To be recorded in an electronic folder in your device and posted on THIS blog.
LEARNER PORTFOLIO: JOURNAL ENTRY METHOD
TASK: CHAPTERS 1 TO 10
KITE RUNNER: by KHALED HOSSEINI
JOURNAL ENTRY METHOD: Remember annotating is the name of the game—your text book needs YOUR COMMENTS!! Build up the journal entry through your reading, re-looking at the your margin comments and use these point as scaffolding.
1. Information about setting-political/cultural/social that impacts the plot/character built up directly
2. Major & Minor Characters as they are introduced and new information leading to complexity of characterization are noted
3. Significant symbols and how they are used
4. Other authorial devices and effects
5. Significant lines & passages and why they are significant. Use the doc which has some of the passage identified ( uploaded in Google classroom)
6. Identify main theme & sub theme & lines related to them in each chapter
So each one of you go Chapter wise and post as comments.
LEARNER PORTFOLIO: JOURNAL ENTRY METHOD
TASK: CHAPTERS 1 TO 10
KITE RUNNER: by KHALED HOSSEINI
JOURNAL ENTRY METHOD: Remember annotating is the name of the game—your text book needs YOUR COMMENTS!! Build up the journal entry through your reading, re-looking at the your margin comments and use these point as scaffolding.
1. Information about setting-political/cultural/social that impacts the plot/character built up directly
2. Major & Minor Characters as they are introduced and new information leading to complexity of characterization are noted
3. Significant symbols and how they are used
4. Other authorial devices and effects
5. Significant lines & passages and why they are significant. Use the doc which has some of the passage identified ( uploaded in Google classroom)
6. Identify main theme & sub theme & lines related to them in each chapter
So each one of you go Chapter wise and post as comments.
CHAPTER 1
ReplyDeleteThis chapter gives the basic idea about the plot. Amir reminisces his childhood and youth in Afghanistan. Hosseini introduces the character Hassan in this short chapter. By reading Amir’s thoughts about Hassan, readers can conclude Hassan to be his close friend and Amir did something bad to Hassan for which he feels guilty. Another character introduced is Rahim Khan who seems like a father figure to Amir. Amir’s guilt can be seen through his thoughts, “suddenly Hassan’s voice whispered in my head” and Rahim Khan’s words, “There is a way to be good again” (Hosseini 2). The last two lines of the chapter indicates a tragedy later in the novel.
Hosseini uses personification when he writes, “[The pair of kites] danced high above the trees… floating side by side like a pair of eyes looking down on San Francisco” (Hosseini 1). The kites acts as a symbol which represents Hassan and San Francisco representing Amir. This displays Amir’s guilt that Hassan is watching over Amir no matter wherever he goes.
CHAPTER 2
This chapter sets up the economic and social background of the characters. Hosseini introduces the major characters: Hassan, Ali, and Baba. It is revealed that Hassan is the son of Ali who is a servant in Amir’s house. Amir belongs to a rich family and lives with his father, Baba. His mother died of childbirth that is why he never saw her. Baba is opulent and a highly respected member in society who owns a mansion that is grandiose. The cultural status of Afghanistan is serious because of the Shia and Sunni Muslim clash. The Pashtuns are Sunni muslims and the Hazaras are Shia muslims. Baba is a Pashtun and Ali is a Hazara. Amir learns from his mother’s history book that the Hazaras were persecuted by the Pashtuns. He raises this concern to his school teacher who also looks down on the Hazaras and advices Amir to not think of this subject anymore. Ali also lost his mother after he was born because she eloped with a group of dancers. Because of being a hazara and a crippled, Ali was bullied by young children who called him a boogeyman. One day while going to the cinema, few soldiers teased Hassan regarding his mother’s disgrace. Amir consoled him. At the end of the chapter, the author talks about the first word Amir and Hassan learned. Amir’s first word was Baba and Hassan’s first word was Amir. This shows Hassan’s loyalty towards Amir in the future. It also foreshadows that Amir’s love for his father would affect his friendship with Hassan in a negative way.
This is Anushka.
Deletegood work Anushka--do continue...
DeleteSome key fcats
ReplyDeletePoint Of View · The narrator speaks in the first person, primarily describing events that occurred months and years ago. The narrator describes these events subjectively, explaining only how he experienced them. At one point, another character briefly narrates a chapter from his own point of view.
Tone · The tone is confessional, expressing profound remorse throughout the story
Rising Action · Forced out of Afghanistan by the Soviet invasion, Amir flees to the United States, where he tries to rebuild his life until an old friend offers him a way to make amends for his past.
Climax · Amir returns to Kabul, where he finds Hassan’s son, Sohrab, and encounters Assef, the man that raped Hassan twenty-six years earlier.
Falling Action · Amir rescues Sohrab from a life of physical and sexual abuse and struggles to learn how he and Sohrab can recover from the traumas each has endured.
Themes · The search for redemption; the love and tension between fathers and sons; the intersection of political events and private lives; the persistence of the past
Motifs · Rape; irony; regressing in time
Symbols · The cleft lip; kites; the lamb
Foreshadowing · Baba wonders if Amir will be able to stand up for what is right when the time comes; Baba worries that Islamic fundamentalists will one day control Afghanistan; Hassan threatens to shoot Assef’s eye out; Assef vows revenge on Amir.
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ReplyDeleteChapter 1
ReplyDeleteAmir is the narrator of nearly the entire book, and, in the first chapter, he lays out a framework for what is to come. In December of 2001 Amir gets a phone call from a good friend named Rahim who is living in Afghanistan still, though Amir has been living in America for about twenty years. He cryptically tells Amir “there is a way to be good again” and tells Amir to visit him in Afghanistan. Amir is instantly flooded with memories of his past and the people in it. He remembers the day in 1975 when everything in his life changed forever. As Amir walks by the Golden Gate Bridge he sees two kites flying in the sky and he remembers someone named Hassan saying to him “for you, a thousand times over”. Amir had an experience that found him crouching behind a wall made of mud and peeking out into an alleyway in 1975, when he was twelve-years-old, that was life-changing but remains cryptic to the reader. The event, according to Amir, made him the person who he is today.
chapter 2
Amir introduces the reader to his friend Hassan. When they were children they caused a lot of trouble together and Hassan was usually the one who stepped up to take the blame. Amir lived in a nice home when he was younger; it was built by his father and had marble floors and a crystal chandelier. Hassan and Ali are servants of Amir’s family, and they live in a small shack that is nothing like the opulence of Amir’s home. Neither Amir or Hassan have mothers, as Amir’s mother died during childbirth and Hassan’s mother left soon after he was born. Hassan is teased by soldiers when he walks past the military barracks because his mother Sanaubar was very beautiful and very promiscuous amongst the soldiers. Hassan’s father Ali was affected by polio which has caused the muscles in his face to droop; the neighborhood children call him the “boogeyman”. Sanaubar teased Ali as much as anyone and left after Hassan was born with a clef lip. Amir and Ali had the same wet nurse which Ali says gives them a special bond. Ali and Hassan are Hazara and Amir and his family are Pashtun, which is a more privileged group; the two ethnicities have a long-standing tension.
chapter 3
Amir tells some stories about his father Baba, who is often disappointed in Amir. Baba is known to have wrestled a black bear and won, and Amir assures the reader that this is not a tall tale. After the fight,Baba is given the nickname “Toophan agha” which means “Mr. Hurricane”, by Rahim Khan. Baba funds and builds an orphanage, despite having no experience with architecture. When the orphanage is completed Amir and Baba go to Ghargha Lake to celebrate. Baba asks Amir to bring Hassan, but he does not want to so he tells his father that Hassan is ill. When Baba gives a public speech on the opening of the orphanage, Amir feels very proud of his father and what he accomplished. Amir tells the reader that his mother was an impressive and wonderful woman who taught Farsi at the local school and descended from royalty. When Amir is in fifth grade, his teacher Mullah tells him that drinking is a sin and Amir tells Baba this fact, as Baba is pouring himself a whiskey. Baba states that all sin comes from some form of stealing, and then he gets furious with Amir. Amir thinks that Baba hates him for taking his wife away. Amir is a champion at a classroom game that involves reciting poetry and spends a lot of his time reading, which Baba is not crazy about. Baba wants Amir to be interested in sports, but Amir is not interested and gets emotional when he witnesses a person getting trampled at a Buzjashi tournament. Amir listens to Rahim and Baba speak about him that night; Baba thinks that Amir is too emotional and weak.
