Turning Over A New Leaf?
At this point the novels plot has been an emotional rollercoaster for the stories main character, Amir, full of ups and downs in a story all about friendship and disloyalty. Throughout chapters sixteen to twenty, the story revolves around the possibility of allowing Amir a shot at redeeming himself from the haunting of his past. Amir is very much a weak man. He is man, who in the past has always had someone there to fight his battles, a man who never had to stand up for anything in his life. As we read through these next few chapters, we wonder is Amir close to turning over a new leaf?
By chapter sixteen, Amir finds himself stuck within a huge dilemma. Amir is forced to decide whether or not to act for the first time in his life, adopting Sohrab, Hassan’s son. Sohrab has spent the duration of his time since his parent’s death in an orphanage. Rahim Kahn, a friend of Amir calls him one day requesting that he take Sohrab back to America, where he can live free, with a shot at education and a chance to have a great life. When this call comes through, immediately does Amir fall back on his old habits of backing down and curling up when confrontation or something challenging arose, causing him to go on and on with excuses why he believes that Khan’s plan is not the best idea. Amir realizes that in making excuses on this occasion, could mean that he would never change, and remain the coward he had been in years previous. Also, if he chooses to shot down thing opportunity to adopt Hassan’s son, he is also shooting down a shot at redemption from his past. After letting it sink in for a bit, Amir agrees. Promptly, does he travel to Kabul, in hopes to free Sohrab from the orphanage where he currently resides. Upon arrival at the orphanage, Amir comes to learn that Sohrab has been taken by a Taliban member, a politically terrorist group that has taken control over Afghanistan. In this instant, Amir shows strength like never before, deciding to hunt down the young Sohrab and free him from the clutches of his captor. In doing so, I see this act as Amir sinking his shot at redemption, in fighting for the man that had always fought his battles when they were kids. It shall be interesting what will develop from this complex situation as the story draws to a close.
By chapter sixteen, Amir finds himself stuck within a huge dilemma. Amir is forced to decide whether or not to act for the first time in his life, adopting Sohrab, Hassan’s son. Sohrab has spent the duration of his time since his parent’s death in an orphanage. Rahim Kahn, a friend of Amir calls him one day requesting that he take Sohrab back to America, where he can live free, with a shot at education and a chance to have a great life. When this call comes through, immediately does Amir fall back on his old habits of backing down and curling up when confrontation or something challenging arose, causing him to go on and on with excuses why he believes that Khan’s plan is not the best idea. Amir realizes that in making excuses on this occasion, could mean that he would never change, and remain the coward he had been in years previous. Also, if he chooses to shot down thing opportunity to adopt Hassan’s son, he is also shooting down a shot at redemption from his past. After letting it sink in for a bit, Amir agrees. Promptly, does he travel to Kabul, in hopes to free Sohrab from the orphanage where he currently resides. Upon arrival at the orphanage, Amir comes to learn that Sohrab has been taken by a Taliban member, a politically terrorist group that has taken control over Afghanistan. In this instant, Amir shows strength like never before, deciding to hunt down the young Sohrab and free him from the clutches of his captor. In doing so, I see this act as Amir sinking his shot at redemption, in fighting for the man that had always fought his battles when they were kids. It shall be interesting what will develop from this complex situation as the story draws to a close.
Response to Text: Chapters 11-15
The main theme through chapters ten to fifteen is one of rebirth and recursive haunting as Amir transitions from a boy to a man. In chapter ten we see a young Amir who moves from his hometown in Kabul to America. In doing this Amir is looking for a chance at a new life. It is an attempt to outrun his heavy conscience that resulted after letting Hassan’s rape take place.
By chapter 11, Amir has grown and is now a man attending college living in California. Amir is soon to find though that his past is not one that can be forgot or left behind. Still existing is his childhood memories; from the good times he spent with Rahim Khan, to his childhood home, but most of all the day he left Hassan hanging high and dry to experience first hand, one of the most degrading acts known to mankind that is rape. Accompanying these reoccurring flashbacks to his past, are the words of Amir’s father to magnify his cowardice. After Amir’s graduation from college he was given a car by his father, who then goes on to mention how he “[wishes] Hassan had [of] been with us today” making Amir have to “[roll] down the window, [waiting] for the steel hands to loosen their grip” (181). This just goes to show that Amir was misled in thinking he could move away from his problems. Instead they seemed to have magnified, making it even harder for him to continue on with his life.
