As the posts were getting out of control and confusing, here we go
again...We should all be through Chapters 4 and 5 by Monday, so what I
want you to do is discuss your thoughts about Amir & Hassan. Who do
you like better and why? Also, what are your thoughts of the author's
depiction of Afghanistan, so far? What are your impressions of the
country and the people, as you have read so far?
PLEASE keep on topic. It is just too confusing to stray off topic. It is
witty and funny, but very frustrating...especially for me as I'm trying to
grade you!
295 comments:
1 – 200 of 295 Newer› Newest»don't worry, I know who already posted!!!
I liked Hassan better than Amir. Hassan was very kind and loyal to his family. While, Amir was more of a jerk and only focused on himself.
I like Hassan better because he seems like a good friend and is always faithful to Amir. Amir is mean to Hassan and takes advantage of him. For example, he calls Hassan stupid because he couldn't get an education.
The author description of Afganistan make the country seem similiar to our own. Amir and Baba rewealthy and live similair to how we live. When greater detail is given on the lower classes the differences will become more present.
I like Hassen better. He seems more down-to-earth and kind. Amir makes Hassen feel bad, especially on pages 28-30 when Amir makes Hassen feel worthless because he doesn't understand a word (imbecile / fascinating). Furthermore, Hassen does so much for Amir and Baba (chores), and is very respectful of them.
The author describes Afghanistan as a world similar to our own. The way Amir lives as a wealthy boy, compares to people in our own area. However, Hassen doing chores and whatnot for Amir and Baba shows that the lifestyle they lead is different from ours. Most people in our country don't use children as servants.
I just finished the part steve got to. I wont ruin it for the rest of you. But Wow! this book has some wierd parts.
i think amir as a a$$ he is so self centered and hassan worries about everyone around him instead of himself.
Kinsella is right Amir is self centered while Hassan cares little for himself and mainly for others.
I like Hassan better then Amir because Hassan is a very good friend. He is always defending Amir and looking out for him, and while he is doing that Amir doesn't even thank him for the things he is doign for him.
Although, I think that deep down inside that Amir is appreciative for everything Hassan does for him. Amir is very insecure with himself and his life for many reasons, things like his mother’s death, and his dad never being happy with him contribute a great deal to his insecurities. I think if Amir could get over theese things then he would be able to be as good of a friend as Hassan is to him.
IT WASNT ME I DIDNT GO OFF TOPIC I SAVED THE TOPIC!
i like Hassan better cause of that mystical quality that let him predict stuff like where the kite was landing.
i dont think Amir will ever accept Hassan as a friend. He is always goin to be the servant in Amir's mind.
The author’s description of Afghanistan kind of confuses me. I have always thought of Afghanistan as a dangerous and poor country, but his descriptions are proving me wrong. The author makes the country seem like any normal part of the United States or any other country, with an upper class and lower class, schools, sports, and daily life. Since the news always focuses on the bad things that happen in Afghanistan I always though of it as a negative society, that was poor and dirty.
I like Amir because he is a dynamic character. Unlike Hassan, he changes, and reacts to his surroundings. Hassan is very static, which is boring to me. I like characters that change, and act differently with every new situation.
Jess- Well Amir is grown up in Afghanistan, and could not compare it to other countries because he hadn't lived anywhere else. Plus we as americans have a stereotypical view on countries like Afghanistan. This happens because the media only focuses on the negitives. I haven't seen one newsreport about something other than war in the Middle East.
Wait til you guys read what happens next... By the way, what chapter are you guys on? (I'm actually enjoying this book a lot)
pat- if your talking about wat steve was telling us about... then thats kinda wierd that you enjoyed it.
In my opinion, Hassan is the better character. He seems like a happy-go-lucky kind of guy. On page 27 it states that Amir was complaining about how much homework he has, which I believe is a minor issue compared to what Hassan has to do. Hassan works hard as a servant. He remains happy by singing while he works. Amir looks down upon Hassan because Hassan is illiterate. Even though Amir treats Hassan like a friend, he does not respect him because he views him a being stupid. Hassan really looks up to Amir and wants to learn from him.
Jeff- no the parts I'm reading now... I'm almost done with the book :p
Pat and Jess (and all)- I'm glad to see that you admitted to thinking that Afghanistan was not comparable to the US. I think Jess even used the word "dirty." While, we live in an exceptional country, I also want you all to walk away from this unit with an appreciation for the beauty and the intellectual contributions of the ME. There's a lor of media coverage given to the crazy fundamentalists and to inequalities under particular totalitarian regimes but we neglect to see places that prosper, have freedoms and democratic practices, and positively contribute to the world. It's not that the ME is evil or Islam is bad, but the fundamentalist regimes that are ruining our image of the region.
Also- I don't think anyone actually answered my question from the other day...
anyone want to ponder why Amir is telling his story from the USA- San Fran to be specific. Why????? or maybe why not somewhere else?
The author portrays Afghanistan as a scary and dangerous place to live. The young children are exposed to the fighting, but do not really understand what is going on. Afghanistan is going through a lot of changes, especially over who will control their country. On an economic level, the way the Afghanistan people view each other is similar to the way people in our country view each other. There are different levels of wealth in both countries. The only difference is in Afghanistan you are born into your wealth class and you remain in that class. In our country you are born in a certain class but you can work towards a higher class.
Jessie- are you seriouse how do u think that Amir appreciates Hassan. On page 34 close to the end it says one Amirs thoughts about hassans fellings about his story. Amir says " What does he know, that illiterate Hazara? He'll never be anything but a cook. How dare he criticize you?" That is only one of the times where Amir shows how he is not appriciative of Hassans help. There are many other times where Amir shows how he is not appriciative. Expecially in chapter 7.
LJ- i think that Amir is telling his story from the US because i beleive that he is running from his insecurities that he feels in Afghanistan. Amir probably flees to America after something bad happends.
Also i think that Afghanistan is the same as America. There are poor and rich people in the US. THe same goes for Afghanistan. I always thought that Afghanistan was a poor country. MOst people dont look past the news reports that portray Afghanistan as a country where people live in mud huts and have 10 guns on them. Also until recently i have not looked past the fortunate towns that are around me. Until resently I thought that the 2 countries where comepletly different, but they are acually very similar.
