Clearly, Baba is also a morally ambiguous character. The detail about the two suitcases is significant because although their lives in Afghanistan were extremely different from one another's, the only difference between Ali and Hassan's leaving of their longtime home and Baba and Amir's leaving is one suitcase. Ali and Hassan had one suitcase when they left in the rain; Baba and Amir had only one more than that. Both sets of fathers and sons are forced to leave their home through no fault of their own.
The episode about Kamal and his father is important for a number of reasons. It not only symbolizes the volatile nature of power and those ruling Afghanistan, but also demonstrates that when power shifts occur, those who are the abusers may become the abused. Some critics contend that this is an example of divine justice, while others point out that the leader and instigator — Assef — is not the one who suffers, thus illustrating that the minions and servants suffer for the decisions of those in power.
This, of course, is another parallel to the relationship between Amir and Hassan. The relationship between Kamal and his father also provides a contrast for the relationship between Amir and Baba. The love Kamal's father has for his son is so intense — and perhaps his own personal sense of guilt so great — that when Kamal dies, his father is unwilling to go on living and kills himself. Baba is either not willing or not able to demonstrate that level of intense emotion for his son.
Rahim Khan gives him three reasons. First, Khan is a dying man and he wants Amir to do this for him. Second, Baba once thought Amir couldn't stand up for himself — now, Amir can prove him wrong. Third, Hassan was actually Amir's half-brother. Of course, the last reason really changes things.
Apparently, Ali was sterile, and Baba fathered Hassan with Sanaubar. The chapter ends with Amir storming out of Rahim Khan's apartment. What's Up With the Ending? More from Reuters. Sign up for our newsletter Subscribe for our daily curated newsletter to receive the latest exclusive Reuters coverage delivered to your inbox. Sign up. Meanwhile, Kabul became dangerous as the fighting between Afghan factions vying for control of the city grew worse.
Rockets fell randomly, destroying homes and killing civilians. Rahim Khan says he cheered at first when the Taliban took over and ended the fighting. Rahim Khan replies that he is dying and does not expect to live through the summer. Rahim Khan asked Amir there because he wanted to see him, but also because he wanted something else. Hassan was with him. Before Rahim Khan asks Amir for the favor, he must tell him about Hassan.
The narrative has almost come back to the present, though some important events need to occur before that happens completely. Amir has not spoken to Rahim Khan for twenty years, and hearing from him visibly shakes Amir. He is upset to hear that Rahim Khan is ill, but the call upsets him for another reason, which becomes clear when he takes his walk to Golden Gate Park and watches the kites flying.
Amir is again reminded of his treatment of Hassan, and despite the life that Amir has made for himself in California, he will not be free of this guilt until he finds a way to make up for letting Hassan be raped and then falsely accusing Hassan of stealing from him. Though Amir does not yet know how to atone for his sins against Hassan, two hints about how he will do it occur in the section.
The only things keeping Amir from being completely happy are his guilt and the fact that he and Soraya are unable to have a child.
For Amir, these have become linked into one feeling of emptiness. To underscore the way Amir links the two, as he lies in bed with Soraya he thinks first of their inability to have a baby, then dreams of Hassan running in the snow.
Amir hopes there will finally be some way for him to correct the wrong that lingers in his thoughts. Once he arrives in Pakistan, Amir begins to realize the extent of what has happened to the people of Afghanistan and the events that have destroyed Kabul in the time he has been away.
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