chapter 4
ReplyDeleteAmir tells the reader about Ali. Ali’s parents were accidentally run over and killed by two wealthy young men who were high. Ali was adopted by the judge who oversaw the case; the judge happened to be Baba’s father and Amir’s grandfather; Baba and Ali end up being raised in the same household. Amir knows that there is an ethnic difference between himself, and Hassan but he does not think that it drives a wedge in their friendship. Hassan and Amir spend a lot of time together while they are growing up; they play together, they go to the movies and the bazaar, Hassan cooks for Amir and makes his bed and Amir reads to Hassan. Amir likes to play pranks on Hassan, like telling him that “imbecile” means “smart”. He also pretends to read from a book sometimes, even turning the pages, but really he is making up his own stories. It is through this experience that Amir discovers his love of storytelling and decides that he would like to write. Amir is very proud of his first short story, and he brings it to his father to read, but Baba is not impressed that Amir wants to be a writer. Rahim, however, writes Amir a very nice note about how much he likes the story. Hassan also like Amir’s story and thinks he will be a great writer someday, but he points out a hole in the plot. Amir is annoyed at this revelation, but he knows that Hassan is correct in his observation.
chapter 5
A few different events are brought to light in this chapter. On July 17, 1973, there is war in Afghanistan and Ali, Amir, and Hassan all huddle together in the living room of Amir’s home while they hear gunfire outside. Baba does not return home to the morning, but he does manage to make it back safely. At another time, Amir and Hassan are climbing the pomegranate tree in the backyard and are faced with three neighborhood bullies: Assef, Wali, and Kamal. Assef carried brass knuckles with him, he is very unkind to Ali, and his mother is as much a bully as he is. He tells the boys that the next time the new leader, Daoud Khan, is over at his house he is going to speak to him about Hitler and getting rid of all the Hazaras. Amir wants to get away from him immediately, and is very uncomfortable with the whole conversation, as Hassan is Hazara. Assef takes out his brass knuckles, but Hassan is not scared; he puts a rock in his slingshot, and aims it at Assef’s eye, causing the three boys to back off. On another occasion it is Hassan’s birthday. Hassan always gets amazing toys from Baba for his birthday and this year Baba presents him with a doctor who will fix his harelip. Amir says that the scar is healed by the next winter, but it does not matter because Hassan has stopped smiling by then.
chapter 6
In the winter, the Afghan people fly kites a lot. The Afghan kids all love winter time because there is snow, they can fly kites, and there is no school. Amir likes that he is able to bond with his father more during winter time because Baba also likes to fly kites. They participate in kite fighting, in which the goal is to cut another kite fliers string with your string so Amir and Hassan coat their strings in glass shards. After the kite string is cut the kite runners come in; it is their job to chase down the kite that has been cut. Hassan is a great kite runner; he is fast and athletic and he has great instincts. Amir is not nearly as good as Hassan is so he follows him. One time the boys run to a field that Amir seriously doubts the kite is going to land in, but Hassan tells him to have trust; and wouldn’t you know the kite lands in the field shortly after. Just a few days before the kite-fighting tournament is to take place Baba tells Amir that he thinks he will win that year. Amir tries to imagine winning and how much he and Baba would bond with one another if he won. The night before the tournament Amir and Hassan are playing cards together, and Amir tells Hassan that he will buy him a television someday. Hassan tells Amir that he thinks Amir will win the tournament. When Amir wins their card game he has a feeling that Hassan let him.
chapter 7
ReplyDeleteThe day of the tournament Hassan tells Amir about a dream he had the night before while he is eating breakfast. In the dream, the two boys were at Ghargha Lake with Rahim Khan, Baba, Ali, and some other people but no one would go in the water because there is supposedly a monster at the bottom.Hassan jumps into the water and Amir follows him; there is no monster, they are safe, and everyone cheers. At the tournament the kites are taken out one by one until only Amir’s kite and the kite of another person are remaining. Amir gets a lucky gust of wind that allows his kite to cut the string of the other kite and Amir wins. In this tournament, the kite runners always want to catch the runner-up kite because it is considered a trophy. Hassan runs off after the blue kite and Amir sets off to find him after bringing his own kite home. He sees Hassan in an alley surrounded by Assef, Wali, and Kamal, but none of the boys see him. Amir tells the reader about some of his memories with Hassan and then gets back to the scene in the alley. He is about to break in when suddenly Assef drops his pants and rapes Hassan; the other boys seem to want nothing to do with this attack. Amir runs and meets up with Hassan a little later. Hassan almost tells Amir what happened but instead just hands him the kite and says nothing. Amir notices a stain on the back of Hassan’s pants and that he is walking with a limp. At home Baba takes Amir into his arms and Amir cries.
chapter 8
After the day of the kite-fighting tournament, Amir does not see Hassan very often. He finds that when he wakes up breakfast is already made for him. Ali notices that something seems off and asks Amir about it, but Amir is rude to him and, though he should, he does not tell Ali about what happened in the alley. Amir asks his father if they can go to Jalalabad and Baba agrees and tells him to see if Hassan wants to come; Amir lies and says that Hassan is sick because he does not want him to come he just wants to spend the day with Baba. Unfortunately, Baba invites most of their relatives to come and they take 3 vans full of people to Jalalabad. That night after everyone has eaten a lot of food they go to sleep. Amir says out loud, to no one in particular, that he saw Hassan get raped; no one hears him and that is the night when Amir’s insomnia starts. Throughout the winter, Amir and Hassan drift further apart and Amir spends a lot of time alone in his room reading. Hassan asks if he did something to upset Amir, but Amir tells him he just wants to be alone. Amir gets to the point where he asks Baba if he will hire new servants and Baba is furious with him, which strains their relationship more than ever. One day Amir is reading to Hassan by the pomegranate tree and when he gets bored he throws a pomegranate at Hassan hoping that he will fight back but he does not. The day of Amir’s birthday party Assef shows up, has a conversation with Baba about soccer, and gives Amir his present; the present turns out to be a biography on Hitler. Rahim comes into Amir’s room and tells him about how he almost married a Hazara woman, but his family would not let him. And he gives Amir a leather-bound journal.
CHAPTER 9
ReplyDeleteAmir opens his presents the day after his birthday party. Baba got him a Schwinn Stingray bike, which is about as good as it gets according to Amir, and a new wristwatch. Amir is angry about all of his nice presents and throws them into the corner of his room. He thinks of them as “blood money” because he knows that the only reason Baba threw him such a nice party is because he won the kite tournament. Amir’s gift from Ali and Hassan is a very nice copy of “Shahnamah” which he knows they must have had to save up for. Amir, in an extreme act, takes his wristwatch and a wad of money and stuffs them beneath Hassan’s mattress then tells his father that some of his things seem to be missing. Baba asks Ali about the missing things and Ali asks Hassan. The two of them come to Amir’s home, crying, and Amir admits to Baba that he took the things even though he did not. Baba forgives Hassan for the theft, much to Amir’s surprise especially because his father thinks theft is the worst of all sins. Despite the forgiveness, Ali and Hassan decide to leave the home, even when Baba begs them to stay. It is pouring rain outside as Baba brings Ali and Hassan to the train station. Amir nearly chases after them and confesses but he does not.
CHAPTER 10
This chapter opens in March 1981, and Amir and Baba are crammed into the back of a Russian truck with other refugees who are headed to Pakistan. Afghanistan is no longer safe to live in, and there are spies everywhere. When they reach the checkpoint, the guards seem drunk and one of them tells the driver, Karim, that they can get by if he can fool around with one of the women on the truck. Baba is furious at this request from the officer and Amir tries to stop him from saying something, but he cannot; Baba basically tells the guard to shove it and the guard shoots his gun. Thankfully the bullet does not hit anyone and a superior officer keeps the guards in check. When they reach the home in Jalalabad where they are crammed together in a small space they get word that there is no truck to Peshawar; Baba goes crazy and nearly strangles a man at the news. In the basement of the house, Amir finds that Kamal and his father are there, Kamal (ironically) was raped in Kabul and his mother was killed there. Karim eventually finds a fuel truck to take them all to Peshawar and Amir is struck by the fumes as soon as he gets into the belly of the truck. Baba tells him to think of something good to distract him, and he thinks of flying kites with Hassan. They get out at Pakistan to catch a bus, and everyone is crawling around sick from the fumes. Kamal stop breathing and his father shoots himself with Karim’s gun.
