Chapter 10 of this great novel is set during Baba and
Amir's escape from Afghanistan, being smuggled out by Russian soldiers. However, at one
point they are stopped by a Russian soldier who will only let them continue if they
allow him to rape an Afghani woman who is there with her husband and child. Outraged at
this behaviour, Baba stands up to defend the woman and berate the soldier for his
behaviour. What is ironic is how Amir is convinced that Baba will be shot for his
impertinence:
"He says he'll enjoy putting a bullet in you
almost as much as..." Karim trailed off, but nodded his head toward the young woman who
had caught the guard's eye. The solder flicked his unfinished cigarette and unholstered
his handgun. So this is where Baba dies, I thought. This
is how it's going to happen. In my head, I said a prayer that I had learned
in school.
However, in spite
of Amir's certainty, a Russian officer stops the proceedings and allows the refugees to
continue on their journey. Yet again, Baba has shown Amir that you should always stand
up for what is right and defend those who need defence, whatever the cost. Although Amir
is convinced that this action is stupid, Baba proves Amir wrong, which also makes Amir
remember another time when he stood by and did nothing whilst the strong punished the
weak:
My mind
flashed to that winter day six years ago. Me, peering around the corner in the alley.
Kamal and Wali holding Hassan down. Assef's buttock muscles clenching and unclenching,
his hips thrusting back and forth. Some hero I had been fretting about the
kite.
A deeper irony exists
in this passage, as not only does Baba stand up for his beliefs and survive, but his
actions again stand as a severe rebuke to Amir for his lack of courage and his inability
to stand up and defend those in need.
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