CONTEXT SUMMARY

CONTEXT

Hosseini shares several similarities with the narrator/ protagonist with in the novel. Bothe were raised in "pre-revolutionary" Afghanistan, not yet damaged by the violence to which the soviet invasion and Taliban. This explains the believability and the pain that was made apparent in the devastating detailed description which Amir gives upon his return to his home country. Hosseini hoped to return to Afghanistan again in 1980 but their plan was foiled as the soviet invasion meant that it wasn't possible.
 Hosseini was raised he was raised in a neighbourhood reasonably similar to the one Amir grew up in. Afghanistan was a cultural, cosmopolitan country at the time which combined western cultured films and literature with Afghan traditions. he also lived in a seemingly upper-class neighbourhood, giving way to lavish parties and a comfortable lifestyle, much like Baba delivered to Amir.
 Hosseini also had a relationship with a Hazara man, who worked as a cook to read and even write. By this time Hosseini also began to engage in literature and poetry, a passion in which Amir and him share.
Although the novel was largely fictional, Hosseini confesses that his childhood in Afghanistan served as inspiration for the novel. The aspect of the book which mostly resembled Hosseini's own experiences was the section in which Amir and Baba are labelled as immigrants in the US, as the Hosseini's were forced to survive on welfare whilst they became accustomed to the changes that a life in the US proposed.
 Whilst the film was being produced (after the large success of the novel and over *million copies being printed)some actors within the film had to be moved out of the country , as some Afghans found the prospect of repeat the hands of the Taliban, incredibly insulting. After a trip as an envoy he was in spired to create the Khanled Hosseini foundation, founding projects which support venerable woman and children in Afghanistan.

CHAPTER FOUR QUESTIONS

The death of Ali's parent reveals some of the true Afganistan as it reveals the hate rid and segregation apparent between the sunni muslims ad the shi'a's. The persecution of the Hazara's is shocking and reveals that the persecutors feel no guilt for bullying and victimising a child. Ali And Baba's relationship adopts a servant and master p, like most people from a society as segregated as Afghanistan. On the other hand i think Ali still sees Baba as a friend, as he is very loyal. Hassan and Amir's relationship falls into exactly the same pattern as both relationships include a sunni and a shi'a. However i think due to the jealous streak in Amir with regards to Hassan receiving affection, the friendship isn't quite as strong as the earlier "friendship" The way in whim amir states " i have never thought of me and Hassan as friends" shows that even though Hassan would do anything for Amir,the favour wouldn't be returned for Hassan and anything isn't enough for Hassan anyway. however it also suggests that Amir may be embarrassed of Hassan's Hazara roots, and doesn't was to be too associated with him for fear of getting persecuted himself. Amir is a sunni muslim whereas Hassan is a shi'a muslim. we find out that Amir is somewhat vindictive and taunting as he torments Hassan about school and tries to make him feel inferior to himself. The way in which he gives the wrong definition of the word to pointlessly mock Hassan and to make him look stupid cold either suggest that Amir has such a low self of steam that he has to knock other people down to make himself feel better, or he's sly, and simply gets pleasure out of telling Hassan the wrong information. Either way the way in which Amir has to lie to himself by saying "i would tell myself" informs the reader that his reasons weren't justifiable. i think the use of the word "best" was truthful, as For all Hassan is a good person who would want to make his friend happy, he is also incredibly honest. The quote that makes it clear that although Amir idolises his father and his father's achievements, resentment is still growing inside him due to lack of attention is: "most days i worshipped Baba with an intensity approaching religious. But right then i wised i could open my veins and drain his cursed blood rom my body." This reveals that even though Amir sometimes thinks of his father as a godlike figure, sometimes he is ashamed that he is his father.

