1)Baba loved The "idea" of America, yet was unable to adapt to the American cultural differences for example the use of idea in the shop.
Where as Amir revelled in the differences, as it formed a fresh new start in which he could escape his past.
"for me America was a place to bury my memories
for Baba it was a place to mourn his"
2) Hassan cannot escape from Hassan's memory. Whenever Baba mentions Hassan's name Amir still has the same powerful reaction. "A pair of steel hands closed around my windpipe at the sound of his name"
3)Baba's greatest fear is that an afghan would see him buying food with "charity money.
4)
Saturday, 20 September 2014
Sunday, 14 September 2014
CHAPTER TEN QUESTIONS
1) Five years have passed since Amir's thirteenth birthday.
2)
3)For the most part I think Baba's actions were incredibly heroic, however I also thing that in some ways his morality can be questioned when he gets agitated by his scared son and exclaims,"have I not taught you anything?".
4)Amir was glad for the darkness because he's scared of Baba's volatile temper and didn't want to see the murderous look on his face. Amir has begun to be more and more grateful for darkness since Hassan's rape. I think since Amir didn't confess to leaving Hassan with Assef, he's became progressively ashamed and feels over exposed when in front of Hassan, Ali or Baba.
5)The words "one disappointing son and two suitcases" make me feel less sorry for him and more adversed to him, as he should be grateful that his son is alive, rather than being disappointed.
2)
3)For the most part I think Baba's actions were incredibly heroic, however I also thing that in some ways his morality can be questioned when he gets agitated by his scared son and exclaims,"have I not taught you anything?".
4)Amir was glad for the darkness because he's scared of Baba's volatile temper and didn't want to see the murderous look on his face. Amir has begun to be more and more grateful for darkness since Hassan's rape. I think since Amir didn't confess to leaving Hassan with Assef, he's became progressively ashamed and feels over exposed when in front of Hassan, Ali or Baba.
5)The words "one disappointing son and two suitcases" make me feel less sorry for him and more adversed to him, as he should be grateful that his son is alive, rather than being disappointed.
Sunday, 7 September 2014
CHAPTER NINE QUESTIONS
1)Amir dismisses his birthday gifts as he believes that they have been payed for with blood money. He believes that people wouldn't have been as extravagant if he hadn't have won the kite fighting tournament. As Hassan got raped from refusing to give up Assef's blue kite, he cant stand them. When he received his present off Ali and Hassan he felt unworthy to receive it and even had to hide it at the bottom of the pile.
2)Amir decides to frame Hassan for the theft of his birthday presents including money, and his new watch that Baba got him.
3) The consequence of this decision is that Hassan informs Ali that Amir witnessed the rape and didn't do or say anything in his defence. As a result of this they both decide to leave, Baba takes this badly, pleading with them to stay, but they both leave regarless.
4)Baba's reaction to Ali and Hassan's decision is startling, because earlier in the novel, Baba deemed stealing as completely unacceptable and inexcusable.Therefor him being so willing to forgive Hassan's supposed "stealing" is very shocking.
5)The final lines of the chapter are poetic as they reflect the sadness that occurs within the chapter itself.
2)Amir decides to frame Hassan for the theft of his birthday presents including money, and his new watch that Baba got him.
3) The consequence of this decision is that Hassan informs Ali that Amir witnessed the rape and didn't do or say anything in his defence. As a result of this they both decide to leave, Baba takes this badly, pleading with them to stay, but they both leave regarless.
4)Baba's reaction to Ali and Hassan's decision is startling, because earlier in the novel, Baba deemed stealing as completely unacceptable and inexcusable.Therefor him being so willing to forgive Hassan's supposed "stealing" is very shocking.
5)The final lines of the chapter are poetic as they reflect the sadness that occurs within the chapter itself.
CHAPTER EIGHT QUESTIONS
1)The relationship between Amir and Hassan has transformed from a brotherly friendship to tense awkward strangers. Hassan feels violated and remains on his own in bed for as long as possible, and Amir feels an overwhelming feeling of guilt whenever he looks at Hassan.
2) A chasm develops between Hassan, Amir and Baba.
3)As Rahim Kahn and Amir usually have a close friendship, where Rahim even reads Amir's stories, we would have expected Rahim to be more proud and enthusiastic about Amir's victory. However Rahim was silent and reserved, and even gave Amir an "odd look".
4) Amir asks his father if he's ever "thought about getting new servants". This interrogative reveals Amir's selfish streak, and implies that he'd rather sacrifice a close friendship to quell his guilt. Baba's declarative "you give me shame" shows that he feels outrages at the very suggestion of replacing them, thus showing is loyalty towards Hassan and Ali.
