The Kite Runner chapters 20-end
Well, I'm going to leave the content of this week's posts up to you. Please don't rehash what's already been said, but here are some ideas....
Does Amir find redemption? Explain.
What do you think about the end of the novel? Are you satisfied? Explain
Thematic statements are sometimes implied, but sometimes they are explicitly stated in the text. See if you can identify a statement that a character actually says that reveals a universal truth.
Follow through with motifs and symbols you have mentioned. As they show up again in the novel, how does that intensify their meaning and make their use more complex?
I don't think anyone mentioned the David and Goliath scenario that played out between Assef and Hassan in the first part of the book. See if you can recognize something similar happening during the reading for this week.
These are just some ideas. Maybe tackle 2 of them, or come up with some ideas of your own. Remember I'm looking for thoughtful comments that indicate careful and sophisticated reading. We will be digging into the novel when we meet in class. I am so looking forward to meeting all of you!!
Does Amir find redemption? Explain.
What do you think about the end of the novel? Are you satisfied? Explain
Thematic statements are sometimes implied, but sometimes they are explicitly stated in the text. See if you can identify a statement that a character actually says that reveals a universal truth.
Follow through with motifs and symbols you have mentioned. As they show up again in the novel, how does that intensify their meaning and make their use more complex?
I don't think anyone mentioned the David and Goliath scenario that played out between Assef and Hassan in the first part of the book. See if you can recognize something similar happening during the reading for this week.
These are just some ideas. Maybe tackle 2 of them, or come up with some ideas of your own. Remember I'm looking for thoughtful comments that indicate careful and sophisticated reading. We will be digging into the novel when we meet in class. I am so looking forward to meeting all of you!!
So I'm going to start with if Amir finds redemption. And I think of course the he did. I mean he went out of his way to find a boy He didn't know, for someone he hadn't seen in years. And even more than that when he found out that he had been lied to his life I think that it takes more away from his need for redemption. I mean if he had known that Hassan was his brother all that time maybe he wouldn't have done what he did, and all of the guilt wouldn't have been necessary. So I think it's clear that he also got redemption for his father, it's like Rahim Khan says Baba was a quilty person too. And by saving Sohrab Amir is redeeming himself and his father.
ReplyDeleteAnd the other thing I want to talk about is the David and Goliath thing that happened. Now there is the obvious case about sohrab shooting Assef in the eye with his slingshot. But I think there was another example of David and Goliath too. Between Amir and Assef that kind of thing happend too, except it wasn't a comparison of size in that case. It was a comparison of their wills, or who would break first. And I think Amir won too, I mean you take someone like Assef a man much bigger than Amir even in spirit (crazy but bigger) and someone who obviously believes in himself, someone like Amir. Amir is weak really, he even admits he's a coward and doesn't think very highly of himself, and yet when he's laying there getting beat up he just laughs which bothers Assef and I think he won that battle, even if he doesn't look like he did.
I agree with Christopher; think Amir definitely finds redemption. Risking his life and everything he has for a boy he’s never even met, shows a huge change in Amir. Amir not only shows everyone else that he is strong, and will stand up for something, but he proves to himself that he is capable of it. Anyway, watching his best friend and half brother get raped, and not having the guts to stand up for him, definitely seemed to haunt Amir his whole life. When an opportunity came for Amir to redeem himself, he hesitated, but knew that maybe this would make up for the terrible thing he did to Hassan. Honestly, I think Amir did more than necessary for redemption. Yes, watching a helpless boy get raped is a horrible thing, but being willing to sacrifice everything you have, travel somewhere unsafe, put your own life in danger, and bring a damaged child into your almost perfect life, that’s on the verge of being crazy. I am so glad that Amir did it though. I think he finally felt at peace with everything, and was able to forgive himself.
ReplyDeleteI am highly unsatisfied with the end of the novel. It was so disappointing, not being able to see the complete change in Sohrab. Personally, I think that Sohrab had no right to act the way he did towards everyone. It is upsetting that he didn’t bother to recognize what Amir went through for him. Sohrab could have continued to be an orphan, and sex slave for Assef, but instead, Amir took him to America, where he would have the best life possible. Amir voluntarily risked his life for Sohrab. Amir took a beating, ended up in the hospital, went above and beyond fighting for Sohrab, and all he got was a rude, quiet kid. I don’t see what Sohrab was trying to accomplish by acting that way. Maybe he was truly emotionally damaged, but I see self pity. Sohrab had everything a child could want. He had the materialistic things, the sports and hobby opportunities, and the nice house; but most of all, he had a loving family that was willing to take him in as their own. No matter how much shame the situation would bring on their family, they ignored it, and did what they thought was right. Sohrab is a selfish, rude little kid, and I cannot say that I like him at all. He does not see how lucky he is, and that makes me furious.
