something good. Baba in America is selfless toward Amir. Even though Baba is not happy in the US. However, Baba still stays there so Amir can get a better
opportunity in life. Baba works hard to make sure that Amir does not have to work. Baba sacrifices his health for Amir. Baba wants Amir to get the best
education Baba can afford. Baba says, “Besides, I didn’t bring us here for me, did I?” 2007:141 when Amir asks if they go to Peshawar instead of staying in the
US. Baba also listens to Amir more. They spend more time together so
naturally they talk about everything more. Thus, the distance between them that exists since Amir’s childhood shortens. Baba also expresses his feelings more to
Amir instead of being indifferent and cold. In the US, Baba takes care of Amir greatly by sacrificing his interest and always prioritizing Amir’s needs. Baba
works hard for Amir’s sake. Baba is also more accepting of Amir’s personalities and choices in his life. Back then, in Afghanistan, Baba shows strong dislike on
Amir’s hobby of writing story because it is not masculine at all. However, Baba in the US, even wants to read the stories Amir made in his childhood. In the past,
Baba refused to do so. Near his death, Baba does the things that in the past he couldn’t do in loving Amir 2007:187.
3. Amir’s Hybrid Identity and Baba’s Resistant Identity
As we have analyzed both of characters’ developments, then, it is essential to analyze the comparison of both characters’ identity formation to know
the differences or similiarities of both identities. The previous subchapter explains how Amir and Baba face changes of conditions in their life. It is important to
know the contrast of condition to know how Amir and Baba respond to the new culture. Amir and Baba experience the diaspora, it means that they face cultural
mutation that refuses stagnancy and stability of meaning and identity Gandhi, 1998:131.However, the process is completely different. Baba experiences
identity crisis and struggle in facing the changes compared to Amir. In this section, the researcher wants to analyze the reasons why such things happen.In
order to know the different process of adaptation to the new identities, the researcher compares the process of attaining the identity between Amir and Baba.
According to Homi Bhabha, a new cultural identity is gained by changing and absorbing the influences of other culture. It means an individual
needs to absorb the new culture in order to adapt and form a new identity. Bhabha also emphasizes on the importance of mimicry when the colonized imitating the
identity of the dominant culture. Mimicry happens when the Other imitates the culture, language, habit, attributes of the colonizer Bhabha, 1994:
86.Understanding the aforementioned concept, it is essential to analyze Amir and Baba’s process of adapting new identity in the US one by one.
Amir is a open-minded boy with the influence of American culture since he was young. The activities, clothes, even books that he reads in his
childhood are mostly American ones. It helps to establish his fondness to the US culture. His identity changes from a privileged unloved boy into the poor loved
son and a superior member of ethnic group into a marginalized member of society. Those things seemto be unpleasant changes of identity. However, it is not
the case for Amir. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
