rejects Amirs decision to be a writer)

Understanding

Eventually accepts Amir for who he is

Baba (Profile)

Generous

Builds orphanages

Many charitable endeavours

Respected by the Afgan community (p. 189)

Believes in justice

Opposes organised religion

Stood up to oppose against immoral behaviour

Dismisses warnings of the mullahs

Hardworking

Works hard in his business

Rejects food stamps from Ms. Dobbins (p. 142)

Earns to fund Amir to college

Hypocrite

Educated Amir that theft is a sin (p. 19)

Committed same sins himself

Redemption

Builds orphanages and commit towards charity work

Make up for his wrongdoings

Baba (Profile)

Relationships/Family

Amir

Stern towards his son

Had high hopes on him

Did not get along with each other after his wifes death

Hassan

Biological father to Hassan

Did not dare to admit him as his own son

Bought presents for him

Ali

Living under the same roof together when young

Foster brother to him

Grew up as childhood playmates

Mischievous when young

Caring towards Ali and his son, although they work as servants

Baba (Profile)

Relationships/Family

Rahim Khan

Business partner

Good friend

Advisor to him

Sofia Akrami

Wife of Baba

Ached for her

Sanaubar

Husband to Ali

Slept with Baba

Gave birth to Hassan

Baba (Profile)

Religion

Beliefs

Ultimate sin is theft

Race

Justice, honour and pride

Principles

Islam

Afghani

Ethnicity

Muslim

Pashtun/Sunni

Occupation

Prosperous merchant

Issues of Identity and Belonging

What determines his identity?

Pashtun/Sunni

Most populated in Afghanistan

Higher class in terms of status

A successful merchant

Charitable person

Well respected man

Does he accept his identity?

Yes

Still acknowledges his status as a famous merchant despite living in America

Unwilling to change his behaviour to adapt in America

Does he challenge his identity?

Yes

He was doubted when young and was encouraged to study law like Amirs grandfather

Insist in running his own business with Rahim Khan and became a rich merchant

Doubted that he would marry well, proved them wrong by marrying Sofia Akrami

Issues of Identity and Belonging

Where does he belong to?

Afghanistan

Was well respected by the Afghan community

How does he fit in?

He doesnt

When moving to America, rejected food stamps, doesnt want to receive charity money

Wanted to buy oranges but asked for an ID, raged and complained that no one trusts anybody (p.
139)

What does he gain or lose in order to belong?

Gain:

Has closer relationship to Amir

Able to witness Amirs success and marriage

Loss:

Hassan and Ali

His pride

His homeland

His wealth

Ali

Ali (Profile)

Physical Attributes

Has congenital paralysis of his lower facial muscles

Crippled in one leg due to poilio

Personality/Values

Caring

Loyal

He is extremely loyal to Baba and Amir

Carry out house chores

Rejects dishonor

He cared Hassan as his own son

Insists on leaving Baba and Amir even though Baba has forgiven Hassan rather than living
the shame of his son being thought as a thief

Tolerant

Endures the ridicule of the local boys for his pronounced limp and gnarled appearance

Ali (Profile)