The Kite Runner by Khaled Hoesseini is a novel which not only tells the story of two friends who are part of Afghan society, but also how this friendship is then torn apart that they were being forced to leave their homes and their country to escape the rise of the Taliban. Baba and Amir form a stronger bond depending on the struggles; it also portrays multiple facets of humanity and depicts the conflict between a father and a son. The relationship between Baba and his son, Amir, goes through significant phases throughout the novel. The reader becomes aware of Amir's desire to be noticed by his father. And Baba's frustration with his son, and the battle they endure trying to bond. Their relationship contributes to and relates to the main struggles throughout the novel. A well-known expression that applies to many father-son relationships is called, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” However, this is not the case for Baba and Amir. In terms of father-son relationships, the father is a very important role model for his son, and every boy needs a father figure. Baba isn't there for Amir because he doesn't understand why Amir isn't exactly like him. Baba talks to Rahim Khan, his best friend and business partner, about his confusion with Amir and does not understand why his son's interests are not similar to his own: "He is always immersed in these books or walking around the house like if he lost in a dream...I wasn't like that.' Baba looked frustrated, almost angry” (p. 23). Baba is disappointed that his son is not a reflection of himself, taking care of the family name and business; and thus this creates tension between father and son: "If I had not seen with my own eyes the doctor remove it from my wife, I would never believe that it is my son...... middle of paper ... ...father, because he never abandoned Sohrab after the pain he felt at the orphanage. He treated him like a son, took an interest in him, and eventually got Sohrab to open up, leaving the book with a sense of hope for a better tomorrow as Amir finally learned the true meaning of being a father . Khaled Hosseini uses love-hate relationships and difficulties between fathers and sons to demonstrate the need for an empathetic father figure in life. These relationships show how neglect and disregard for one's feelings can lead a person to make bad decisions for a father's sake, and also demonstrate what a functioning father-son relationship should look like. Most importantly, the relationship between Amir and Sohrab greatly highlights the lesson that a father's negligence can lead to poor decisions and shows how a son's happiness requires a father's help..