"Of Mice and Men"
John Steinbeck
This novel started out by introducing the two main characters, Lennie Small and George Milton, two travelers on their way to a new job. George fights with Lennie twice about the mouse and a few or more times about his terrible memory. George then gets serious and he tells Lennie to make sure he comes back to the spot where they presently are at and hide in the brush if anything bad happens, in which it has before. Apparently Lennie attracted the attention of the men in Weed because he "raped" a girl, but all he did is want to feel her dress. He likes to "pet soft things." The fact that this incident is introduced in the beginning gives room for one to foreshadow future events; a place to hide and a history of bad incidents, it seems inevitable to happen again. This exposition acts as the narrative hook by creating curiosity in the reader about what may happen to cause Lennie to retreat to the brush once more.
The rising action is steadily moving upward throughout the entire book, from Lennie getting a puppy, something he should not be able to pet to death, to the reader really believing these two will finally have to place to work for the money that they need to get their farm.The small things pale in comparison when the action skyrockets at the point in which Candy, Lennie, and George figure that they have the money to fulfill Lennie and George's long awaited dream, to have a place of their own, a place that they can call home. The only reason it is really possible is due to Candy's life savings. Nonetheless, the introduction of the fact they will finally achieve that which they desire so much is soon coming, and the rising action seemingly tops off right there, but, as usual, something comes along and disrupts the process.
George, Candy, and Lennie all endured the doubtful remarks about their dream, but until the unthinkable happens, they were convinced that the dream was absolutely theirs for the taking. Lennie did something that is unparalleled by anything he had ever done before, he kills Curley's wife, not out of meanness, but out of fear. She offered to him the opportunity to pet her soft hair, and when things got out of hand, they really got out of hand. This is the pinnacle moment in which the story begins its descent, the moment the dream meets its demise along with Curley's wife. Lenny suffocated the dream just as he did all those mice, just like his puppy, and just like Curley's wife. He can not help it though, he was too dumb to realize.
The falling action can be analyzed as Curley's wife is discovered by the others and Lennie has made a run for his hiding place, the search for the innocent murderer is waged, and what becomes of him is truly a shock to all.
The story is resolved with the death of Lennie, not by Curley's hands, but George's. When he pulls the trigger on Lennie, he also pulls the trigger on his dream, his hope of having a place of his own. His hopelessness returns and he seemingly sinks into the same plagued state that all of his fellow pals are in, the repetition of loneliness and its life-draining ferocity.
Monday, November 24, 2014
Sunday, November 9, 2014
The Kite Runner Discussion Questions 202-379
Chapter 15 -
1. Upon entering Pakistan, the tone becomes more frank. There is a sense of urgency as Amir gets deeper and deeper into Talib territory. Hosseini allows the reader to observe this shift by using simpler sentence structures and by using less detail and being more direct in his explanations or major or minor details.
2. It takes the cake in terms of expressing how much Afghanistan has changed since Amir was last there. Violence is now commonplace and executed in a merciless manner. The Afghanistan the Amir once knew is dead and buried.
Chapter 16 -
Yes. He grew up to be a happy man, not effected (entirely) by his past. He is taller, married, has a son named Sohrab, a newfound (perhaps latent) attitude of self-assuredness. His looks, his temperament, his willingness to serve are still intact despite the horrors he has witnessed. He is still the same old Hassan, just in a bigger body. Hosseini's description of Hassan is significant because it portrays him similarly to how he was described previously in the book in a physical sense, but more developed in the aspect of maturity and character, showing that what had happened to him did not impact the course of his life to the magnitude that it did Amir.
Chapter 17 -
At first it comes as a bitter shock and somewhat expected twist to the story. Amir immediately realizes that he will never be able to tell Hassan that he is sorry for what he had done, to physically be able to truly repent to him in person. His guilt is still there but the person who Amir betrayed in order to obtain the very reason of his guilt is in the ground, leaving Amir with no way to make amends for what he has done.
The pausing between the dialogue of Amir and Rahim make it more realistic in the fact that Amir is having the same reaction that we as the reader are experiencing and the breaks also help in building suspense and eventually leads to shock. The way Hosseini encapsulates what he knows the reader is thinking and puts it in the book is just absolutely amazing, his attention to details and suspense factors is absolutely enthralling.
The fact that Hassan is also Baba's son just shatters Amir entirely. His guilt is immediately amplified by an exponential amount due to the new revelation that he abandoned not only a friend, but his own brother to be raped on his behalf.
Baba had always treated them the same, like there was no ethnic gap between the two. The fact that the subtly context clues are there do not really pop out until the initial revelation, then one can look back and notice how prominent and blatant the hints are. Baba never forgot Hassan's birthday, treated him just the same as he did Amir. Amir never got any special treatment that Hassan did not receive also, in one way or another.