LJ- I feel that America is Amir's refuge, where he can forget about his past and move on with the future. That is why he is more comfortable narrating from America. San Fransico could be the place where something happens to Amir, and he has to repent and tell his life story to someone of importance.
I defenately like Hassan more than Amir. Amir is so self centerd while Amir is always thinking about himself and how he is trying to proe himself to Baba. Also Amir is greedy. In example that o page 51 it tells on how Baba used to buy Amir and Hassan the same kites for both of them. When Amir wanted a nicer one Baba would buy that nicer one for Amir and Hassan and later in the book Amir wishes that Hassan didn't get the better kits that Baba bought for him ,and he wishes that himsel, Amir, had only got it to be special.
Also about the characters in the novel I think that Assef is really mean ,and symbolizes a mean leader like Adolf Hitler or Josef Stalin. He thinks very much like them and has many of the same beliefs. He does not like Hazara's and thinks that Afganistan should only consist of Pashtuns such as Assef himself and Amir, not Hassan since he is a Hazara.
The description the author has on Afghanistan is that it is behind. In example in chapter six they talk about telivisions and how Iran already has them ,and how Afghanistan is sort of lost on the map. Also since the king of Afghanistan has now died i think that the Talian is going to come in and start killing all of the Hazara's.
LJ- I think this novel is being told from America or San Francisco because Afghanistan has liek rich and poor people just like America , and when the gun fire goes off in teh city i think that is the begining of what is going to happen to Afghanistan and how it is going to be taken over by the Taliban. Then i think that Amir is going to flee the country because something bad is going to happen in the country and that is going to force him to leave.
great job guys...One thing to ponder, to follow up on LJ's thoughts...Could Amir be seeking penance for something in Afghanistan, or the US? Again, why do you think he's telling this from, specifically, San Fransisco? What is the role of women, thus far in the novel? I've been waiting for someone to mention their thoughts.
I agree. Amir is very focused on himself and does what is best for him. I have much more respect for Hassan because he tries hard and believes in what is right for everyone, not just himself.
oh and to answer LJ's question up there...
I think that maybe Amir is more comfortable telling the story from America because it a safe country. If he told it from somewhere else, like Afghanistan, he might be fearful from his past, and feel unsure and uncomfortable.
i think that AMir is telling his story from San fransisco because the war in Afghanistan pushed all of the people out to Pakistan. I think that Amir kept traveling east to escape his past and all of his bad deeds. He traveld to America to escape from all of them. It also makes sense that he is in San Fransisco because it is basically strait east of Kabul.
OMG i am almost almost finished with the book its really good, but not SOOOOOO good. ive read better
I, like everyone else, like Hassan better because he is athletic and he can't lie. He also is loyal to Amir and his father.
i think amir is telling this story from San Francisco because in Aghanistan it is to risky to write this kind of novel and he might get killed.
Who else thinks that Amir telling us bad things that might of happened to Hassan, like him never smiling, is a foreshadowing that something bad did happen to Hassan, and maybe Amir had something to do with it.
I like Hassan because Hassan is making the most out of his life with the little he has. And Amir just lives his life carelessly. Amir has no other friends besides Hassan but Amir is worried and confused about whether he wants to admit that Hassan is his friend. Hassan has been nothing but a good friend to Amir and sometimes Amir treats him like dirt.
Hassan is a lot like Simon from the Lord of the Flies. They both are innocent and are angelic-like. they both also have an instinct that no one else has, like Hassan can predict where exactly the kind will land, and Simon knew that there was no beastie and it was in fact inside everyone. Also Jack adn Amir are kind of alike in the fact that they both treat there friends without the respect they deserve.
i agree with kinsella when e talks about how Amir made some bad decisions in his life, and he wanted to get away from them, and i guess he saw San Francisco and knew that he could start anew there.
I think Amir is telling his story from San Frasisco because it is easier for the reader to relate to somthing they know. So since everyone in this class is from the United States it gives us a little easier understanding of his position of the story. Even though it mostly takes part in the Middle East.
I believe Amir is in San Francsico because, like Ryan said, he is trying to forget the pain and suffering in Afghanistan. He probably thinks he will be able to start fresh and new, and begin a better life for himself.
However, what about living in New York? Yes, San Francisco has nicer weather conditions (Amir is more used to warm weather), but why would he go to San Francisco, when he could live in New York, 'the land of opportunites?' That is my question... (I guess I'll find it out sooner or later.)
:D
I think Hassan is very similiar to Simon too. I just hadn't made the connection until ryan told us.
Along with most of the class, i like Hassan more than Amir. Hassan is greatful for everything he gets, though he doesn't get much, while Amir always wants more. Also, Amir always wants to have more than Hassan. Another reason i don't like Amir is that he is almost embarrassed and he feels disgraced that he is friends with Hassan. This is shown when they meet up with Assef and he asks Amir why he is Hassan's friend, Amir almost answers, "He is not my friend". Hassan has done nothing bad to Amir and is trying to be friends with him and Amir doesn't appreciate it.
I think that in some ways Afghanistan is like America but in others they are very different. Like America, there are different classes. There are rich people and there are poor people. Also, there is racism in Afghanistan against the Hazaras and there is racism in America. But these countries are also different. As we talked about this is class once, Afghanistan is surrounded by war while we aren't. We are in wars but we don't actually see it. This is shown when Amir goes to Hassan to show him the story and they hear shots being fired in the background. They are starting to be surrounded by war. This has never happened to any of us so we are also very different from Afghanistan.
I think that Amir is telling his story from San Fran because he wanted to escape his past in Afghanistan. I think something happens there that Amir will regret the rest of his life so much that he moves away. Also, he tells about some of the bad things going on in Afghanistan. This made me think of Stalin and Russia. When ever anyone said something bad about Russia or Stalin, they were either far away from Russia or Stalin was dead. Trotsky only talked about Russia when he was all the way in Mexico and he was still killed. Amir wanted to get away from Afghanistan to tell his story because he might have been killed for talking about it.
