Journal Entry 2 Kite Runner Chapters 3-4 Rahul Andra 25/8/10 The 3rd chapter starts out with a claim that Amir’s father once wrestled a bear. Obviously Amir is proud of his father as any other 12 year old would be, this gives us a partial image of the true conflict, a son vying for the attention of his disappointed father. Then Amir goes on to boast about the generosity of Baba, which is portrayed through Baba’s non-profit construction of a child orphanage. Then we find out that Amir is always vying for Baba’s attention with an innocent Hassan. We can make out that Amir is a little desperate for his father’s attention. We also learn of the source of Baba’s fortune, which are; a carpeting business, a couple of pharmacies, and a restaurant. And we also learn of that stature of Amir’s mother which is quite high. She is actually a princess, or a member of the royal family of Afghanistan. We find out about Baba’s views on ‘sins’ as well. After Hassan terms his father’s drinking as a “sin” as he had been taught so at school, Baba gives his own controversial views. He says that the only sin is theft; every sin is a variation of theft. “When you kill a man, you steal a life,” Baba said. “You steal his wife’s right to a husband; rob his children of a father. When you tell a lie, you steal someone’s right to the truth. When you cheat, you steal the right to fairness. Do you see?” says baba. I think that this passage is the most important in the whole chapter as this will act as a tool of irony later in the novel. Then Amir and Baba go to a Cultural show where a game is played. In this game one of the contestants is badly injured and Amir begins to weep, which makes Baba embarrassed and angry as well. Amir overhears Baba telling Rahim Khan that there is something missing in his character. And Baba says that Hassan always stands up for Amir, and Baba questions the manhood of someone who cannot stand up for himself. Rahim Khan, aware of Amir overhearing them – tries to console Amir by telling Baba that a timid nature isn’t exactly a bad one. But the damage is dealt when Baba ignorantly remarks, “If I hadn’t seen the doctor pull him out of my wife with my own eyes, I’d never believe he’s my son.” I think that this comment is extremely rude and that Baba should be proud of his son, looking at his skills and accomplishments rather than comparing him with his own legacy, which is what I believe he’s doing. He wants Amir, to be good at sports just like him, strong and resilient just like him. Why does Baba want Amir to be just like him? Why doesn’t he give him the freedom of choice? According to his ‘philosophy”, theft \is the only sin and here he is stealing Amir’s freedom. In chapter 4 we learn that Baba’s father adopts Ali when he is made an orphan by a drunk driver. Here I think that Baba’s father is extremely generous as he’s just taken an orphaned child who is a part of a racial minority and a hostile religion, and has given him a home.
Baba recounts his childhood adventures to Hassan and Amir, but it is disturbing to the readers as well as Amir when Baba never refers to poor Ali as his friend. We may ponder upon the thought that Amir may be copying Baba, and purposefully not declaring Hassan as his friend. Next Amir reads to Hassan under a pomegranate tree, and we learn that Hassan is illiterate. Amir takes advantage of his one area of superiority of Hassan, education. He teases Hassan when Hassan doesn’t know a particular word, and he changes the story to his liking when he reads it out as well. Incredibly, Hassan always like Amir’s deviations in the story, but he doesn’t know that Amir is creating his own content. Amir is amazed and believes that he has discovered a hidden talent. This next passage is the most important in this chapter as this scene helps to make Amir what he is in the present day, a successful writer. “What are you doing?” I said. “That was the best story you’ve read me in a long time,” he said, still clapping. I laughed. “Really?” “Really.” “That’s fascinating,” I muttered. I meant it too. This was... wholly unexpected. “Are you sure, Hassan?” He was still clapping. “It was great, Amir agha. Will you read me more of it tomorrow?” Obviously, Hassan’s reaction to Amir’s story boosts Amir’s confidence and actually rids his mind of his father’s words (that child always reads his books etc.) and inspires him to do what his heart really feels like doing. Amir writes a story that is based on greed, and then is hesitant to show it to his father. When he shows it to his father, his father is busy talking with Rahim Khan, and he asks Amir to give it Rahim Khan, much to Amir’s happiness. Amir later receives a compliment from Rahim Khan who read the story, and received a letter from Khan that says that he is very talented. Amir then eagerly shows it to Hassan, and Hassan applauds to his story. But then Hassan questions Amir, asks a question that could completely decimate the outcome of Amir’s story, and make it appear like a foolish piece of literature. Amir immediately regards Hassan’s opinion as insignificant much to the reader’s dismay. We cannot find out Amir’s reply as the chapter then ends as a great event took place that “changed Afghan forever”. Why does Amir avoid calling Hassan a friend? Is it because of Baba’s relationship with Ali?
The third chapter is more focused on Amir's father,Baba. Amir says that his father has once wrestled a bear and also says that Afghani people sometimes tend to exaggerate things but then he defends his father by saying that Baba has scars across his chest that prove that Baba had actually fought the bear. The chapter shows us how most children are proud of their fathers thinking that there can't be a better father than theirs. So the author like other Afghani people exaggerates the achievements of Baba in a way that even Bill Gates achievements seem like nothing(Okay now I am exaggerating a bit). All the achievements of Baba are how Amir sees Baba as but towards the end of the chapter the author shows us how Baba sees Amir as(a weak gus, who doesn't share any common interest as his father).
In the next chapter the author compares the relationship between Hassan-Amir and Baba-Ali. He shows us that even though that both Amir and Hassan grew up together and played together Amir has never really thought of Hassan as his friend. The same is the case between Baba and Ali too. The chapter also explores Amir as guy who sees Hassan as someone inferior to him and how he makes fun of Hassan being illiterate. But this certain characteristic helps Amir in finding out his strength of writing stories. But even though Amir's skill in writing stories doesn't exactly help Amir in becoming a better to his father. The author also shows that even though Hassan is illiterate he is not a fool as he questions about logic in the story that Amir wrote and this makes Amir angry on Hassan but it is only temporary (we find out that it is only temporary in the next chapter).