One factor that could possibly explain away any accusations that someone may have toward Baba is that Hassan was a hazara. In that culture hazaras are looked upon as shameful, and by Baba keeping it a secret it protected his good name and Amir from any shaming that may have resulted from the truth. Ali keeping it a secret seems very unlikely since it is almost apparent that he does not even know that Hassan is not his. He, out of any of them, would be the most innocent in the event that someone questioned him about the parentage of Hassan. Rahim Khan, being Baba's closest friend pretty much had no choice but to keep it a secret, he just provided inspiration when Amir was down because of the way Baba acted. The fact that they lied is not in their personality, so it aids in the development of the plot by actin as a device of unspoken salvation that saved them all from shame. The lie is also a perfect explanation of why Baba treated Amir the way he did, and similarly the reason he treated Hassan and Ali the way he did. He felt as if the lie itself was bad, but the destruction that would result from the truth being known was less than that which would be caused by the lie, so when the reader discovers this shocking truth, it is easier to see the rationalization that Baba had to endure to protect himself and the two boys.
Chapter 18 -
By discovering that Hassan is his brother, or as he says "half-brother," possibly trying to preserve his present state of guilt and trying not to feel worse for what he had done. It opens his eyes to the real nature of Baba and his attitude. He realizes that Baba was ashamed, if not guilty himself, and that he was not just a grumpy man who hated him for taking his princess from him. This revelation opens another, much wider door to Amir in terms of how he can be redeemed by finding Hassan's son, his (half) nephew.
Amir discovers that he shares something, one of the most important things, with his father. They both have dome something that brings them a great amount of guilt, and the guild serves as a device and an explanation for the way that they act. Both of these secrets that spring forth with guild are the reason Amir and Baba embark on journey to atone for their sins. Baba sees Amir's weakness while Amir sees Baba's perfection, which causes a bit of tension between the two, when in all reality they are more similar than they are difference because of this.
Amir's decision to go to Kabul is way out of character for the Amir we know up until that point. His reason for going is to save his recently discovered nephew, the son of his brother, Hassan. Amir's decision to put his life in danger in order to save this child shows his yearning for redemption is true and that he really is trying to change.
Chapter 19 -
His dream indicates that he feels responsible for what happened to Hassan, for his murder. It could mean that he feels that he was the cause of how Hassan had turned out along with the responsibility he holds for letting Hassan get raped. He essentially feels guilt not only for what he allowed to happen, but also for his eventual murder.
Chapter 20 -
The tone of the opening of this chapter is grim and reminiscent.
He describes them as something he desires to preserve and care for, but he has no money to do so for long, so he allows the Taliban to purchase one every once and a while. There is also irony with the Taliban because they refuse to support the orphanage and the children but end up doing so by buying children.
Chapter 22 -
He leaves Amir in a room all by himself when he is around the Taliban, shifting in the uncomfortable silence. Two armed men then enter along with the tall Talib in white, Assef. Assef continues to awkwardly sit in silence, just staring at Amir, bloodstains still on his sleeve from the stoning at the soccer field. The men then continue by ripping off his beard, exposing him obviously as a non-Talib citizen. When it is revealed to Amir that the man before him is Assef, it peaks his fear, and he just about urinates on himself and can hardly speak due to his dry tongue.
He is obviously older, but he seems to have gained an elevated status in the eyes of the Taliban and has moved on to having multiple encounters with small children instead of the one time with Hassan, which is completely repulsive to say the least. He is still cruel and conniving. The story signifies the reason he chose to become part of the Taliban? He was part of the upper crust in Kabul, so he was naturally targeted by the communists, so when they beat on him and threw him in jail for no reason, he decided that day that he was still alive for a reason, the reason being it was his destiny, assigned by God, to clean up the garbage that has found its way into Afghanistan.
Chapter 23 -
The dream in Baba's case signified that he was a strong man, a metaphor used throughout the entire novel, so in Amir's case, it signifies his shift from being too afraid and selfish to face what he had done to the fact that he was ready to fight his bear and win. Assef was destined to be messed up by somebody due to the fact he was an all around sick and twisted fool. Amir "got what he deserved" from Assef because he deserved to be beaten to a pulp because of what he did in his past, in encounters with Assef and the incident with Hassan. Rahim intended, it seems, for Amir to rescue Sohrab from Kabul and take him home with him to America. The Caldwells were a device that acted as a credible, if you disregard the fact it was a lie, reason for Amir to go and rescue his nephew. He can be good again by raising his brother's orphan child, making it up to Hassan through Sohrab.
Chapter 24 -
Just when things were starting to settle down on the negative side of the story, the only good news introduced in a while is abruptly interrupted by horribly tragic news. It acts as a climax that sets the tone for the rest of the ending of the novel.
Chapter 25 -
Hosseini uses his word choice and sentence structure to create a sense of suspense and dread by dragging out the revelation of a Sohrab who will survive. The endless tossing and turning and wondering just lengthen the period of time that Amir is experiencing, creating a realistic example of how the perception of time varies especially when someone is waiting to see if someone they love and care for is going to live.
