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We're not sure if admiration is actually a good thing in The Kite Runner. The protagonist's intense admiration for his father leads him to some fairly dastardly deeds. In this novel, the flip-side to admiration is jealousy, and jealousy leads to all sorts of trouble. However, the protagonist's best friend offers an example of unflagging admiration, which puts admiration in a better light. His admiration seems more like loyalty and devotion than a jealously-inspiring obsession. Moral of the story: Admire people in moderation.
Questions About Admiration
- Do Wali and Kamal admire Assef? Or do they simply fear him? Is their relationship with Assef different than Amir's with Baba's? How so?
- Why doesn't Amir admire Rahim Khan as much as he admires his father? What does this tell us about admiration (and its recipients)?
- Contrast Amir's admiration for his deceased mother with his admiration for his father.
- Does Amir admire his father less in Fremont, California? Or do their poverty and Baba's deteriorating health increase Amir's admiration for his father?