Tuesday, April 5, 2011
The Kite Runner:7
"I laughed. Partly at the joke, partly at how Afghan humor never changed." (page 266) This literary device is humor. I did not want to include the entire passage, but Amir and Farid are telling "Mullah Nasruddin jokes". It may seem like just another scene, but I think that it plays a huge role in the situation and the people in Afghanistan. There is war, injustice, and violence rampant in Kabul and all of Amir's native country. Despite the stress and seriousness of the situation, there is humor used in the story. It may have been a way for the author to relieve the reader of the serious, melancholy tone. Also, it could have been a way for him to relay to the audience that despite the situation surrounding them, the characters are still human. They have emotions and are not immune to the terrible situation surrounding them. Amir and Farid share in a moment that shares their human emotions and how in even the worst situations, a country cannot take this from them. They cannot be dehumanized completely no matter what the Talibans try. In other words, I think it was a way to show that even though they are the 'choosen' race according to Assef, they are still against the treatment of women, Hazaras, and all the others faced with the injustice.
The Kite Runner:6
"like father like son. But it was true, wasn't it? As it turned out, Baba and I were more alike than I'd ever known." (page 226) The literary device used here is the cliche "like father like son". This phrase is used many times regarding the similarities between sons and fathers. Sometimes it is like they are a minature version of the father. This cliche is used to provide contrast to the past Amir. He used to find himself as as complete opposite as his father. On page 22-23, even Baba doubts that they are even related. They are so different, that this phrase would have been seen as irony if used earlier. As the story plays out, this phrase becomes the truth. Both Baba and Amir have guilt, have lied, and both wanted redemption. It was a burden on them their entire life. This cliche also affects the theme of the lies that bind the father and son together. Amir finds them to be related once he learns of the fact that his father also lied and had guilt. The guilt that each faced in the end was a way to see that the father had an unconcious influence on the son. The realization of the similarity brought to light by the lies reveal that the two are related and have a weird, but present connection.
Monday, March 21, 2011
The Kite Runner:5
"America was a river, roaring along, unmindful of the past. I could wade into this river, let my sins drown to the bottom, let the waters carry me someplace far. Someplace with no ghosts, no memories, and no sins." (page 136)
This entire excerpt is very important to the entire story. It is a metphor used by Amir to share with the reader his feelings towards America. I think that this contributes to the theme of possibility of redemption. Amir was burdened by his memory of betraying Hassan and the guilt that followed him. He was constantly reminded of this guilt where he lived before because he saw Hassan, or saw the places they used to play and have constant memories. America is the possiblity of starting over, of having a new beginning. Unlike his father, Amir rejoiced in the fact that he had the chance of a new beginning. His father (seen as 'crazy' by the Americans on page 128) did not like America and resented a new way of living. Amir wanted to make himself new and become a better person in America, which is seen when he graduates and tries so hard to be an American. Amir merely wants to clan the slate of his guilt. He longs to rid himself of the feelings that have kept him for so long, and America is where he finds this chance for the first time.
This entire excerpt is very important to the entire story. It is a metphor used by Amir to share with the reader his feelings towards America. I think that this contributes to the theme of possibility of redemption. Amir was burdened by his memory of betraying Hassan and the guilt that followed him. He was constantly reminded of this guilt where he lived before because he saw Hassan, or saw the places they used to play and have constant memories. America is the possiblity of starting over, of having a new beginning. Unlike his father, Amir rejoiced in the fact that he had the chance of a new beginning. His father (seen as 'crazy' by the Americans on page 128) did not like America and resented a new way of living. Amir wanted to make himself new and become a better person in America, which is seen when he graduates and tries so hard to be an American. Amir merely wants to clan the slate of his guilt. He longs to rid himself of the feelings that have kept him for so long, and America is where he finds this chance for the first time.
