Honor can be used to discribe one with great respect or to fulfill. In the kite runner by Khaled Hosseini, he presents such theme through the man who is thought by all to have wrestled a bear with his bare hands. As the novel proceeds Hosseini presents us with this theme of honour in numorus ways such as baba building the orphanage, refusing food stamps and cancer treatment near the middle, and ultimately paying for much of his sons wedding in the end.
In the beginning of the novel Khaled highlights baba as honourable by mentioning his orphanage. In the late 60s when amir was about 5 baba decided to build a 2 story orphanage off the main strip of jadeh maywand. " Baba had personally funded the whole project, paying for the engineers, electrictians, plumbers, and labours." Pg13. As you can see not only did baba just order the orphanage to be built but he funded the whole thing showing that he was cared for the children which can be considered an act of honour similarly people in kubal belief any story from the great baba." Lore has it that my father once wrestled a black bear in Baluchistan with his bare hands. If the story had been about anyone else it would be dismissed""But no one ever doubted the veracity of any story about baba." Pg 12. So because of babas honourable reputation the people of kubal seem to believe any story told by baba even if it's absolutely insane.
In the middle of the novel Hosseini provides us with another honourable act by baba. We are now in the 80s baba and amir have moved to America. Baba and Amir have gone too the welfare office where they are meeting with one of the workers. "Baba dropped the stack of food stamps on her desk. "Thank you but I don't want" Baba said. " I work always. In Afghanistan I work, in America I work. Thank you very much, Mrs Dobbins, but I don't like it free money." Pg 130. Here we see baba refusing to use food stamps as he calls it "free money" he does not want a fellow afghan to see him struggling to pay for him self. He is trying to preserve his reign of honor like he used to have in Afghastan. Likewise when baba and amir are at the doctors office for babas lung cancer "Thank you for that" baba said " but no chemo medication for me" Pg 156. Here baba is refusing medication for a unexcapeable death. I think the reason he does this is to make himself feel like he doe is honourable.
In The end of the novel baba has been diagnosed with lung cancer and has refused treatment he then decides to donate the last of his life savings to his sons wedding. "Baba spent $35,000, nearly the balance of his life savings, on the awroussi, the wedding ceremony." Baba realized he didn't have much time left in the world, and wanted to use his money honorably. He also doesn't want to miss his own sons wedding. He also pays for a bunch of other things at the wedding. "Baba paid for the chilas, our matching wedding bands, and the diamond ring i picked out." Baba went beyond expectations and even paid the wedding bands and the diamond ring. this is how khaled creates a theme of honor in the end of the book.
Credits:
Created with images by tpsdave - "afghanistan mountains sky" • Nitibob - "Elephant Kite" • fyunkie - "The Orphanage" • USDAgov - "20120106-OC-AMW-0090" • Pexels - "bride couple dark" • mrsdkrebs - "American Flag"