5)An insomniac is someone who finds it immensely difficult to sleep. Amir becoming an insomniac is very relevant as it suggests that Amir's decision to not intervene in the rape is still permanently on his mind.
6)Rahim tells Amir the story, to try and comfort and reassure Amir that sometimes it's okay if you feel like as a Pashton, you can't always maintain a close frienship/relationship with a Hazara. Due to the fact that society, or family can sometimes influence and destroy it.
7)The quotation "then mercifully darkness", implies that Amir finds it easier when he can't see Hassan being abused, and complies with the idiom"out of sight, out of mind".
2) A chasm develops between Hassan, Amir and Baba.
3)As Rahim Kahn and Amir usually have a close friendship, where Rahim even reads Amir's stories, we would have expected Rahim to be more proud and enthusiastic about Amir's victory. However Rahim was silent and reserved, and even gave Amir an "odd look".
4) Amir asks his father if he's ever "thought about getting new servants". This interrogative reveals Amir's selfish streak, and implies that he'd rather sacrifice a close friendship to quell his guilt. Baba's declarative "you give me shame" shows that he feels outrages at the very suggestion of replacing them, thus showing is loyalty towards Hassan and Ali.
5)An insomniac is someone who finds it immensely difficult to sleep. Amir becoming an insomniac is very relevant as it suggests that Amir's decision to not intervene in the rape is still permanently on his mind.
6)Rahim tells Amir the story, to try and comfort and reassure Amir that sometimes it's okay if you feel like as a Pashton, you can't always maintain a close frienship/relationship with a Hazara. Due to the fact that society, or family can sometimes influence and destroy it.
7)The quotation "then mercifully darkness", implies that Amir finds it easier when he can't see Hassan being abused, and complies with the idiom"out of sight, out of mind".
Saturday, 6 September 2014
CHAPTER SEVEN QUESTIONS
1) The way in which the sky is described as a"blameless blue" could suggest Amir views himself as blameless for not intervening in Hassan's assault.
2)Amir replies to Hassan by saying "We won" which is surprising as Amir usually detests sharing Baba's, or anyone's attention else's attention with Hassan.
3)The narrator interrupts the chapter with a dream and memory as both were particularly traumatic for Amir, and symbolise that Amir was paralysed with fear and wasn't thinking rationally about what was happening in the present.
4) Wali and Kamal both seem unsure, and share mixed emotions ranging from fear to excitement. Wali seems particularly scared, as his father viewed it as "sinful".the way in which Wali reacts is extremely significant as it shows that his fear of Assef outshines is loyalty to his father, as he doesn't abide by his fathers rules.
5)The Eid sacrifice is symbolic of how innocent and defenceless Hassan was. I also think that the way in which Amir said the lamb excepted it's fate and stopped moving, suggests that Hassan didn't attempt to defend himself"
5)The Eid sacrifice is symbolic of how innocent and defenceless Hassan was. I also think that the way in which Amir said the lamb excepted it's fate and stopped moving, suggests that Hassan didn't attempt to defend himself"
Thursday, 4 September 2014
CHAPTER SIX QUESTIONS
1)I think the first sentence is only a word long as it summarises the contents of the next two pages. Also it the lack of detail in the sentence could suggest that Amir feels excitable about winter events.
2)Amir adores the winter months as it means school is cancelled, there is less tension between him and Baba, he gets to spend quality time with Hassan and most of all he can run kites and participate in the kite running tournament.
3)kite fighting is exceptionally important to Amir as Baba used to do it as child and it is one of the few things that Baba and Amir share a common interest. It is also the only sport in which Amir is talented in.
4)Afghans cherish custom but abhor rules.
5)The talent that Hassan has that built up our anticipation about what is to come, is his skills at kite running. Amir states that he is the "best kite runner that he has ever seen" as Hassan knows where the kite will land before it lands.
6) We now understand that the novel centres around the sport kite running, and know that what happens at the tournament will affect the novels progression.
7)Amir is cruel to Hassan in this chapter, but it is driven solely by his jealousy regarding the attention that Baba shows to Hassan. It is also clear that he is jealous or Hassan's relationship with Ali. Amir's desire for a more loving father, makes us feel empathetic for him as a character. his desire for Baba's approval and acceptance regarding his mothers death makes us also feel sympathetic towards him, as he has to deal with adult issues such as grief and guilt at such a young age.
8)"He was so goddamn pure, you always felt like a phoney around him"
2)Amir adores the winter months as it means school is cancelled, there is less tension between him and Baba, he gets to spend quality time with Hassan and most of all he can run kites and participate in the kite running tournament.