The Kite Runner:4
"There was a monster in the lake. It had grabbed Hassan by the ankles, dragged him to the murky water. I was that monster." (page 86)
This particular part of the story has a few important parts to it. The first is that this is one instance where Amir is remembering something someone has said to him. I think that this is style, and it emphasizes the internal thoughts of Amir. This is because he is remembering specific things that we as readers learned along with him. It is a realistic memory that the audience can grasp. They become more connected to because they have experienced it with him. In addition, this metaphor is one that supports the theme of guilt, which is an effect of betrayal. Amir feels that he IS a monster. He cannot escape the horrible thing he has done, and it effects how he views himself. It is a way of intensifying his guilt. Also, the entire metaphor is used to represent the act of Amir running away from Hassan's rape. He drug Hassan to the bottom because he had a chance to save hims, but his cowardness kept him from helping. Also, the bottom is Hassan losing innocence, friendship, and feeling unworthy and dirty about himself. He does not respect himself the same, which is seen one page 80 when Amir shares that he has barely spoken to Hassan and Ali says that he is acting depressed.
This particular part of the story has a few important parts to it. The first is that this is one instance where Amir is remembering something someone has said to him. I think that this is style, and it emphasizes the internal thoughts of Amir. This is because he is remembering specific things that we as readers learned along with him. It is a realistic memory that the audience can grasp. They become more connected to because they have experienced it with him. In addition, this metaphor is one that supports the theme of guilt, which is an effect of betrayal. Amir feels that he IS a monster. He cannot escape the horrible thing he has done, and it effects how he views himself. It is a way of intensifying his guilt. Also, the entire metaphor is used to represent the act of Amir running away from Hassan's rape. He drug Hassan to the bottom because he had a chance to save hims, but his cowardness kept him from helping. Also, the bottom is Hassan losing innocence, friendship, and feeling unworthy and dirty about himself. He does not respect himself the same, which is seen one page 80 when Amir shares that he has barely spoken to Hassan and Ali says that he is acting depressed.
The Kite Runner:3
"I saw something I'll never forget: Hassan serving drinks to Assef and Wali from a silver platter" (page 100).
Literary term: Situational Irony
The scene occuring at the end of Chapter 8 displays situational irony. This is due to the fact that Amir was in awe that Hassan is serving these boys who have scarred him for life. Instead of not serving them or standing up for himself, Hassan is gentleman and goes and does his job. He does not let his emotions show, and it surprises Amir that he can treat those people like royalty when they treated him like dirt. The situational irony here does two things. The first is that it reveals what kind of a person Hassan is. He is not someone who stands up for himself. He bottles up his emotions, and this just intensifies the emotional damage he is holding in since he is facing those who raped him. The fact that he does not retaliate even there shows that he is a person of character. In addition, I think that this scene emphasizes the theme of guilt since Amir sees it. It shows that he lets the injustice affect him more than Hassan does, and he is the one who actually experienced the horror. I think that this shows that the betrayal has an effect on people that cannot be explained.
Literary term: Situational Irony
The scene occuring at the end of Chapter 8 displays situational irony. This is due to the fact that Amir was in awe that Hassan is serving these boys who have scarred him for life. Instead of not serving them or standing up for himself, Hassan is gentleman and goes and does his job. He does not let his emotions show, and it surprises Amir that he can treat those people like royalty when they treated him like dirt. The situational irony here does two things. The first is that it reveals what kind of a person Hassan is. He is not someone who stands up for himself. He bottles up his emotions, and this just intensifies the emotional damage he is holding in since he is facing those who raped him. The fact that he does not retaliate even there shows that he is a person of character. In addition, I think that this scene emphasizes the theme of guilt since Amir sees it. It shows that he lets the injustice affect him more than Hassan does, and he is the one who actually experienced the horror. I think that this shows that the betrayal has an effect on people that cannot be explained.
