Which character is described as 'casually arrogant' by Amir?

• A. General Taheri
• B. Soraya
• C. Baba
• D. Rahim Khan

Answer: (A)

Casually arrogant captures a steady, unspoken sense of superiority that a person carries in everyday interactions. General Taheri fits this description because, as Soraya’s father and a former Afghan general, he moves through conversations with an easy confidence in his own status and traditional values. He speaks and acts with a calm authority that can feel dismissive to others who don’t share his background or norms. Amir notices how Taheri expects deference, critiques what he sees as modern or improper behavior, and does so in a way that’s poised rather than flamboyant. That quiet, self-assured air—never loud, but clearly self-important—is what makes “casually arrogant” a fitting label. By contrast, Soraya comes across as modest and sincere, Baba as a complex, broader-hearted figure, and Rahim Khan as wise and understanding, none of which align with this particular trait.