The Kite Runner Chapter 19-20

In chapter nineteen Amir begins his journey to Kabul in hopes of rescuing Sohrab. Amir notes that it was important for him to leave quickly because he feared that he would change his mind and run back to America. This is yet another example of Amir's cowardice behavior. It can also still be seen that Amir does not want to upset anyone so when his driver Farid offered to give him a lemon for his car sickness. Even though he knew that it would not help Amir takes the lemon and tells states that "You were right. I feel better," I lied. As an Afghan, I knew it was better to be miserable than rude. I forced a weak smile." page 229. Another reason Amir says this is because he wants to make some sort of connection with Farid since it is clear that Farid is not very fond of him. When Amir sees how much Afghanistan has changed since he was last there he remarks that he feels like a tourist in his own country. Farid snickers at this comment and Amir asks him to explain why. Farid goes on to speculate about the childhood that Amir had in Afghanistan. Basically stating that he lead a pampered life and was sheltered from seeing the real Afghanistan. He goes on to say "That's the real Afghanistan, Agha sahib. That's the Afghanistan I know. You? You've always been a tourist here, you just didn't know it." page 232. This comment really brings to light the fact that Amir lead a completely different life from majority of the other people in his homeland.

Amir and Farid make it to Farid's brother, Wahid's house where they spend the night. Farid does not hide his discontent concerning Amir and his brother scolds him because of it. It is at this point that Amir reveals his reason for returning to Kabul. Farid's whole demeanor toward Amir changes and he his brother Wahid states that "You are an honorable man, Amir agha. A true Afghan." page 238. This praise makes Amir cringe inside because he knows that is the last thing he should be described as. Later on that night Farid "apologizes" for being rude to Amir earlier and even offers to help him look for Sohrab once they reach Kabul. Farid says "It was wrong of me to assume." page 239. Amir tells him "Don't worry. You were more right than you know." page 239. Through this exchange it can be seen that Amir agrees with the assumptions that Farid came to concerning him. Later on that night Amir takes a walk out near the house and over hears Wahid and his wife talking. It turns out that they had went hungry in order to feed Amir since he was their guest. This revelation leads him to understand that earlier the children had not been staring at his watch like he had first suspected, but instead they had been looking at his food. Before Amir and Farid Amir leaves a wad of crumpled bills under the mattress. This repeated action is symbolic since he did this same thing years ago concerning Hassan. However this time there is no malice behind his actions, there is simply care.

Everyone warns Amir about the state that Kabul is in. However, it is still shocking to him when he sees it with his own eyes. Farid tries to comfort Amir and even goes as far to pat him the shoulder. What strikes Amir the hardest is the number of beggars and how much rubble there is. The thing about the beggars that is the most upsetting is that they are mostly children with their mothers. Amir is overcome by an intense sadness. "Returning to Kabul was like running into an old, forgotten friend and seeing that life hadn't been good to him, that he'd become homeless and destitute." page 246. This quote sums up Amir's feelings towards coming home to Kabul. Upon arriving in Kabul Amir sees the Taliban for the first time. He is horrified by this experience. Once they drive past Farid asks "What's the matter with you?" page 247. This is because Amir had made eye contact with them. Farid informs him that it is best not to make eye contact because they are just looking for an excuse to cause trouble and hurt someone. An old beggar on the street confirms what Farid is saying. It turns out this old beggar use to know Amir's mother and gives him some information about her. This is a ray of hope amongst all the hardship that Amir has had to face recently. Once they reach the orphanage they learn that once or twice a month Talib officer comes takes one of the children but leaves money behind. The director informs them that last month he took Sohrab. The director tells Amir and Farid where they can go to find the officer in hopes that they can rescue Sohrab.