3)kite fighting is exceptionally important to Amir as Baba used to do it as child and it is one of the few things that Baba and Amir share a common interest. It is also the only sport in which Amir is talented in.
4)Afghans cherish custom but abhor rules.
5)The talent that Hassan has that built up our anticipation about what is to come, is his skills at kite running. Amir states that he is the "best kite runner that he has ever seen" as Hassan knows where the kite will land before it lands.
6) We now understand that the novel centres around the sport kite running, and know that what happens at the tournament will affect the novels progression.
7)Amir is cruel to Hassan in this chapter, but it is driven solely by his jealousy regarding the attention that Baba shows to Hassan. It is also clear that he is jealous or Hassan's relationship with Ali. Amir's desire for a more loving father, makes us feel empathetic for him as a character. his desire for Baba's approval and acceptance regarding his mothers death makes us also feel sympathetic towards him, as he has to deal with adult issues such as grief and guilt at such a young age.
8)"He was so goddamn pure, you always felt like a phoney around him"
CHAPTER FIVE QUESTIONS
1) Afghanistan "changed forever" when the kings cousin Daoud Khan ended the king's forty year reign with a "bloodless coup" and transformed Afghanistan into a republic. This was the beginning of a more violent segregated Afghanni culture " bringing the death" of the Afghanistan that Amir and Hassan grew up in.
2)Baba instinctively calls out to both Hassan and Amir upon entering the house. I think this is extremely significant as it perhaps reveals that Baba loves and cares for Hassan as much as he does for his own son.
3)Amir was slightly grateful for the coup as it meant that he received an embrace which gave him the attention that he always craves from his father.
4) The way in which Hassan questioned Amir about his short story almost cautiously, suggests that he is very respectful around him and he tries to be careful not to offend him. It also shows us that Hassan is very logical and doesn't look past the obvious.
5)Three quotations to describe Assef:
"Assef the ear eater"
"sociopath"
"a savage sort of smile crossed his lips"
These quotations not only reveal that Assef is a bully but also hint at his warped and ruthless personality. They also imply that Assef isn't fully emotionally stable/sane.
6)Assef views a true Afghan as a pure Pashtun and he thinks that the land only belongs to the Pashtuns. this idea is similar to Hitlers opinions regarding his desire for a "pure Germany". The irony surrounding Assef's speech revolves around the fact that Assef isn't a "true Afghan" as his mother is German.
7)Amirs thought "He's not my friend he's my servant" reveals that a small part of Amir could be embarrassed that he's friends wit Hassan. It also reveals that he is very cowardly, and considers saying cruel things about his loyal friend just to save himself.
8)I think Ali is quite reserved about Baba's present for Hassan, as his hairlip was what brought them together originally. I also believe that Ali loves Hassan for who he is and views the operation as un-necessary. I think he doesn't was to offend Baba by rejecting the offer and he also wanted Hassan to decide for himself as Ali wants him to be happy.
9)We are left with a sense of foreboding as the final quotation "that winter Hassan stops smiling' foreshadows something bad happening to Hassan.
2)Baba instinctively calls out to both Hassan and Amir upon entering the house. I think this is extremely significant as it perhaps reveals that Baba loves and cares for Hassan as much as he does for his own son.
3)Amir was slightly grateful for the coup as it meant that he received an embrace which gave him the attention that he always craves from his father.
4) The way in which Hassan questioned Amir about his short story almost cautiously, suggests that he is very respectful around him and he tries to be careful not to offend him. It also shows us that Hassan is very logical and doesn't look past the obvious.
5)Three quotations to describe Assef:
"Assef the ear eater"
"sociopath"
"a savage sort of smile crossed his lips"
These quotations not only reveal that Assef is a bully but also hint at his warped and ruthless personality. They also imply that Assef isn't fully emotionally stable/sane.
6)Assef views a true Afghan as a pure Pashtun and he thinks that the land only belongs to the Pashtuns. this idea is similar to Hitlers opinions regarding his desire for a "pure Germany". The irony surrounding Assef's speech revolves around the fact that Assef isn't a "true Afghan" as his mother is German.
7)Amirs thought "He's not my friend he's my servant" reveals that a small part of Amir could be embarrassed that he's friends wit Hassan. It also reveals that he is very cowardly, and considers saying cruel things about his loyal friend just to save himself.
8)I think Ali is quite reserved about Baba's present for Hassan, as his hairlip was what brought them together originally. I also believe that Ali loves Hassan for who he is and views the operation as un-necessary. I think he doesn't was to offend Baba by rejecting the offer and he also wanted Hassan to decide for himself as Ali wants him to be happy.
9)We are left with a sense of foreboding as the final quotation "that winter Hassan stops smiling' foreshadows something bad happening to Hassan.
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