Another area of Amir’s life that has taken a hit all thanks to his past would be his love life. While in America, Hassan meets a young woman by the name of Soraya and falls in love with her. After their relationship has time to blossom Amir asks for Soraya’s hand in marriage. Time eventually passes and the time comes where the two lovers want to start a family. Unfortunately, Soraya is unable to get pregnant. The situation begins to stirs up feelings of emptiness and sorrow, taking a toll on their relationship and slowly [seeping] into [their] marriage” (199). Amir begins to think that this inability to reproduce is being caused do to something or someone “[deciding] to deny [him] fatherhood for the things [he] had done” (198). What other aspects of Amir’s life will be affected by his past next?
By chapter 11, Amir has grown and is now a man attending college living in California. Amir is soon to find though that his past is not one that can be forgot or left behind. Still existing is his childhood memories; from the good times he spent with Rahim Khan, to his childhood home, but most of all the day he left Hassan hanging high and dry to experience first hand, one of the most degrading acts known to mankind that is rape. Accompanying these reoccurring flashbacks to his past, are the words of Amir’s father to magnify his cowardice. After Amir’s graduation from college he was given a car by his father, who then goes on to mention how he “[wishes] Hassan had [of] been with us today” making Amir have to “[roll] down the window, [waiting] for the steel hands to loosen their grip” (181). This just goes to show that Amir was misled in thinking he could move away from his problems. Instead they seemed to have magnified, making it even harder for him to continue on with his life.
Another area of Amir’s life that has taken a hit all thanks to his past would be his love life. While in America, Hassan meets a young woman by the name of Soraya and falls in love with her. After their relationship has time to blossom Amir asks for Soraya’s hand in marriage. Time eventually passes and the time comes where the two lovers want to start a family. Unfortunately, Soraya is unable to get pregnant. The situation begins to stirs up feelings of emptiness and sorrow, taking a toll on their relationship and slowly [seeping] into [their] marriage” (199). Amir begins to think that this inability to reproduce is being caused do to something or someone “[deciding] to deny [him] fatherhood for the things [he] had done” (198). What other aspects of Amir’s life will be affected by his past next?
Response to Text: Chapters 6-10
Overall, chapters six through ten were a good read apart from chapter seven which left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Through the duration of this chapter I had an unexplainable gut-wrenching feeling because of the uncensored atrocity that is the rape scene. After completing the chapter I had this bad feeling that something awful is to come. I cannot put into words though how disgusted I was. It got to the point where I only read because I knew I had to, to finish this entry; otherwise I would have left the book. For then next week, I couldn’t as much as look at the book without cringing. Hassan’s rape triggered a very strong feeling of anger and hatred, because of how offensive the scene was. The most poignant quote for me was:
“He unzipped his jeans. Dropped his underwear. He positioned himself behind Hassan. Hassan didn’t struggle. Didn’t even whimper. He moved his head slightly and I caught a glimpse of his face. Saw the resignation in it. It was a look I had seen before. It was the look of the lamb” (Hosseini 81).
I found this quote incredibly sad. Especially the last few lines of it. Inside of me swirled feelings of hopelessness and anguish, because I wanted to help the character escape, but I knew it was just a story. The interesting part of this passage is the shortness of the sentences. I believe this is due to the fact that the author had a hard time writing this chapter, but only finished because it was essential to the book’s storyline. One interesting part of the quote above was the line, “It was a look I had seen before. It was the look of the lamb” (81). I viewed this as a subliminal reference to the bible; the way Hassan was very silent and gentle, yet strong, even though he was involved in one of the most degrading acts, if not the most that is known to man. This parallels Jesus, and the way he was exploited, violated, and degraded but still remained at silent and peaceful. The character that most aggravated me was Amir. The way he did absolutely nothing, just standing there as Hassan was brutally raped. How could someone not get involved and fight for his friend. Through chapters one through five, I held some lingering distaste towards Amir, but now that distaste has turned to hatred and disgust. I wonder what will become of Amir and Hassan in the chapters to come.