I will have to agree with Chris and Erica that Amir finds redemption from his past. I think in the end he feels like he hasn't accomplished what he set out to do, but in reality he has. He has taken Sohrab from one of the worst possible scenarios and placed him in one that should make him feel very safe and lucky to be there and in healthy condition. The reason I feel like Amir doesn't feel like he's gained redemption is because of Sohrab nearly dying. I feel like he blames himself for it and he doesn't know how to deal with the resentment of letting Hassan get raped when they were younger, but I feel like he regrets not standing up for him. When Amir prays that he doesn't have another life burdened on his hands, it supports my statement about him regretting Hassan's terrible rape and the fact that he was shot for being a Hazara.
ReplyDeleteI am not too thrilled with the way it ended because I felt like Amir did everything he could to give Sohrab a much better life than what he had and to get him out of Kabul before things got even worse. I understand that Sohrab was going through a hard time in his life where he didn't know who he could trust and he wanted his parents back. Regardless of that, I think he should have had a little more faith in his uncle. When Amir gets Sohrab home and Soraya tries to give him everything possible to make a child happy, it's like he discards everything and sleeps or stays silent. I wish he would have opened up more to Amir and Soraya, than just giving Amir a half smile when they fly the kite at the end. But overall, the book was very good and I enjoyed it!
My thoughts on the ending of the novel were a mixture of things. I was pleased that Sohrab was able to come to America where Soraya had made him his own bedroom, or his own sanctuary. But I was also upset that Sohrab never talked, I was curious to his thoughts and feelings. However, the smile, the kite contest, and the second win for Amir was enough hope for him although this time he was not in the contest for himself, he was in it for Sohrab. Whether Amir knows it or not, he competed in this contest as Hassan competed in theirs...he was in it for someone other than himself. In my opinion, this is Amir's ultimate redemption, to know what it feels like to be like Hassan and do the things that Hassan did/would do based on his characteristics.
ReplyDeleteI believe one thematic statement was present over and over again throughout the novel. Rahim Khan's words "There is a way to be good again." stand out and provide meaning just as they are. This not only applies to every single character in the novel, but applies to life in general. Baba found a way to be good again as he and Amir bonded in America more than they ever had. Rahim Khan leads Amir to his way to be good again, showing his loyal and loving feelings towards Amir and Hassan during his last days of his life. Therefore, not only does this apply to the characters in the text, I believe the author included this in his novel to leave the reader with an obvious theme.
I believe that Amir does find redemption because he basically put his life on the line to find Sohrab. Going overseas to try to find Sohrab and giving him the best life he could ever imagine. Amir had to fight for Sohrab and by adopting him was Amir’s way to repay Hassan for all the things he did to him. Amir did the best he could trying to repay what he did, even though at the end he found out that Hassan was his half brother. I am surprised that Amir even attempted to find Sohrab and bring him into his family to make a mends, since Amir did only find out that he and Hassan were brothers after he grew up. Amir had it all, a good wife that he loved, a nice big house that he earned, good in laws who cared for him and he did not have to go overseas and leave his wife for his half brother’s son, but he did, and Sohrab still did not appreciate him for all he had done. Amir had done a lot for Sohrab, and even so, Sohrab still was not pleased and simply wanted his own family back. However, I truly believed that Amir found his redemption.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the end of the book goes, I did not like it at all. The least Sohrab could have done was accept Amir and the rest of the family and try to understand what Amir was trying to accomplish by bringing him into his family as his own. I mean for goodness sakes he did save him from an uncertain life of torture and the loneliness of an orphanage, but Sohrab did not think about all of that, that he could have still been in the orphanage if it were not for Amir and his wife, Soraya. They gave him his own room to stay in, something he has never had, Amir gave him clothes, food, even entertainment, and yet Sohrab still was an unhappy little boy. It kind of made me mad because of the way Sohrab was acting. He was a little ungrateful if you ask me.
