It is very clear to the reader from the point where Amir arrives in America, right through to his adulthood in this point in the book, he is continuously developing and maturing.
He is a new established person when he goes back to Afganhastan. He has now published a book and became his own person, independent from Baba. When he was a child he was looked down upon for wanting to be a write now he has achieved his dream ad proven himself he is definitely a new Amir. Although he is the new, confident Amir going back to his country will make him uncomfortable because of all the memories he has hidden and suppressed from there.
On page 221 we see that Rahim is pushing Amir to stand up for himself and be assertive. He is using sensitive topics about how Baba said he could not stand up for himself. He clearly thought that this would spark Amir’s emotions enough to take action on the matter.
Amir still has some lasting characteristics from his childhood and these are accentuated when he arrives in Pakistan. He still has weak and cowardly tendencies.
On page 223 when Amir finds out Hassan is his brother he loses control and curses. he is still too immature to be able to control himself.
He does start revealing his true self and repent for his sins. He leaves money under the mattress as a gesture for forgiveness of his sins. Finding out Baba, the one person he admired most in the world had even bigger sins than himself really knocked him. But I think this also encouraged him to start revealing and coming to terms with his own sins.
In many ways he is still that little boy who we met in the beginning of the book. He has still not found his way in life. He has tried to cover up his past with this illusion he has created of himself in the present.
I like your idea. It's really good :)
ReplyDeleteGreat insights into this complex character! I have to wonder how much of what Hosseini writes & feels is semi-autobiographical. I am sure this changing identity is something the author must have to deal with, too.
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