I think they may have been forced to leave their home and went to Afganistan for refuge.
I think that the the next person to use "i think" at the begining of their post is very boring repetative monotonous unoriginal and annoying. I also agree with the people that see Hassan acting like the savior figure. He cares little for himself and only about Amir and his well being.
I think that the the next person to use "i think" at the begining of their post is very boring repetative monotonous unoriginal and annoying. I also agree with the people that see Hassan acting like the savior figure. He cares little for himself and only about Amir and his well being.
Im still sticking with my opinion, i like them both equally. As you read along you may find out why or not. I have finished the book, the ending is so amazing.... thats all im gonna say. and since my amazing question that i thought i posted this morning didnt come up ill post it again. What if amir and hassan are brothers? would it change anything between them? Would it have affected Amir's decision during the alleyway incident?
If Amir and Hassan were brothers. Amir would have treated Hassan much better than what he did before. He would have tried to prevent the alleyway incident, and would've seen Hassan as a equal. But whats the possiblity of Amir and Hassan being brothers? Unless something shocking happened long time ago.
I THINK THAT IF YOU PUT ONE MORE UNNECESSARY COMMENT ON HERE, I'M GOING TO ASSIGN A STUDY GUIDE OF QUESTIONS FOR EACH CHAPTER...THEN YOU'LL SEE BORING AND MONOTONOUS!
Jake - great answers!
Stephen - I like that you posed a question! More people should try that!
Pat - good response
Everyone is doing a great job...Chris, I'm glad you've read better books, but that doesn't mean you won't trip upon another great read again in your life...
Happy Blogging my lovelys...I'm reading these.............
I like Hassan better than Amir so far. He always wants to learn new things from stories and I think he would be very wise if he learned how to read. Also he is a loyal friend and treats people with respect,even though he gets treated worse by society.
The author's depiction of Afghanistan is kind of like our society today. The kids have to worry about bullies, school work, and somtimes they have to face family problems, like the way Amir feels about Baba. Amir wants to have more in common with his father.
I'm still waiting for someone to give me a well thought answer to my question... WHY America? If you were an Afghan & fled your country, why come all the way to America over another country in the Middle East that has similar cultural lifestyles? How about applying some of ther references in the first 4 chapters or some of our discussions or some of the history notes we've done???? You don't have to reach the end of the book to make some connections here.
And just to reiterate what Mrs B said.. this should not be a sounding board for your wit or a place to try to prove why you are better than your classmates. FOCUS ON THE BOOK! While I am still quite glad that you guys are getting into the idea of blogging, the spurts of immaturity shown in inability to focus on the assignment and the callous tones/responses to others is becoming more than mildly irritating. I would like to continue this type of forum in the future but you have got to follow some ground rules here!
If Hassan and Amir were brothers their relationship might change. Hassan would not be Amir's servent and he might start to act just like Amir. They might not respect each other the way they do now. Amir would think of Hassan as an equal. Amir would be able to hang out with him even when his other friends were around.(On page 41 in the 3rd paragraph, Amir questions himself why he only plays with Hassan when no one else is around.)
Also Hassan would not think that Amir was very smart anymore because he would know how to read and like I said before, he would probably be more stuious. :)
Assef, to me, is becoming increaslingly similiar to Roger from The Lord of the Flies. Both have ridiculed others and both were enemies of the angelic figure. Has anyone else noticed this or am i heading down the wrong thought plane?
LJ- I realize that many people have bgan to read further ahead in the novel. And i personally do not wish to spoil your question now that i know the answer.
Mrs B, Chris- I am sorry, it wont happen again. Chris was actually right about varying beginings, I meant it more as a joke.
good point jeff... good connection to lord of the flies,i think asef is acually more like jack because he is the "evil leader" of his friends like jack lead his group. I can also see how you saw that he reminded you of Roger because he is very bad and mean. I think Asef is acually a mix between the two, but good catch.
So I finally figured out how to sign in correctly and to answer your old question...I can't really decide which character I like more. While Hassan is very humble and loyal, I feel for Amir since he doesn't feel like he makes his father proud. It must not be easy knowing that your father is in way ashamed of you.
Also to answer LJ's question...I think the author tells the story from USA because the USA doesn't really focus on the families and the real people who are just like us. We tend to focus on the fanatics and make a stereotype of all people so this shows us that the people there could be like any of us.
Why america? because most of the other middle eastern countries were in turmoil too. And just because the taliban was located in Afghanistan, it didnt mean that they couldnt cross the border into other countries and hunt down people. The likeliness of the taliban going across to America to hunt down some people is extremely unlikely. And as you read on, you realize that the Afghanistan issue becomes more and more violent. So Amir feels safer in America
OMG!!OMG!!OMG!! I am disgusted right now. How could Amir just stand there and do nothing!!!!! Why would Assef do such a thing. I really just want to whip his butt right now. You don't know how P.O. I am. All for a stupid kite!!
WOW...i thought that Amir was kind of dissmisive of Hassan befor but to just let Hassan take a beating, man Amir has his priorities mixed up. To just stand there while sucha loyal person is trying to protect a kite for YOU, and he just stould there, the whole thing is a bismal to me. Man Amir better get over his jealousy for Hassan befor something worse may happen.
Amir is so self centered and inconciterate to his friends. Hassan has always been there for him and let Hassan go through an unaimabinably abount of pain so that Amir could impress his dad.
I couldn't believe while reading the book that Amir just let Hassan get beat up. I understand that Amir has issues with his father and feels that he isnt the "perfect son" his father wants to be. But to let Hassan get beat up over protecting the kite for Amir was so stupid and selfish for him!
Wow I'm quite flabbergasted!I have never really gotten angry about reading a book, but when Amir let him get beat up I was really angry and if any of my friends ever did that well they deffinitely would not be my friend anymore.I'm really upset right now haha but i'll get over it, but anyways that chapter was really shocking and it changed my opinion on Amir totally. I no longer feel for him and he no longer gets my sympathy.