The main theme of this chapter is the relation between Baba and Amir. It is also important because Amir talks about how his father and Ali used to be childhood friends, but there was always a difference between them. There was also a difference that Amir feels is there, due to the fact that he is a Pashtun and Hassan is a Hazara. What caught my attention the most was how Amir would enjoy playing with Hassan ignorance whenever he read his stories. I think that maybe he felt better about himself when Hassan was clueless. Even though Amir knew what he was doing was wrong, he would “try to make up for it by giving him one of my old shirts or a broken toy.” He would ‘always feel guilty about it later.” Going back to the relation between Amir and Baba, reader understand how much Amir looked up to his father and how much he admired him. But it is apparent that Baba does not fully accept Amir the way he is. Baba wants Amir to be more like him, more violent, and more of a man. “And you know, he never fights back.” Baba is explaining, to Rahim Khan how Amir is kind of spineless when the other kids sort of bully him. Nonetheless, Amir cares for his father and his father loves him also. When Baba was explaining to Amir his views on religious life, Amir seemed fascinated. But how could Amir just suddenly choose between what he has been told his entire life and what his father, who he loves and respects so much, just told him. My two questions for this chapter are: how does Baba and Amir’s father and son relationship change through the story and how does Amir want to impress his father.
There are a few significant passages in this chapter. “The curious thing was, I never thought of Hassan and me as friends either.” I wonder what Amir’s definition of friend is. Why didn’t Amir think of him as a friend when they were so close, when they grew up together. “In the end, I was a Pashtun and he was a Hazara, I was a Sunni and he was Shi’a, and nothing was ever going to change that. “I also wonder why this difference of ethnicity, status, and religion was such a huge factor. Why did this matter so much? At the same time they, “were kid who had learned to crawl together, ad no history, ethnicity, society, or religion was going to change that. Nothing.” I don’t understand why despite a brother like-friendship, there such a problem to accept Hassan. The other significant passage in this chapter, was when Amir was reading stories to Hassan. It is very intriguing how Amir would get enjoyment out of Hassan’s ignorance. I feel that it is Amir’s indirect way of feeling superior to Hassan. Maybe Amir felt Hassan was better than him in ways that Amir felt were important. For example, Hassan ran kites better, was a more brave person(confront the other kids, especially Assef), a better person(more scrupulous) . It might have been Amir’s only way of feeling good about himself. The story readings that would take place meant totally different things for Amir and Hassan: Amir had a chance to show off and Hassan had a chance to learn. The most surprising part in this chapter for me is, “I gave him a friendly shove. Smiled. ‘You’re a prince, Hassan. You’re a prince and I love you.” It is ironic how Amir loves and hates Hassan at the same time. Another important aspect of this chapter, is the part where Rahim Khan reads Amir’s story. Baba doesn’t read the story, but Rahim acts as a father figure to Amir. This might not be so important to Baba, but to Amir it’s his dream. Later on in his life, Rahim plays an important role inAmir’s ife.
It is rumored that Baba once wrestled a bear and won, obviously Amir would be as proud as anybody else, it is shown that he is desperate for his father’s attention even to the extent of using Hassan for this. His father appears disappointed in him and Amir is under the impression that it was because he “killed” his mother, (his mother died immediately after giving birth to him), Baba’s main sources of finance is revealed to be a carpeting business, some pharmacies, and a restaurant, we learn that Amir’s mother was of royal blood and had a high social status. Hassan terms drinking as a ‘sin’, then Baba gives his own views on it, according to him, the only sin is ‘theft’ and others are a variation of it, he says “when you kill a man you steal a life” and then elaborates… “You steal his wife’s right to a husband; rob his children of a father. When you tell a lie, you steal someone’s right to the truth. When you cheat, you steal the right to fairness. Do you see?” says Baba… Later when Amir overhears a conversation between Rahim Khan and Baba, where Baba talks about how Amir is pushed around by the kids and Hassan stands up for him and about Amir’s timid nature, Rahim Khan is aware that Amir is hearing the conversation and tries to avoid letting it escalate by saying that his timid nature isn’t a bad one, but when Baba says that “If I hadn’t seen the doctor pull him out of my wife with my own eyes, I’d never believe he’s my son.” Which was a hurtful remark. Isnt Baba pressuring Amir by stealing his freedom and personality? And why is that?
CHAPTER 4
This chapter is mainly on the relation between Hassan-Amir, Amir doesn’t think of Hassan as his friend and treats him in an inferior way (never is with Hassan when his friends are around) and this is the same between Baba and Ali, they grew up together but sadly enough, Baba never referred to Ali as his friend in any of his stories, soon after Amir writes a story and wants to show it to his father, he refuses by going away and asks Amir to show it to Rahim Khan instead, he receives a letter from Rahim Khan that he is very talented, this makes him happy and he shows the story (based on greed) to Hassan, who applauds, but then he asks a question which could make the story complete gibberish, Amir to our dismay regards Hassan’s opinion as it being significant (he becomes angry, but this is only temporary). It ends with saying that some life changing event occurred in Afghanistan.
It is rumored that Baba once wrestled a bear and won, obviously Amir would be as proud as anybody else, it is shown that he is desperate for his father’s attention even to the extent of using Hassan for this. His father appears disappointed in him and Amir is under the impression that it was because he “killed” his mother, (his mother died immediately after giving birth to him), Baba’s main sources of finance is revealed to be a carpeting business, some pharmacies, and a restaurant, we learn that Amir’s mother was of royal blood and had a high social status. Hassan terms drinking as a ‘sin’, then Baba gives his own views on it, according to him, the only sin is ‘theft’ and others are a variation of it, he says “when you kill a man you steal a life” and then elaborates… “You steal his wife’s right to a husband; rob his children of a father. When you tell a lie, you steal someone’s right to the truth. When you cheat, you steal the right to fairness. Do you see?” says Baba… Later when Amir overhears a conversation between Rahim Khan and Baba, where Baba talks about how Amir is pushed around by the kids and Hassan stands up for him and about Amir’s timid nature, Rahim Khan is aware that Amir is hearing the conversation and tries to avoid letting it escalate by saying that his timid nature isn’t a bad one, but when Baba says that “If I hadn’t seen the doctor pull him out of my wife with my own eyes, I’d never believe he’s my son.” Which was a hurtful remark. Isnt Baba pressuring Amir by stealing his freedom and personality? And why is that?