Amir says to the general that he is to never reference Hassan as a hazara in his presence, which means that he has accepted him just like a son of his own and does not think of him as some detestable thing that crawls out of a sewer, but as someone that is family.
He essentially makes Amir go through a beautiful metamorphosis which really began the moment he got into a fight with Assef. Amir essentially becomes Hassan, and it is appropriate because it shows the reader that Amir has finally done it, he has redeemed himself.
Hosseini makes a hateable and selfish character become a admirable and serving man after he has been sharpened by being hit by a hammer (figuratively speaking, physically when considering Assef's damage) causing him to be sharpened into a beautiful sword instead of being a squared and boring ingot. He becomes good by becoming Hassan, who was good from the start, he became who he could always be but never was.
1. Upon entering Pakistan, the tone becomes more frank. There is a sense of urgency as Amir gets deeper and deeper into Talib territory. Hosseini allows the reader to observe this shift by using simpler sentence structures and by using less detail and being more direct in his explanations or major or minor details.
2. It takes the cake in terms of expressing how much Afghanistan has changed since Amir was last there. Violence is now commonplace and executed in a merciless manner. The Afghanistan the Amir once knew is dead and buried.
Chapter 16 -
Yes. He grew up to be a happy man, not effected (entirely) by his past. He is taller, married, has a son named Sohrab, a newfound (perhaps latent) attitude of self-assuredness. His looks, his temperament, his willingness to serve are still intact despite the horrors he has witnessed. He is still the same old Hassan, just in a bigger body. Hosseini's description of Hassan is significant because it portrays him similarly to how he was described previously in the book in a physical sense, but more developed in the aspect of maturity and character, showing that what had happened to him did not impact the course of his life to the magnitude that it did Amir.
Chapter 17 -
At first it comes as a bitter shock and somewhat expected twist to the story. Amir immediately realizes that he will never be able to tell Hassan that he is sorry for what he had done, to physically be able to truly repent to him in person. His guilt is still there but the person who Amir betrayed in order to obtain the very reason of his guilt is in the ground, leaving Amir with no way to make amends for what he has done.
The pausing between the dialogue of Amir and Rahim make it more realistic in the fact that Amir is having the same reaction that we as the reader are experiencing and the breaks also help in building suspense and eventually leads to shock. The way Hosseini encapsulates what he knows the reader is thinking and puts it in the book is just absolutely amazing, his attention to details and suspense factors is absolutely enthralling.
The fact that Hassan is also Baba's son just shatters Amir entirely. His guilt is immediately amplified by an exponential amount due to the new revelation that he abandoned not only a friend, but his own brother to be raped on his behalf.
Baba had always treated them the same, like there was no ethnic gap between the two. The fact that the subtly context clues are there do not really pop out until the initial revelation, then one can look back and notice how prominent and blatant the hints are. Baba never forgot Hassan's birthday, treated him just the same as he did Amir. Amir never got any special treatment that Hassan did not receive also, in one way or another.
One factor that could possibly explain away any accusations that someone may have toward Baba is that Hassan was a hazara. In that culture hazaras are looked upon as shameful, and by Baba keeping it a secret it protected his good name and Amir from any shaming that may have resulted from the truth. Ali keeping it a secret seems very unlikely since it is almost apparent that he does not even know that Hassan is not his. He, out of any of them, would be the most innocent in the event that someone questioned him about the parentage of Hassan. Rahim Khan, being Baba's closest friend pretty much had no choice but to keep it a secret, he just provided inspiration when Amir was down because of the way Baba acted. The fact that they lied is not in their personality, so it aids in the development of the plot by actin as a device of unspoken salvation that saved them all from shame. The lie is also a perfect explanation of why Baba treated Amir the way he did, and similarly the reason he treated Hassan and Ali the way he did. He felt as if the lie itself was bad, but the destruction that would result from the truth being known was less than that which would be caused by the lie, so when the reader discovers this shocking truth, it is easier to see the rationalization that Baba had to endure to protect himself and the two boys.
Chapter 18 -
By discovering that Hassan is his brother, or as he says "half-brother," possibly trying to preserve his present state of guilt and trying not to feel worse for what he had done. It opens his eyes to the real nature of Baba and his attitude. He realizes that Baba was ashamed, if not guilty himself, and that he was not just a grumpy man who hated him for taking his princess from him. This revelation opens another, much wider door to Amir in terms of how he can be redeemed by finding Hassan's son, his (half) nephew.
Amir discovers that he shares something, one of the most important things, with his father. They both have dome something that brings them a great amount of guilt, and the guild serves as a device and an explanation for the way that they act. Both of these secrets that spring forth with guild are the reason Amir and Baba embark on journey to atone for their sins. Baba sees Amir's weakness while Amir sees Baba's perfection, which causes a bit of tension between the two, when in all reality they are more similar than they are difference because of this.
Amir's decision to go to Kabul is way out of character for the Amir we know up until that point. His reason for going is to save his recently discovered nephew, the son of his brother, Hassan. Amir's decision to put his life in danger in order to save this child shows his yearning for redemption is true and that he really is trying to change.
