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When Farid first meets Amir and drives him back to Afghanistan, Farid is cold, gruff, self-righteous, and even prejudiced. Perhaps a bit jealous, and more than a little angry, Farid has been deeply burdened by the emotional and physical toll of the Afghanistan he was raised in. He enjoyed none of the comforts afforded to Amir in childhood and did not have the good fortune of being able to escape the traumas and evils of the war. Missing fingers and toes as the result of a landmine explosion, Farid represents the struggle endured by many less-fortunate Afghans in a war-torn nation. Farid further establishes Amir’s feeling of “otherness,” and paints a true picture of how social and economic privilege influences our relationship to suffering. He holds a mirror up to Amir, forcing him to take a deeper look at himself, the choices of his past, and the steps needed to rectify them. Amir understands that words are not enough, and that he must finally take action.
Farid is a tough, former Mujahedin fighter. He begrudgingly agrees to be Amir’s driver as he sets out on his quest to find and rescue Sohrab. Once he learns of Amir’s true motivations, Farid becomes an integral part of his mission. At the start of their journey together, Farid’s bravery and brashness stand in stark contrast to Amir’s fear, shock, and hesitation at witnessing a Kabul that is entirely changed from the one he remembers. Farid’s strength helps to bolster Amir, urging him on toward his redemption. It is also because of Farid that Amir is able to atone for the way he weaponized his wealth and privilege as a child–hiding the money and watch his father gave him under Ali and Hassan’s mattress, ultimately sending them away. Amir gifts his watch to Farid’s nephews and hides money under their mattress so they can be fed. Farid starts as a possible enemy and ends as a loving and loyal friend, illustrating that we are never too far gone to amend for past mistakes.