CHAPTER 4
This chapter is mainly on the relation between Hassan-Amir, Amir doesn’t think of Hassan as his friend and treats him in an inferior way (never is with Hassan when his friends are around) and this is the same between Baba and Ali, they grew up together but sadly enough, Baba never referred to Ali as his friend in any of his stories, soon after Amir writes a story and wants to show it to his father, he refuses by going away and asks Amir to show it to Rahim Khan instead, he receives a letter from Rahim Khan that he is very talented, this makes him happy and he shows the story (based on greed) to Hassan, who applauds, but then he asks a question which could make the story complete gibberish, Amir to our dismay regards Hassan’s opinion as it being significant (he becomes angry, but this is only temporary). It ends with saying that some life changing event occurred in Afghanistan.
It was rumored that Baba once wrestled a bear and won, obviously Amir would be as proud as anybody else, it is shown that he is desperate for his father’s attention even to the extent of using Hassan for this. His father appears disappointed in him and Amir is under the impression that it was because he “killed” his mother, (his mother died immediately after giving birth to him), Baba’s main sources of finance is revealed to be a carpeting business, some pharmacies, and a restaurant, we learn that Amir’s mother was of royal blood and had a high social status. Hassan terms drinking as a ‘sin’, then Baba gives his own views on it, according to him, the only sin is ‘theft’ and others are a variation of it, he says “when you kill a man you steal a life” and then elaborates… “You steal his wife’s right to a husband; rob his children of a father. When you tell a lie, you steal someone’s right to the truth. When you cheat, you steal the right to fairness. Do you see?” says Baba… Later when Amir overhears a conversation between Rahim Khan and Baba, where Baba talks about how Amir is pushed around by the kids and Hassan stands up for him and about Amir’s timid nature, Rahim Khan is aware that Amir is hearing the conversation and tries to avoid letting it escalate by saying that his timid nature isn’t a bad one, but when Baba says that “If I hadn’t seen the doctor pull him out of my wife with my own eyes, I’d never believe he’s my son.” Which was a hurtful remark. Isnt Baba pressuring Amir by stealing his freedom and personality? And why is that?
This chapter is mainly on the relation between Hassan-Amir, Amir doesn’t think of Hassan as his friend and treats him in an inferior way (never is with Hassan when his friends are around) and this is the same between Baba and Ali, they grew up together but sadly enough, Baba never referred to Ali as his friend in any of his stories, soon after Amir writes a story and wants to show it to his father, he refuses by going away and asks Amir to show it to Rahim Khan instead, he receives a letter from Rahim Khan that he is very talented, this makes him happy and he shows the story (based on greed) to Hassan, who applauds, but then he asks a question which could make the story complete gibberish, Amir to our dismay regards Hassan’s opinion as it being insignificant (he becomes angry, but this is only temporary). It ends with saying that some life changing event occurred in Afghanistan.
Chapter 3 The most important part of this chapter is when Baba is telling Amir about what he thinks of sin and of the people who preach sin and how anyone should “piss on the beards of those self-righteous monkeys who do nothing except thumb their prayer beads and recite a book written in a tongue they don’t even understand. God help us all if Afghanistan ever falls in their hands.” I consider this important because this is nearly like a prediction and a precaution to what will be happening in the future. In this part of the story Baba seems to be passing the knowledge to Amir which could be seen as a parental duty towards children; informing them about the world and its pitfalls. This chapter’s motif is about the relationships that exist and should exist between a father and son but in this case they don’t. Here Amir always tries to be noticed and liked by his father but usually ends up being an embarrassment to him frequently. They don’t seem to share an intimate bond rather the father says “I mean to speak to you man to man. Do you think that you can handle that for once?” Because of this Amir becomes ashamed, felt unwanted because “it wasn’t often Baba talked to me, let alone on his lap.” Here the motif of freedom and escape is mentioned again because Amir as a young boy seemed to find solace and “escape his father’s aloofness, in him dead mother’s books.” There also seems to be some sort of resignation on the father’s side because he admits that Amir “needs someone who... understands him because God knows that I don’t understand him.” Amir is characterized in this chapter, emphasizing his life as a reject and a misfit in his father’s eyes whom he always tried the hardest to lease but never succeeded. The setting of this piece is aptly done, to shame the son even more in his father’s eyes, such as during the Buzkashi annual tournament. In this chapter you are forced to feel pity for Amir as he always vies for his fathers’ attention but are unsuccessful. The plot here may possibly give reference to the fact that the climax of the story is because of Amir trying to please his father and has to sacrifice something else.
• By reading this detailed chapter what is your opinion on Amir and Baba’s views an d perception? • What in this chapter makes you sympathize with Amir?