Chapter 19 -
His dream indicates that he feels responsible for what happened to Hassan, for his murder. It could mean that he feels that he was the cause of how Hassan had turned out along with the responsibility he holds for letting Hassan get raped. He essentially feels guilt not only for what he allowed to happen, but also for his eventual murder.
Chapter 20 -
The tone of the opening of this chapter is grim and reminiscent.
He describes them as something he desires to preserve and care for, but he has no money to do so for long, so he allows the Taliban to purchase one every once and a while. There is also irony with the Taliban because they refuse to support the orphanage and the children but end up doing so by buying children.
Chapter 22 -
He leaves Amir in a room all by himself when he is around the Taliban, shifting in the uncomfortable silence. Two armed men then enter along with the tall Talib in white, Assef. Assef continues to awkwardly sit in silence, just staring at Amir, bloodstains still on his sleeve from the stoning at the soccer field. The men then continue by ripping off his beard, exposing him obviously as a non-Talib citizen. When it is revealed to Amir that the man before him is Assef, it peaks his fear, and he just about urinates on himself and can hardly speak due to his dry tongue.
He is obviously older, but he seems to have gained an elevated status in the eyes of the Taliban and has moved on to having multiple encounters with small children instead of the one time with Hassan, which is completely repulsive to say the least. He is still cruel and conniving. The story signifies the reason he chose to become part of the Taliban? He was part of the upper crust in Kabul, so he was naturally targeted by the communists, so when they beat on him and threw him in jail for no reason, he decided that day that he was still alive for a reason, the reason being it was his destiny, assigned by God, to clean up the garbage that has found its way into Afghanistan.
Chapter 23 -
The dream in Baba's case signified that he was a strong man, a metaphor used throughout the entire novel, so in Amir's case, it signifies his shift from being too afraid and selfish to face what he had done to the fact that he was ready to fight his bear and win. Assef was destined to be messed up by somebody due to the fact he was an all around sick and twisted fool. Amir "got what he deserved" from Assef because he deserved to be beaten to a pulp because of what he did in his past, in encounters with Assef and the incident with Hassan. Rahim intended, it seems, for Amir to rescue Sohrab from Kabul and take him home with him to America. The Caldwells were a device that acted as a credible, if you disregard the fact it was a lie, reason for Amir to go and rescue his nephew. He can be good again by raising his brother's orphan child, making it up to Hassan through Sohrab.
Chapter 24 -
Just when things were starting to settle down on the negative side of the story, the only good news introduced in a while is abruptly interrupted by horribly tragic news. It acts as a climax that sets the tone for the rest of the ending of the novel.
Chapter 25 -
Hosseini uses his word choice and sentence structure to create a sense of suspense and dread by dragging out the revelation of a Sohrab who will survive. The endless tossing and turning and wondering just lengthen the period of time that Amir is experiencing, creating a realistic example of how the perception of time varies especially when someone is waiting to see if someone they love and care for is going to live.
Amir says to the general that he is to never reference Hassan as a hazara in his presence, which means that he has accepted him just like a son of his own and does not think of him as some detestable thing that crawls out of a sewer, but as someone that is family.
He essentially makes Amir go through a beautiful metamorphosis which really began the moment he got into a fight with Assef. Amir essentially becomes Hassan, and it is appropriate because it shows the reader that Amir has finally done it, he has redeemed himself.
Hosseini makes a hateable and selfish character become a admirable and serving man after he has been sharpened by being hit by a hammer (figuratively speaking, physically when considering Assef's damage) causing him to be sharpened into a beautiful sword instead of being a squared and boring ingot. He becomes good by becoming Hassan, who was good from the start, he became who he could always be but never was.
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
LRB #3- The Kite Runner
"The Kite Runner"
Khaled Hosseini
Right from the beginning, Khaled Hosseini institutes the necessary elements to develop the most outstanding theme in his novel "The Kite Runner," which is the search for redemption. Everyone encounters things that will test them, on either an ethical or personal level involving their character. Amir has reason right from the beginning of the story to search for redemption, but he is blinded by his ignorance as a result of his age and lack of experience, mind you, I would never make excuses for him. From the smaller things such as dangling his superiority over Hassan, to standing idly by while Hassan gets raped to keep a kite that will elevate Amir's status in his fathers eyes are examples of the lesser and greater decisions that Amir makes that determine the difficulty of him redeeming himself. In a sort of cliche way, he digs himself a pretty deep hole. The phrase "There is a way to be good again," Rahim Khan had said resonates within Amir because he has come to realize just what he had done after he grew up a little. The novel focuses in on Amir and observes his maturing and development only to prepare him for his ultimate redemption mission, his quest of a lifetime, a trip back to Afghanistan. Afghanistan itself acts as a symbol that can be applied to real world situations, our past. Amir has to go back to his past, or the place where it occurred to fix the deep wounds that stayed with him like a leech, constantly draining him of his peace of mind and not allowing him to live free, to run. What we do in our lives stays with us for the remainder of the time, but some things must be fixed in order to allow growth and development in terms of living, but also, when tied back into the novel, sometimes the things that need fixed are to liberate more than just ourselves. Amir begins the novel as a snot nosed brat that any reasonable person would want to strangle to death upon meeting him, but when he realizes his need for redemption and takes every step necessary to achieve it, no matter how hard, he not only brings redemption to himself, but also redeems himself in the eyes of an ideal reader. The search for redemption; one of the most applicable themes. Everyone at one point will need to seek out redemption, either big or small, but based on this novel, fictional or not, it speaks with actions and not just words. An "I'm sorry" will not always fix your life or redeem you, the actions and steps you take in order to earn the redemption is what matters in the end.