Good work Madhur--will discuss when school reopens
DeleteAnushka Basu
ReplyDeleteCHAPTER 3
This chapter explores the thematic representation of father-son relationship through Amir and Baba. It begins with Amir talking about how his father wrestled a bear and got the nickname “Toophan agha” which means Mr. Hurricane (Hosseini 12). According to Amir, Baba’s physique is like a ruthless executioner, and would “drop the devil to his knees begging for mercy” according to Rahim Khan (Hosseini 13). Baba cannot be ignored at anytime as in parties, people used to turn like sunflowers as he entered the room. The initial description of Baba provided by Amir is sufficient for readers to regard him as a stringent and unyielding personality. Baba designed and built an orphanage even though he had no training as an architect. This reveals his generous personality. Amir loved Baba and wanted to spend the most time with him. Amir and Baba were going to the Ghargha Lake before the inauguration of the orphanage and Baba told Amir to call Hassan too. But Amir lied that Hassan had work to do because he wanted to have Baba all to himself as in the past, Baba patted Hassan on his back for making his stone skip eight times. Amir was jealous of Hassan. This also shows that Amir can do anything to gain Baba’s attention, which could affect other people in a negative way. Baba is not from a royal family and that is why people used to depreciate him that he can never do business nor he can marry well. But Baba shut those people’s mouth by establishing a successful business and becoming one of the richest merchants in Kabul. He also married a highly educated and respected woman who came from a royal family. Baba also has a strong sense of morality. While Baba was pouring a drink for himself, Amir talks about a mullah in his school who said that it is sinful for Muslims to drink alcohol. Baba tells him that theft is the only sin and also justifies himself by saying that killing a man is a variation of theft as you are stealing someone’s life. Hence, Baba considers the mullah and men like them fools. Amir liked reading and writing but he was afraid that Baba won’t accept him that way as a son. That is why he tried to like soccer as Baba liked it, but failed to grow his interest. One time Baba takes Amir to a game of Buzkashi, a popular game in Afghanistan in which a rider must put an animal carcass in a scoring circle while other riders try to take it from him, a rider trampled after falling from his horse. Amir cried after watching that scene and also saw the disgusted look on Baba’s face. Later Amir overhears Baba and Rahim Khan talking about him. Rahim Khan tells Baba that children cannot be molded into a particular shape. But Baba says that “[a] boy who won’t stand up for himself becomes a man who can’t stand up to anything (Hosseini 22). Baba’s words sound prophetic as it foreshadows that Amir won’t stand up to Hassan’s rape. Hoessini’s use of ethos and strong diction appeals to the reader’s sense of morality. Amir yearns for Baba’s love and attention.
Anushka Basu
ReplyDeleteCHAPTER 4
The chapter commences with how Ali lost his parents and started to live with Baba’s family. It is a flashback. Baba was born in 1933 and in the same year, Zahir Shah becomes the king of Afghanistan. One day, two drunk and high men hit and kill Ali’s parents while driving. Amir’s grandfather, who was a reputable judge in Kabul, adopted the young Ali and instructed the other servants to tutor him. Baba and Ali grew up together, played together but Baba never called Ali his friend. Similarly, Amir doesn’t calls Hassan his friend. While Amir used to go to school, Hassan would clean the house and do different chores. Hassan was illiterate so Amir reads to him. Of all the stories Amir read, Hassan’s favourite is ‘Rostam and Sohrab’ in which Rostam fatally wounds Sohrab in battle and then finds out that Sohrab is his long lost son. Hosseini’s use of allusion exhibits Amir and Hassan’s relationship and how Amir would accidently hurt Hassan’s emotions. During a reading session, Amir pretended to read from the book to Hassan but actually he was making his own story. Hassan remarks that this story was the best story he has heard. Amir felt encouraged. Amir recognizes his passion for writing. He writes his first short story about a man whose tears turn into pearls. The man searches for new ways to make himself cry and become rich and the story ends with him sitting over a top of a mound of pearls, sobbing over the wife he has stabbed. Amir shows his story to Baba but he doesn’t pay attention. Rahim Khan reads the story instead and leaves Amir a note. He says that Amir has great talent. Amir goes to Hassan’s house and wakes him up so that he can hear his story. Hassan tells that the story is astounding. But he has a question: why didn’t the man make himself cry with an onion. Amir feels idiotic that he didn’t think of this before. An unpleasant thought comes in Amir’s mind about Hassan. The voice in his head tells him that who is Hassan to criticize him. Though Amir never said anything, his thoughts about Hassan reveals that he also regards Hassan as a Hazara but never showed it in front of Hassan.
Anushka Basu
ReplyDeleteCHAPTER 5
The monarchy ends in Afghanistan in this chapter. One night Amir, Hassan, and Ali were alone in the house and gunfire erupts in the street in front of the house. They hide in the house until morning. Baba couldn’t reach home because the roads were blocked. Amir says that night was the end of the Afghanistan they knew. The gunshots were executed by Daoud Khan’s coup, who is the king’s cousin. The next morning, Amir and Hassan hear on the radio that Afghanistan has become a republic but they don't know what republic means. This situation proves their innocence and childish nature. After this, they decide to climb a tree on a hill near Amir’s house. While they were walking to the hill, someone throws a rock at Hassan. Amir and Hassan recognize the boy as Assef, the infamous bully in the neighbourhood. Assef came with his two sidekicks. He calls Ali by different names and carries a set of brass knuckles. Assef calls Hassan a flat-nosed and asks if they have heard about the new republic. He tells that Daoud Khan is friends with his dad and he will discuss about Hitler in their next dinner. He supports Hitler for his racism and believes that the Pashtuns should treat the Hazaras the same way Hitler treated the Jews. He is annoyed with Amir for being friends with Hassan and says that Amir is part of the problem. For a moment, Amir thinks that Hassan is his servant not his friend but dismisses the thought immediately. Assef takes out his brass knuckles to hit Amir but freezes after seeing Hassan’s slingshot pointed at his eyes. Amir and Hassan get away. After Daoud Khan took over the government, life goes back to normal. On Hassan’s birthday, Ali calls him inside to receive the present from Baba. Baba is waiting for Hassan with a man named Dr. Kumar who is a plastic surgeon. Hassan doesn't know what a plastic surgeon is and Dr. Kumar tells him that he fixes things on people, even their face. Hassan realizes that he is here to fix his lips. Amir is astonished as he never expected Baba to do something like this for Hassan. Hassan’s surgery is successful and his lips are swollen and pink. The following winter, his lips look normal and there is only a scar left. Daoud Khan and Assef are a symbol of power and superiority. Just like the Afghan people felt threatened by Daoud Khan’s arrival, Amir also feels threatened by Assef. Amir’s jealousy started to develop in this chapter. The seed of hatred and betrayal has been sowed in this chapter and will be reaped later in the book. Hosseini writes this chapter as a transition to the climax of the novel and the development of characters.
Anushka Basu
ReplyDeleteCHAPTER 6
Winter is the best season for boys in Kabul because the school is closed due to the heavy snow and the popular pastime: flying kites and running them. This chapter introduces the kite flying tradition in Afghanistan. Amir and Hassan used to make their own kites but there was a flaw every time. Baba takes them to an old blind man’s shop to buy kites who makes the best kites in the city. Amir’s jealousy can be seen here as he wanted Baba to buy kites to him only but Baba bought it to Hassan too which he didn’t liked. The boys in Kabul eagerly wait for the kite flying tournament held during the winter. Participating in the tournament was like going into war according to Amir. Amir is best at flying kites and Hassan is the best kite runner in the town. Hassan is Amir’s assistant during the tournament. When a string is cut, the losing kite flies loose, and the kite runners chase the kite across the city until it falls. The last fallen kite of the tournament is a trophy of honor. Mysteriously, Hassan always knows where the loose kite is going to fall. When Baba said that “[he] think[s] maybe [Amir’ll] win the tournament this year”, Amir becomes more ambitious to win the tournament to please Baba (Hosseini 52). Amir believes that this is his only chance to win his father’s trust so he can do anything to achieve that, even hurting a person. Amir and Hassan are playing a game of cards and presumably Hassan intentionally made Amir win the game. This displays Hassan’s loyalty towards Amir and till what extent he can go to maintain his friendship with Amir.
