The Shift Within Chapter 13 of the Kite Runner

     Within chapter thirteen of The Kite Runner,  one can see multiple shifts within the novel. Perhaps one of the most significant changes within the plot line is Baba's, Amir's father, death. Up until chapter 13, Amir has stressed his desire to please his father, who has a major influence on his actions and personality, as Amir has stated in chapter seven, that he would do anything to be in his father's favor. " I had to slay, to win Baba" (pg 77). However, towards the end of chapter twelve, Baba is diagnosed with Oat Cell Carcinoma, an untreatable cancer and then shortly into chapter 13 passes away. Until this point, Baba has always guided and shaped Amir, now he has to find his own voice. "Baba couldn't show me the way anymore; I'd have to find it on my own" (pg 174). For the first time in the novel, Amir is lost and unsure of where to go. Within the following chapters, Amir's actions will be solely his own with no pressure from his father. Because of this, Amir is finally confronted with his past that he can no longer escape. With Baba out of the picture, so to say, Amir is recalling his previous actions regarding Hassan and wondering if pleasing his father was worth the consequences. Furthermore, until chapter thirteen Amir has stated that the only person he has ever loved is Baba, regarding Ali and Hassan as servants. "but he's not my friend. He's my servant" (pg 41) In chapter thirteen, Amir does admit he loves Soraya. This can be considered a turning point in the story as Amir is opening up and is some ways maturing while caring for others and their feelings. He also opens himself up and begins to regard other people not just himself, or his father. Because of his fathers death, he is accepted into a new family and starts to form new relationships with the General and his wife. Finally, the novel's plot shifts once again when Amir and Soraya try to conceive a child. Up until the end of chapter 13, their married life was very happy. However, the longer they try to have a kid, the more depressed Soraya becomes and the colder their marriage becomes. "And I could almost feel the emptiness within Soraya's womb, like it was a living breathing thing. It had seeped into our marriage, that emptiness, into our laughs, and your lovemaking" (pg 189). Once again we can see the plot shifting, as Amir and Soraya both seem to be very happy at first but now their marriage seem to become cold, and them more distant. Again, Amir's past seems to haunt him, as he believes his fate is because of his past sins. Overall, this chapter is very significant because of all the mentioned shifts in the plot line.