Conflicts in Pages 80-194

     Conflicts that emerge in pages 80 – 194 start on page 80.  There is conflict between Amir and Hassan and Amir and Ali.  Amir now avoids Hassan because he feels guilty about what happened; “Like I said, how should I know whats wrong with him?”  I snapped.  “Maybe he’s sick.  People get sick all the time, Ali.  Now, am I going to freeze to death or are you planning on lighting the stove today?”  (81).  There is conflict between Amir and his father.  There is conflict in the country.  Baba has conflict in America.  I believe one conflict is between Amir and himself because he really wants to admit about what he saw in the alley when Hassan was raped, but he can't get himself to tell anyone or admit to anyone.  (80-81).  Baba and the Russian soldier got into a conflict because the Russian conflict because the Russian soldier wanted 30 minutes with one of the ladies in the van and Baba stood up for her.  The soldier wanted to shoot him because he was so druged, but the second Russian soldier got to him and stopped him before there was a bigger conflict. (115).  Another conflict is when Baba gets cancer and decides to not do chemo and Amir was very upset about it (156). 

     The interpersonal conflicts in this section are important because they show that the conflicts do not really change even though the setting moves to America and many years of time pass.  For example, Amir still has conflicts with his father Baba; the specific issues may be different but the two men do not see the world in the same way.  For example, Amir decides to become a creative writer and does not want to become a doctor or a lawyer as his father would like.  Amir says, "But I would stand my ground, I decided.  I didn't want to sacrifice for Baba anymore.  The last time I had done that, I had damned myself." (135)  The key conflict introduced in this section concerns the Russian invasion of Afghanistan after the coup of the King.  This significant international conflict is very important to the story in that this event results in such a political upheaval that all the characters including Amir, Hassan, Baba, Ali, and Rahim Khan lose the lives that they have known.  Amir complains, "I should have been in bed, under my blanket, a book with dog-eared pages at my side.  This had to be a dream.  Had to be.  Tomorrow morning, I'd wake up, peek out the window: No grim-faced Russian soliders patrolling the sidewalks, no tanks rolling up and down the streets of my city, their turrets swiveling like accusing fingers, no rubble, no curfews, no Russian Army Personnel Carriers weaving through the bazaars." (113)  Due to this conflict the story also moves to America for Amir and Baba.  Each of the other characters is also affected by this historical hostility but the reader does not learn about those until later in the novel.  Baba's conflicts in America are significant because they show that Baba suffered to give Amir a better life.  These conflicts included small things like politics on the national level (126), conflicts with other Afghans due to Baba's views on Israel (126), and more serious adjustments such as the argument with Mr. Nguyen (127-128) and Baba's decision to not fight cancer (155).  But for Amir, "America was a place to bury my memories." (129)  America was also a place that Amir could learn to deal with conflicts and grow to be an adult by marrying (170), becoming an author (183), and by burying his father (174).  Amir had to find his own way; "Baba couldn't show me the way anymore; I'd have to find it on my own.  The thought of it terrified me." (174) 

     The first conflict on pages 80-194 starts out on page 80. It’s an ongoing conflict; Amir vs. himself. He is always reminded of what he witnessed and never did anything about. He often feels guilty because he never acted on what he saw, and because he never said anything to Hassan or anyone about it. “I watched Hassan get raped, I said to no one.” (86) A man vs. man conflict is between Amir and Hassan. Since Hassan knows that Amir saw what happened he doesn’t want to be by him. I think he is embarrassed and hurt that Amir didn’t stop what was happening. “He used to wait for me to sit at the breakfast table before he started ironing- that way, we could talk.” (80) Another conflict is between Amir and Ali. Ali asks about Hassan’s odd behavior, but Amir lies and replies “How should I know.” (81) When in actuality he obviously knows what went on. This conflict would also be man vs. man.   A man vs. man conflict also arises between Amir and Baba. “Baba, have you ever thought about getting new servants?” (89) When Amir says this, it really upsets Baba and causes tension between the two of them. A big man vs. man conflict is between Amir and Hassan (and also Ali). This is when Amir hides the money and watch in Hassan and Ali’s house, hoping to get them fired.  “Did you steal that money? Did you steal Amir’s watch, Hassan?” (105) Hassan lies and says that he did so that he would again protect Amir. Even though Baba forgives them and wants them to stay Ali says “We can’t live here anymore.” (106)  I think that he just wanted a fresh start for him and Hassan and they couldn’t remain living there.  Another man vs. man conflict happened between Baba and Mr. Nguyen. Baba wrote a check and didn’t have cash for the items he was buying from Mr. Nguyen’s store, so Mr. Nguyen asked him to see his license. Baba felt attacked, and like he couldn’t be trusted. “What kind of a country is this? No one trusts anybody!” (128) This was the time he was just getting used to America and American ways. Two big man vs. nature conflicts were Baba fighting cancer, and Soraya not being able to have children.  “It started with a hacking cough and the sniffles.” (153) Baba started getting sick, but didn’t think it was a big deal and tried to keep it from Amir. But his health got worse so Amir brought him to see the doctor. He had to go through some tests and got the bad news that is was cancer. “There is chemotherapy of course, he said. But it would only be palliative.” (156) Baba just gets sicker and sicker and ends up losing his battle with cancer. “There is no pain tonight. Okay, she said. She pulled up his blanket. We closed the door. Baba never woke up” (173) “That was also the year that Soraya and I began trying to have a child” (184) They kept trying for a year to conceive a child but nothing happened. They decided to see a doctor to see what was wrong. “Unexplained Infertility” (185) The only option they had was adoption, which Soraya didn’t want to do. “Maybe this was my punishment, and perhaps justly so.” (188) 

     The relationship between Baba and Amir is a continual conflict between the two of them. When Amir wrote his first story he was so proud of what he'd done, he went to Baba's study and told him he had writen a story. "Baba nodded and gave a thin smile that conveyed little more than feigned interest. 'Well, that's very good, isn't it?' he said. Then nothing more. He just looked at me through the cloud of smoke." (31) Baba and Amir were all each other had for family, so they did have a decent relationship, but they were the opposite in a lot of things. Amir was into writing, and in some ways wasn't into all the things that the other boys were into. He loved to read, he read books that were his mothers. Baba was into "manly" things. He like sports and bussiness. Amir cries which Baba can hardly stand to watch, it's like a sign of weakness. But the two suddenly find a bond when Amir wins the kite tournament. "Then I saw Baba on our roof. He was standing on the edge, pumping both of his fists. Holloring and clapping. And that right there was the single greatest moment of my twelve years of life, seeing Baba on that roof, proud on me at last." (66) As Amir predicted, winning the kite tournament caused a change in the relationship between the two. They had a bond for awhile and did things together and went places, but it didn't last for ever. Again there is tension when Amir askes for new servents. "'I've never laid a hand on your, Amir, but you ever say that agian...' He looked away, shaking his head. 'You bring me shame. And Hassan...Hassan's not going anywhere, do you understand?'" (90) After that, things seem to go back to way they were before. Of course the continual conflict from earlier in the novel is between Amir and Hassan.  Amir's battle with himself and his overcoming feeling of guilt ends up causing Hassan and Ali to move away. The conflict between truth and lies is what really separtes the two families. Hassan lies and says he stole the watch and money. "My heart sank and I almost bluted out the truth. Then I understood: This was Hassan's final sacrifice for me. If he'd said no, Baba would have believed him because we all knew Hassan never lied. And if Baba believed him, then I'd be the accused; I would have to explain and I would be revealed for what I really was." (105)  

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