Answer one of the following questions:
What themes that we have spoken about in class regarding the book do you think will play the most prevalent role in the outcome of the novel?
What is your opinion of Amir at this point in the novel? Why doesn't he tell Baba what happened to Hassan?
Present Day Kabul
Kabul torn apart by war
Wedding Traditions
Beautiful
Khyber Pass
Amir and Baba take this pass to get out of Afghanistan
Gharga Lake
Where Amir went with Baba
Anger
The look of a man that has seen alot.
Amir with Hassan's son
Amir is reading a book to Hassan
what women would wear
Afghanistan girls
cute
Food in Afghanistan
Qabli Pulao
Hidden
Afghan woman in a traditional burqa
Mullah Mohammed Omar
The Face Behind the Taliban Movement
is it an easy life? taliban boy....
History of the Taliban: Who They Are, What They Want
Young Afghans reading the holy quran
Amir and Soraya
Wheat
Happy Naan
Hungry but happy
Afghan Kebab
Mmm. Kebab makes me hungry!
Market
Man selling Pakistani fabric in a Flea Market
A Pashtun Girl
Do you see the difference with the Hazara girl?
A Hazara Girl
They are supposed to look Chinese...But I don't really see it.
Amir's Ford Torino
Sitting on 24's
Kite Runners
Kite Runners
Taliban
Taliban Crouching
Naan
Delicious Afghani Bread!
Baby Picture of Hosseini
Afghan Eyes
Famous McCurry Photo
Afghan War Rugs
These rugs commemorate the Russian invasion.
Taliban in Toyota
Amir's Nemesis
29 comments:
In my opinion i think that Amir worries to much about what people think about him. Amir wants to be loved by his dad and wants none of the other kids to think unhighly of him. This leads him to not act as good of a friend to Hassan that he should be. He doesn't tell Baba what happens to Hassan because i feel like that he doesn't want Hassan to know that he saw what happened with Assef.If Amir can stop worrying about what people think about him and worry about the people who like him for real then his character can completly turn around, and he might not be as scared as he is now.-Kevin Marshall
I agree with Kevin. There is one part I remember reading where Amir questions why he really is friends with Hassan. To me that doesnt show any Loyalty at all. A lot of things play into their friendship such as loyalty, and their social rank. I thik their frienship could end up being destroyed by the end of this novel. Amir does need to stop caring about what everyone else thinks because it does end up making me scared, something that i dont think will help him survive.
Tiff
In my opinion of Amir at this point of the novel, of what happened between him and Hassan. Is that truly I really feel that Amir envies Hassan, that he is jealous of him. He watches his friend get raped by another kid, and he stands there and sees what his friend has gone through. Most of all it will be hard for Hassan to over come that. To me Amir is just selfish. He doesn't want to tell Baba what had happened with Hassan and Assef because Hassan will find out that Amir knows what had happened. Also if Amir tells Baba and he will find out that Amir didn't help Hassan.-Da'Quan Cook
One of the themes that we have being discussing that I found importatn is "Redemption."
All Amir's thought and goal as of now is to have Baba all for himself. Even if it means to let his best friend, or "brother" Hassan get raped, and turn his back on it. Until now, he has not told anyone about this, or let Hassan know he knew.
However, now Amir has to live with the fact that he saw what happened to Hassan in the alley everytime they cross paths.
Now to try and redeem himself to be worthy to talk to Hassan, Amir has to try to make Hassan be mad at him. He has tried to make Hassan hit him, but did not work. But, as the usual Hassan, he is loyal to Amir. He would do anything to make Amir happy, even if its to smash a fruit to his forhead.
Nevertheless, I wonder what would happen if Hassan finds out that Amir saw what happened and turned around? How much redemption does Amir would need to do or would he even be able to get close to Hassan ever again?
-Eddy
The more I read, I more I don't like Amir, and the more I feel sorry about Hassan. Jealousy pushes Amir to this point. In order to get Baba's love, he "steals" Hassan's love---the love that Hassan always has for Amir, the love that Hassan has for this world. It's doubtless to say that Hassan and Amir's friendship is established on this unfair base---classes. Surely, this unfair foundation is leading Hassan and Amir to a tragic ending.---Shui He
The theme that will play the biggest role in the novel i think will be "It's impossible to bury past". We can already see that after Hassan got raped there hasnt been a day that Amir wouldnt think about it, and im more than sure that he wont be able ever to forget that.
