Throughout the book I have been curious if Assef would make a return in the story, and if so, what role would he be in. During this week’s reading, Assef was back in the story line, and this time he was a member of the Taliban, the one wearing the “John Lennon glasses.” It comes as no surprise to me that he would be in the Taliban because his violent ways in the beginning of the novel foreshadowed him joining the Taliban.
When Amir goes into Assef’s office, Assef is unwilling to give Sohrab to him because Amir and Assef had “unfinished business.” Seeing Assef “kiss the side of [Sohrab’s] neck” reminded Amir of what happened that day in the alley. Amir’s guilt comes flooding back into his mind. Looking into the deeply hurt eyes of Sohrab, Amir can only see Hassan. The reflection of Hassan through Sohrab’s eyes foreshadows that Amir will attempt to make up all the wrong he did to Hassan through Sohrab.
Assef orders the guards out of the room because he and Amir need to take care of old issues and “whoever comes out alive” gets to keep Sohrab. Assef reaches into his pocket and grabs out his brass knuckles that he had had since his childhood. As Assef is beating Amir, Amir begins to laugh because he finally feels his guilt slipping away. After all the times that Amir tried unsuccessfully to get Hassan to get revenge for what happened, Amir finally feels that he is getting what he deserves. Through this scene I wondered if this beating would be enough to completely free Amir of his guilt, or if it would only temporarily work. Sohrab, who learned his father’s slingshot skills, shot Assef in the eye with a brass ball. After this happened, Sohrab took Amir and they got away from the Taliban as fast as possible in order to avoid further complications.
When in the hospital recovering from the fight, Amir asks Fraid to find Betty and Thomas Caldwell because they were going to take care of and house Sohrab. Fraid reports back to Amir that there is no record of any Betty of Thomas Caldwell ever having lived, at least not in Peshawar. Upon hearing this news Amir is flabbergasted and has no idea what he is going to do with Sohrab. After I learned that these people didn’t exist, it was evident to me that Rahim Khan made them up so that Amir would go get Sohrab. If Amir thought that he would have to take care of Sohrab for the rest of his life, I don’t think he would have gone to get him, but since there were people willing to take care of him, Amir believed this was a small sacrifice to make. Now that he discovered this people are nonexistent, what will Amir do? Will Sohrab be brought back to the United States with Amir, or will he again betray Hassan’s family by leaving him to fend for himself, like he did for Hassan that day in the alley?
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
The Kite Runner---Week 4
Throughout the novel thus far, there seems to be a motif that everyone has a past. The decisions that one makes during childhood or adolescence can stay with a person for the rest of their life. During this week’s reading, Hosseini tells us that it is okay to have a past, because everyone has one.
Soon after Amir’s arrival in Afghanistan, Rahim Khan informs Amir that he and Hassan are half brothers. Although I was shocked to read this, I began to understand that through the entire story, Hosseini has been foreshadowing this. From the constant affection that Baba displayed toward Hassan, it is obvious that Hassan has a special place in Baba’s heart more than just a servant. Also when Amir says that he “had seen that face somewhere before” it means that Hassan looks similar to Amir, hence they share similar genes. Amir is shocked to find out that Baba could hide this from him, but at the same time, he cannot be upset with Baba because he too has his own secrets. It is here that Amir discovers that it is okay to have past secrets, you just need to make the most out of your situation.
Rahim Kahn also informs Amir that Hassan is now dead, but he has a son that is in an orphanage in Kabul and he wants Amir to go and save him. Will Amir use Hassan’s son Soharb in order to make up what happened that one winter? Will Amir finally feel guilt free if he is able to save Soharb and raise him as his own?
Soon after Amir’s arrival in Afghanistan, Rahim Khan informs Amir that he and Hassan are half brothers. Although I was shocked to read this, I began to understand that through the entire story, Hosseini has been foreshadowing this. From the constant affection that Baba displayed toward Hassan, it is obvious that Hassan has a special place in Baba’s heart more than just a servant. Also when Amir says that he “had seen that face somewhere before” it means that Hassan looks similar to Amir, hence they share similar genes. Amir is shocked to find out that Baba could hide this from him, but at the same time, he cannot be upset with Baba because he too has his own secrets. It is here that Amir discovers that it is okay to have past secrets, you just need to make the most out of your situation.
Rahim Kahn also informs Amir that Hassan is now dead, but he has a son that is in an orphanage in Kabul and he wants Amir to go and save him. Will Amir use Hassan’s son Soharb in order to make up what happened that one winter? Will Amir finally feel guilt free if he is able to save Soharb and raise him as his own?