You know what this book makes me pissed off. I mean how could Amir just let Assef and his two friends beat Hassan up. After all Hassan has done for Amir by sticking up for him and doing chores for him and he repays him by running away when he saw his friend getting beaten up. Amir is a coward and a greedy one to. He thinks that he needs to sacrifice Hassan so he can be the loved one by Baba i mean that jus sick to think like that. Amir has now turned into my least favorite character. This is the first time i think i have ever been mad at a book.
What would you title Amir as, now?
Think of discussions we have had in class....
Amir is definetly a bistander as LJ was classifying people in class the other day. IT SUPER FRUSTRATES ME, just like all of you but i hate to say it but i expected that he would at least show some type of reaction or emotion although Hassan is his servant it even stated on page "Did you know Hassan and you fed from the same breast? Did you know that, Amir agha?" !@#$% you just don't do that to someone. when Aseef confronted Amir and was going to hit him with his brass knuckles Hassan took his sliingshot out ( I feel like Hassan would take a bullet for Amir, and Amir is taking sucha a great "brother" he has for granted.. blood couldn't make them much closer..)
anyways sooo is everyone done with ch 7 so i can rant about it?!!
that was pg 73 that little quote.. (Memory)
LJ i have a prediction to why Amir might be telling this from the US i didnt read ahead like steven who probably knows the answer but maybe the US was giving aid to them and he fleed to the US because he knew someone there? not sure so im just guessing :P
Amir is a coward a bystandard and a jerk
I am further ahead in this book, and i am enjoying it overall. The wierd parts are actually really important to the plot even if they are kind of random.
Amir fits right in with most of Americans, he's a self centered, uncaring spoiled whimp...remember when Mikey Fallon came to our school and said theres 3 types of people, the goldfish, the moth and the zebra? AMIR IS A ZEBRA!!! Zebras stand and watch the lions kill off a member of their own tribe and do nothing...JUST LIKE AMIR!!!
Amir totally disappointed me so much. I would have thought that he would have done something more then run away. He could have maybe even won the fight if he helped Hassan, but no. He ran away like a coward. Amir no longer has my sympathy.
chris your too funny but its true i super agree with ryan hes a jerk
I think that Amir is telling his story from the US because he knows the the Americans will be more attracted to buy his book than someone in Afghanistan will. People in Afghanistan already know what is going on. We only hear about it from the news, so to hear about it from someone who grew up and lived there is more interesting to us. He is trying to teach us about the Afghanistan lifestyle. He fled to America for a better life, to be free. I think that he wants to show us that we really do have a good life and that we should not take our free lifestyle for granted.
I agree with everyone else, Amir is a bystander but he also may be a victim. It's not his fault that Hassan is a different ethnicity then him. Also, he gets bullied too by Assef and his friends so he should be scared but he should have stood up for Hassan either way.
What happened in ch 7 was weird, but I did not find it very surprising. Based on how the author has developed the characters of Amir and Hassan, I was not shocked to see Hassan stand his ground and get beat up for a stupid blue kite that he told Amir he would get for him. It was also not shocking to see Amir just stand there and then run away.
I think the events in chapter 7 were a little odd.
Amir was such a jerk to just run away from Hassen, who was standing up for himself. I really don't like Amir. At all.
Poor Hassen was getting beat up and what does Amir do? No, he doesn't try to help, and no, he doesn't even get help. He just stands there.
*growls at book*
Alright, I've got to jump in here. As an English teacher, think about the author's TONE as he develops these characters. What is his tone for Amir? For Hassan? Think about the age these boys are, their levels of maturity, and their place within the society in which they were raised. He introduces mitigating factors into Amir's life (especially) which don't excuse his behavior AT ALL, but do help us understand his behavior better. We're ALL complex and human. Experiencing a good story like this helps us see ourselves as HUMAN- that includes the parts of us that aren't so great or amazing.
Mrs. Griffith
to answer Lj- I think Amir choose the US because his father wanted to come here. I also believe he didn't go to another country in the ME on purpose. Maybe is was to close to his old life and he wanted a fresh start
To answer Mrs. Lott Jones's question. I think that Amir fled to the U.S. as a way to start over a new life. To forget about his past and start over. Because he had done some hurtful things not only to himself but to Hassan and as a way to escape and have a new beginning.
To answer Mrs Griffith about TONE:
tone/toÊŠn/
Show Spelled Pronunciation[tohn] noun, verb, toned, ton·ing.
-quality or character of sound.
-a particular quality, way of sounding, modulation, or intonation of the voice as expressive of some meaning, feeling, spirit, etc.: a tone of command.
-an accent peculiar to a person, people, locality, etc., or a characteristic mode of sounding words in speech.
Khaled Hosseini achieved the tone of Amir perfectly in ch.1-11. He made him sound like what he really should be after Hassan's little "incident": a confused, denying, scared and young kid. Amir never told anyone what happened and thats exactly what a kid would do; hide any traces of what had happened and hope that ignoring it makes it go away. The author does make Hassan a little too mature though. For example, telling his father what had happened and "turning the other cheek" when Amir throws the pomegranates at him doesn't seem very childish and his always mimics the Simon 'christ-like' archetype.
To also answer Mrs. Lott-Jones question, I think he had to fee to America and was forced to set up a life their
Amir treated Hassan horribly in chapter 7. He is officially a coward.
I think Amir is telling the story from San Francisco because he has more freedoms there. He feels comfortable expressing his opinion in the U.S.Also he might think that the U.S. is a place to start over and tell others about his life so they wouuld not repeat the wrong things he has done.
What would happen if Amir had stood up for Hassan in chapter 7??
Would the story stay the same??