CHAPTER THREE QUESTIONS

A quote to describe Baba is "Baba saw the world in black and white" Amir's father isn't a religious man and even describes Mullah as a "bearded idiot". However a lot of the beliefs he has are similar to the five pillars of islam, with regards to his beliefs about stealing, murder and adultery. Although he isn't religious in the way that drinks alcohol and eats pork, he does mention god, so he believes in certain aspects of the islamic faith.There is a difference between morals and religion: although morals are generally covered with religious laws , you don't have to follow a religion regimentally. Hosseini presents Baba as very stubborn and closed minded. By stating "id never believe he's my son" Hosseini shows the reader that as there are few similarities between Baba and his son, and by using the adverb "never" he suggests that he won't be able to relate to his son in the future either. Also by stating "Baba saw the world in black and white"they suggest that he has a very stubborn nature, which would make reasonably strict with his son. Rahim sees Amir as someone who isn't "violent" and doesn't have a "mean streak" and looks at him as an individual rather than something that should live up to Baba's shadow. Baba thinks he is strange, and cowardly as he waits for Hassan to defend him from torment, yet he lies about it afterwards to Baba. Baba also thinks that his future prospects are bleak, as "a man who can't stand up for himself, won't be able to stand up for anything. At this stage I agree with Baba as not only does he let Hassan fight his battles of him, he also doesn't give Hassan any credit for it, as he lies about where his bruises are.

CHAPTER TWO QUESTIONS

The narrator introduces Hassan by reminiscing about previous memories that they had shared, suggesting that he enjoyed Hassans company. However the way in which Hassan "never wanted to"shoot stones at the dog, or play with the mirrors, yet would do if amir "really asked him to". This shows how manipulative Amir can be, but also shows that he is only concerned with what he wants rather than what his best friend wants to do. This perhaps reveals a selfish streak within Amir. with regards to Baba and Amirs relationship it seems somewhat strained. the quotation "Baba was holding me tired and grim" is ironic, as it shows that even after birth Baba wasn't the stereotypical besotted father. Another telling quote is "its Rahim Kahns pinky my fingers are curled around. This reveals that even as a small child, Amir had a stronger connection with Rahim than his father. With regards to Hassan and Alis relationship it contrasts heavily as their close relationship and love for each other is made much more apparent. "He had found his joy, his antidote". This quote summarises their entire relationship. Hassan not only brings Ali happiness, he is also his salvation. A similarity that both friends share is their absence of a mother, however both situations are very different. Hassan's mother abandoned both Ali and Hassan, making Hassan and Ali become even closer as they shared the same situation, and comforted each other. On the other hand Baba's wife died whilst giving birth to Amir, making Baba see Amir as the cause for his wife's death. This creates a loose relationship that lacks affection. This also causes Amir to be jealous of Hassan, making Amir act selfishly towards him. I think another theme that the writer wants us to notice is racism. It is made apparent by the shocking revelation on the segregation in Afghanistan within a close proximity. The effect of only finding out the narrators names at the end of chapter two is that it causes the reader to be suspicious, as they end up questioning why he didn't reveal it earlier. Personally it made me think that Amir is uncomfortable with his own identity and so is embarrassed to reveal his name.

CHAPTER ONE QUESTIONS

the significance of the past for the narrator is the way in which he seems to feel guilty and ashamed, meaning that his actions were perhaps immoral. This is shown by the quotation "it was my past of unatoned sins" and the quote at the beginning and the end of the chapter "became/made me what i am today". This suggests that he has a low opinion of himself due to his previous actions. The way in which it is at the start and end of the chapter, means it follows a cyclic patter. The physical feature that marks out Hassan is his harelip. Rahim khan is mentioned three times and baba is only mentioned once. This suggests that Amir has a closer relationship to Rahim than his father. The opening and closing of the chapter include a very similar quote, making the chapter follow a cyclic pattern. The also mention the year 1975, which implies that the date is a very important plot point within the novel. Also the way in which Amir is able to describe the day in great detail implies that it is a memory that is always on his mind that he feels is very difficult to forget.