Anushka Basu
ReplyDeleteCHAPTER 7
It is the winter of 1975. The kite flying tournament is held in Amir’s neighbourhood. Usually each neighbourhood has its own competition but this year, they are competing all together. The day of the competition arrives and Amir is nervous. Hassan starts telling him the dream he had last night to cheer him up. In his dream, they were in front of the Ghargha Lake and no one was going inside the lake because there is a monster inside. But Amir and Hassan went inside and find that there is no monster. In reality, Amir is having cold feet and tells Hassan he don’t want to fly a kite today. To cheer him up, Hassan tells him that there is no monster. The tournament starts. Amir is doing well and starts cutting other peoples’ kites. He can see Baba in the rooftop watching him. After sometime, only two kites are left in the sky: Amir’s and another blue kite. Eventually, Amir cuts the blue kite and the kite runners dashed the streets to get it. Hassan hugged Amir but Baba motioned with his hands to separate from the rooftop. Amir tells Hassan to come back with the blue kite but Hassan replies, “For you a thousand times over!” (Hosseini 63). Hassan’s words prove that he will do anything to bring the blue kite to Amir. Amir goes back to his house and Ali congratulates him. He doesn’t wants to meet Baba yet as he already has their meeting premeditated. Then Amir ran the streets to find Hassan. He un towards the bazaar and asked a shopkeeper if he has seen Hassan. The shopkeeper tells that Hassan was running with a blue kite in his hands and few boys were chasing him. Amir scoured the bazaar but there was no sign of Hassan until he hears voices from a secluded, muddy road. He saw Assef and his friends corner Hassan. Assef wants to take revenge for what Hassan did that day on the hill. He tells Hassan that he can go only if he gives him the blue kite. Hassan refuses as it is for Amir. then Assef charged towards Hassan. Amir is watching the whole situation but is petrified to protest Assef. The setting changes to Amir’s memories. He remembers that he and Hassan fed from the same breast of a Hazara woman named Sakina. People say that there is a brotherhood between people who fed from the same breasts. Then he recalls another memory about going to the fortune teller with Hassan. Each of them gives money to the fortune teller. The man looks at Hassan and strokes his hand. He puts the money back in Hassan’s hand. Next, Amir thinks of a dream where he is lost in the snowstorm and a familiar shape appears before him and gives him a hand. Suddenly the snow is gone and the sky is blue and filled with kites. Hosseini doesn’t reveals who the person is but it is definitely Hassan. Amir looks down the alley. Assef rapes Hassan. Amir witnesses it but runs away sobbing. Few minutes later, Amir sees Hassan walking towards him, crying and bleeding. He gives him the kite and Amir pretends as if nothing happened. None of the boys talk while going back home. When Amir comes home, Baba hugs him who buries his face in his chest and weeps. In the moment of affection, Amir forgot what he did.
Anushka Basu
ReplyDeleteCHAPTER 8
Amir barely saw Hassan since the day of the tournament. Ali asks Amir if something has happened to Hassan as he was bleeding. Amir pretends and tells he doesn’t know anything. Baba planned a road trip to Jalalabad with Amir. Amir wanted to spend the most time with his father but a lot of his relatives are also accompanying. He is disappointed. They reach Jalalabad and stay at Baba’s cousin's house. Baba proudly tells everyone about Amir’s victory in the kite tournament. They sleep in the same room but Amir can’t fall asleep. He says out loud that he watched Hassan get raped but nobody hears him as they were asleep. Amir thinks of Hassan’s dream and realizes that he himself is the monster in the lake who grabbed Hassan to the bottom. He says that this is the night he became an insomniac. They come back home. Baba and Amir’s lives goes back to how it was before the tournament. One day, Hassan asks Amir if he wants to go the hill. Amir reluctantly agrees and they walk in silence. Hassan asks Amir if he can read to him. But Amir changes his mind and wants to go home. Amir asks Baba about getting new servants while planting tulips. Baba gets furious and scolds Amir. school started and it became an excuse for him to stay in his room most of the time. One day, he asks Hassan to go to the hill with him. They were sitting under a pomegranate tree. Amir asks Hassan what would he do if he threw a pomegranate at him. Then Amir begins hitting Hassan with pomegranates and wants him to hit him back. This reaction is out of Amir’s guilt. He hates himself for not standing up to Hassan’s rape and want Hassan to punish him. But Hassan won’t hit Amir and instead crushes a pomegranate on his forehead and leaves. Time passes and summer comes. Amir turns thirteen and Baba hosted a grand birthday party for him. Amir wasn't that happy as he didn’t half of the people. Assef and his family was also wishing him and he couldn't tolerate that. Assef gave him a present and he reluctantly took it. Once Amir is alone, he opens Assef’s gift and sees Hitler’s biography. Immediately he throws the book away. Then Rahim Khan comes and comforts Amir. He tells him that he was almost married once. He loved a girl who was a hazara. They used to meet secretly at night and imagine their life together. He told his family about her and they became enraged. His father sent the hazara girl and her family away the next day. Rahim Khan believes that it was for the best otherwise she would have suffered. He tells Amir that he can share anything with him. Then gives him a leather bound notebook for his stories. Amir is delighted to get the present. Fireworks begin and they go back to the house. Amir sees Hassan serving drinks to Assef and his friends. Amir couldn't stand that scene. He felt miserable. Rahim Khan’s story deeply affected Amir which will lead him to take a drastic decision.
Anushka Basu
ReplyDeleteCHAPTER 9
The morning after is birthday, he opened his presents and threw them on a pile of toys in the corner. He wasn’t fascinated with any of the gifts except the leather notebook given by Rahim Khan. He decides that either he or Hassan has to go. Baba gave him an expensive bicycle and a watch. He goes out later and Ali stops him to give him a present. It is a new version of the Shahnameh, the book of stories Amir reads to Hassan. Amir likes the gift but thinks that he doesn’t deserve it. The morning after, Amir waits until Ali and Hassan leave for grocery shopping. Amir takes his birthday money and the watch that Baba gave him and keeps them under Hassan’s mattress. He tells Baba that Hassan stole them, and when Ali and Hassan return, Baba asks Hassan if he stole them or not. To Amir’s surprise, Hassan accepts the charges. Amir is dumbstruck. He realizes that Hassan saw him in the alley and also knew that he set him up. Baba forgives Hassan to which Amir is a little jealous. But Ali says they must leave. Baba pleads them to stay but Ali refuses. Amir thinks that Hassan told everything to Ali and feels it is for the best as he was frustrated carrying the burden of the truth. Amir sees Baba shed tears for the first time. It was raining on the day Ali and Hassan left. The weather reflects Amir’s state of mind and creates a depressing mood for the readers.
For Aditi
ReplyDeleteCHAPTER ONE
December, 2001.
As the first chapter starts, we get an idea of what the Author’s age is and how significant the winter of 1975 will be as he uses the same phrase to begin and end the first chapter. The readers get an idea that the memory that is being referred to here is not something that is pleasant as the author says, “it’s wrong what they say about the past, I’ve learned, about how you can bury it. Because the past claws its way out.”
Rahim Khan’s character is introduced but we do not know the relation between him and the author.There is another hint given by the author of the fact that there is some sort of negativity in the past - “I knew it wasn’t just Rahim Khan on the line. It was my past of unatoned sins.’’ and “There is a way to be good again”
In the first chapter, the author is residing in San Francisco while reminiscing about his past in Kabul. We don’t know who Ali, Hassan, Baba and Rahim khan are right now or perhaps how significant their roles will be as his story builds up. However, only, their names are mentioned, as he looks back on his past.
“They (the twin kites) danced high above the trees on the west end of the park, over the windmills, floating side by side like a pair of eyes looking down on San Francisco” - Here, the author has used personification to emphasize on his relationship with Hassan. We get an idea that he has an attachment with Hassan as he remembers him while glancing at the pair of dancing kites.
For aditi
ReplyDeleteCHAPTER TWO
In the second chapter the author is nostalgic. We know that the author is a good observer because of his detailed description of Hassan’s countenance and through his description we get to know who Hassan is and what he means to the author. Details about the author’s past are described with specification, the fact that he belonged to a wealthy family, information about the people who were most important to him and the relations he shared with each one of them is discussed. Rahim Khan is Baba’s business partner and best friend, we get a sense that the author is a perhaps more attached to this character than he is to his own father. ”I am a baby in that photograph and Baba is holding me, looking tired and grim. I’m in his (Baba’s) arms, but it’s Rahim Khan’s pinky my fingers are curled around.’’ - As we further read we realise that in his childhood, the author was not very close to his father and sometimes a bit lonely as well.
In this chapter a very important component is introduced which is the social conflict between Hazaras and Pashtuns. Although both Hassan and Amir are children and have lost their mother at birth, they were fed by the same breasts and have lived under the same roof since birth, there is a major component making the two characters apart - the fact that Amir is a Pashtun while Hassan is just a Hazara.
CHAPTER THREE
The chapter begins with a detailed description of Baba. We get to know a lot more about Amir’s relation with his father in this chapter. As Amir describes his father we know that Baba is proud, independent, determined, but also sometimes emotionally distant. Baba has built an orphanage which says a lot about him as a person. Amir is very proud of his father and more than that we notice him feeling a sense of pride to be his son because then everyone would see that Baba was his father, his Baba.
Something very vital to note is the fact that everything that is highlighted or given emphasis on, all the characters’ personalities and identities, everything is from the perspective of Amir. We notice a sense of jealousy inside him as he sees Hassan getting closer to his father. “Baba was there, watching, and he patted Hassan on the back. Even put his arm around his shoulder.”
