The Kite Runner 1.Briefly summarize the plot of the novel you read according to the elements of plot you've learned in past courses (exposition, inciting incident, etc.).
The exposition of the novel begins with the descriptions of Amir and Hassan's lifestyle and relationship. They were born best friends with very different lifestyles. Amir lives in an extravagant mansion with his wealthy father Baba, a proud man who exuberates confidence and is the life of the party. Hassan is Amir's servant who lives in a hut outside of Amir's house. Hassan's father is a humble man named Ali who has a limp right leg and has half his face paralyzed. Hassan is also loved tremendously by Baba but doesn't get the same benefits from him or society because he is a Hazara, a ethnic minority in Afghanistan. Amir and Hassan fed from the same breast as infants, which solidified their relationship from birth. Amir and Hassan do everything together, however Amir never sees Hassan as his equal because of their differences in wealth, social class, and most importantly race. Amir constantly mocks Hassan in subtle ways and especially jokes with Hassan's illiteracy. Even through all that Hassan displays unwavering loyalty and always is at Amir's side backing him up and defending him. The inciting incident begins in the aftermath of the kite tournament Amir wins. After Amir wins Hassan runs a kite for the last kite cut in the tournament as a trophy for Amir. Eventually Hassan gets the kite but something terrible happens to him after he refuses to give up the kite. Amir watches the whole thing in horror, but doesn't help his friend. From then on their relationship goes south, and Amir goes on living his life with a tremendous guilt. Not even a good wife and job in America frees him from his path. Eventually only returning to his homeland and fixing the problem he could've stopped free his mind and body from the terrible guilt that had infused in him since the day of the kite tournament.
2. Succinctly describe the theme of the novel. Avoid clichés (Why did your author choose to write about this topic, person or event?).
The theme of the novel was I believe, the past is inescapable. No matter how hard you try to run away or hide from the past it will always find a way to seep back into you. The past is like a microchip permanently embedded into your conscious. The mistakes made in the past cannot be forgotten and must be repaired. Throughout the novel Amir attempted to completely forget about his inability to rescue Hassan, his servant best friend from being raped. No matter how hard he tried that vivid memory haunted him throughout his life. Only after he helped Hassan's son later in the novel did he feel content with his life and at peace. The author Khaled Hosseini wrote about this topic because every human being has made mistakes and has hurt other people, things or even themselves. Mistakes we've made in the past such as saying a rude derogatory comment to a person or group of people , breaking a friends promise, or failing to live up to your expectations live on deep down inside of us. People bury their negative side of their past deep into their conscious and try to convince themselves their past never occurred. All people suffer from this ignorance that time heals all wounds, however, if you don't make amends or repair your past, your mistakes and guilt will keep gnawing at you and make you feel discontent or with your life.
3.Why did you choose this book? What about the book appealed to you the first time it came to your attention (and how did it come to your attention)? What about the book made you want to keep reading once you began?
In all truthfulness, the reason I choose this book had to be the cover. On the cover I saw a picture of a mosque and I knew the book had to be about Muslims or take part in the middle east. I wanted to expand my cultural awareness by reading about the traditions and people in that part of the world. The book made me want to keep reading it for the reason that it did not stray away from controversial topics and instead they were addressed in this novel. For example; rape, racism, class inequality, war, and even suicide are events that occur in this book. I also enjoyed how it allowed me to appreciate profoundly what I have in my life and to question my way of my treatment of others.
4.Did you find the book realistic? Did you make any connections between people/events you read about and people/events in your own life? Why or (if you didn’t) why not?