Hey I'm almsot done with the book it is sooo good you won't believe what happens to Amir
I think that Hassan did a very noble thing for telling his father what had happened to him, but i don't think that Amir should have put the money under his pillow so Hassan would get in trouble. i think that ttone of Hassan is supposed to be like the Christ-figure like Simon in L.o.F. and Amir is supposed to be like Ralph, he is like a leader to Hassan, but he doesn't have the courage to stand up for himself.
lottjones- to answer your question bout why Amir is telling the story from San Francisco is that i think that Amir moved to America, speciffically San Francisco and realized what he did was stupid and wanted to tell everyone about his mistakes
kristina- I think that if Amir stood up for Hassan the story might be directed to Assef a little more because then he would want to hurt both Hassan and Amir. Also Hassan probably would have stayed and nothing esle in Amir's life would happen because he would have no guilt about leaving Hassan to be beaten
at this point of the story it kind of has me very confused. because with Hassan and Ali leaving Amir's family and then Amir growing up and turning 18 and the war going on around them.. i am still wondering if Amir will ever be man enough to admit the truth that he saw what had happened to Hassan in the alley way
To answer Kristinas question:
What would happen if Amir had stood up for Hassan in chapter 7??
Would the story stay the same??
I think that if Amir had stood up for Hassan in Chapter 7 the whole story would be totally changed. Hassan and Ali would have stayed and maybe Baba would have respected Amir even more then Amir could have ever imagined. But the story would not be the same because the friendship is now over between Amir and Hassan and the strong bond between Baba and Ali has been broken therefore the story would be different. But the war would still take place and nothing would change that but what Amir and Baba do might have been different if they didnt have a servent that they worried whether or not he could be trusted.
kristina- If Amir stood up for Hassan, the story would be very different. Both Amir and Hassan would still be very close to each other. Hassan and Ali wouldn't have left the house, and would have stayed with Baba and Amir through the dangers of war. If Amir stood up for Hassan, Amir could have prevented many things, both good and bad.
ANSWERE TO KRISTINA'S ?-
if amir had defended hassan the book would be completely different. we wouldn't be bashing amir for standing there while he selfishly just awaited hassan's terrible fate.
In the story Baba never misses Hassan's birthdays and always treats him to the same things that Amir wants. This forshadows to what might really be true about their relationship.I think Baba loves Amir and Hassan both equally but in different ways. That is why he was very sad to see Ali and Hassan leave.
The author's tone twards Amir is that he has gone through many things in his life and he doesn't know how to express himself. He is caught between the idea of Hassan being his bestfriend or just a servant.He is basically confused.
The author's tone for Hassan is that he is happy with who he is. He is kind and loyal and his inner strength reflects his outer strength. Meaning he is an athletic kid but also very religios and respectful of everyone. He forgave Amir throughout their whole childhood.
The book is now getting interseting when they are now with the refugees and you see how bad life is getting for them. I think that they are now going to flee to America and taht is why the book is told in America and not in Afghanistan.
In chapter 9 I think that was really sad time for Amir ,but he also deserveed it at the same time. I thought that Ali left in a good way because he didn't tatle on Amir on what he did he just said he couldn't live here anymore which I thought was a good idea.
Kristina- If Amir stood up for Hassan in chapter 7 nothing like this would have ever happened. They still would be friedns and Ali and Hassan would still be ther servants and they would still be friends Hassan and Amir.
Also I think that Baba is now happy with Amir and he likes him for a little bit since he had won the kite flying contest. But then he ruins it when he asks his dad that if they are going to get new servants and Baba gets all apauled and mad and they start growing apart.
Also Amir's birthday party was very interesting because his dad had invited Assef even though Amir and Hassan both hate him and Amir is very disgusted because Baba doesn't know about them not liking Assef. Also you definately know what kind of character Assef is by when he opens his present and its a biography of Hitler you know that Assef is like a bad dictator who is powerful in teh kids eyes.
Kristina- to answer your question not only would the book be really different and Amir and Hassan would be closer, but I also think that Baba would be a lot more proud of Amir for standing up for Hassan and defending his friend.
I also agree with Colin that Baba was also proud of Amir for winning the contest, but I wonder how Amir would change is Baba respected him and wasn't so ashamed Amir being the way he is?
Do you really think that if Amir had stood up for Hassan that everything would still be fine between them? Are there other signs that the boys are drifting into roles as they get older? They may have drank from the same breast as infants but would Amir allow that to happen now?
Also, how much does Amir's fear that he "killed" his mother affect his character and personality? How much does it affect his relationship with his father?
Finally, we have studied various archetypes in class. I am glad that you recognize the bystander role, but what specific archetypes do you see?
Good comparisons with other novels-start thinking about the archetypes those characters fit and apply them to what you have read so far.
I would title Amir as a coward and a bad friend. He has no self confidence, so there is now way he would be able to stand up for a friend or even himself. His cowardly actions caused a huge problem with Hassan, and is continuously getting worse and worse.
To answer LJ- The author chose America because, America is a free democratic country. Unlike Afganistan which is by no means a democatic or free society. So by Amir moving to America it shows just like all other immagrents that he was searching for a better life.
Since Amir did not do anything to prevent the actions that took place in the ally there were mixed feelings following that. Even though Hassan did not know Amir was there, Amir's guiltyness was still present.
If Amir had stood up for Hassan I still think that Assef might come into their lives again and try to harm both of them. But this would probably make the book much shorter because there was so much that that incident caused throughout the book for all of the characters, expecially Amir.
mrs batiloro are you going to post that radio interview of the author on here? it would be easier
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1358775
Try this link to hear the radio interview with Khaled Hosseini....someone let me know if it doesn't work and we'll try it again!!!
It works!
HALLELUJAH!!!!
Khaled Hosseini is an amazing writer. It is nice to read and learn about his culture through this book. I also have noticed that this novel is suprisingly similar to his life.
okay guys,
I've been stalling on this one because there's a lot to discuss.
Can you give me 5 SPECIFIC examples of cultural diffusion (exs of outside culture you see brought into Afghanistan)in the first 10 chapters of the novel? I want details, page numbers would be nice. Then give me an opinion on it- what's the significance? What do the examples in the 1st 10 chapters reveal about Afghanistan at that time in history?
Can anyone beat Will this time? I'll make it another 5 pts!
hey guys havent been able to blog lately so i'm trying to catch up. I think even if Amir had stood up for Hassan things still would have changed between them because of their ethnic backgrounds. To Amir Hassan was becoming just a servant even though they started out friends. Amir even thought that twice in the book. I honestly think Amir would not drink from the same glass as Hassan now. Amir is treating him like he is a lower person.