As he continues, we get to know of Baba’s morals as a man. Amir’s father believes that there is only one sin that a person can truly commit which is theft. All other sins are just a variation of Theft. As we further read, we know that this hypocrisy on his side because he commits the same sin again and again. He steals Hassan’s right to his true father and he steals Ali’s right to being called a friend and being treated as an equal. Even though Baba does condemn those who have a stereotypical mindset, wee see him being afraid of the society’s opinion.
As it was mentioned in the previous chapter, there is an emotional distance between Amir and his father. “I was always learning things about Baba from other people” and “I already hated all the kids he was building the orphanage for;sometimes I wished they’d all died along with their parents”
Sofia Akrami, Amir’s mother is also introduced in this chapter as a highly educated woman and one Kabul’s most respected women.
For Aditi
ReplyDeleteCHAPTER FOUR
The chapter gives us further details about Amir’s relation with hassan and it starts by giving us a brief introduction to Ali’s character. The readers get an idea about the reason why Ali and Hassan were so important to Baba. As it has already been mentioned, there was a barrier between Amir and Hassan’s friendship and we notice here that as Amir remembers the past he tries to emphasize on the memories he had with hassan while also criticising himself for never considering Hassan a friend. There is a tone of regret that we notice as we read. The author gives us an idea of the social condition of Afghanistan at that particular point. For him, it was so normal to know that even though Hassan has many more capabilites, he didn’t have any use for the written word as he was a Hazara. We also realise that Amir has a character is someone who is envious of Hassan in many ways, not only for perhaps being the fact that he was a lot close to his father than Amir was but also the fact that Hassan was more athletic and smarter. This is something Amir’s father always wanted him to be - a bit more like Hassan, a boy who could stand up for himself.
“What does he know, that illetrate Hazara? He’ll never be anything but a cook. How dare he criticize you?” - I feel that as Amir was always envious of Hassan for being better there was a part of him that was desperate to find something that could make him feel superior and in this context he uses his ‘cultural superirioty’
CHAPTER FIVE
We get to know in this chapter that the monarchy has come to an end in Afghanistan. There is gunfire in the streets, Amir, Hassan and Ali are hiding while Baba could not make it back home as the roads were blocked. During this time, we notice that Hassan is envious of Hassan for having a relation with Ali that he could never have with Baba. When Baba enters the home in the morning he shouts both, Hassan and Amir’s names and wraps them around his arms which shows us how much affection he had for ‘Ali’s son.’
“I was glad about whatever had happened that night” - This shows us a lot about Amir’s longing for being noticed by his father, the fact that he could actually not care about the horrors he had faces, if he just got the attention from his father.
We get a vivid idea of the political condition in Afghanistan at that time.
Assef’s character is introduced in this chapter who will eventually play a major part in this story. He is introduced as a relentless bully who used to torture Hassan. The author mentions again how he was glad to have Baba as his father because this refrained Assef from harassing Amir too much. Assef criticises Amir for treating Hassan like a friend and we see how the author remarks saying “but he is just a servant!”
While Assef is ready to hit Amir with his brass knockles but he freezes when he sees Hassan aiming his slingshot at Assef’s eyes. We see the sense of protectiveness that Hassan had for Amir. As we further read we get to know that Baba has given Hassan a very unusual present for his birthday which is a surgery “that would last him for a lifetime.”
For Aditi
ReplyDeleteCHAPTER SIX
It is Winter in Kabul. The author paints a beautiful picture of what the season is like at his home. As we further read we get to know that it is also the season for kite tournaments and how vital it is in a citizen’s life, how vital it was in Amir’s life because it gave him a sense of connection with his father. “Baba would buy it for me - but then he’d buy it for Hassan too. Sometimes I wished he wouldn’t do that. Wished he’d let me be the favourtie” - Not only do we notice Amir’s jealousy but we also get an idea of Baba’s curious generosity and affection for Hassan. The author emphasizes on the Kite running tournaments and tries to highlight each and every aspect of it. Hassan and Amir’s friendship is associated a lot with the Kite tournament. There’s a sense of belonging that they feel as they work together, to win together.
Winning the tournament for Amir was like the key to winning Baba’s attention, and not just getting fame, which is probably the reason why others were doing it. He wanted to win because he thought that “maybe he’d (Baba would) call me Amir jan like Rahim Khan did. And maybe, just maybe, I would finally be pardoned for killing my mother”
The fact that Amir’s life revolved around getting Baba’s attention shows us how significantly distant they were despite living in the same house. He never knew the reason why the distance was there so he assumed that it is probably because of the death of his mother, he thought he was the one responsible.
CHAPTER SEVEN
On the morning of the kite tournament, Hassan relates a strange dream he has had in which he and Amir swim out into Ghargha Lake, which is said to be inhabited by a terrible monster. In this dream they swim out and return unharmed, despite the dozens of onlookers on the shore warning them to return. As he sees the dream on the day of the tournament it alsmost as a signal given for what was to happen later the same day.The author gives a detailed description of the festival. Amir is extremely nervous about the event as knows that success in this tournament will perhaps get Baba closer to him. Amir also wonders, if he loses, his father might take pleasure in his defeat. Amir performs admirably, making many impressive tactical maneuvers until his and another kite are the only two
remaining. Amir cuts the last kite out of the sky and sees his father on the roof cheering for him. He also
shares the moment of victory with Hassan, who promises to run after the last defeated kite. Hassan is eager to
help his friend by retrieving the prize: "For you a thousand times over!" Hassan goes missing for a while. Amir follows some noises to an alley off the bazaar where, undetected himself, he
discovers a horrific scene: Assef, Kamal, and Wali threaten to take the kite from Hassan; Hassan, unable to
fight them off, is raped by Assef while Assef's friends hold him down. Rather than stepping in and fighting Hassan's
attackers, Amir freezes, remains hidden, and eventually runs away in fear. This shows how Amir was a coward, he was afraid to save his only friend who always stood up for him and protected him. After the rape, Hassan finds Amir
in the street and they return home with the kite without discussing the attack at all, although Hassan is in pain. Amir returns home to a hero's welcome from his father and his father's friends.
On behalf of Aditi
ReplyDeleteCHAPTER EIGHT
After the event, Hassan always kept avoiding Amir. He did his daily chores and preferred staying alone. Ali knew something was wrong but he was unaware of the horrific situation his son had been. Meanwhile, Amir was happy after winning the kite tournament because he got that attention he seeked, from his father. Baba was proud of Amir for winning the kite tournament but he was obvlivious to the fact that Amir had witnissed Hassan’s rape and had not stood up for him.
“It shouldn’t be this way. Baba and I were finally friends” - We notice a sense of regret here, even though this is exactly what he had always wanted somewhere he wasn’t satisfied. He was perhaps ashamed of not standing up for Hassan.
Hassan had lost weight and grey circles has formed under his puffed-up eyes. Even after knowing that Amir knew about the incident and the fact that Amir did not save him from it, he kept on trying to talk to Amir He kept approaching him once in a while. He even asked Amir if he had done anything wrong to which Amir snapped at him because somewhere Amir hated himself for doing what he did. One day, Hassan asked Amir if he wants to go the hill. Amir reluctantly agrees and they walk in silence. Amir asks Baba about getting new servants while planting tulips because of his condition. Baba gets furious and scolds Amir. His school started and which became an excuse for him to stay in his room most of the times. There is an inciden where Amir asks Hassan to hit him back and take out his anger at him just in the hope that maybe eveything will perhaps be back to normal. Very soon, Amir turns thirteen and there is a big party organised for him but Amir is not happy. He does not know half the people who were invited. Towards the end we read how Hassan is seen serving drinks to Assef. Amir looks at this site and still does nothing for Hassan, who is ‘just a Hazara’
CHAPTER NINE
In this chapter we see Amir give a false implication to his father that Hassan had stolen his gifts. He knew Baba’s morals as a man and he knew that theft was the greatest sin one could commit in baba’s eyes. Amir wanted his distance, as we know from the previous chapter, he wanted Ali and Hassan to leave and he was desperate enough to get to the extent of framing him into this. Baba calls a meeting with Ali, Hassan and Amir. Hassan takes all the blame, once again, he sacrifices for Amir, who just stands there doing nothing. Somewhere he would have wanted Hassan to blurt out the truth to Baba so that he wouldn’t have to live with this lie in his life, but he was also glad that this meant they had to leave. Surprisingly, Baba forgives him. We get a sense that it is not normal for a man like Baba to forgive anyone, that also a Hazara for theft.
Ali understands what had been happening and he tells Baba that he cannot work for him anymore. We see Baba at this desperate moment, calling Ali the ‘brother he never had’ just to make him stay. We see how vulnerable he gets once he says goodbye to only to realise that he will never see them again. The fact that he would never see Ali and Hassan who were his family, makes Baba feel a great amount of pain.
