Ayuning Budhi P.

211910005

An Analysis of Sohrab’s Character and Mentality Development

in The Kite Runner using Psychoanalysis Theory

I. Introduction
The first half of The Kite Runner's novel was focused on the relationship between
Amir, Hassan, and Baba. However, starting from chapter sixteen the development of the story
tends to focus more on Amir and Sohrab's character. Sohrab's character appears as the
extension of Hassan when Amir found out that Hassan was his half-brother. Sohrab whose
brought up in the orphanage after his parents dead was experiencing tons of things that
should not be experienced by children in general. Sohrab’s childhood memory with his
parents, his experience in the orphanage, and his journey with Amir give a significant
influence on the development of his character and mentality. Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic
theory assumes that a person's personality develops when there is a conflict in psychological
aspects which generally occurs in children or at an early age. This essay analysis aims to
answer the question on “How Sohrab’s character and mentality developed through incidents
he experienced” using psychoanalysis approaches. 

II. Sohrab’s Childhood with His Family 

In 1990, after Amir finish his first book, Sohrab was born. Sohrab’s early childhood
memories were filled with love from his family. He spent his childhood with his father,
mother, Sanaubar (Sasa), and Rahim Khan. The return of Sanaubar had a profound impact on
Sohrab's childhood. She became someone who always took care of Sohrab. Sohrab and
Sanaubar are truly inseparable. Unfortunately, they were only together until Sohrab was four.
The death of Sanaubar seems to leave its own sorrow for Sohrab. Little Sohrab often
wandered around and looked for Sanaubar. As stated in the novel 
 
"But it was harder on little Sohrab. He kept walking around the house, looking for Sasa, but
you know how children are, they forget so quickly"
 
As for his parents, Hassan take Sohrab to the zoo, taught him how to shoot the
slingshot, and taught him to read and write. Other than that, Rahim Khan bought him
children’s books that reminded him of Amir who likes to read and write. 
Sohrab’s fond memorable childhood indeed made him grow as a happy child.
Therefore, the loss of his parents was also a terrible loss for him. According to Syawal in his
journal “Sigmund Freud and Psychoanalysis Implications in Education”, Sigmund Freud's
Superego theory argues that superego is the result of internalizing the values of a figure who
affects a person. 
In this case, we can see those good values such as affection have been well instilled by
Hassan and his family in little Sohrab. He had a good character and mentality with his family.
But during this childhood period, Sohrab also experienced psychological problems where he
lost almost his entire family at almost the same time. His beloved Sasa passed away, he
witnessed the death of his parents and separated from Rahim Khan.
 
III. Sohrab with the Taliban  
After his parent’s incident, Sohrab was brought to the orphanage in Karteh-Seh.
However, this also did not bring anything good for him. Sohrab was bought by a Talib man
who wears black sunglasses. Later, the Talib dressed Sohrab in costumes, bells, mascara and
made him dance like an entertainment monkey. As shown in the novel: 

1
 “His head was shaved, his eyes darkened with mascara, and his cheeks glowed with an
unnatural red. When he stopped in the middle of the room, the bells strapped around his
anklets stopped jingling.”

The Talib also sexually abused Sohrab, as shown in the novel:

“He brushed his lips against Sohrab’s ear, kept his eyes on me”
“He plucked a red grape. Put it, lovingly, in Sohrab’s mouth.”
“He kissed the side of Sohrab’s neck. The boy flinched a little, closed his eyes again”

From this period with the Taliban, Sohrab’s good value was contradicting with Taliban
treatment to him. In effect, in the fighting scene, he chooses courage over fear to save Amir.
He shot Assef in the eye with his slingshot. Sohrab let out his “Id” which according to
Sigmund Freud's theory contains secret desire and dark wishes. Sohrab let off his slingshot
which indicates he let out his anger, resentment, and fear. Sohrab trying not to hurt anyone
(Ego). However, his superego judgment told him that he and Amir are in an urgent and
dangerous situation. Later, shown in the novel how Sohrab feels guilty and sinful. 
 
“Will God put me in hell for what I did to that man?”
“Because I don’t want them to see me… I’m so dirty. I’m so dirty and full of sin.”
 
Therefore, it can be concluded that in this period with the Taliban Sohrab went through a
difficult and traumatic time in his life. He was mentally shaken by what he had experienced
with the Taliban. This feeling of trauma is also supported by evidence that Sohrab even tried
to commit suicide when Amir told him that Sohrab had to stay in an orphanage for a while.
 
IV. Sohrab’s Journey with Amir 
After being rescued by Amir, Sohrab finds his life a little bit again. Even though he
didn't say much, he still deigned to share his feeling with Amir. But all that openness
disappeared again when Amir had to tell Sohrab that Sohrab need to stay in an orphanage for
a while. Apparently, Sohrab's traumatized feelings when he was with the Taliban were so
deep that when Amir said this, Sohrab was immediately shocked. His fear (Id) overtook him
again, so he decided to commit suicide. 
By the time Sohrab woke up in the hospital, his smile had completely disappeared.
Sadness and fear (Id) after a set of traumatic experiences really overwhelms him. Therefore,
it can be concluded that Sohrab's mental state is destroyed. However, his mental recovery
process started when he started his new life with Amir in America.
 
V. Conclusion
According to Sigmund Freud, a person's personality develops when there is a conflict in
psychological aspects which generally occurs in children or at an early age. In the Kite
Runner, Sohrab’s character has been through a lot of traumatic experiences in his childhood.
His (Id) seems overwhelms himself that he became someone who was quiet, introverted, and
drowned in his sorrow. But his mental recovery process started when he started his new life
with Amir in America. Where Amir and his wife are trying to bring back the smile and
happiness in Sohrab’s heart. 

References
2
Anderson, S. (2013, 11 18). The Kite Runner Timeline. Retrieved 12 6, 2021, from Prezi:

https://prezi.com/hjgtjpabrcuz/the-kite-runner-timeline/

Hosseini, K. (2003). The Kite Runner. London, United Kingdom : Bloomsbury.

Syawal, H. (n.d.). Psikoanalisis Sigmund Freud dan Implikasinya dalam Pendidikan. 5.

Retrieved from https://osf.io/582tk/download