Chapter 4 In this chapter there are three main significant passages which will come back to Amir once he leaves Afghanistan. The fist one is when, as a joke Amir creates a story while pretending to read to Hassan, “Hassan began to clap.” Because of this joke Amir unleashes his true potential as a writer. The other one related to Hassan’s foretelling is after he had read the story of the pearl and said that “Some day, Inshallah, your will be a great writer, and people all over the world will read your stories.” Because of this Amir “gets his second taste –and how sweet it was- of a positive review.” Here we are given the impression of a boy who wants and who is seeking attention and after getting it, enjoys it with the greatest pleasure. The last and final passage is when Rahim Khan “added a single word that did more to encourage me to pursue writing than any compliment any editor has ever paid me.” Here after getting praised by Hassan, after unlocking his true potential he seems to want to utilise the “special talent” he has been given. I found this an interesting chapter because here we get to see how much of an impact does Hassan have in shaping Amir’s career even though Amir doesn’t want to accept it. Her yet again Hassan stands out as an important character due to the fact that he always seems to be there and here he predicts that “Some day, Inshallah, your will be a great writer, and people all over the world will read your stories.” After writing when he goes to show his father the minutes that him and his father experience and then are later rescued by Rahim Khan. The relief on both Baba and Amir is great because Rahim Khan had “relieved as if he had been rescued by Rahim Khan.” Then after Baba leaves Amir wishes that he “could open his veins and drain his cursed blood from his body.” This phrase emphasizes the theme and motif of this story; the relationship of hate and love between father and son. Here we also introduced to the fact that Amir and Hassan are alter egos. Amir in this chapter unknowingly portrays Hassan as a saviour of sorts, when he gives Amir a way of escape from life by writing. The setting of the story gradually progresses from a happy scene in which Amir is just having a normal day, to when he tells others or show others the story he has written and the setting changes to a dark and menacing environment. This might possibly suggest that any good in Amir’s life come at a price.
• Why does Rahim Khan always seem to be there for Amir when his father doesn’t? How does Amir portray Rahim Khan in this chapter? • Do you think that the way Khaled Hosseini has placed Hassan in the story as a indirect main character has affect the story and its outcome?
Chapter 4 In this chapter there are three main significant passages which will come back to Amir once he leaves Afghanistan. The fist one is when, as a joke Amir creates a story while pretending to read to Hassan, “Hassan began to clap.” Because of this joke Amir unleashes his true potential as a writer. The other one related to Hassan’s foretelling is after he had read the story of the pearl and said that “Some day, Inshallah, your will be a great writer, and people all over the world will read your stories.” Because of this Amir “gets his second taste –and how sweet it was- of a positive review.” Here we are given the impression of a boy who wants and who is seeking attention and after getting it, enjoys it with the greatest pleasure. The last and final passage is when Rahim Khan “added a single word that did more to encourage me to pursue writing than any compliment any editor has ever paid me.” Here after getting praised by Hassan, after unlocking his true potential he seems to want to utilise the “special talent” he has been given. I found this an interesting chapter because here we get to see how much of an impact does Hassan have in shaping Amir’s career even though Amir doesn’t want to accept it. Her yet again Hassan stands out as an important character due to the fact that he always seems to be there and here he predicts that “Some day, Inshallah, your will be a great writer, and people all over the world will read your stories.” After writing when he goes to show his father the minutes that him and his father experience and then are later rescued by Rahim Khan. The relief on both Baba and Amir is great because Rahim Khan had “relieved as if he had been rescued by Rahim Khan.” Then after Baba leaves Amir wishes that he “could open his veins and drain his cursed blood from his body.” This phrase emphasizes the theme and motif of this story; the relationship of hate and love between father and son. Here we also introduced to the fact that Amir and Hassan are alter egos. Amir in this chapter unknowingly portrays Hassan as a saviour of sorts, when he gives Amir a way of escape from life by writing. The setting of the story gradually progresses from a happy scene in which Amir is just having a normal day, to when he tells others or show others the story he has written and the setting changes to a dark and menacing environment. This might possibly suggest that any good in Amir’s life come at a price.
• Why does Rahim Khan always seem to be there for Amir when his father doesn’t? How does Amir portray Rahim Khan in this chapter? • Do you think that the way Khaled Hosseini has placed Hassan in the story as a indirect main character has affect the story and its outcome?
Chapter 4 In this chapter there are three main significant passages which will come back to Amir once he leaves Afghanistan. The fist one is when, as a joke Amir creates a story while pretending to read to Hassan, “Hassan began to clap.” Because of this joke Amir unleashes his true potential as a writer. The other one related to Hassan’s foretelling is after he had read the story of the pearl and said that “Some day, Inshallah, your will be a great writer, and people all over the world will read your stories.” Because of this Amir “gets his second taste –and how sweet it was- of a positive review.” Here we are given the impression of a boy who wants and who is seeking attention and after getting it, enjoys it with the greatest pleasure. The last and final passage is when Rahim Khan “added a single word that did more to encourage me to pursue writing than any compliment any editor has ever paid me.” Here after getting praised by Hassan, after unlocking his true potential he seems to want to utilise the “special talent” he has been given. I found this an interesting chapter because here we get to see how much of an impact does Hassan have in shaping Amir’s career even though Amir doesn’t want to accept it. Her yet again Hassan stands out as an important character due to the fact that he always seems to be there and here he predicts that “Some day, Inshallah, your will be a great writer, and people all over the world will read your stories.” After writing when he goes to show his father the minutes that him and his father experience and then are later rescued by Rahim Khan. The relief on both Baba and Amir is great because Rahim Khan had “relieved as if he had been rescued by Rahim Khan.” Then after Baba leaves Amir wishes that he “could open his veins and drain his cursed blood from his body.” This phrase emphasizes the theme and motif of this story; the relationship of hate and love between father and son. Here we also introduced to the fact that Amir and Hassan are alter egos. Amir in this chapter unknowingly portrays Hassan as a saviour of sorts, when he gives Amir a way of escape from life by writing. The setting of the story gradually progresses from a happy scene in which Amir is just having a normal day, to when he tells others or show others the story he has written and the setting changes to a dark and menacing environment. This might possibly suggest that any good in Amir’s life come at a price.
• Why does Rahim Khan always seem to be there for Amir when his father doesn’t? How does Amir portray Rahim Khan in this chapter? • Do you think that the way Khaled Hosseini has placed Hassan in the story as a indirect main character has affect the story and its outcome?