CHAPTER TEN
ReplyDeleteThe chapter starts by Amir remember about March 1981. Everyone is crammed into the back of a Russian truck with other refugees who are headed to Pakistan. The author describes it as it very negative. We get that there is a sense of distress, uncertainty. Afghanistan is no longer safe to live in,it is not the land that Amir grew up in. When they reach the checkpoint, the guard seems to take advantage and we realise how unfortunate the condition is as everyone feels helpless. Baba is furious for not being able to help more, Amir tries to stop him from saying something, but he cannot. A superior officer keeps the guards in check, he takes control of the situation. When they reach Jalalabad where they are crammed together in a small space they get word that there is no truck to Peshawar; Baba gets furious. In the basement of the house, Amir finds that Kamal and his father are there, Kama was raped in Kabul and his mother was killed there. Karim has to find a fuel truck to take them all to Peshawar and Amir is struck by the fumes as soon as he gets into the truck. Baba tells him to think of something pleasant in order to distract him and so he thinks of his times with Hassan. We know that he perhaps misses his friend. They get out at Pakistan on a bus, and everyone is crawling around sick from the fumes. Kamal dies and his father shoots himself witha gun.
Chapter 1-
ReplyDeleteThe book starts with the narrator, Amir, reminiscing an incident from the year 1975, an unnamed event in an alley which he claims “made him who he is today”. He has been haunted by the memory of this event for years despite his repeated attempts at escaping it. Amir discloses having received a call the summer before from a man named Rahim Khan who tells him “there is a way to be good again.”
This chapter unfolds themes of guilt signifying betrayal and hope for redemption. Amir, an adult living in America, looks back at his youth in Afghanistan and this shows how important memory and history will be in the novel. Though the details are vague, it is evident that Amir needs to redeem himself after a certain incident from the past which he hasn’t been able to leave behind till date. While walking along the Golden Gate Park, Amir watches two kites flying overhead which remind him of a boy named Hassan saying “for you, a thousand times over”.
Chapter 2-
This chapter begins with Amir recollecting his childhood memories as Hosseini introduces new characters. We see that Hassan and Amir had been inseparable as kids but had two distinct social standings. the contrast as well as similarities between the two boys are made clear- though Hassan is Amir’s closest companion, also raised by a single father, he is still Amir’s servant and lives in drastically different conditions. The dynamics of the friendship is shown and it is clear that Hassan has a certain amount of loyalty towards Amir.
Hosseini introduces the Hazara and Pashtun conflict. The Hazaras are shown as an oppressed minority which is why Ali and Hassan are assumed to be servant class despite their closeness with Baba and Amir
The closeness between Hassan and Amir is emphasised by the fact that they “fed from the same breast,” and hence are basically brothers. This shows how difficult it is to overcome old differences of religion and class in Afghanistan.
The Hazara-Pashtun difference is evident when some soldiers confront Hassan and claimed to have known his mother Sanaubar intimately.
Hassan’s father Ali was a devout Muslim whose face was partially paralyzed and walked with a bad limp because of polio. Amis=r says that Sanaubar mocked Ali’s appearance just as much as the other Pashtun children but Ali never retaliated against his torments
- Shivika Gupta
Chapter 3-
ReplyDeleteAmir describes Baba in a way that makes him seem larger than life. He has overcome many challenges and become successful. He is a force to be reckoned with and it is clear how much Amir admires him. Amir’s jealousy surrounding Baba’s affection towards Hassan is shown here. He reveals himself as a disappointing son to Baba, though he doesn’t explain why. Amir hints at the complexity of their relationship which will be an important factor element in this book. Baba makes a speech about theft which will resonate throughout the novel.
Amir feels like he has betrayed his father by killing his and is constantly trying to redeem himself by becoming a better son. The things Amir admires most in his father- his strong principles, forceful success in all his ventures and the love of sport- are the things Amir lacks most.
Chapter 4 –
Hosseini begins to connect the private lives of the characters with the political history of Afghanistan. Amir openly acknowledges that the divides between Hazara and Pashtun, Shi’a and Sunni seem insurmountable in Afghanistan, even by close companionship and love. Baba is the representative of the liberal, Americanised side of Afghanistan that will be eradicated in the years to come.
The pomegranate tree, the hill, and Amir’s carved words all become etched in his memory as symbols of a happy childhood and his friendship with Hassan. These images will later return to remind Amir of his guilt, and also to inspire nostalgia in him for an Afghanistan at peace.
Amir tries writing for the first time in this chapter. Since Amir is narrating this story as an adult it is clear that his ability to write and tell stories will continue to develop. Despite this he again fails to please Baba since writing is not the kind of talent Baba wants in a son.
Here, Rahim Khan acts as a kind of father figure to Baba. He encourages Amir to further explore his abilities. This is the kind of attention and praise he has been wanting from Baba.
Amir believes himself to be better than Hassan due to his status and education and tries to show him up but Hassan proves himself to be clever. The idea of Hazaras as inferior is deeply ingrained in Amir’s subconscious and he refuses to believe that Hassan found a plot hole in his first short story.
Chapter 5-
ReplyDeleteThe political situation of Afghanistan changes as the peaceful reign of Zahir Shah comes to an end. The author introduces the antagonist of the novel, Assef, in this chapter. He is bullying, violent and strongly believes in the superiority of the the Pashtuns- like many of the Afghan Governments to come. He is a kind of symbol for the upcoming turmoil when the violent and oppressive will have their way with the weak.
Hassan proves his loyalty to Amir when Assef threatens to beat him. Hassan is seen to be brave and selfless whereas Amir comes off weak and selfish. Though Amir is greatful to Hassan for saving him, his older self still believes that Hassan, like all Hazaras, was inferior.
Assef states that it is not the end for them and Amir would have to face him one on one someday.
Hassan’s cleft lip was a symbol of his contrast to Amir’s privilege. However, Baba pays for a surgery to fix his deformity. This adds to Amir’s jealousy and he turns bitter against Hassan.
Chapter 6-
The novel’s title makes it evident that the kite flying tournament is going to be vital fro the plot of the book. We again see that Amir is desperately trying to gain Baba’s approval and gets jealous anytime Hassan is treated as an equal. Winning the kite tournament and running the losing kite became Amir’s means to win Baba’s love.
The kites are a symbol of Amir’s connection with Hassan. As a child Hassan is shown to be selfless and loyal despite Amir’s selfishness who constantly tries to show his superiority over Hassan.
Chapter 7-
ReplyDeleteHassan’s dream shows how innocent and optimistic he is. The name of the lake is the same as the inscription on the pomegranate tree which is a symbol of their friendship and happy childhood days.
Watching Baba sitting on the rooftop, Amir suddenly gets cold feet about the competition because he believes he will let him down once again. In this situation, it is again Hassan who comforts and reassures Amir. He always understood Amir’s emotion and offered support whenever required, be it emotional or physical.
The blue kite becomes symbolic in many ways. It is the symbol of Baba’s love which Amir had won by winning the tournament. Amir believes that this one kite can fix everything between him and Baba and he can finally have a relationship where his father is proud of him.
It is also a symbol of Hassan’s loyalty and friendship towards Amir. Before running the kite, Hassan says “for you a thousand times over”. These words are selfless and show his complete devotion to Amir. It is the same statement that will come back to haunt Amir for the rest of his life.
The incident which shaped the rest of Amir’s life takes place in this chapter when Assef returns for his revenge. Assef drives home a truth which Amir is unwilling to accept when he tells Hassan that Amir is not as loyal to Hassan as Hassan is to him, and that Amir thinks of Hassan as more of a servant than a friend.
Amir’s older self recognises that his choice to turn away as Hassan was being attacked was cowardly. This event was very traumatic and not very cohesive in its form and created a deep seated guilt in Amir’s mind towards Hassan.
Amir’s regret of betraying his “brother” is emphasized by Ali’s talk about Sakina. The fortune teller foretold a dark future for Hassan, which had been unclear to Amir until this moment. Amir convinced himself that Hassan was the lamb he had to slay in order to win over Baba. He then goes on to say “he was just a Hazara” in order to justify his decision that it was a fair price to pay. There is an irony as Amir abandoned Hassan for the blue kite and Baba’s approval, but in hindsight, it is clear that Baba would have been more pleased had Amir “stood up for himself” and done the right thing.
Chapter 8-
Initially Amir receives Baba’s love and affection which he ‘sacrificed’ Hassan for. He tries to overlook his guilt and ignores Hassan in his attempt at doing so. He chooses to be ignorant and rude towards Hassan instead of trying to make things right.