Monday, November 14, 2011
The Kite Runner---Week 3
Last week I was left wondering if Hassan or Ali would ever reenter the plot of this novel to resolve the issues between Amir and Hassan. At the end of this week’s reading, that question was answered when we found out that ever since Baba and Amir went to America, Hassan had been staying with Rahim Kahn.
In the beginning of this week’s reading, Amir’s life was illustrated through his attempts to woo Soraya. After multiple attempts to pique her interest in him, Amir is finally successful. Amongst his attempts to woo Soraya, Amir discovers that his father is in need of medical care, after he witnesses him cough up blood. Amir had to persuade Baba to seek medical care, and the prognosis was terminal brain cancer. Amir and Soraya were to get married, but since Baba’s timetable was incredibly limited, the couple bypassed the engagement part and went straight into the wedding. Baba was able to witness his “only son” get married. Soon after the wedding, Baba passed away. Amir struggles with his father’s death, but along the way, he learns valuable lessons. Amir is taught that nothing lasts forever, so he must never take anything for granted. Amir and Soraya attempt to have children, but are unsuccessful, even after multiple tests and IVF. Because they were not able to conceive, Amir begins to blame himself because of what happened that day in the alley. The flashbacks to that day in the alley multiple years later displays how heavily this one part of his life weighs on his mind. As Baba said last week, “what happens in a few days, sometimes even a single day, can change the course of a whole life.” The decision that Amir made that winter day has forever changed his life.
15 years into their marriage, Amir discovers that Rahim Kahn, Baba’s old business partner, is on his death bed, and wants to see Amir. Because Rahim Kahn had always been extremely faithful to Amir, he knew he needed to go to Afghanistan and visit him before he would never have that chance again. During his visit, Rahim Kahn tells Amir that Hassan had been staying with him ever since they went to America. Since Amir has learned that life is extremely short with the death of his father in this week’s reading, will he tell the truth about what happened that winter day to Hassan? Will Amir begin to value the friendship they used to have and make an attempt to resurrect it?
In the beginning of this week’s reading, Amir’s life was illustrated through his attempts to woo Soraya. After multiple attempts to pique her interest in him, Amir is finally successful. Amongst his attempts to woo Soraya, Amir discovers that his father is in need of medical care, after he witnesses him cough up blood. Amir had to persuade Baba to seek medical care, and the prognosis was terminal brain cancer. Amir and Soraya were to get married, but since Baba’s timetable was incredibly limited, the couple bypassed the engagement part and went straight into the wedding. Baba was able to witness his “only son” get married. Soon after the wedding, Baba passed away. Amir struggles with his father’s death, but along the way, he learns valuable lessons. Amir is taught that nothing lasts forever, so he must never take anything for granted. Amir and Soraya attempt to have children, but are unsuccessful, even after multiple tests and IVF. Because they were not able to conceive, Amir begins to blame himself because of what happened that day in the alley. The flashbacks to that day in the alley multiple years later displays how heavily this one part of his life weighs on his mind. As Baba said last week, “what happens in a few days, sometimes even a single day, can change the course of a whole life.” The decision that Amir made that winter day has forever changed his life.
15 years into their marriage, Amir discovers that Rahim Kahn, Baba’s old business partner, is on his death bed, and wants to see Amir. Because Rahim Kahn had always been extremely faithful to Amir, he knew he needed to go to Afghanistan and visit him before he would never have that chance again. During his visit, Rahim Kahn tells Amir that Hassan had been staying with him ever since they went to America. Since Amir has learned that life is extremely short with the death of his father in this week’s reading, will he tell the truth about what happened that winter day to Hassan? Will Amir begin to value the friendship they used to have and make an attempt to resurrect it?
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
The Kite Runner---Week 2
Throughout the novel so far, loyalty is a reoccurring theme. Amir struggles internally when he has to decide whether to be loyal to Hassan or not. Unable to decide if social status is more important than friendship, Amir remembers some of the similarities that he and Hassan have. Instead of assisting Hassan when he is in the alleyway, Amir turns his back and runs. Although, Amir feels immense amounts of guilt for not assisting Hassan, he refuses to tell anyone about it. The guilt builds up so much within Amir that he attempts to get back at Hassan by putting money and a “watch” under Hassan’s mattress. Thinking that Hassan with tell Baba and Ali the truth, Amir believes that this action will help relive him of the overwhelming guilt on his mind. Hassan became the scapegoat for Amir’s action because he is willing to sacrifice anything for Amir in order to save their friendship. Hassan and Ali become so overwhelmed by all of the issues that they decide to quit their jobs as servants and move on to a new town. Will Amir ever be able to expiate the disloyalty that he showed Hassan?