Amir's fear that he killed his mother gives Amir a reason why his father seems distant.
I just heard the audio tape on Khale Housseini. It is really good and he is a great speaker and his life is a lot like what he put into his book.
jlottjones- To answer your question about cultural diffusion, one example is that on page 14, "hippies" came to Afghanistan and bringing with them their culture and laughing at others. Antother example of cultural diffusion on page 43 is that Kabul became a republic and had a president. Also on page 43 they got some modernized technology. Another example on page 40 is that Hitler came to be known about in Kabul and his ways of thinking. One last example is when the russian's invaded Afghanistan and brought with them their culture. The significance is that now in Afghanistan there are many different types of ethnicities and culture and were brought from the outside world. The examples in the first ten chapters reveal that Afghanistan may have been open to anyone coming into their country and expecially their allies.
Look it's a da Borat( LOOK AT THE PICTURE.......ITS NEW)
One of the archetypes present in the story is the mentor/guide, I think it is shared by both Baba and Rahim Khan.
While listening to the link Mrs.B put up, i noticed that the Khaled Hosseini based the book on himself and his childhood. In the beginning, he told Liane Hansen that along with Amir and Hassan, as a kid he loved western movies with actors like John Wayne. Also, he said that he liked soccer and flying kites, or fighting with their kites as Amir and Hassan did during competitions. He talks about how the Hazaras were regarded as lower people than the Pashtuns. Also, Khaled Hosseini escapes to California like Amir and Baba, which is why i think he writes that Amir and Baba go to California. He talks about how his parents don't like America as much as Afghanistan and how his father went down to the Welfare Office and told them that they didn't need any help. Many of these events happen in the Kite Runner and i can now somewhat feel how he felt while reading this book.
When i heard the recording it made me think. He showed that most of the things in the book have really happened. He talked about the Hazara's and the Pashtun's and how they are leveled. Also he talks about his interests. In example taht he likes to kite run like he does with Hassan. Also that he likes soccer and it was very interseting to hear him be interviewed.
I think it is good that Amir has now have a girlfriend. I think this hires his self essteem and it makes him feel good about himself. This girl does have a secret that one time she ran off with a man for a month. But i think that eventually tehy will get married.
Alyssa- I think if Baba respected Amir then it would be totally diffrent. I think Amir would have so much more confidence and be way more outgoing. He would write stories try new things, and maybe even play soccer. This probably would've haelped him deal with Hassan also how Baba treats him nicely. That confidence could maybe have saved Hassan from being raped if he had that confidence taht Baba could have gave him.
yeah amir and baba have a totally different relation ship now that they are in America. Befor when they were in Afghanistan Baba was praised and Amir was kind of left behind. Now that they are in America the table have turned. Baba isn't the rich man he one was and Amir feels more at home. Kite Runner really emphasizes karma because everything goes around and comes back around, or full circle.
I agree with Zach. Baba and Amir's relationship does change as they live in America. I think it is because Amir loses most of his guilt when he is away from Afganistan. This clears his mind and he is able to progress through life. This progression makes Baba very proud of Amir. Plus Baba doesn't know that many people, and people don't know him. This enables Baba to spend more quality time with Amir.
After listening to the radio interview a few days ago of Khale Housseini i was very surprised on how the author based the book roughly on his childhood. it was really interesting because i thought that Khale Housseini based the book on events that had gone on but wasnt actually factual. but for him to live through it in afghanistan was what makes the book more real.
i super hope we dont have school tomorrow so i can catch up with these posts :(
I think this is a huge part in teh book when Amir gets married to Sonaya. It shows how since he has come to America how women are now part of life such as when they were in Afghanistan they didn't mention one girl the entire half a book. So when he gets married it brings a whole new world into play with women and how to treat them.
Also one sad thing i really found sad was when Baba dies. This puts now Amir all on his won with a new wife and lots of decisions to make. Also this puts Amir to now officially start doing things by himself. By writing novels and making money and supporting Sonaya and the new baby tehy are trying to have.
Colin- i agree, thios is a very hard time for Amir, he has just started a family. I also think that this is a releif for Amir. HIs entire life he has done things to Babas standards. Now he can do things that will benefit him and his new wife, not only Baba.
ok noone tell others about the ending because that will ruin one of the best parts, and if you haven't finished the book, don't read the last page, that just ruins it
everyone who heard the limk that mrs. b gave is right he did base the book on his life in Afghanistan, i mean when he lived there and not now. He is also in some ways like Amir and maybe this book is based, on some parts, on his life in Afghanistan and what he did and didn't do. he also doesn't really sound at all like he wrote a book, he sounds rather quite
you guys will never believe what happens later in the book to Amir when he goes looking for Sohrab it will amaze you and even say 'duh this person (who's name will not be mentioned) would obviously do this.
you guys will never believe what happens later in the book to Amir when he goes looking for Sohrab it will amaze you and even say 'duh this person (who's name will not be mentioned) would obviously do this.
Who else thinks that Amir spazzed out when he found out that Hassan was actually his half-brother.
wow, i cannot beleive the effect of babas lie on all of the events in the book!
Baba is such a butt. All of his actions has led to Hassan's death and his rape and many other things. Wow I don't know what to say.
When Amir finds out Hassan was his half brother he thinks about his past and feels a little bit of guilt that he didn't treat Hassan better. Also he feels that now of all the signs Baba has sent to him by sending him little messages taht he was all his life.
I was seriously very surprised to find out that Hassan was actually Amir's brother. I was extremely astounded to know that all along Hassan was Amir's brother, and that Baba hadn't say anything.
Wow. Shocker after shocker.
Oh, to add to my previous comment, I think Hassan knew all along that they were related, and that's why he was so nice to him, and always insisted on being best friends and being together.