Everything that Hassan and Amir had together, is tainted by Amir’s betrayal. Even the carving on the pomegranate tree makes Amir sick. Amir cannot relish his new, closer relationship with Baba because of his guilt, all the pain that he has caused undercuts the happiness he might have gained.
Unable to avoid Hassan at all times, Amir asks Baba whether he had ever thought about getting new servants, which in turn makes Baba ashamed of Amir. He thus loses the happiness he had gained and Baba’s approval through his betrayal.
Amir tries to provoke Hassan to retaliate as his reaction would make things easier for Amir. However, Hassan yet again proves his unwavering loyalty and love for Amir which makes Amir feel worse as it proves that Hassan is a better person than him, which had always been a source of jealousy for Amir.
Everyone thanking Baba for his charity during Amir’s birthday party only highlight Amir’s own shame for his selfishness and insecurity.
Rahim Khan shares a personal story which is another example of the injustices against Hazaras. He implies that at times even love and compassion cannot break down the walls of religious dogmatism and prejudices which prove to be stronger. He also gifts Amir a notebook encouraging him to pursue writing.
Chapter 9 –
ReplyDeleteAmir continues to feel guilty and despite his efforts to avoid Hassan he cannot do so successfully as long as they both live under the same roof. Hence Amir contrives a situation trying to remove Hassan from the house on the grounds of what Baba considers the ultimate sin - theft. The first time Amir betrayed Hassan involved a lack of action when he stood and watched as Hassan was being raped, but in this chapter he goes out of his way to frame Hassan of theft.
However, Amir’s plan backfires as Hassan wrongly confesses to the crimes Amir framed him for, once again proving himself to be a loyal friend. The two Hazaras then take the difficult decision to go to Hazarajat which makes Amir realise that he just destroyed the years of understanding shared by Baba and Ali.
With that ended Amir’s memories of his childhood in Kabul.
Chapter 10 –
In 1978 the Afghan communist party overthrew President Daoud Khan which led to the paranoia and betrayals that Amir describes. In 1979, with the invasion of Russian forces Afghanistan was thrown into a cauldron of violence and unrest leading to the sway of Assef types who held control giving them the power to act upon their cruel whims.
To Baba who was a staunch supporter of moral principles, the disintegration of lawlessness and mayhem was a personal let down. There was no honour in Afghanistan. He was ready to take the bullets when one of the lady passengers on the bus leaving Kabul, was being forced to spend half an hour with the Russian soldiers. This took Amir back to the incident in the alley. He compared his cowardly actions to Baba’s heroism and questions whether he truly is Baba’s son.
Baba kisses the soil of Afghanistan, already mourning for a country that is destroying itself.
When Baba asks Amir to think about something happy, trying to take his mind off the situation they were in, Amir immediately envisions the day he flew kites with Hassan. This sight is now not only a source of remorse but also strength. His childhood memories with Hassan keep going through the horrors of their journey. We can say, even in this situation it was Hassan who indirectly supported Amir and helped him get through these tough times when he lost all his privileges and wealth.
CHAPTER 12
ReplyDeleteAmir remembers staying up late at night with Hassan in Afghanistan. Now he stays up late at night thinking about Soraya, “My Swap Meet Princess”. Amir is always looking at Soraya when he goes to the flea market, and Baba reminds him to remember honor and pride. Amir promises not to embarrass anyone. Amir spends a lot of time speaking to Soraya, perhaps more than he should, until her mother comes over and then he leaves. He thinks about her all the time and one day at the flea market they talk about how she wants to become a teacher; Amir gives her one of his stories for her to read. The General breaks up their conversation, throws the story in the trash, and basically scolds Amir for speaking so freely and being so bold with his daughter. Baba gets sick and Amir is worried; after visiting a couple of doctors they learn that Baba has cancer, and it will kill him. Baba slowly gets sicker and he reaches a point when he knows he will die soon and tells Amir to ask the General for Soraya’s hand. He does so and is accepted, but Soraya wants Amir to know about her past. She ran away with another man and disgraced her family. Amir has his own checkered past and does not hold hers against her; he agrees to marry her anyway and wants to tell her about Hassan but he does not.
CHAPTER 17
Rahim gives Amir letters from Hassan and a picture of Hassan and his son Sohrab. In the first letter, Hassan tells Amir that he hopes he sees him again someday and he tells his wife and son about Amir all the time. In the second letter, he writes to Amir about the Taliban and how much Kabul has changed since they came in. He also brags about Sohrab and how good he is with a slingshot, just like his dad. In the third letter, Hassan tells Amir how sick Rahim is getting, but he hopes that he will get well. The tone of the letters is pleasant and Amir can see that Hassan does not hold a grudge. Rahim tells Amir what happened to Hassan: one month after Rahim came to Peshawar he got word that the Taliban did not believe Rahim left the house in the care of Hassan and Farzana so they were executed. Rahim called Amir to Peshawar to rescue Sohrab from the orphanage where he is being kept; he knows some people who will adopt the boy. Amir does not want to until he finds out that Hassan is his half-brother; apparently, Ali was sterile so Baba got Sanaubar pregnant. Amir storms out of Rahim’s apartment when he learns the news.
CHAPTER 22
Farid and Amir get to the cleric’s house, and Farid waits in the car. Amir meets the cleric who is wearing a gold watch, sunglasses, a white robe splattered with blood from the stoning, and he has track marks on his arms. He tells Amir about the massacre of the Hazaras and how liberating it felt. He calls Sohrab into the room, and he has bells on his ankles. The cleric plays some music and Sohrab begins to dance. Amir realizes that the cleric is a pedophile when he sees him rub Sohrab’s back. The cleric asks Amir about “old Babalu”, which is the mean name the kids used to call Ali, and Amir realizes that the cleric is Assef. Amir asks Assef if he can buy Sohrab from him, but Assef is not interested in money. He tells a story about how he became Taliban and then tells Amir that he will give Sohrab to him if Amir will fight him. Ever since Hassan held a slingshot to Assef when they were kids he has held a grudge. The fight is mostly one-sided as Assef beats Amir with his brass knuckles and it only stops when Sohrab, like his father, holds a slingshot up to Assef armed with a brass ball. Unlike his father, Sohrab actually shoots the ball and hits Assef in the left eye. Sohrab and Amir run from the house, jump in Farid’s car, and take off.
Chapter 13
ReplyDeleteThis chapter is about Amir’s and Soraya's married life. It is set in San Francisco where the readers are given the idea that it is safe so they can enjoy things in life. The readers introduced to a whole new culture as the book describes a traditional wedding. This shows that Amir is growing and is finding ways to love others. A major point in this story is when Baba dies. It ends a happy wedding with a sad thing. Babas death was a symbol of parental love because Amir realizes that all of Baba’s sacrifices and way of life was all of him. He finally understands what it meant to be a parent. It prepared him for the future. There were some minor characters introduced such as Soraya’s family at his wedding. These were just used to help move the story along. The author uses foreshadowing in the book. When Baba dies, it prepared Amir for Sohrab, the boy that he will later take in. The main theme of this chapter was what it meant to be a parent. Amir realized that he wanted a child and he also realized that Baba did everything for him. Amir was excited for a child: “The idea of fatherhood unleashed a swirl of emotions” (Hosseini 184). A sub-theme is one of love. Soraya and Amir got married and they really loved each other. Soraya went so far to say that Amir was, “‘so different from every Afghan guy I’ve[Soraya] met’” (Hosseini 180). Those lines are important because they outline the major themes in the story. The love line brought the married couple closer together and the parenthood line foreshadows Amirs feeling towards Sohrab and he was never able to have a child of his own.
Chapter 18
This chapter was made primarily up of flashbacks. Amir is in Afghanistan and Ramir-Khan had just introduced Sohrab to Amir. Amir is also still in shock upon learning that Hassan was his half brother. Sohrab was introduced, it was not a physical person at the time but the idea of him was there. This was a major character as it will be Amir’s future son. There are no new symbols in this chapter just the reoccurring symbol of family which is shown when he goes back to Ramir-Khan to go look for Sohrab. The author uses flashbacks to show readers why Amir decided to find Sohrab. The theme again is family. The sub-theme is also friendship because that is what leads Amir to Sohrab. While Amir feels resentment to Baba is an important scene because it shows that even though he might have forgiven Baba, there will always be some resentment.
