Why does Baba refuse chemotherapy?

• A. He is already dying and wants to avoid pain.
• B. He cannot afford treatment.
• C. He cannot be cured regardless of treatment and does not want to appear weak.
• D. He fears hospitals.

Answer: (C)

Tackling this moment shows how pride and a need to preserve dignity shape big decisions about illness. Baba refuses chemotherapy because he believes the cancer is not something that can be cured, and more importantly, he does not want the process to reveal weakness or undermine the image of strength he wants to project, especially to Amir. His choice reflects a man who wants to control how his life ends and to avoid anything that would make him appear vulnerable. In the story, this reflects Baba’s stubborn, protective stubbornness—he values his independence and pride above prolonged treatment, even if that means letting the illness run its course. The other motives listed—avoiding pain, financial limits, or fear of hospitals—don’t align as directly with his decision in the text, where the emphasis is on autonomy, dignity, and the perception of strength in the face of illness.