“He unzipped his jeans. Dropped his underwear. He positioned himself behind Hassan. Hassan didn’t struggle. Didn’t even whimper. He moved his head slightly and I caught a glimpse of his face. Saw the resignation in it. It was a look I had seen before. It was the look of the lamb” (Hosseini 81).
I found this quote incredibly sad. Especially the last few lines of it. Inside of me swirled feelings of hopelessness and anguish, because I wanted to help the character escape, but I knew it was just a story. The interesting part of this passage is the shortness of the sentences. I believe this is due to the fact that the author had a hard time writing this chapter, but only finished because it was essential to the book’s storyline. One interesting part of the quote above was the line, “It was a look I had seen before. It was the look of the lamb” (81). I viewed this as a subliminal reference to the bible; the way Hassan was very silent and gentle, yet strong, even though he was involved in one of the most degrading acts, if not the most that is known to man. This parallels Jesus, and the way he was exploited, violated, and degraded but still remained at silent and peaceful. The character that most aggravated me was Amir. The way he did absolutely nothing, just standing there as Hassan was brutally raped. How could someone not get involved and fight for his friend. Through chapters one through five, I held some lingering distaste towards Amir, but now that distaste has turned to hatred and disgust. I wonder what will become of Amir and Hassan in the chapters to come.
Response to Text: Chapters 1-5
In the story ‘The Kite Runner’, Khaled Hosseini’s idea conveys the limitation of mental and physical torment amongst society. Hosseini’s descriptive ways of narrating the story portray a despair feeling. The mood becomes suspenseful as the foreshadowing seems faintly represented. The theme of discrimination slowly develops through each chapter opening an interpretive setting for relationships. Amir, the narrator of the story, shows his desire to please his father and capture his undivided attention through the one thing he is best at, writing. His father Baba, ashamed of his son’s lack of sportsman ship, disregards his efforts and continues to contradict the expectations people place on him.
Throughout chapters one through five, the development of Amir’s identity is under the constant influence of parental approval. I believe that only until Baba recognizes his son’s potential then will Amir be satisfied with his authenticity. Amir handles his un-acceptance through his relationship with his childhood companion, Hassan. Hassan and Amir’s relationship does not reflect that of friendship but of brotherhood. It mentions earlier that they were fed by the same breasts, symbolizing fraternity. Hassan’s strength of character is captivating in that even through the discrimination of being a Hazar and Shi’a; he continues to treat Baba and Amir with fidelity and devotion, as does his father Ali.
Throughout the chapter’s one through five, I found a quote rehearsed by Baba which forced me into a deep philosophical perspective. “Now, no matter what the mullah teaches, there is only one sin, only one. And that is theft. Every other sin is a variation of theft…” (Hosseini 19). Baba’s quote is reflected in a universal perspective. Its examples; “When you kill a man, you steal a life” (19), reveal a verisimilitude feel, almost a mockery of one’s perception towards the foundation of sins. The truth behind the statement becomes powerful enough to reflect on and lead to further analysis and interpretation.
Throughout chapters one through five, the development of Amir’s identity is under the constant influence of parental approval. I believe that only until Baba recognizes his son’s potential then will Amir be satisfied with his authenticity. Amir handles his un-acceptance through his relationship with his childhood companion, Hassan. Hassan and Amir’s relationship does not reflect that of friendship but of brotherhood. It mentions earlier that they were fed by the same breasts, symbolizing fraternity. Hassan’s strength of character is captivating in that even through the discrimination of being a Hazar and Shi’a; he continues to treat Baba and Amir with fidelity and devotion, as does his father Ali.
Throughout the chapter’s one through five, I found a quote rehearsed by Baba which forced me into a deep philosophical perspective. “Now, no matter what the mullah teaches, there is only one sin, only one. And that is theft. Every other sin is a variation of theft…” (Hosseini 19). Baba’s quote is reflected in a universal perspective. Its examples; “When you kill a man, you steal a life” (19), reveal a verisimilitude feel, almost a mockery of one’s perception towards the foundation of sins. The truth behind the statement becomes powerful enough to reflect on and lead to further analysis and interpretation.
Word Count: 316
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