Frankenstein

"Study had before secluded me from the intercourse of my fellow-creatures, and rendered me unsocial," (page 45) The literary device of theme is used also in the work. Theme provides a meaning to the work which can be universal and allow for readers to understand or find a connection. In Frankenstein, one of the themes invovles seclucsion and isolation. Furthermore, the sense of not belonging, either to a community or to one's own sense of self. The theme is effectively portrayed in this one quote because it provides the fact that Victor had secluded himself from the rest of the world, even his advisors who lived and breathed philosophy and sciences. In my small group, we discussed why Victor told the story of his creation and the point of it being told to Robert. We came to the conclusion that Victor is implying to Robert that if studies alienate you from the world, then don't do it. It is not human to focus on only one thing, and it will negatively affect yourself. The isolation also provides a glimpse of the reoccuring characteristic of Victor. He tends to pull away from society, mostly because he feels he does not fit in at the moment. Another time he does this is when Justine dies, and he decides to go into the mountains.

Frankenstein

"Listen to my history, and you perceive how irrevocably it is determined." (page 13) The literary device that is used in this book that makes a major impact on the work as a whole would be the frame story(ies). When Victor tells Robert he is going to tell him his story, a parallelism between the two is even more noticeable. Robert and Victor already have similarities, which is inferred when Victor prompts the story as an advice and heed to the goal of Robert. Mary Shelley uses the frames stories as a way to provide a basis of the percepted parallelism seen between the two early on. It connects Victor, Robert, and I am guessing the creation too. The frame story turns the book into something more complex and intriguing. It draws in the reader, and it will lead them to find similarities between the major characters. I also know that by the end, all of the stories will eventually return to the point of Victor's telling of the story. It will provide an insight on human life, which will also deepen the story.

The Kite Runner:10

"There are a lot of children in Afghanistan, but little childhood." (page 318) I have been trying to spread out my blogs among the entire story, but I really have to talk about this phrase because it just stuck out to me while reading. It is sad that children in Afghanistan face the horrors and violence in their life. In Afghanistan, it is almost as if children are no longer children. They have lost all innocence so early in life, and they are unable to enjoy their childhood as a result of the violence occuring. When Hassan was raped, I was shocked that another kid did that to him. Assef obviously was robbed of a childhood, and he decided to do the same to Hassan, which ulitimately led to the loss of innocence in Amir as well. Sohrab losses innocence when faced with Assef as well, and as a child he tries to commit suicide. Child cherish life, but when robbed of childhood and the life of a child they turn into something no child should be. They become an adult at a young age, which is so sad to think about. This book opened my eyes to how much children should be protected. By opening their lives to the adult world at an early age, children begin a life without a chance to be kids.

The Kite Runner:9

"For you, a thousand times over." (page 371) The literary device used here is a motif. The motif begins with Hassan, and by the end of the book Amir is using it. It is repeated constantly in the book to stress the importance of the theme of friendship. The phrase is definitely strong. It is not a light phrase used loosely among anyone. Rather, it is a way of showing the complete dedication and loyalty to a dear friend. Hassan always shared this to Amir, and it constantly reminded him of the great friendship that he had. Although they grew distant, each was always there for each other in the end. In the ending, Amir wants to share with Sohrab that, like Hassan was for him, he would do anything for him. He was a true friend, and this time Amir is going to get it right. The ending may be ambiguous regarding how Sohrab will change or how their life will be affected, but this phrase is pretty much forshadowing that something is happening. Amir finally has shown he cares to a friend. He never really told Hassan, so I think that this is almost like his final redemption of the way he had treated his friend. He is going to show that he cares and not let anything in the past reoccur.

The Kite Runner:8

"My body was broke-just how badly I wouldn't find out until later-but I felt healed. Healed at last. I laughed." (page 289) There are multiple literary devices used in this single instance. The first is irony. It is completely ironic that when he is being beaten Amir laughs. Most people would not be laughing. Also, the instance is ironic because Assef just talked about how he laughed at the guy he hurt, and now Amir was doing it to him. Even though he is being hurt, Amir does not care because he is feeling relief. This brings me to my next literary device, which is paradox. This statement is paradoxal because Amir is broken yet healed. Once thought about, the reader can infer that Amir is referring to being healed from the guilt that had long been harping on his life. He had stood and watched Hassan get hurt by Assef. He had begged Hassan to hurt him after. Finally, Amir is feeling the redemption he has long desired. With Assef beating him up, he feels that he is finally getting what he deserves. The redemption is freeing him of the guilt he could not rid of. He is healed.

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.