Furthermore, I think Amir is in denial. He feels the guilt from treated Hassan with disrespect falling down on him.
i am so ferious right now because being the blonde that i am not seeing this coming at all i just wana say i feel bad for my book i probably threw it acorss my room a few times this week.. haha i also agree with laura looking back at everything i did have a feeling hassan kind of knew.. but its so weird that amir looked up to babe his whole life and now to find out he was a theif the only sin you could commit was gheft and he out of all people in the book screwed up everyones lives and committed the biggest sin! THIS IS TOO MUCH TO TALK ABOUT haha.. so many things wouldnt have happened ..and so what if his status was ruined if he had a half hazara son.. that selfish man.. good thing he died haha
this is frustrating..
hey and mrs. b about sorayas mom and her two dif names.. on pg 177 it says that amir started calling her khala jamila instead of khutoum or something ;) so its the same person
I had a feeling that Hassan and Amir were brothers.. But Amir had no clue, and I feel bad for him. Now he has live with the fact that the world is more whacked up than before. But Baba should have told Amir when he was younger. If he did, Amir would have less pain; growing up with the fact that Hassan with his brother. Baba disapoints me, more than Amir. Maybe it runs through the family.
When i found out that Amir and Hassan were brothers, i was totally surprised. At first i was kinda mad because i thought about it and figured out that if Amir knew Hassan was his brother, he would have treated him so much better throughout their childhood. He also would have probably tried to help him when he was in the alley with Assef and his friends. This is what i thought about right away but after a while, i realized that i can see why Baba hid this from Amir and Hassan. He tried to help Ali and his own reputation. If people knew that Hassan was Baba's son, they would be angry that Baba had a son with a Hazara and people would also wonder why Ali doesn't care about it. So by hiding the fact that Hassan and Amir were brothers, Baba saved Ali's and his own reputations, but he ended up taking Hassan's away and in the end hurting him very badly.
yes i agree with pat i think such as the scene in the alley way of the raping that would have never happened or even asef beliddling Hassan about being a hazara wouldnt happen.. and i feel bad that it effected so many peoples lives and Amir has to live with it cuz now his father (the causer of all of this) and Hassan (who got mostly affected by Baba not telling them they were brothers)
i have a question.. why the heck would rahim khan tell Amir now that they were brothers.. that's just going to mes his life and mental state even more!?
yeah! I have the same question as Sam! Why would he tell Amir?!
Anyway, when I read that part in the book where Amir was said to be like a tourist in his own country, I serious like dropped the book. It made so much sense, and was so well written. Just thought I would mention that. :D
when i found out that amir and hassan were brothers.. i was like woah did i read that correctly? it came as such a shocker because i never would have thought that they would be brothers, it wasnt even a thought in my head. but what i am wondering still is if rahim khan ever told hassan about it because he finally admitted it to amir. and if he didnt, i feel bad for hassan even though i think he new that him and amir were brothers.
with amir knowing him and hassan were brothers i think it is going to cause to be confused and depressed. it isnt like amir can make up all the lost time that him and hassan missed as brothers because hassans dead.
I have to agree with Pat, Baba really does disappoint me because he caused amir and hassan there realtionship. If Baba told Amir that him and Hassan were brothers, amir would have had more respect for Hassan. Amir could have possibly been man enough to help hassan in the alley way. And Hassan wouldnt be dead, he would probably be living in America with Amir and they would be friends.
Sam- I think Rahim Khan told Amir because Rahim wanted Sohrab to be in safe hands. Once Rahim knew that Hassan was killed, he knew that Sohrab would be in constant danger in Afghanistan. So he called Amir, told him about Hassan in order to save Sohrab. But if Baba told Amir long time ago, this wouldn't of happened. Hassan and Ali would be in America with Baba and Amir, safe and happier than before.
Ok so i know I've been a little behind, but anyways this part of the book has been insane!!It's honestly better than an episode of jerry or maury!!!But yeah when i found out that Amir and Hassan were brothers i had two reactions, one was i felt like a big bus hit me saying DUHH and two i felt like an idiot because it all came together and made so much more sense. It really bothered me though that Baba kept this secret for so long. I was angry at Baba for everything he ruined and the fact that he was hypocrite because he always said that the biggest sin you could commit is theft, but yet he committed it his whole life. At the same time however I felt like if he hadn't the story just wouldn't have been as good.
Also I think Amir should go find Hassan's son because it might be a way to finally make peace and make up for the times he's ruined and missed out on with Hassan. I feel that rahim khan told him now because now he is older and being that he is sick, now is a better time than because if he dies then Amir will never know and then his whole life really would be a lie and he just wouldn't know it. Also rahim khan was always a father figure who encouraged Amir in everything he did and so its a bit ironic that he was the one to tell him. I just cant wait to see what else is in store in the book!
AND PS PEOPLE NEED TO STOP GIVING STUFF AWAY IN CLASS COUGH COUGH!!!!haha =)
The author has been hinting about Amir and Hassan's close relationship throughout the story. When i discovered that they were brothers it just seemed to become clearer.
I think that Rahim Khan would have never had told Baba's secret. He only revealed it to Amir, so Sohrab would not have to suffer. He knew Amir had a hidden guilt and attempted to use it against him and have Amir save Sohrab. When Amir still backs down Rahim finally gives in and reveales what he has been hiding. Amir was then forced to go after Sohrab, because of their relationship. Overall i think it was the only way to save Sohrab life and to fix Amir's own.... even if it meant screwing him up a little more.
Alyssa is right, I have finished the book and i know how good the rest of it is. Dont ruin it for everyone by giving it all away. Its the suprises that make it so good
Now I get it! Rahim told Amir about him and Hassan being brothers so Amir would want to go save his nephew, Sohrab! It makes so much sense. Wow.
Holy crow. I just read ahead, and like others have been saying, I will not say anything to give the story away, but it is getting really good. Almost too good.
GAHHH! ;D
WARNING- I WILL NOT BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR YOUR FATE IF YOU GIVE AWAY DETAILS
Also Laura was right, Rahim send Amir on a one-way guilt trip to Kabul and was pretty effective at knowing exactly what to say to trigger Amirs reaction.
I have a question. How do you think Amir is going to receive redemption in Afghanistan? Any predictions on what might link Amir's redemption and Sohrab?