Chapter 23
This chapter is a series of flashbacks that help the readers see what really happened in the fights. We understand that the Amir is a symbol of Baba’s guilt as he wants to punished for what happened with Hassan, just like Baba wants to be punished. Amir also realizes that they are very similar in this chapter. There is a new minor character introduced- Dr. Faruqi, who tells Amir to go with Sohrab and leave as soon as possible. It is in this chapter where Amir learns he has to make a choice, take Amir in or drop him off at some random orphanage. This foreshadows Amirs choice to take Sohrab in. The author uses symbols such as family. Family is the main theme in this chapter. Amir realizes Baba’s and his connection to each other. He understands why Baba acted the way he did. Rahim Khan also persuaded Amir on his journey to find Sohrab a good home. These all interconnect to the theme of family as Rahim Khan is a father figure and even in near death, he is providing for Amir. He gave Amir money to help him get back and pay for his hospital bills. Amir also now has a hope for fatherhood. This goes back to the sub-theme of parenthood which is still related to the family. In these past few chapters as Amir has gone back to his hometown, the theme family is extremely present and shapes most of the book.
I had to use my US school account, it would not let me upload any other way
DeleteChapter 11-
ReplyDeleteBaba has very strong morals and the rest of the disappoints him by not living up to his standards. He is an honest man with honour who takes it as a personal attack when the manager asks for an ID implying that he was untrustworthy. He does not hold the same stature in America that he did in Afghanistan which is hard for him to adjust to.
Living in a foreign country, he feels out of touch with his surroundings but his values remain etched in stone as he continues to sacrifice himself for others’ sakes.
It is only in the flea market where Baba find a piece of his old Afghan community.
On the contrary, the transition is good for Amir, as being away from the familiar environment gives him the chance to forget the guilt for betraying Hassan.
Amir believes that betraying Hassan was a sacrifice for Baba and decides to focus on his writing.
Amir talks about America in the context of a river and a way for him to was away his past sins. He wants to be reborn and start a new life where he can pursue writing without being haunted by Hassan
Up until this point of the story, all significant characters have been male. However, in this chapter Hosseini introduces a female character who will become an important in Amir’s life- Soraya. Through her character the author sheds light on the Afghan double standards. A man who is involved with a woman without marriage is overlooked whereas a woman doing the same is subjected to a lifetime of shame and gossip.
Chapter 16-
ReplyDeleteHassan finally returns to the story. We learn that he is married, just like Amir, and has a child with Farzana, unlike Amir and Soraya. The fact that Hassan names his son Sohrab makes it clear that he still thinks of Amir. He has already forgiven Amir for the betrayal and tries to reconnect with his old friend even while Amir tried to escapes from the memory of Hassan. Hassan has also become more independent by having learned how to read and write on his own, a disadvantage that Amir used to tease him about trying to feel superior.
For Hassan, Baba’s house becomes a haven against the cruel violent Afghanistan outside its wall. Though he was called as a friend, an equal, he insists on retaining his position of a servant.
Not only does Hassan forgive Amir, but also his mother Sanaubar who abandoned him when he was a baby and welcomes her back to the family.
We see that Hassan does many of the same things with his son that he used to do with Amir during his own childhood – like flying kites. It is evident that Hassan’s relationship with Sohrab is the healthiest father son relationships in the book.
With the increase power of the Taliban, the abuse against Hazaras returns. Hassan is well aware of the newer threats and ultra-religious government that will be harsher against those with varying beliefs.
Chapter 21-
ReplyDeleteThe everyday struggle of life in Taliban’s Afghanistan is shown through two men bargaining for a prosthetic leg. The adversity of Kabul truly strikes Amir’s heart when he sees Baba’s mansion. His mind is once again flooded with memories of Hassan from his childhood and Afghanistan. However, Baba’s mansion seems smaller and less impressive to him after living in America. This shows that the American air suited Amir well.
Amir could not help but visit the old places of his childhood, but even the pomegranate tree, like everything else in Afghanistan, had wilted. The Kabul that Amir remembered in his memories and carried with him to America was symbolically dead.
Amir’s life with Soraya in America feels worlds away from the life in Afghanistan. there is extreme terror among the people and they are too afraid to take part in events like soccer games which were once the source of joy for Baba.
The Taliban justify their violence by interpreting the Islamic law in a harsh, strict way. The punishments are considered to be a spectacle. They rule by fear and their word becomes the law.
Anushka Basu
ReplyDeleteCHAPTER 14
It is June 2001. The chapter starts with Amir’s phone call with Rahim Khan. Amir talked to Rahim Khan after twenty years and he was emotionally shook after hearing his voice. This is the same phone call that is shown in the first chapter. So now the story has come to the present. Rahim Khan is ill and he wants Amir to visit him. Amir is upset after hearing about him and decides to go to Pakistan. Amir’s dog’s name is Aflatoon which is the Farsi translation for ‘Plato’. Amir informs Soraya of his visit to Pakistan as Rahim Khan is the first grownup he acknowledged as a friend. Amir and Soraya have a loving relationship as the “fifteen years of marriage had turned [them] into mind readers” (Hosseini 176). Amir went alone for a walk to Golden Gate Park. There he sees a father and son playing football. The next moment his eyes fell on a pair of kites in the sky. And the only thing he remembers after seeing kites is Hassan. He was thinking about Rahim Khan’s last words before hanging up. Rahim Khan said that “[t]here is a way to be good again” and insisted Amir to come to Pakistan (Hosseini 177). Rahim Khan’s words guarantees Amir that he knows about Hassan’s rape and his false accusation of Hassan stealing from him. Amir was suspicious all these years but his last words assured him that Rahim Khan knows the truth. That same night, Amir talks about his relationship with Soraya. They are in their bed. They still make love but both of them feel a subconscious futility in the act. They used to have a conversation about having a child buy now they mostly talk about work and gossip about other people. They have been married for fifteen years but they don't have a child. This infers that Amir and Soraya are facing difficulties for bearing a child. Even after all these years, Amir feels guilty for his deeds against Hassan. For Amir, his guilt and inability of having a child has intertwined and turned into one feeling of desolation. Amir is not just going to Pakistan for seeing Rahim Khan but also wants to get redemption. This can be evidenced by Amir’s dream about Hassan running into the snow. Amir leaves for Pakistan a week later. This chapter explores Amir’s emotional turmoil.
Anushka Basu
ReplyDeleteCHAPTER 19
After learning that Hassan is his half brother and learning about his death, Amir promises to find Sohrab who is Hassan’s son. Rahim Khan arranges a driver names Farid to take Amir to Kabul. During the journey, Amir is suffering from car sickness. Farid throws “dismissive looks” which shows his coldness towards Amir. Farid and his father fought the Soviets. Farid had children but he lost two daughters and his three fingers on his left hand in a land mine. Amir is dressed in a traditional Afghan dress. After he reaches Afghanistan, Amir feels like a tourist in his own country. Farid taunts Amir if he still thinks Afghanistan as his own country after twenty years in America. Farid’s idea of Amir’s childhood that he grew up in a large house with servants and his father driving a luxurious American car, and that Amir never wore a pakol before, which is a typical Afghani hat. Farid points out to a ragged looking beggar and tells him that he is a real Afghani. They stop for the night at Farid’s brother Wahid’s house. They are poor inferred by the bare dirt walls and two lamp lights. Wahid asks Amir why he came to Afghanistan. Farid says a judgmental comment that Amir has probably come to Afghanistan to sell his land and go back to America with the money. Wahid scolds Farid for insulting the guest. Amir explains them that he came to Afghanistan to find a Hazara boy, who is his half brother, to take him to Peshawar. Wahid tells Amir that he is a true Afghan and is proud to let him stay at his house. Wahid’s wife serves dinner to Amir and Farid. Wahid says they already ate. While eating, Amir notices Wahid’s three boys looking at his watch. He gives the watch to them but they lose fascination after a few moments. Farid apologizes to Amir for speaking harsh words and says he will help Amir find the boy. Amir dreams about Hassan shot by a man and realizes that he himself is the man. He goes outside to pacify himself and overhears Wahid and his wife talking. They are arguing about dinner. Their children couldn’t have dinner because they gave Amir their food. That moment Amir realizes that the boys weren’t watching his watch during dinner instead they were gazing at the food because they were hungry. Next morning before leaving, Amir keeps a bundle of money under one of their mattresses. The readers can recall that this type of situation happened earlier too when Amir, at the age of 13, kept few envelopes of money and the watch gifted by Baba under Hassan’s mattress to make him leave his house. The contrast between these two situations is that earlier Amir kept the money to get Hassan out his life but this time Amir kept the money to help someone in need. This chapter demonstrates Amir’s feeling of coming back to his hometown and how his emotions has changed and feels different about it. Previously, he loved Afghanistan and can never think of leaving it however, now he feels like a tourist in Afghanistan. This perception change is triggered by his emotions which mainly includes Hassan. Another factor could be the recent revelation of Baba’s actions to Amir because now he thinks of Baba as a coward even though he regarded him the most important person in his life.