I found this book incredibly realistic and accurate with events and tragedies that have occurred in Afghanistan. Even though the book is fiction it can be relatable to the numerous people who escaped Afghanistan and the horrors of war of the Taliban and other extremist groups. I did find multiple connections with people or events in this novel. For example, Baba was Amir's father in the novel and he was a man with a towering personality who was the life of the party anywhere he went. He reminded me of my father, who also has an enormous, fun loving, boisterous personality and also becomes the focal point of attention at any game, family gathering or party. Another example of a connection I discovered, was by the character of Ali, Baba and Amir's servant. He was a very humble man of simple origins who was grateful for anything and everything in his life. I found similarities between him and my grandfather on my moms side. My grandfather just like Ali is very happy for what he has in his life, I've also never heard him brag about any of his accomplishments or talents to anyone. On the negative side I've found some worrisome similarities between Amir's treatment of Hassan and my treatment of others. In the early stages of the novel Amir thinks of Hassan as inferior for being illiterate and thinks of him as unintelligent. At times I also think of people in lower classes than I as being on a lower level than and I think to highly of myself. This bias to certain people must stop in order for myself to be a better overall person.
The authors tone in the novel was disapproving. For example the protagonist brings in his past and what happens in the present as something that never should have occurred or shouldn't be happening.
"In the end I ran, I ran because I was a coward and I was scared of what Assef might do to me."
"I was sorry, but I didn't cry, and I didn't chase the car. I watched as the car pulled away taking with it the person whose first word was my name."
"And they call themselves Muslims he whispered."
6. Describe a minimum of ten literary elements/techniques (figurative language/symbolism/imagery/ allusions, etc.) you observed that strengthened your understanding of the author's purpose, the text's theme and/or your sense of the tone. For each, please include textual support to help illustrate the point for your readers (include page numbers).
1.Symbolism- "Right now I'm going to run that blue kite for you"(pg.66) Kite running symbolized Hassan's and Amir's relationship after that fateful last kite run by Hassan their relationship went horribly bad.
2.Allusion: "Rostam mortally wounds his valiant menace Sohrab, only to discover that Sohrab is his long last son"(pg.29) This allusion is mentioned countless times throughout the novel as it was Hassan's favorite story Amir read to him. The story would later symbolize Rostam as Amir and Sohrab as Hassan.
3. "People say that eyes are windows to the soul."(pg.8)A great metaphor that showed how important it was to look into Ali's face because he was paralyzed.
4.Simile "Flanked by his obeying friends, he walked through the neighborhood like a Khan strolling through the land with his eager to please entourage." This figurative language is used to describe how Assef and his crew looked strolling the neighborhood streets.
5.Hyperbole "Lore has it my dad once wrestled a black bear in Baluchistan with his bare hands." This exaggeration is used to show the readers how powerful and respected Baba was in his community ad how people imagined what he was capable of.
6.Personification "The past claws it's way out." (pg.1)This use of personification revealed to the reader how the past always seems to seep back into our lives.
7.Situational Irony "Except Baba stunned me by saying, 'I forgive you." (pg.105) Hassan just admitted to saying he stole Amir's watch(although it was Amir who framed him) and Baba forgives him immediately instead of what I thought he'd become furious at.
8. Dramatic Irony "Did something happen to him, Amir Sagha, something he's not telling me"(pg.81)
Ali has no idea what has occurred to his son and I knew the horrible thing that occurred to him, that Amir isn't telling Ali.
9. Imagery "...a face like a Chinese doll, his flat broad nose and slanting narrow eyes that looked gold green even sapphire..." This use of imagery gave us a vivid picture of Hassan's appearance.
10. Repetition "For you a thousand times over." (pg. 371)This line is repeated numerous times throughout the novel and displays Hassan's loyalty to Amir and later Amir's devotion to Sohrab, Hassan's son.
1. Describe two examples of direct characterization and two examples of indirect characterization. Why does the author use both approaches, and to what end (i.e., what is your lasting impression of the character as a result)?