Baba ruined so many lives. Not only did he have Amir and Hassan live a lie, he forced Ali to live in shame. Baba also tormented himself with the secret and forced Rahim Khan to live with it as well. It just frustrates me do much that he could do this to everyone he loved.
I agree with Jeff. Baba did hurt people because of his pride and selfishness. But why did Baba have Hassan anyway? Did he want another child after his wife died? What drove Baba to lie and to hurt people around him just to have an affair with another women? Did Ali ask Baba to give him a child?
I have a feeling that Ali asked Baba for a child. Baba was Pashtun (high status in the social class) and Ali's Master. Ali couldn't just ask anyone, and Baba was the only person Ali was close to. That is why Ali loved Hassan so much because he couldn't have his own child. Plus in the beginning Hassan's mother told Ali that he now has a freak child to go with his physical difference. This shows that she was just used to get Hassan for Ali.
I still think that Baba should of told Amir himself. This just shows that Baba is a coward and is filled with too much self-pride. He tried to drink himself out of his guilt, but that never works.
Pat- Thats a good point. Maybe Ali felt the need to continue his family name and asked Baba for help.
I think that Amir will be furfilled by either Hassan's son somehow forgiving him or meeting people from his past to reconcile somehow.
In the begining of the book i thought that Amir was the bad person. Now i understand that none of the bad things(ex. the rape, and all of the guilt that happend because of it) would have ha[ppend if Baba would have been truthful noone would have gotten hurt!
I didn't realize that Baba's choices would effect Hassan and Amir's lives so much. If he had just told the truth from the beginning then there would have never been a rape. They would probably have stayed a family and the book would have been a whole lot shorter!
It's ironic how Baba commits the only sin he beleived in ;theft. He stole Amir and Hassan's knowledge of having a brothe.He stole Hassan's statis in sociaty. He even stole Amir's confidence when all Amir ever thought about was being like Baba, in actuallity Baba had done something worse that Amir because he kept his secret and never told the ones he loved like Amir had.
I found it surprising in the first place that Amir went back to Afghanistan because it seemed like he wanted to leave his past behind him and Amir knew that by going to Afghanistan that it would bring his past back. And it did just that. Rahim Khan has now but this huge adventure for Amir to accomplish, to find Sohrab. Since Sohrab is Hassans son it will maybe be a chance for Amir to redeem himself for all the lost time of his brother, Hassan.
ryan kinsella had a super good point i agree with him i felt like Amir should have went to hell and now comparing it and seeing who caused this all is different.. ryan why werent you in school by the way hehe
Really good point, Ryan! I agree now that I always thought Amir was just a spoiled brat, but his personality was just formed by Baba's actions. Baba did practically ruin many peoples lives, yet none of the people who he affected realized it.
thanks Pat that helped :P ... i think that the people at afghanistan are getting used to killings and hearing that so many got killed today its not affecting them anymore, for example in the middle of the soccer game they stoned a man.. like the do now we did in the beggining before starting the novel talking about how children were affected during wartime.. it emototionally scars them and the people who are witnessing all of this..Just like Amir witnessed much of this although he was older and now Shorab is witnessing it..
My opinion on Amir has changed now. He is still a coward at times but i believe he has suffered enough and deserves forgiveness.
do you think that the people being killed at the soccer game had anyhting important to do with whaats going to happen next in the book?
Well, it shows how death is so common and trivial that it hst lost it impact in Afghanistan. It probably foreshadows another important death or struggle or pain or something along those lines.
wow so these past few chapeters have really revealed some interesting things about both Amir and Baba. What do you guys think the emotions running through Amir when he sat across and had to face his old foe who had become the ring leader of the Taliban; Assef.
When Amir found Sohrab there at Assef's mansion I can't imagine what Amir felt to see that the offspring of Hassan was sexually assaulted by the same man who commited the gross crime to Hassan. The whole issue is grotesque and vial.
I feel awful for Amir that he had to take that beating from Assef, but as a message that is very clear in this novel is that everything goes around full circle. Amir had this coming to him for a while since he had the sin of not helping Hassan that one day in chapet 7. I wonder how Sohrab will react to Amir being his half-uncle... WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK?
I think Sohrab will be grateful about Amir being his half-uncle because he should feel honored that Amir came so far and battled so much (emotions, whatnot) for him.
I agree with Zach when he said that things come in full circle. Assef did harm to Hassan, and Amir didn't do anything about it, and no Assef is doing harm to Amir, and Hassan can't do anything about it (obviously).
Yeah, i agree that Sohrab will be grateful to have Amir as his uncle. Hopefully Amir won't do anything to lose Sohrab's trust like he did with Hassan.
I was just going to bed but i wanted to blog one more time just because i couldn't believe that Assef was the leader of the Taliban. And also how it was kind of a quincidince (or how ever you spell it) that Hassan saved Amir from Assef and now Hassan's offspring is doing the same. Man this book is deep haha
ONE MORE QUESTION:
Do you think that Sohrab will ever give his trust to Amir after he'd lost his father,mother,Rahim Khan, and his grandmother. Also that he'd been abused by Assef. I imagine Sohrab's trust in adults is a little ruined after losing his loves and being abused.
To give my opinions on Zach's question, I think that Sohrab will be able to trust Amir, as well as most other adults. After all, Amir did come to help him, so he should feel grateful that someone cares.
I was not surprised to find out that Assef was highly involved in the Taliban. After what he did to Hassan, you could only suspect that his future would not hold positive outcomes and experiences.
Sohrab may not completely trust Amir, but he realizes that he must go with him. Sohrab risked his life to save Amir's, which showed that he cares about and/or trusts him at least partially. Sohrab at least understands that Amir can help him escape the abuse and greif he has been through.
Ok wow these past two chapters have been INSANE!I honestly feel like im watching a soap opera and speaking of soap operas...I found more cultural diffusion for you LJ: on page 297 when the doctor told Amir he would talk like Al Pacino in the first Godfather!I thought that was funny because he referred back to an American movie. Also when they were at the soccer game and the little boy was trying to sell him pictures of Hollywood actresses. I thought was a bit ironic because the boy knew he could get killed for that and he was selling at a place where people would get stoned to death.
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