Journal Entry 2 Kite Runner Chapters 3-4 Rahul Andra 25/8/10
ReplyDeleteThe 3rd chapter starts out with a claim that Amir’s father once wrestled a bear. Obviously Amir is proud of his father as any other 12 year old would be, this gives us a partial image of the true conflict, a son vying for the attention of his disappointed father. Then Amir goes on to boast about the generosity of Baba, which is portrayed through Baba’s non-profit construction of a child orphanage. Then we find out that Amir is always vying for Baba’s attention with an innocent Hassan. We can make out that Amir is a little desperate for his father’s attention. We also learn of the source of Baba’s fortune, which are; a carpeting business, a couple of pharmacies, and a restaurant. And we also learn of that stature of Amir’s mother which is quite high. She is actually a princess, or a member of the royal family of Afghanistan. We find out about Baba’s views on ‘sins’ as well. After Hassan terms his father’s drinking as a “sin” as he had been taught so at school, Baba gives his own controversial views. He says that the only sin is theft; every sin is a variation of theft. “When you kill a man, you steal a life,” Baba said. “You steal his wife’s right to a husband; rob his children of a father. When you tell a lie, you steal someone’s right to the truth. When you cheat, you steal the right to fairness. Do you see?” says baba. I think that this passage is the most important in the whole chapter as this will act as a tool of irony later in the novel. Then Amir and Baba go to a Cultural show where a game is played. In this game one of the contestants is badly injured and Amir begins to weep, which makes Baba embarrassed and angry as well. Amir overhears Baba telling Rahim Khan that there is something missing in his character. And Baba says that Hassan always stands up for Amir, and Baba questions the manhood of someone who cannot stand up for himself. Rahim Khan, aware of Amir overhearing them – tries to console Amir by telling Baba that a timid nature isn’t exactly a bad one. But the damage is dealt when Baba ignorantly remarks, “If I hadn’t seen the doctor pull him out of my wife with my own eyes, I’d never believe he’s my son.” I think that this comment is extremely rude and that Baba should be proud of his son, looking at his skills and accomplishments rather than comparing him with his own legacy, which is what I believe he’s doing. He wants Amir, to be good at sports just like him, strong and resilient just like him.
Why does Baba want Amir to be just like him? Why doesn’t he give him the freedom of choice? According to his ‘philosophy”, theft \is the only sin and here he is stealing Amir’s freedom.
In chapter 4 we learn that Baba’s father adopts Ali when he is made an orphan by a drunk driver. Here I think that Baba’s father is extremely generous as he’s just taken an orphaned child who is a part of a racial minority and a hostile religion, and has given him a home.
Baba recounts his childhood adventures to Hassan and Amir, but it is disturbing to the readers as well as Amir when Baba never refers to poor Ali as his friend. We may ponder upon the thought that Amir may be copying Baba, and purposefully not declaring Hassan as his friend. Next Amir reads to Hassan under a pomegranate tree, and we learn that Hassan is illiterate. Amir takes advantage of his one area of superiority of Hassan, education. He teases Hassan when Hassan doesn’t know a particular word, and he changes the story to his liking when he reads it out as well. Incredibly, Hassan always like Amir’s deviations in the story, but he doesn’t know that Amir is creating his own content. Amir is amazed and believes that he has discovered a hidden talent. This next passage is the most important in this chapter as this scene helps to make Amir what he is in the present day, a successful writer. “What are you doing?” I said. “That was the best story you’ve read me in a long time,” he said, still clapping. I laughed. “Really?” “Really.” “That’s fascinating,” I muttered. I meant it too. This was... wholly unexpected. “Are you sure, Hassan?” He was still clapping. “It was great, Amir agha. Will you read me more of it tomorrow?” Obviously, Hassan’s reaction to Amir’s story boosts Amir’s confidence and actually rids his mind of his father’s words (that child always reads his books etc.) and inspires him to do what his heart really feels like doing. Amir writes a story that is based on greed, and then is hesitant to show it to his father. When he shows it to his father, his father is busy talking with Rahim Khan, and he asks Amir to give it Rahim Khan, much to Amir’s happiness. Amir later receives a compliment from Rahim Khan who read the story, and received a letter from Khan that says that he is very talented. Amir then eagerly shows it to Hassan, and Hassan applauds to his story. But then Hassan questions Amir, asks a question that could completely decimate the outcome of Amir’s story, and make it appear like a foolish piece of literature. Amir immediately regards Hassan’s opinion as insignificant much to the reader’s dismay. We cannot find out Amir’s reply as the chapter then ends as a great event took place that “changed Afghan forever”.
ReplyDeleteWhy does Amir avoid calling Hassan a friend? Is it because of Baba’s relationship with Ali?
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ReplyDeleteThe third chapter is more focused on Amir's father,Baba. Amir says that his father has once wrestled a bear and also says that Afghani people sometimes tend to exaggerate things but then he defends his father by saying that Baba has scars across his chest that prove that Baba had actually fought the bear. The chapter shows us how most children are proud of their fathers thinking that there can't be a better father than theirs. So the author like other Afghani people exaggerates the achievements of Baba in a way that even Bill Gates achievements seem like nothing(Okay now I am exaggerating a bit). All the achievements of Baba are how Amir sees Baba as but towards the end of the chapter the author shows us how Baba sees Amir as(a weak gus, who doesn't share any common interest as his father).
ReplyDeleteIn the next chapter the author compares the relationship between Hassan-Amir and Baba-Ali. He shows us that even though that both Amir and Hassan grew up together and played together Amir has never really thought of Hassan as his friend. The same is the case between Baba and Ali too. The chapter also explores Amir as guy who sees Hassan as someone inferior to him and how he makes fun of Hassan being illiterate. But this certain characteristic helps Amir in finding out his strength of writing stories. But even though Amir's skill in writing stories doesn't exactly help Amir in becoming a better to his father. The author also shows that even though Hassan is illiterate he is not a fool as he questions about logic in the story that Amir wrote and this makes Amir angry on Hassan but it is only temporary (we find out that it is only temporary in the next chapter).