Khaled Hosseini
Right from the beginning, Khaled Hosseini institutes the necessary elements to develop the most outstanding theme in his novel "The Kite Runner," which is the search for redemption. Everyone encounters things that will test them, on either an ethical or personal level involving their character. Amir has reason right from the beginning of the story to search for redemption, but he is blinded by his ignorance as a result of his age and lack of experience, mind you, I would never make excuses for him. From the smaller things such as dangling his superiority over Hassan, to standing idly by while Hassan gets raped to keep a kite that will elevate Amir's status in his fathers eyes are examples of the lesser and greater decisions that Amir makes that determine the difficulty of him redeeming himself. In a sort of cliche way, he digs himself a pretty deep hole. The phrase "There is a way to be good again," Rahim Khan had said resonates within Amir because he has come to realize just what he had done after he grew up a little. The novel focuses in on Amir and observes his maturing and development only to prepare him for his ultimate redemption mission, his quest of a lifetime, a trip back to Afghanistan. Afghanistan itself acts as a symbol that can be applied to real world situations, our past. Amir has to go back to his past, or the place where it occurred to fix the deep wounds that stayed with him like a leech, constantly draining him of his peace of mind and not allowing him to live free, to run. What we do in our lives stays with us for the remainder of the time, but some things must be fixed in order to allow growth and development in terms of living, but also, when tied back into the novel, sometimes the things that need fixed are to liberate more than just ourselves. Amir begins the novel as a snot nosed brat that any reasonable person would want to strangle to death upon meeting him, but when he realizes his need for redemption and takes every step necessary to achieve it, no matter how hard, he not only brings redemption to himself, but also redeems himself in the eyes of an ideal reader. The search for redemption; one of the most applicable themes. Everyone at one point will need to seek out redemption, either big or small, but based on this novel, fictional or not, it speaks with actions and not just words. An "I'm sorry" will not always fix your life or redeem you, the actions and steps you take in order to earn the redemption is what matters in the end.
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
LRB #2-The Kite Runner, Roles played by minor characters
"The Kite Runner"
Khaled Hosseini
From the most brief encounter or mentioning of any characters it seems that even the smallest of all of them even had a major impact on the outcome of the story and the development of the plot. Amir's mom, who died during childbirth, has an effect on how Baba views Amir for the longest time, and also about how Amir acts, having never know his mother, he seems underdeveloped in some areas that he would have been otherwise if his mother had still been alive. He would have had her a a comfort, a confidant and a friend; his relation with Baba would also have been drastically different, which would in turn shift the whole direction of the novel as a whole. Speaking of mothers, Hassan's mother also operates as a minor character, and is briefly mentioned in the beginning part of the book. She abandoned him at his birth, which left a wound on the inside of him, even if he didn't realize it, and it doesn't fit nicely with his physical deformity either. Other characters such as Rahim Khan serve as inspiration and correction for Amir, and also as a confidant that Amir lacks, since his father is somewhat resentful of him in the beginning of the novel. It is Rahim who encourages Amir to keep writing, and the one who keeps him from going (completely) insane. He also operates as Amir's motivation to redeem himself despite what he did in his past aside from encouraging his writings, he says to Amir "There is a way to be good again," Minor characters that had adverse negative effects on the novel would be Wali and Kamal, the two who aided Assef during the raping of Hassan. They hold him down, allowing Assef to scar Hassan for the rest of his life, but his role allows the reader to see that Hassan is acting as a Christ figure the entire time. There is no doubt that even though this novel contains a lot of minor characters that they still have a significant role in the novel and its development.