Two examples of direct characterization and indirect characterization can be exemplified by Hassan. An example of direct characterization comes in the description of Hassan. The author describes him as having a round face, looking like a Chinese doll with his flat nose and narrow green eyes. The author also points out the only mistake is Hassan's face his cleft lip. Another example of direct characterization was when Sanuaber Hassan's mother gave birth to him it was a simple affair no pain and his mom didn't need much help. The novel sums up the birth and Hassan's personality with this quote, "Even in birth Hassan was true to his nature and he was incapable of hurting anyone." An example of indirect characterization that emphasized Hassan's loyalty to Amir was the difference in first words. Amir's was Baba and Hassan's first word was Amir. Another prime example of indirect characterization in explaining what type of character Hassan was when Hassan protected Amir from taking a beating from Assef and his friends. Assef was about to pound Amir for housing Hazara's but Hassan stood up to them three against one and protected Amir by threatening to use his slingshot.
My impression of Hassan after reading this novel was he was the greatest companion anybody can ask for. He displayed unwavering loyalty to Amir and adored him as a role model and friend. Hassan defended Amir without hesitation and I believe Hassan would be the type of person to take a bullet for you even if he faintly knew you.
2. Does the author's syntax and/or diction change when s/he focuses on character? How? Example(s)?
The author diction does change throughout the novel. Their is a profound difference in how the author conveys Amir and his illiterate servant Hassan. Amir possesses an advanced vocabulary while Hassan doesn't necessarily posses a low vocabulary, however its not on the same level as Amir's and his responses are usually short and respectful. For example this difference in diction can be exemplified by the following excerpt in the novel, where Amir plays a cruel joke on Hassan by intentionally giving him a wrong definition to a word.
"What does that word mean?"
"Which one?"
"Imbecile"...
"Well everyone in my school knows what it means" I said. "Lets see imbecile means smart, intelligent. I'll use it in a sentence for you. When It comes to words Hassan is an imbecile."
"Aah" he said nodding.
3. Is the protagonist static or dynamic? Flat or round? Explain.
The protagonist Amir is a dynamic and round character. In his childhood, Amir was a boy who wouldn't stand up for himself. He'd have Baba or Hassan fight his battles for him, he was a coward he liked valiance. Amir also thought himself as superior to Hassan for the reason that he was Amir's servant and lacked literacy. Furthermore, Hassan was a Hazara which in Afghan society meant he was lesser than all other Afghans and basically trash. As Amir progresses in age, he starts to fight his own battles and stand up for himself. For example, he became a creative writer even though Baba disapproved and eventually fought the two biggest demons he had known Assef, and his own guilt. Amir also begins to understand everyone is equal while living in America and relinquishes the idea that Hassan was ever inferior to him.
4. After reading the book did you come away feeling like you'd met a person or read a character?
Analyze one textual example that illustrates your reaction.
In the novel the character I'd felt I had really come to know about them and their personality was Baba, Amir's father. He was a large man 6'5, who everyone directed their attention to whenever he walked into a room. He always stood by his points of views and would be ready to help others in need. He built an orphanage for kids in Afghanistan and helped many people with their troubles. He was a proud man who did not allow anyone to tell him what to do and lived his life on his own terms.
The quote that illustrated Baba and his personality was when he was protecting a women whom he didn't know from a soldier who wanted to have his way with her.
"Baba sit down please," I said pleading(Amir) "I think he really means to shoot you"
"Haven't I taught you anything?" he snapped. He turned to the grinning soldier. "Tell him he better kill me good with that first shot. Because if I don't go down I'm tearing him to pieces, goddamn his father!
ENDURING MEMORY
Write a paragraph in which you describe the one or two ideas from this book that you expect to remember for a long time. Explain your choices and their importance. Share a passage or two that give your reader a taste of the same effect.
The two most important ideas I've taken from this novel are, we've all made mistakes or blunders in our past, but we must confront our past in order to keep our conscious pure and our lives guilt free. The other idea I will remember for quite some time, is that we all most stand up for what we believe is right and what we believe in, because if we do not we live our whole lives shrouded in fear and never fulfill are potential. Baba summed it up quite nicely when he said "A boy who won't stand up for himself becomes a man who won't stand up to anything!'
