Never judge a book by it’s cover essay

English 1 28 March 2005 Homework # 11 Never Judge a Book by It’s Cover Amir and Baba are completely deceived by each other’s looks. Baba always stood up for himself, and loved playing soccer; Amir on the other hand hates soccer, and is a coward. Amir and Baba don’t know that they really have a lot in common.

The main similarity they share is guilt. Baba always had to live with the guilt that he cannot treat Hassan as his own child, because Baba made love to Ali’s wife. Amir has to live with the guilt of not aiding Hassan, when Hassan was being raped. Baba and Amir both kept their guilt to themselves.

When Rahim Khan informs Amir about Baba’s secret Amir realizes how much he had in common with his father. At the beginning of the book, Amir and Baba are completely opposites from each other. Baba sometimes doubts Amir is his son. “ If I hadn’t seen the doctor pull him out of my wife with my own eyes, I’d never believe he’s my son” (23). When Baba was young, he loved to play soccer and other sports; Amir doesn’t like sports at all, he enjoys writing. Baba accepts Amir, but he does not show him the attention Amir deserves. But Baba sensed my lack of genuine interest and resigned himself to the bleak fact that his son was never going to either play or watch soccer” (20). Baba was athletic and he always stood his ground.

“ Lore has it my father once wrestled a black bear in Baluchistan with his bare hands” (12). Amir is a complete coward. Amir runs away from all his problems, and sets them aside. Baba knew Amir’s fearfulness would be his ultimate downfall. “ A boy who won’t stand up for himself becomes a man who can’t stand up to anything. ”(22). Amir doesn’t stand up for himself, or for Hassan.

Baba had to live his entire life knowing that Hassan was his child. Baba made love to Ali’s wife. The fact that Baba has betrayed his best friend Ali ruined Baba’s life. Baba couldn’t treat Hassan as his own child but as a servant. Baba tried to fix his problem by giving Hassan the same presents he gave Amir. “ Baba would buy it for me- but then he’d buy it for Hassan too” (51). Amir had to carry a burden with him his entire life. Hassan went kite running for Amir and gave it his all because he was loyal to Amir.

Amir’s mentality towards their friendship was different. Amir witnesses Hassan getting raped by Assef, and all he does is turn his back. Amir betrays Hassan by not helping him at all. Amir framed Hassan so Baba would send him away; Amir therefore had to live with the guilt of not helping his best friend and brother. Both Ali and Hassan were loyal to their masters, and both Amir and Baba betrayed their best friends. Toward the end of the book, Baba and Amir become very alike, and begin to share their interests. They have a booth at the local flea market and spend their days together.

Then early Sunday mornings, we drove to the San Jose flea market off Berryessa, rented a spot, and sold the junk for a small profit” (137). Amir and Baba start getting along once they move to America. When Amir graduates from high school, Baba buys Amir a car so he can go to college. “ It was a old model ford, long and wide, a dark color I couldn’t discern in the moonlight” (133). Amir realizes his relationship with his father has become a lot better since they have moved. When Amir goes to see Rahim Khan, he finds out that Baba and Amir had one thing in common their entire lives. Like father, like son. But it was true wasn’t it? As it turned out, Baba and I were more alike than I’d ever known” (226).

Baba and Amir both carried shame and guilt their whole lives. Baba and Amir both betrayed the only loyal friends they have had. “ Baba and I were more alike than I’d ever known. We had both betrayed the people who would have given their lives for us. ” (226). In conclusion, Baba and Amir are very different and very similar. Baba and Amir both betrayed their best friends, and ended up regretting it their entire lives.

I believe looks can be deceiving and that applies to Amir and Baba’s case. Baba couldn’t believe Amir was his own child, because Amir was a coward. Baba was also a coward on the inside, because he never told Amir about Hassan. Baba seemed powerful by wrestling a black bear with his bare hands; but he couldn’t admit his mistake.

Baba also had a weak spot, which was Hassan. No one is ever perfect, so and Baba should have treated Amir with more affection. Amir made an innocent mistake because he was scared. Unlike Baba, Amir faces the truth and rescues Sohrab.