Khaled Hosseini
From the most brief encounter or mentioning of any characters it seems that even the smallest of all of them even had a major impact on the outcome of the story and the development of the plot. Amir's mom, who died during childbirth, has an effect on how Baba views Amir for the longest time, and also about how Amir acts, having never know his mother, he seems underdeveloped in some areas that he would have been otherwise if his mother had still been alive. He would have had her a a comfort, a confidant and a friend; his relation with Baba would also have been drastically different, which would in turn shift the whole direction of the novel as a whole. Speaking of mothers, Hassan's mother also operates as a minor character, and is briefly mentioned in the beginning part of the book. She abandoned him at his birth, which left a wound on the inside of him, even if he didn't realize it, and it doesn't fit nicely with his physical deformity either. Other characters such as Rahim Khan serve as inspiration and correction for Amir, and also as a confidant that Amir lacks, since his father is somewhat resentful of him in the beginning of the novel. It is Rahim who encourages Amir to keep writing, and the one who keeps him from going (completely) insane. He also operates as Amir's motivation to redeem himself despite what he did in his past aside from encouraging his writings, he says to Amir "There is a way to be good again," Minor characters that had adverse negative effects on the novel would be Wali and Kamal, the two who aided Assef during the raping of Hassan. They hold him down, allowing Assef to scar Hassan for the rest of his life, but his role allows the reader to see that Hassan is acting as a Christ figure the entire time. There is no doubt that even though this novel contains a lot of minor characters that they still have a significant role in the novel and its development.
Friday, October 24, 2014
TKR Discussion Questions Pages 80-109
1. How has the relationship between Amir and Hassan changed? Explain
It has deteriorated beyond all recognition. Due to Amir failing to be accountable for what happened and what he saw, it has ripped a chasm between the two former friends. Amir is the one that is keeping a distance from Hassan. Hassan somewhat "gets over" what had happened and tries to reengage interaction with Amir, but Amir pushes him away because of his selfishness and guild.
It has deteriorated beyond all recognition. Due to Amir failing to be accountable for what happened and what he saw, it has ripped a chasm between the two former friends. Amir is the one that is keeping a distance from Hassan. Hassan somewhat "gets over" what had happened and tries to reengage interaction with Amir, but Amir pushes him away because of his selfishness and guild.
2. Who is the Christ-like figure in this novel? Who slaughters him?
Hassan is undoubtedly the Christ figure in this novel and he is slaughtered by Assef.
Hassan is undoubtedly the Christ figure in this novel and he is slaughtered by Assef.
3. What is the significance of the pomegranate tree? Make a list of all the chapters from HRLLP that relates to The Kite Runner and explain each one.
The pomegranate tree is significant to the story due to its role that it plays in symbolizing the relationship of Amir and Hassan, growing and full of life. It represents what they have in common despite their differences, and even serves as a communion between them.
Chapter 1- Amir embarks on a quest in order to win the heart of Baba.
Chapter 2- Amir and Hassan share a bond of communion under the pomegranate tree by sharing its fruit.
Chapter 5- Many different stories are given a new identity, such as the ones that Amir reads about. Hassan is also an allusion to the Bible.
Chapter 7- Hassan is expresses as a Christ figure, and many aspects of honor and virtue are withheld by him as he represents the servant's heart.
Chapter 11- Both types of violence are expressed in this novel, the physical violence brought about by another character, Assef, and the violence brought about by characters, Hassan could not do anything about Assef and his goons. The only way that the second violence could have been prevented would have been if Amir had stepped in and stood up for Hassan.
Chapter 12- Many objects in this novel are used as symbols, and new ones are introduced quite frequently.
Chapter 14- Hassan is a Christ figure, in which the moment he expresses this trait he is also "slaughtered" shortly after.
Chapter 15- The kite fighting tournament is representative of this chapter in HRLLP. The kite tournament is a physical representation of flight, not by a person, that will allow a freedom and an escape from the relationship that Amir previously shared with Baba.
Chapter 19- The location of the characters plays a huge role in how certain ethnicity groups or people are treated due to how the culture is. Activities that the people participate in also reflect this culture nicely.
Chapter 20- The seasons in the book correspond with the "seasons" that Amir and Hassan's relationship are going through.
Chapter 21- Hassan's cleft lip indicates not only a mark for greatness but also a mark of the persecution that will accompany him his entire life.
Chapter 24- Ali's disfiguring that is caused by the polio he endured goes beyond wounding him in a physical way, but also contributes to his mental torment from others.
The pomegranate tree is significant to the story due to its role that it plays in symbolizing the relationship of Amir and Hassan, growing and full of life. It represents what they have in common despite their differences, and even serves as a communion between them.
Chapter 1- Amir embarks on a quest in order to win the heart of Baba.
Chapter 2- Amir and Hassan share a bond of communion under the pomegranate tree by sharing its fruit.
Chapter 5- Many different stories are given a new identity, such as the ones that Amir reads about. Hassan is also an allusion to the Bible.
Chapter 7- Hassan is expresses as a Christ figure, and many aspects of honor and virtue are withheld by him as he represents the servant's heart.
Chapter 11- Both types of violence are expressed in this novel, the physical violence brought about by another character, Assef, and the violence brought about by characters, Hassan could not do anything about Assef and his goons. The only way that the second violence could have been prevented would have been if Amir had stepped in and stood up for Hassan.
Chapter 12- Many objects in this novel are used as symbols, and new ones are introduced quite frequently.
Chapter 14- Hassan is a Christ figure, in which the moment he expresses this trait he is also "slaughtered" shortly after.