The Kite Runner:2
" 'I think I have saratan,' I said. Cancer. " (page 14)
Literary term: Foreshadowing
This scene is foreshadowing of the scene on page 154 when Baba finds out he has the possibility of having cancer. Hossenini is a great author and uses very small details and scenes such as this to inform and hint at what may happen in the future. I had underlined this because I thought that this scene had to have some importance. Then, when I read when Baba found out he might have cancer I immediately remembered the fact that Amir once said this to Baba. The effect that this literary term has on the novel of the whole is that both scenes present a contrast in the characters of Baba and Amir. When Amir tells Baba he thinks this, he told him he could "get the soda" himself (page 14). This shows that Baba was not even listening to Amir's concerns. Even if it may sound absurd for a kid to say, it shows he is not one to show emotion or empathy since he does not comfort and tell him differently. In contrast, Amir questions the doctor more and does everything he can to find out for sure what is wrong with his father. Amir is sympathetic and caring. He takes action and is attentive to every detail while his father tends to ignore others sometimes. He thinks about himself and does not listen to the opinions of others.
Literary term: Foreshadowing
This scene is foreshadowing of the scene on page 154 when Baba finds out he has the possibility of having cancer. Hossenini is a great author and uses very small details and scenes such as this to inform and hint at what may happen in the future. I had underlined this because I thought that this scene had to have some importance. Then, when I read when Baba found out he might have cancer I immediately remembered the fact that Amir once said this to Baba. The effect that this literary term has on the novel of the whole is that both scenes present a contrast in the characters of Baba and Amir. When Amir tells Baba he thinks this, he told him he could "get the soda" himself (page 14). This shows that Baba was not even listening to Amir's concerns. Even if it may sound absurd for a kid to say, it shows he is not one to show emotion or empathy since he does not comfort and tell him differently. In contrast, Amir questions the doctor more and does everything he can to find out for sure what is wrong with his father. Amir is sympathetic and caring. He takes action and is attentive to every detail while his father tends to ignore others sometimes. He thinks about himself and does not listen to the opinions of others.
The Kite Runner:1
"To Hassan's brown corduroy pants lying on the bricks" (page 91).
Literary term: motif
This phrase can be considered a motif because it is mentioned more then once in the story. It is seen on page 84 as well. The phrase is used as a motif for multiple reasons. The first is that it emphasizes the internal thoughts and point of view of the story. It is the thoughts of Amir, and he shares us with the constant thought on his mind. Everyone has had something on their mind and just can't shake it off. In this case, Amir cannot get the picture of what happened to Hassan out of his mind. I think that it makes the story more personal because we see how much it effects the internal being of Amir. In addition, the motif serves as a way to strengthen the theme of the effect of betrayal on a person. Amir betrayed Hassan's friendship by not standing up for him. When Amir realizes how cowardly he is, he cannot rid himself of the constant flashback. The betrayal scarred his thoughts and causes him to continually guilt himself for what he did. In the story, guilt is the most powerful effect on them after betrayal, which is seen through his constant memory of the event. It is obvious that Amir is plagued by the memory and constantly feels guilt from it.
Literary term: motif
This phrase can be considered a motif because it is mentioned more then once in the story. It is seen on page 84 as well. The phrase is used as a motif for multiple reasons. The first is that it emphasizes the internal thoughts and point of view of the story. It is the thoughts of Amir, and he shares us with the constant thought on his mind. Everyone has had something on their mind and just can't shake it off. In this case, Amir cannot get the picture of what happened to Hassan out of his mind. I think that it makes the story more personal because we see how much it effects the internal being of Amir. In addition, the motif serves as a way to strengthen the theme of the effect of betrayal on a person. Amir betrayed Hassan's friendship by not standing up for him. When Amir realizes how cowardly he is, he cannot rid himself of the constant flashback. The betrayal scarred his thoughts and causes him to continually guilt himself for what he did. In the story, guilt is the most powerful effect on them after betrayal, which is seen through his constant memory of the event. It is obvious that Amir is plagued by the memory and constantly feels guilt from it.
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