Amir is young and I can understand why he chose to not tell anybody and just let his best friend leave him. But I do not say that he made a right desicion, absolutely not. There are two sulotions to his problem, and he chose the one that we all think was a wrong one.
I dont know about the other readers but everytime i turn the page i have hope that he will tell somebody about Hassan getting raped and I really want to see other peoples reaction to that, like Baba, and Rhahim.
We will see whats going to happen later.
-V
I also agree with Kevin on most of the points that he makes. However I also want to add that Amir thinks the world of Baba and respects him highly, but he is also afraid of Baba. Since he already overheard Baba talking to Rahim Khan, Amir understood what Baba truly thought of him.
Fear and rejection from Baba might be one of the reasons why Amir hasn't told Baba. Another reason might be because Amir doesn't want anyone to know that he is a coward. Especially Hassan because Hassan risked his own neck numerous times to rescue Amir when he was in trouble with the neighbourhood kids.
-Rusty
Kite Runner said...
Amir's greed and jealousy almost betray Hassan. First of all, he wants to be love by his Dad more than other people can be especially Hassan. It's hard to understand how Amir can just watch his friend raped, which means they are not truly friends. Besides, I think Amir is a little bit ashamed to hang out with Hassan, a slave of Amir's family. He also needs to stop thinking about what other people think about him, which can ruin his good judgement and good relationship.
-Ju Hee
The biggest theme of this novel is the loyalty of Hassan.
Amir really doesn't like to see Hassan. He wants to conceal the fact that Hassan was ripped. He kicks out Hassan out of the familly.
Amir put money and watch under Hassan's bed. And Baba said "Did you do it?" Hassan said "Yes, I did"
Hassan covers everything. Hassan tries to save Amir.
Amir must feel guilty at this time totally.
But Amir still can't confess the fact. This is all about struggling between upper class and lower class of loyalty. I think Hassan's loyalty is very great in this novel.
-The great Jun Sang Ryu-
I don't like Amir because he does not like sports and is a pretty boy!
-Kyle
My opinion of Amir is that he is confused. The fact that he is at this adolscent age he is probably still figuring out about life, loyalty, and friendship. When he saw what had happened to Hassan that probably put him in shock seeing the boy who had always stood up for him being hurt right then. The fact that Amir didnt' do anything was not he best thing he should had not just turned away and pretended like it didn't happen.
-Sarah Frye
I agree with Cookie. Amir is obviously jealous of Hassan. Amir doesn't like that fact that Baba likes Hassan more than him, is own son. In my opinion, Baba is betraying Amir, although not on purpose. Baba sees everything he wants in a son, but not in Amir. I think Amir is scared that his father will abandon him just like Hassan's mom did to him. -Beth
Amir is faced with the conflict of being cowardly. He shows his true age when he leaves Hassan in the Alley. One of the main questions asked in the novel is do you have the ability and strength to gain respect through your actions. In the situation it appears that Hassan has more courage to stand up to Assef, then Amir does, even though Hassan is believed to be a lesser person due to his culutral backround. -MAGGIE L.
My opinion of Amir is that he doesn't know who he is and what he stands for yet. His loyalty to Hassan is faulty because he is not satisfied with who he is yet. I think that Amir is jealous of Hassan because Baba's affections sometimes sway towards Hassan, rather than towards him. I see Amir as weak, but his age plays a huge factor in that, also the time period that this novel is set. Amir has a hard time sticking up for Hassan partially because he has never been faced with a situation of this magnitude. I don't think Amir is a bad person necessarily, but just makes poor choices.
-Ten
Amir at this point in the novel is a person who is selfish and doesnt know what to do. He has a best friend who would give the world up to make him happy. But Amir doesn't care, he wont even come to his aid when he is being hurt. Amir is still just a little boy but he should have enough sense to help one of his best friends.