Chapter 15- The kite fighting tournament is representative of this chapter in HRLLP. The kite tournament is a physical representation of flight, not by a person, that will allow a freedom and an escape from the relationship that Amir previously shared with Baba.
Chapter 19- The location of the characters plays a huge role in how certain ethnicity groups or people are treated due to how the culture is. Activities that the people participate in also reflect this culture nicely.
Chapter 20- The seasons in the book correspond with the "seasons" that Amir and Hassan's relationship are going through.
Chapter 21- Hassan's cleft lip indicates not only a mark for greatness but also a mark of the persecution that will accompany him his entire life.
Chapter 24- Ali's disfiguring that is caused by the polio he endured goes beyond wounding him in a physical way, but also contributes to his mental torment from others.
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
LRB #1- The Kite Runner
"The Kite Runner"
Khaled Hosseini
Right from the get-go there is a lot of symbolism in the novel The Kite Runner. One of the most prominent symbols so far in this novel is Ali's disabilities and deformities due to either a birth defect or disease, and how it seems to be his shortcomings that are passes on from him to his dear son, Hassan. The fact that Ali can not freely move his face because of a congenital condition leaving the lower muscles immovable by himself is representative of how the hardships in his life have left him with the inability to really express strong emotion. His parents were killed in an accident, forcing him to be orphaned, but these events led to him meeting Baba, his lifelong friend and master. The fact that Ali is also a Hazara has undoubtedly brought him countless other problems, and his disfigured leg is a symbol of how who he is, what he was born into, and how he cannot move on from that; he is lame and forever stuck with that reality. The polio of life has disfigured who he can be, and only expresses how the culture viewed his people, the Hazaras, in the first place, "mice-eating, flat-nosed, load-carrying donkeys." The cruelty of life ensures that Ali's son, Hassan, is also burdened with the Hazara stigma, even from birth. He is born with the usual features of a Hazara, the flat nose and such, due to his people's mixing with the Mongolian bloodline, and also a cleft lip, which sets him even further apart than most Hazaras. This deformity, Hassan's cleft lip, is a symbol of yet again the stigma that is handed down, but also of the cruel truth that he too is stuck in that reality until the day he dies. Although the symbols in both Ali and Hassan seem to be debilitating, symbols more heavily associated with Amir are symbols of redemption and restoration. Kite running is a big deal where Amir lives, and his father, Baba, is very fond of it due to the fact that he won when he was younger, and holds the record for the most kites cut. The title of winning the kite tournament, paired with the bringing home of the last kite cut would, and does, mean a lot to Baba. When Amir wins the tournament, it completes one half of the goal he has set to win back Baba's heart, but the blue kite represents more than just redemption and restoration, it also represents lifelong pain and torment for both Hassan and himself. The kite represents something, such as money, that can buy a certain amount of something, but when that object or money loses its value, the happiness it brought fades. Who's to say that money can buy happiness, or a kite for that matter? What brings happiness to one brings chronic grief or suffering to another.
Khaled Hosseini
Right from the get-go there is a lot of symbolism in the novel The Kite Runner. One of the most prominent symbols so far in this novel is Ali's disabilities and deformities due to either a birth defect or disease, and how it seems to be his shortcomings that are passes on from him to his dear son, Hassan. The fact that Ali can not freely move his face because of a congenital condition leaving the lower muscles immovable by himself is representative of how the hardships in his life have left him with the inability to really express strong emotion. His parents were killed in an accident, forcing him to be orphaned, but these events led to him meeting Baba, his lifelong friend and master. The fact that Ali is also a Hazara has undoubtedly brought him countless other problems, and his disfigured leg is a symbol of how who he is, what he was born into, and how he cannot move on from that; he is lame and forever stuck with that reality. The polio of life has disfigured who he can be, and only expresses how the culture viewed his people, the Hazaras, in the first place, "mice-eating, flat-nosed, load-carrying donkeys." The cruelty of life ensures that Ali's son, Hassan, is also burdened with the Hazara stigma, even from birth. He is born with the usual features of a Hazara, the flat nose and such, due to his people's mixing with the Mongolian bloodline, and also a cleft lip, which sets him even further apart than most Hazaras. This deformity, Hassan's cleft lip, is a symbol of yet again the stigma that is handed down, but also of the cruel truth that he too is stuck in that reality until the day he dies. Although the symbols in both Ali and Hassan seem to be debilitating, symbols more heavily associated with Amir are symbols of redemption and restoration. Kite running is a big deal where Amir lives, and his father, Baba, is very fond of it due to the fact that he won when he was younger, and holds the record for the most kites cut. The title of winning the kite tournament, paired with the bringing home of the last kite cut would, and does, mean a lot to Baba. When Amir wins the tournament, it completes one half of the goal he has set to win back Baba's heart, but the blue kite represents more than just redemption and restoration, it also represents lifelong pain and torment for both Hassan and himself. The kite represents something, such as money, that can buy a certain amount of something, but when that object or money loses its value, the happiness it brought fades. Who's to say that money can buy happiness, or a kite for that matter? What brings happiness to one brings chronic grief or suffering to another.
