Amir and Sohrab: Uncle-Nephew Bond Through Trauma

The developing relationship between Amir and Sohrab, from rescue to trust, and the healing power of their bond.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Rescue

The Rescue The First Meeting Amir finds Sohrab in Assef's house. Sohrab is dressed as a dancing boy, his eyes darkened with mascara. He is terrified. Amir promises to take him to a safe place. The Fight During the fight with Assef, Sohrab saves Amir's life by shooting Assef in the eye. They escape together. The shared trauma creates a bond between them. The Hospital In the hospital, Amir tries to connect with Sohrab. He tells him about Hassan. Sohrab is withdrawn but listens. The bond is fragile.

The Broken Promise

The Broken Promise The Promise Amir promises Sohrab he will never send him to an orphanage. Sohrab begins to trust him. They play cards and talk about the future. The Betrayal When Amir suggests Sohrab may need to stay in an orphanage temporarily, Sohrab is devastated. He attempts suicide. The trust is shattered. The Silence After the suicide attempt, Sohrab becomes silent. He refuses to speak. Amir is consumed by guilt. He must rebuild the trust from scratch.

The First Smile

The First Smile The Kite Flying At the Afghan New Year gathering, Amir buys a kite. He asks Sohrab to help him fly it. Sohrab follows him. Amir uses Hassan's trick to cut a kite. The Smile Sohrab's lips curl into a faint smile. It is the first sign of emotion in months. Amir is overjoyed. He runs to retrieve the kite, shouting, "For you, a thousand times over." The Hope The smile is tiny, but it is a beginning. The bond between uncle and nephew is healing. Amir knows it will take time, but he is committed. The novel ends on a note of hope.

June 2001

July 2001

March 2002