A Cultural Blockade in Khaled Hosseini´s The Kite Runner

â€Å"I had one last chance to make a decision. One final opportunity to decide who I was going to be. I could step into that alley, stand up for Hassan – the way hed stood up for me all those times in the past – and accept whatever would happen to me. Or I could run. In the end, I ran.† In Khaled Hosseini’s, The Kite Runner, Amir, the young protagonist, lives a lavish lifestyle with his father, Baba. Until the Soviets invade and the Taliban become the dominant influence in Afghanistan. Amir’s sumptuous lifestyle comes to an end, and the values of not only his father but also his society begin to impact him and he realizes how much he does not belong in his own culture. Amir is taught the virtues of being a good man, however when the†¦show more content†¦During a routine checkpoint, the truck driver gave the Russian soldier a payment from all of the passengers for safe travel. Although, the soldier wanted more than just money he also wante d to ravage one of the woman in the truck. Amir is very frightened by the soldier and especially by his gun. Baba begins to converse with the soldier asking for decency. I want you to ask this man something, Baba said. He said it to Karim, but looked directly at the Russian officer. Ask him where his shame is.†¨Ã¢â‚¬ ¨They spoke. He says this is war. There is no shame in war.†¨Ã¢â‚¬ ¨Tell him hes wrong. War doesnt negate decency. It demands it, even more than in times of peace. (Hosseini 115). Amir is bewildered his father would risk his own life for a stranger. He even tries to stop Baba from speaking up to the soldier. This shows the contrast between Baba and Amir. Amir knows how courageous his father is and feels guilty because he does not exhibit the same behavior. Amir does not begin to show his inner bravery until many years later when he has his realization. Amir is faced with many challenges in his life, but there are two major life-changing realizations he goes through. The first, being the change from his opulent lifestyle to fleeing from Afghanistan and Pakistan for refuge. During Amir’s childhood, Amir took for granted his father’s wealth. Until one day when they heard endless gunshots coming from Soviet and Taliban machine guns. â€Å"Huddled