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
The Killing Joke Comic Questions
1. How is the
depiction of The Joker in "The Killing Joke" similar to The Dark
Knight? How is it
different?
The similarities of the expression of the Joker in "TKJ" and The Dark Knight are unmistakably obvious. From how insane the Joker is as a whole, to the way he always has a different story about what led to him becoming the Joker in the first place, he is still pretty much the same guy, psychotic and anarchic. There is also another aspect to their similarity; the nihilistic aspect of his personality which results in violence and moralless actions that he gives no second thought to.
The way in which that they differ is how the Joker in "TKJ" is a little more human, even only for only a few panels toward the end. This shows a very strange aspect of him, and poses many questions to whether or not he is choosing to remain insane or is so tortured by what his past has created him to be that he truly believes it to be too late for him.
2. What is the
theme in "TKJ"? What is the theme in TDK?
The theme of "TKJ" toys with the idea of the question, not "if" but "when" insanity will occur. The idea is supported by the ambiguous interpretations of the ending of this story, did Batman just break bad? Did he kill the Joker? Or did he do what he told the commissioner he would do and go "By the book?"
The theme of TDK is one that deals more with the truth of the existence of good and evil. One does not exist without the other, and one cannot survive without its polar opposite, represented by Batman and the Joker.
3. In what ways
is The Joker a moral nihilist? Give examples and quotes from both mediums.
Starting with examples from "TKJ", the Joker's nihilistic nature is expressed first of all when he breaks free from the asylum, and then because of what occurs after that; the shooting and potential rape of Barbara Gordon, the commissioner's daughter. He has no sense of morals, no boundaries to what he will do to fulfill his purpose, which is almost always obscure to everyone except himself.
Examples of the Joker's moral nihilism in TDK, in which the Joker expresses similar lack of morals when he relentlessly kills many people who are attempting the robbing of a bank. He blows up hospitals and poisons, blows up, and creates situations in which a tough choice must be made in order to save one person or the other which still results in explosions and harm to one or both members involved. When the people are fleeing Gotham city, he forces them into a situation in which they have the ability to save themselves by killing others, but despite the Joker's intentions they don't do what he wishes. He has no remorse for putting anyone in that sort of situation and would not even mourn one second for those lost in the case his plan was executed properly.
Examples of the Joker's moral nihilism in TDK, in which the Joker expresses similar lack of morals when he relentlessly kills many people who are attempting the robbing of a bank. He blows up hospitals and poisons, blows up, and creates situations in which a tough choice must be made in order to save one person or the other which still results in explosions and harm to one or both members involved. When the people are fleeing Gotham city, he forces them into a situation in which they have the ability to save themselves by killing others, but despite the Joker's intentions they don't do what he wishes. He has no remorse for putting anyone in that sort of situation and would not even mourn one second for those lost in the case his plan was executed properly.
4. List the
3 most important quotes from "TKJ" and how they relate to the
psychology of The Joker.
1."Memory's
so treacherous. one moment you're lost in a carnival of delights, with
poignant childhood aromas , the flashing neon
of puberty, all that sentimental candy-floss...the next ,
it leads you somewhere you don't want to go...somewhere dark and cold, filled
with the damp, ambiguous shapes of thinks you'd hoped were forgotten."
2."Madness is the emergency exit. You can just step outside, and close the door on all those dreadful things that happened. You can lock them away…forever."
3."See,
there were these two guys in a lunatic asylum... and one night, one night they
decide they don't like living in an asylum any more. They decide they're going
to escape! So, like, they get up onto the roof, and there, just across this
narrow gap, they see the rooftops of the town, stretching away in the moon
light... stretching away to freedom. Now, the first guy, he jumps right across
with no problem. But his friend, his friend didn't dare make the leap. Y'see...
Y'see, he's afraid of falling. So then, the first guy has an idea... He says
'Hey! I have my flashlight with me! I'll shine it across the gap between the
buildings. You can walk along the beam and join me!' B-but the second guy just
shakes his head. He suh-says... He says 'Wh-what do you think I am? Crazy?
You'd turn it off when I was half way across!"
These three quotes represent a sort of progression of the Joker opening up and revealing a deeper part of himself. He subliminally reveals that his past memories haunt him, and also his reason for choosing to be insane. He wishes so bad to escape from his past that he has taken the "emergency exit" and just shut out all of his memories that he wanted so bad to forget. The third quote, found near the end where the Joker is opening up to Batman after his proposition (I used the right word this time!) to help him, to aid him in his coping with the events that had transpired in his past that molded him into the person he is. His humanity that is expressed shows how he still has, as stated, a human aspect left somewhere deep inside of him, but due to his repression of it for so long, it's much more painful for him to face it now since he had ignored it for so long; this is what creates the "it's too late" mentality in his mind, and is what holds the Joker captive. He dug a hole, stepped too far outside of the emergency exit to have any hope of even approaching the door that could easily lead to his redemption.
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