At several points in the novel, Khaled Hosseini narrates a moment that recalls a previous moment in the text. For each of the examples below, do the following.
Find the previous moment in the text that Hosseini refers to.
Explain in writing how the present moment compares to or contrasts with the past moment.
Explain in writing why you think Hosseini refers to the moment from the past. Is his purpose to create a point of contrast with the previous moment? Does he try to develop a character, theme or idea?
Amir’s putting the money under the mattress at Wahid’s house
As Amir places money under the mattress at Wahid’s house, he says that this is only the second time in his life, he has done this. One can look back and remember the first time Amir does this for Hassan. However, in the first instance, Amir’s intentions were not good. His intentions were to make it look like the money was stolen. In the second case, Amir is very genuine and shows that he cares for Wahid and wants to help with his families’ conditions. The theme that Hosseini develops is that the second time around, people change and learn how important it is to give.
The sheep reference to Sohrab
“Sohrab’s eyes flicked to me. They were the slaughter sheep’s eyes. They even had the mascara-I remembered how, on the day of Eid of qorban, the mullah in our backyard used to apply mascara to the eyes of the sheep and feed it a cube of sugar, before slicing its throat. I thought I saw pleading in Sohrab’s eyes.” While Amir is witnessing Sohrab’s helplessness, he recalls the sacrificing of the lamb. This refers back to the first half of the novel, when he sees Hassan is being raped. In both cases he sees that these characters are about to have something stolen from them. The sheep has been robbed of its life. When Hassan was raped, innocence was stolen from him. And Now Amir is realizing that Sohrab’s childhood has been taken from him. There is contrast between the reference to Amir witnessing the look in Sohrab’s eyes and the look in Hassan’s eyes. Earlier in the book, Amir says, “I watch because of the look of acceptance in the animal’s eyes.” With Sohrab, however, the look seems less helpless. This time, he feels that he can help. While comparing Hassan and the sheep, Amir said that he felt that they knew that they were making sacrifices for a higher being. Hosseini is trying to tell readers that by humbling yourself and sacrificing, you are always freeing yourself of guilt and a false superior feeling.
Amir’s laughter when Assef beats him
“I don’t know at what point I started laughing, but I did. It hurt to laugh, hurt my jaws, my ribs, my throat. But I was laughing and laughing. The harder I laughed the harder he kicked me, punched me, and scratched me.” The reason for Amir’s laughing is that since the winter of 1975, this is the first time he has felt at piece. The difference between now and the past is that Amir is the one who is being attacked. In the past, he has always been either the attacker or the witness. The fact that, he himself is being attacked is cleansing to him. Amir says “… I saw that, in some hidden nook in a corner of my mind, I’d even been looking forward to this.” Also, Amir feels that being attacked physically helps him heal from the mental beating his conscious has given him. Assef’s abuse is cathartic to him.
Amir’s kite running for Sohrab
In the first instance of the story, Amir is focused on himself, and his hopes of winning. In chapter seven, Amir treated Hassan as well a kite runner rather than a friend. Hassan was okay with being a modest boy who lived to serve Amir. The purpose of ending the story with Amir running for Sohrab is a metaphor saying that Amir has agreed to live primarily to serve Sohrab by looking after him, and treating him as a son. This symbolizes the most important theme of the story: “Hassan and Amir were kids, who had learned to crawl together, and no history, ethnicity, society, or religion was ever going to change that.” Though history and religion are difficult to overcome, the ties that connect you to friends and family prove to be stronger than the rules that separate Pashtuns and Hazaras. We are unable to change the past, but the future is in our control.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Adapting to America
Analyze the scene in chapter 11 where Baba fights with the Nguyens in their store. What does this scene show about Baba’s character?
In this particular scene, Amir has heard glass break and enters the “Fast and Easy” to find his father is enraged because the Nguyens have simply asked to see his I.D. Baba is very defense because he feels as if he is being accused of stealing by the Nguyens. This section of the chapter withholds more meaning than is on the surface. Baba is also really upset because in Afghanistan, he was known and respected by all, and now in America he is constantly trying to prove himself. In a way, this feeling is good and humbling for Baba. However, this feeling can also be scaring and unhealthy for people. For example, Amir felt as if he had to prove himself constantly during his childhood. This did not prove to be helpful in his life. At the end of the scene, Amir apologizes for his father’s behavior and adds “My father is still adjusting to life in America.” Amir says it meaning Baba has not become accustomed to America’s traditions and ways of society. However, Baba is having trouble accepting his position in society.
Why does Baba come to America?
At the beginning of chapter eleven, Amir says,” Baba loved the idea of America. It was living there that gave him an ulcer.” Baba really enjoyed the idea that Amir, and he would have the chance to start a new life. Baba feels that this way, they will not have to live in fear everyday. Kabul was being invaded. Also I feel that it is difficult for them to be at home, and know that
Why does Amir have an easier time adapting to American culture than Baba does?
I feel that Amir has a much easier time adjusting to the American way of life than his father simply because he has grown up being more accepting of others. Baba has always felt that he is in power, and up until now, everyone has respected him. As an adolescent, Amir is also less set in his ways, and more vulnerable. This works to his advantage when it comes to adjusting to all the changes. Amir compares Baba to “the widower who never remarries but can’t let go of his wife.” Baba wanted change, but still wants what he had in Afghanistan. For Amir, “America was a place to bury memories. For Baba [It was] a place to mourn his.”
Does Soraya help Amir develop as a character? Why or why not?
Soraya helps Amir develop as a character, because she teaches him that telling your secret can mean setting yourself free from guilt. Soraya teaches Amir that it is okay to accept your past for whatever it may be.
In this particular scene, Amir has heard glass break and enters the “Fast and Easy” to find his father is enraged because the Nguyens have simply asked to see his I.D. Baba is very defense because he feels as if he is being accused of stealing by the Nguyens. This section of the chapter withholds more meaning than is on the surface. Baba is also really upset because in Afghanistan, he was known and respected by all, and now in America he is constantly trying to prove himself. In a way, this feeling is good and humbling for Baba. However, this feeling can also be scaring and unhealthy for people. For example, Amir felt as if he had to prove himself constantly during his childhood. This did not prove to be helpful in his life. At the end of the scene, Amir apologizes for his father’s behavior and adds “My father is still adjusting to life in America.” Amir says it meaning Baba has not become accustomed to America’s traditions and ways of society. However, Baba is having trouble accepting his position in society.
Why does Baba come to America?
At the beginning of chapter eleven, Amir says,” Baba loved the idea of America. It was living there that gave him an ulcer.” Baba really enjoyed the idea that Amir, and he would have the chance to start a new life. Baba feels that this way, they will not have to live in fear everyday. Kabul was being invaded. Also I feel that it is difficult for them to be at home, and know that
Why does Amir have an easier time adapting to American culture than Baba does?
I feel that Amir has a much easier time adjusting to the American way of life than his father simply because he has grown up being more accepting of others. Baba has always felt that he is in power, and up until now, everyone has respected him. As an adolescent, Amir is also less set in his ways, and more vulnerable. This works to his advantage when it comes to adjusting to all the changes. Amir compares Baba to “the widower who never remarries but can’t let go of his wife.” Baba wanted change, but still wants what he had in Afghanistan. For Amir, “America was a place to bury memories. For Baba [It was] a place to mourn his.”
Does Soraya help Amir develop as a character? Why or why not?
Soraya helps Amir develop as a character, because she teaches him that telling your secret can mean setting yourself free from guilt. Soraya teaches Amir that it is okay to accept your past for whatever it may be.
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