-mike walker
I think Amir worries too much about everything that is going on in his life. He is still young and immature. He was afraid to tell Baba what happened to Hassan, because he was afraid that the relationship between him and Baba will fall apart more than before. Amir is afraid to show his real character to other. He feels that he needs to show character that other will like. -Kevin Lee
From my interpretation of the novel, I think Amir is jealous of Hassan because of his athletic ability, ability to think without being educated and love that Baba shows for Hassan. I think Hassan wants to do whatever he can to keep Amir and Baba happy but it seems that Amir only wants to bring Hassan down to get closer to Baba and does not care what happens to Hassan but still feels a type of guilt because deep down inside he knows he is close to Hassan. I don't think it matters how old you are to decide to stick up for ya friend, i don't care if i were 10 years old, you know when something wrong is being done an you could at least not let your friend go down alone, especially if he has proven he has your back before as did Hassan.
-Shamarr
I think Amir is afraid to tell his father because his actions reflected his weakness of being afraid and a coward. He wants so badly for his father to give him attention, but feels as though this situation would alter that. He should have helped out Hassan and is greatly paying for it now through guilt.
-KP
The reason that Amir does not tell Baba about the what happened to Hassan is because he wants is scared. He has doubt in his decision to run and not stick up for Hassan and does not want to be viewed as a coward. He is young and afraid of the world. Amir also could not want to tell because if Assef found out that Amir had told he would probably be dealt with in a worse way.
-Hunter
In my opinion, redemption is the most important theme that we know so far in the novel. Amir watched Hassan being raped and didn't stand up for him, he totally regrets what he had done because he feels like he had an opportunity to stop this. Amir could not tell Baba about that because he wanted more attention from his dad and knew that his behavior would spread him more from baba. Also, Amir was worried about Hassan knowing that he was there during the rape if he did tell his dad. Don't forget that it is the story of a 12 year old boy who lived in a society where racial discrimination is too strong, and it is somtimes difficult to act different than the society as a young boy.-Patrick Liengueu
I find it ironic that the reason why Amir decided agianst standing up for Hassan was that Hassan was the "Lamb he had to sacrifice" to get closer to his father, Baba. Hypothetically, if Amir had stood up for Hassan, he probably would of gotten even closer to Baba. Amir knows what Baba thinks of him. His father believes he is a push-over, pansy that won't stand up for himself or his friends, and by "sacrificing" Hassan, he is only proving his father right.
-Cumby-
I believe that regret is the biggest theme currently in the novel. Throughout chapter eight he constantly regrets not doing anything to stop Assef when he had the oppurtunity. As Baba talks about the contest with his firneds all Amir is thinking about is Hassan.
-!DYLAN!-
What theme will be prevalent later on in the novel? In one word I believe the most influential theme throughout the rest of the book will be that of loyalty. As discussed in class this book comes full circle in many aspects, and the theme of loyalty is so huge early on it is impossible for it to disappear. Remember that the Afghan people are very loyal, it is not just something they decide to be, it is how they are bread, and even though Amir does not seem very loyal now I still have faith that he will mature as the novel progresses and retain his loyalty to not only his people but more importantly Hassan.
-JM-
The most important theme in this novel will be acceptance. Not only of Amir's own actions, but how the world has responded to his actions. In the end of the novel I think the relationship between Hassan and Amir will finally be communicated, but how and what happens is unknown to me.
Amir is stupid right now, at this point in the book.
pETER bRIGHAM
I think there are two reasons why Amir couldn't say anything about what happened to Hassan. Firstly, Amir was afraid to tell his father about the truth because Amir knew that his father wants stronger son but it reflect how weak he is.Next, Amir wanted to say he did all the things. So he can get more attention from Baba.-YUNI
At this point in the novel I think that Amir is a selfish but also unsure character. He doesn't want to stick up for Hassan because he is his servant and he wants to please his father. I believe that if he had helped Hassan that his father still would have been proud. Amir cares too much what his peers think of him (assef and friends). In the beginning he said he didn't consider Hassan a friend but more of a brother. Wouldn't you stick up for your brother no matter the circumstances?
I believe the major themes in themes in this book will be carried out until the last page of the book. Seeing that in the beginning of the prologue is when our first theme is introduced. I feel like the author will continue his pattern and reflect himself on the first pages. I believe Amir is stuck in himself and making himself a "figurative person" to his father. I don't think he really believes he is doing the right thing, he is just so stuck in how his father is looking at him. If he would just live his life to make himself happy and not everyone else I believe he would be more respected from everyone
~Cassie
Post a Comment