In the early 1980’s Amir and Baba move to the United States in order for Amir to get a better education. This new beginning for Amir and Baba impacts Baba less severely than Amir, because while Amir is furthering his education, Baba is simply working in a gas station. After Amir graduates at the age of 20, Baba takes Amir out to a bar to celebrate. Upon their return home, Baba admits that he wishes “Hassan and Ali could be” there to help celebrate. It is evident that the separation between the families has caused Baba much heartbreak, but will Amir ever feel the same way? Also, because Baba mentioned Ali and Hassan it makes me question whether they will come back into the story later on.
Thus far, loyalty has been a motif within the story. I am left wondering if by the end of the novel Amir will learn what is truly important in his life: social status or relationship.
In the early 1980’s Amir and Baba move to the United States in order for Amir to get a better education. This new beginning for Amir and Baba impacts Baba less severely than Amir, because while Amir is furthering his education, Baba is simply working in a gas station. After Amir graduates at the age of 20, Baba takes Amir out to a bar to celebrate. Upon their return home, Baba admits that he wishes “Hassan and Ali could be” there to help celebrate. It is evident that the separation between the families has caused Baba much heartbreak, but will Amir ever feel the same way? Also, because Baba mentioned Ali and Hassan it makes me question whether they will come back into the story later on.
Thus far, loyalty has been a motif within the story. I am left wondering if by the end of the novel Amir will learn what is truly important in his life: social status or relationship.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
The Kite Runner---Week 1
The Kite Runner begins with the narrator introducing the reader to him. Soon we find out that the narrator’s name is Amir. In the first chapter, Amir reflects briefly on events that happened in his life, and realizes that each event made him who he is today. After the first chapter, the novel turns into a flashback. Amir begins to thoroughly examine his life and analyze how certain events turned him into the person he is.
In order to understand this novel, one must understand the conflicts of the people living in Afghanistan. The Pashtuns, mostly Sunni Islam’s, are considered high class, while the Hazaras are considered low class. In the novel, Amir and his Baba (father) are Pashtuns. Amir’s Baba is a wealthy business man that has two Hazara servants, Ali and his son Hassan. Baba and Ali are brothers because Amir’s “grandfather adopted him [Ali]” and raised him as his own son. Baba and Ali grew up being lifelong companions because they were only a year apart in age, and now both of their sons are growing up together and are also just a year apart in age and motherless. Hassan considers Amir his friend because they do nearly everything together, but Amir cannot decide if Hassan is his friend or servant. Although Amir and Hassan spend immense amounts of time together, Amir still has an internal conflict with whether Hassan is a friend or not, because in the rest of society’s eyes, Hassan is a mere servant because of his Hazara label. The relationship between Amir and Hassan is a microcosm of all of Afghanistan, because of the Pashtuns power and authority over the Hazaras. Will Amir be able to accept Hassan as a friend even though he is a Hazara, or will society’s pressure steer him away from what could be the most valuable relationship in his life?
In order to understand this novel, one must understand the conflicts of the people living in Afghanistan. The Pashtuns, mostly Sunni Islam’s, are considered high class, while the Hazaras are considered low class. In the novel, Amir and his Baba (father) are Pashtuns. Amir’s Baba is a wealthy business man that has two Hazara servants, Ali and his son Hassan. Baba and Ali are brothers because Amir’s “grandfather adopted him [Ali]” and raised him as his own son. Baba and Ali grew up being lifelong companions because they were only a year apart in age, and now both of their sons are growing up together and are also just a year apart in age and motherless. Hassan considers Amir his friend because they do nearly everything together, but Amir cannot decide if Hassan is his friend or servant. Although Amir and Hassan spend immense amounts of time together, Amir still has an internal conflict with whether Hassan is a friend or not, because in the rest of society’s eyes, Hassan is a mere servant because of his Hazara label. The relationship between Amir and Hassan is a microcosm of all of Afghanistan, because of the Pashtuns power and authority over the Hazaras. Will Amir be able to accept Hassan as a friend even though he is a Hazara, or will society’s pressure steer him away from what could be the most valuable relationship in his life?
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