CHAPTER 3
ReplyDeleteThe main theme of this chapter is the relation between Baba and Amir. It is also important because Amir talks about how his father and Ali used to be childhood friends, but there was always a difference between them. There was also a difference that Amir feels is there, due to the fact that he is a Pashtun and Hassan is a Hazara. What caught my attention the most was how Amir would enjoy playing with Hassan ignorance whenever he read his stories. I think that maybe he felt better about himself when Hassan was clueless. Even though Amir knew what he was doing was wrong, he would “try to make up for it by giving him one of my old shirts or a broken toy.” He would ‘always feel guilty about it later.”
Going back to the relation between Amir and Baba, reader understand how much Amir looked up to his father and how much he admired him. But it is apparent that Baba does not fully accept Amir the way he is. Baba wants Amir to be more like him, more violent, and more of a man. “And you know, he never fights back.” Baba is explaining, to Rahim Khan how Amir is kind of spineless when the other kids sort of bully him. Nonetheless, Amir cares for his father and his father loves him also. When Baba was explaining to Amir his views on religious life, Amir seemed fascinated.
But how could Amir just suddenly choose between what he has been told his entire life and what his father, who he loves and respects so much, just told him. My two questions for this chapter are: how does Baba and Amir’s father and son relationship change through the story and how does Amir want to impress his father.
CHAPTER 4
ReplyDeleteThere are a few significant passages in this chapter. “The curious thing was, I never thought of Hassan and me as friends either.” I wonder what Amir’s definition of friend is. Why didn’t Amir think of him as a friend when they were so close, when they grew up together. “In the end, I was a Pashtun and he was a Hazara, I was a Sunni and he was Shi’a, and nothing was ever going to change that. “I also wonder why this difference of ethnicity, status, and religion was such a huge factor. Why did this matter so much? At the same time they, “were kid who had learned to crawl together, ad no history, ethnicity, society, or religion was going to change that. Nothing.” I don’t understand why despite a brother like-friendship, there such a problem to accept Hassan.
The other significant passage in this chapter, was when Amir was reading stories to Hassan. It is very intriguing how Amir would get enjoyment out of Hassan’s ignorance. I feel that it is Amir’s indirect way of feeling superior to Hassan. Maybe Amir felt Hassan was better than him in ways that Amir felt were important. For example, Hassan ran kites better, was a more brave person(confront the other kids, especially Assef), a better person(more scrupulous) . It might have been Amir’s only way of feeling good about himself. The story readings that would take place meant totally different things for Amir and Hassan: Amir had a chance to show off and Hassan had a chance to learn. The most surprising part in this chapter for me is, “I gave him a friendly shove. Smiled. ‘You’re a prince, Hassan. You’re a prince and I love you.” It is ironic how Amir loves and hates Hassan at the same time.
Another important aspect of this chapter, is the part where Rahim Khan reads Amir’s story. Baba doesn’t read the story, but Rahim acts as a father figure to Amir. This might not be so important to Baba, but to Amir it’s his dream. Later on in his life, Rahim plays an important role inAmir’s ife.
CHAPTER 3
ReplyDeleteIt is rumored that Baba once wrestled a bear and won, obviously Amir would be as proud as anybody else, it is shown that he is desperate for his father’s attention even to the extent of using Hassan for this. His father appears disappointed in him and Amir is under the impression that it was because he “killed” his mother, (his mother died immediately after giving birth to him),
Baba’s main sources of finance is revealed to be a carpeting business, some pharmacies, and a restaurant, we learn that Amir’s mother was of royal blood and had a high social status.
Hassan terms drinking as a ‘sin’, then Baba gives his own views on it, according to him, the only sin is ‘theft’ and others are a variation of it, he says “when you kill a man you steal a life” and then elaborates… “You steal his wife’s right to a husband; rob his children of a father. When you tell a lie, you steal someone’s right to the truth. When you cheat, you steal the right to fairness. Do you see?” says Baba…
Later when Amir overhears a conversation between Rahim Khan and Baba, where Baba talks about how Amir is pushed around by the kids and Hassan stands up for him and about Amir’s timid nature, Rahim Khan is aware that Amir is hearing the conversation and tries to avoid letting it escalate by saying that his timid nature isn’t a bad one, but when Baba says that “If I hadn’t seen the doctor pull him out of my wife with my own eyes, I’d never believe he’s my son.” Which was a hurtful remark. Isnt Baba pressuring Amir by stealing his freedom and personality? And why is that?
CHAPTER 4
This chapter is mainly on the relation between Hassan-Amir, Amir doesn’t think of Hassan as his friend and treats him in an inferior way (never is with Hassan when his friends are around) and this is the same between Baba and Ali, they grew up together but sadly enough, Baba never referred to Ali as his friend in any of his stories, soon after Amir writes a story and wants to show it to his father, he refuses by going away and asks Amir to show it to Rahim Khan instead, he receives a letter from Rahim Khan that he is very talented, this makes him happy and he shows the story (based on greed) to Hassan, who applauds, but then he asks a question which could make the story complete gibberish, Amir to our dismay regards Hassan’s opinion as it being significant (he becomes angry, but this is only temporary). It ends with saying that some life changing event occurred in Afghanistan.
CHAPTER 3
ReplyDeleteIt is rumored that Baba once wrestled a bear and won, obviously Amir would be as proud as anybody else, it is shown that he is desperate for his father’s attention even to the extent of using Hassan for this. His father appears disappointed in him and Amir is under the impression that it was because he “killed” his mother, (his mother died immediately after giving birth to him),
Baba’s main sources of finance is revealed to be a carpeting business, some pharmacies, and a restaurant, we learn that Amir’s mother was of royal blood and had a high social status.
Hassan terms drinking as a ‘sin’, then Baba gives his own views on it, according to him, the only sin is ‘theft’ and others are a variation of it, he says “when you kill a man you steal a life” and then elaborates… “You steal his wife’s right to a husband; rob his children of a father. When you tell a lie, you steal someone’s right to the truth. When you cheat, you steal the right to fairness. Do you see?” says Baba…
Later when Amir overhears a conversation between Rahim Khan and Baba, where Baba talks about how Amir is pushed around by the kids and Hassan stands up for him and about Amir’s timid nature, Rahim Khan is aware that Amir is hearing the conversation and tries to avoid letting it escalate by saying that his timid nature isn’t a bad one, but when Baba says that “If I hadn’t seen the doctor pull him out of my wife with my own eyes, I’d never believe he’s my son.” Which was a hurtful remark. Isnt Baba pressuring Amir by stealing his freedom and personality? And why is that?
CHAPTER 4
This chapter is mainly on the relation between Hassan-Amir, Amir doesn’t think of Hassan as his friend and treats him in an inferior way (never is with Hassan when his friends are around) and this is the same between Baba and Ali, they grew up together but sadly enough, Baba never referred to Ali as his friend in any of his stories, soon after Amir writes a story and wants to show it to his father, he refuses by going away and asks Amir to show it to Rahim Khan instead, he receives a letter from Rahim Khan that he is very talented, this makes him happy and he shows the story (based on greed) to Hassan, who applauds, but then he asks a question which could make the story complete gibberish, Amir to our dismay regards Hassan’s opinion as it being significant (he becomes angry, but this is only temporary). It ends with saying that some life changing event occurred in Afghanistan.
CHAPTER 3
ReplyDeleteIt was rumored that Baba once wrestled a bear and won, obviously Amir would be as proud as anybody else, it is shown that he is desperate for his father’s attention even to the extent of using Hassan for this. His father appears disappointed in him and Amir is under the impression that it was because he “killed” his mother, (his mother died immediately after giving birth to him),
Baba’s main sources of finance is revealed to be a carpeting business, some pharmacies, and a restaurant, we learn that Amir’s mother was of royal blood and had a high social status.
Hassan terms drinking as a ‘sin’, then Baba gives his own views on it, according to him, the only sin is ‘theft’ and others are a variation of it, he says “when you kill a man you steal a life” and then elaborates… “You steal his wife’s right to a husband; rob his children of a father. When you tell a lie, you steal someone’s right to the truth. When you cheat, you steal the right to fairness. Do you see?” says Baba…
Later when Amir overhears a conversation between Rahim Khan and Baba, where Baba talks about how Amir is pushed around by the kids and Hassan stands up for him and about Amir’s timid nature, Rahim Khan is aware that Amir is hearing the conversation and tries to avoid letting it escalate by saying that his timid nature isn’t a bad one, but when Baba says that “If I hadn’t seen the doctor pull him out of my wife with my own eyes, I’d never believe he’s my son.” Which was a hurtful remark. Isnt Baba pressuring Amir by stealing his freedom and personality? And why is that?
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteCHAPTER 4
ReplyDeleteThis chapter is mainly on the relation between Hassan-Amir, Amir doesn’t think of Hassan as his friend and treats him in an inferior way (never is with Hassan when his friends are around) and this is the same between Baba and Ali, they grew up together but sadly enough, Baba never referred to Ali as his friend in any of his stories, soon after Amir writes a story and wants to show it to his father, he refuses by going away and asks Amir to show it to Rahim Khan instead, he receives a letter from Rahim Khan that he is very talented, this makes him happy and he shows the story (based on greed) to Hassan, who applauds, but then he asks a question which could make the story complete gibberish, Amir to our dismay regards Hassan’s opinion as it being insignificant (he becomes angry, but this is only temporary). It ends with saying that some life changing event occurred in Afghanistan.
Chapter 3
ReplyDeleteThe most important part of this chapter is when Baba is telling Amir about what he thinks of sin and of the people who preach sin and how anyone should “piss on the beards of those self-righteous monkeys who do nothing except thumb their prayer beads and recite a book written in a tongue they don’t even understand. God help us all if Afghanistan ever falls in their hands.” I consider this important because this is nearly like a prediction and a precaution to what will be happening in the future. In this part of the story Baba seems to be passing the knowledge to Amir which could be seen as a parental duty towards children; informing them about the world and its pitfalls.
This chapter’s motif is about the relationships that exist and should exist between a father and son but in this case they don’t. Here Amir always tries to be noticed and liked by his father but usually ends up being an embarrassment to him frequently. They don’t seem to share an intimate bond rather the father says “I mean to speak to you man to man. Do you think that you can handle that for once?” Because of this Amir becomes ashamed, felt unwanted because “it wasn’t often Baba talked to me, let alone on his lap.” Here the motif of freedom and escape is mentioned again because Amir as a young boy seemed to find solace and “escape his father’s aloofness, in him dead mother’s books.” There also seems to be some sort of resignation on the father’s side because he admits that Amir “needs someone who... understands him because God knows that I don’t understand him.” Amir is characterized in this chapter, emphasizing his life as a reject and a misfit in his father’s eyes whom he always tried the hardest to lease but never succeeded. The setting of this piece is aptly done, to shame the son even more in his father’s eyes, such as during the Buzkashi annual tournament. In this chapter you are forced to feel pity for Amir as he always vies for his fathers’ attention but are unsuccessful. The plot here may possibly give reference to the fact that the climax of the story is because of Amir trying to please his father and has to sacrifice something else.
• By reading this detailed chapter what is your opinion on Amir and Baba’s views an d perception?
• What in this chapter makes you sympathize with Amir?
Chapter 4
ReplyDeleteIn this chapter there are three main significant passages which will come back to Amir once he leaves Afghanistan. The fist one is when, as a joke Amir creates a story while pretending to read to Hassan, “Hassan began to clap.” Because of this joke Amir unleashes his true potential as a writer. The other one related to Hassan’s foretelling is after he had read the story of the pearl and said that “Some day, Inshallah, your will be a great writer, and people all over the world will read your stories.” Because of this Amir “gets his second taste –and how sweet it was- of a positive review.” Here we are given the impression of a boy who wants and who is seeking attention and after getting it, enjoys it with the greatest pleasure. The last and final passage is when Rahim Khan “added a single word that did more to encourage me to pursue writing than any compliment any editor has ever paid me.” Here after getting praised by Hassan, after unlocking his true potential he seems to want to utilise the “special talent” he has been given.
I found this an interesting chapter because here we get to see how much of an impact does Hassan have in shaping Amir’s career even though Amir doesn’t want to accept it. Her yet again Hassan stands out as an important character due to the fact that he always seems to be there and here he predicts that “Some day, Inshallah, your will be a great writer, and people all over the world will read your stories.” After writing when he goes to show his father the minutes that him and his father experience and then are later rescued by Rahim Khan. The relief on both Baba and Amir is great because Rahim Khan had “relieved as if he had been rescued by Rahim Khan.” Then after Baba leaves Amir wishes that he “could open his veins and drain his cursed blood from his body.” This phrase emphasizes the theme and motif of this story; the relationship of hate and love between father and son. Here we also introduced to the fact that Amir and Hassan are alter egos. Amir in this chapter unknowingly portrays Hassan as a saviour of sorts, when he gives Amir a way of escape from life by writing. The setting of the story gradually progresses from a happy scene in which Amir is just having a normal day, to when he tells others or show others the story he has written and the setting changes to a dark and menacing environment. This might possibly suggest that any good in Amir’s life come at a price.
• Why does Rahim Khan always seem to be there for Amir when his father doesn’t? How does Amir portray Rahim Khan in this chapter?
• Do you think that the way Khaled Hosseini has placed Hassan in the story as a indirect main character has affect the story and its outcome?
Chapter 4
ReplyDeleteIn this chapter there are three main significant passages which will come back to Amir once he leaves Afghanistan. The fist one is when, as a joke Amir creates a story while pretending to read to Hassan, “Hassan began to clap.” Because of this joke Amir unleashes his true potential as a writer. The other one related to Hassan’s foretelling is after he had read the story of the pearl and said that “Some day, Inshallah, your will be a great writer, and people all over the world will read your stories.” Because of this Amir “gets his second taste –and how sweet it was- of a positive review.” Here we are given the impression of a boy who wants and who is seeking attention and after getting it, enjoys it with the greatest pleasure. The last and final passage is when Rahim Khan “added a single word that did more to encourage me to pursue writing than any compliment any editor has ever paid me.” Here after getting praised by Hassan, after unlocking his true potential he seems to want to utilise the “special talent” he has been given.
I found this an interesting chapter because here we get to see how much of an impact does Hassan have in shaping Amir’s career even though Amir doesn’t want to accept it. Her yet again Hassan stands out as an important character due to the fact that he always seems to be there and here he predicts that “Some day, Inshallah, your will be a great writer, and people all over the world will read your stories.” After writing when he goes to show his father the minutes that him and his father experience and then are later rescued by Rahim Khan. The relief on both Baba and Amir is great because Rahim Khan had “relieved as if he had been rescued by Rahim Khan.” Then after Baba leaves Amir wishes that he “could open his veins and drain his cursed blood from his body.” This phrase emphasizes the theme and motif of this story; the relationship of hate and love between father and son. Here we also introduced to the fact that Amir and Hassan are alter egos. Amir in this chapter unknowingly portrays Hassan as a saviour of sorts, when he gives Amir a way of escape from life by writing. The setting of the story gradually progresses from a happy scene in which Amir is just having a normal day, to when he tells others or show others the story he has written and the setting changes to a dark and menacing environment. This might possibly suggest that any good in Amir’s life come at a price.
• Why does Rahim Khan always seem to be there for Amir when his father doesn’t? How does Amir portray Rahim Khan in this chapter?
• Do you think that the way Khaled Hosseini has placed Hassan in the story as a indirect main character has affect the story and its outcome?
Chapter 4
ReplyDeleteIn this chapter there are three main significant passages which will come back to Amir once he leaves Afghanistan. The fist one is when, as a joke Amir creates a story while pretending to read to Hassan, “Hassan began to clap.” Because of this joke Amir unleashes his true potential as a writer. The other one related to Hassan’s foretelling is after he had read the story of the pearl and said that “Some day, Inshallah, your will be a great writer, and people all over the world will read your stories.” Because of this Amir “gets his second taste –and how sweet it was- of a positive review.” Here we are given the impression of a boy who wants and who is seeking attention and after getting it, enjoys it with the greatest pleasure. The last and final passage is when Rahim Khan “added a single word that did more to encourage me to pursue writing than any compliment any editor has ever paid me.” Here after getting praised by Hassan, after unlocking his true potential he seems to want to utilise the “special talent” he has been given.
I found this an interesting chapter because here we get to see how much of an impact does Hassan have in shaping Amir’s career even though Amir doesn’t want to accept it. Her yet again Hassan stands out as an important character due to the fact that he always seems to be there and here he predicts that “Some day, Inshallah, your will be a great writer, and people all over the world will read your stories.” After writing when he goes to show his father the minutes that him and his father experience and then are later rescued by Rahim Khan. The relief on both Baba and Amir is great because Rahim Khan had “relieved as if he had been rescued by Rahim Khan.” Then after Baba leaves Amir wishes that he “could open his veins and drain his cursed blood from his body.” This phrase emphasizes the theme and motif of this story; the relationship of hate and love between father and son. Here we also introduced to the fact that Amir and Hassan are alter egos. Amir in this chapter unknowingly portrays Hassan as a saviour of sorts, when he gives Amir a way of escape from life by writing. The setting of the story gradually progresses from a happy scene in which Amir is just having a normal day, to when he tells others or show others the story he has written and the setting changes to a dark and menacing environment. This might possibly suggest that any good in Amir’s life come at a price.
• Why does Rahim Khan always seem to be there for Amir when his father doesn’t? How does Amir portray Rahim Khan in this chapter?
• Do you think that the way Khaled Hosseini has placed Hassan in the story as a indirect main character has affect the story and its outcome?