This was by far the best book we have read all summer, and I am truly glad that summer reading is all over with. But it was fun learning new ways to read and understand literature, now I know what to do when I read something odd, go back to the first book we read this summer “How to Read Literature Like a Professor”, because I believe everyone could agree that book was the best way to explain the various ways to read and understand literature and I loved it.
When this novel first began I earnestly believed that Amir was a spoiled was a spoiled little brat who constantly took advantage of his father’s previous accomplishments and reputation. He was the exact opposite of any kind of friend that I would want to have, largely due to his treatment of Hassan, his best and only true friend. He constantly degraded Hassan for being a Hazzara, ignored him when others were around, and even made him eat dirt to "prove his loyalty." Finally, even after Hassan stands up for Amir in the alley just for a stupid kite and is raped, Amir doesn't even have the integrity to tell his parents. Rather he takes credit for the kite and is the causes Hassan and Ali to leave. This was an all time low for Amir and even though he was succeeding in America he was constantly haunted by his past. He eventually does travel back to his homeland in an attempt to be good again and find redemption. I believe that through risking his life and confronting his rival Assef he does find redemption. He is even able to rescue Hassan’s son and bring him back to the United States. I also think that through rescuing Sohrab, Amir redeems not only himself but also his father for wrongdoings against Hassan. Even though Sohrab didn't seem to be totally happy Amir did pay for all his sins and I believe that by the end of this book he is a free man.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Caitlyn in that I also had mixed feelings with the ending of this story. On one hand, I was absolutely thrilled that Amir finally found redemption for not only himself, but also for his deceased father by saving Hassan through his only son. I was also happy that he was able to bring Sohrab back to The United States. However, I don't think I could have been more disappointed with Sohrab's attitude throughout the book especially towards the ending. Amir risked his life for his illegitimate nephew and he doesn't even get any thanks. He spends months in Afghanistan recovering and trying to get Sohrab back into America but in thanks Sohrab tries to commit suicide. Even when he is back with a loving family, Sohrab won't even as much as talk to them even though they treat him like a son. In the end Amir's wife is afraid to even talk to Sohrab and he gives a half smile? I think that is incredibly ungrateful and it's time for him to stop crying about the past and move on. Other than that I thought this was a very well written book and it held my attention the entire time.
I'll start by talking about Amir and if he did or didn't find redemption. I think that Amir did find redemption near the end of the novel. I thought that he was never going to make amends with Hassan after what had happened to him. But he found redemption through Sohrab, Hassan's son. When he got the nerve to go back to Kabul, knowing that it was dangerous that by it self took a lot of courage. Then finding Sohrab in Assef's house and then fighting Assef almost being killed was a way Amir was redeeming himself for what he had done all those years ago to Hassan. Another way was when he took Sohrab to America which keeps him out of danger and gives him a better future, that was the best way he could redeem himself.
ReplyDeleteThe ending to this novel was one of the best I've ever read. It leaves me wondering what the future holds for Amir and his family. But it was good to see that he finally connected to Sohrab a little. When they were flying kites he kept thinking back to when he used to be a little kid back in Kabul running kites with Hassan. That makes it a happy ending because he can live as a child and relive those memories of Hassan with Sohrab. Also I liked how he was telling Sohrab about his father it gives him a better perspective of how his father was as a child. All in all this is now one of my favorite books because it has a great story line and a great ending that left me hanging in a good way.
I also agree that Amir found redemption. When he first started out on his journey, I think he was doing it for more selfish reasons. He wanted his conscience to be clear and he wanted to feel like he made up for betraying Hassan. But when he finally saw Sohrab it became more about saving his nephew from the disaster and turmoil in Afghanistan. He put everything on the line for Sohrab, but in the end he still felt like he had let him down because he broke his promise to him about the orphanage. I wasn’t satisfied with the way the book ended either, but I think we’re being a little hard on Sohrab. While I agree that he could have put forth at least a small bit of effort to get along with his new family, I also tried to be empathetic towards his situation. I have no idea how I would react to what Sohrab had to go through, and I think it’s understandable that he is finding it hard to trust again. No human being, let alone a little boy, should have to endure that much pain and suffering in their life.
ReplyDeleteIn the first set of chapters a symbol that I noticed was the kite. As this symbol reappears in the last chapter it’s meaning deepens. Hosseini writes, “The glassy, vacant look in his eyes was gone. His gaze flitted between our kite and the green one. His face was a little flushed, his eyes suddenly alert. Awake. Alive.” Now instead of the kite representing hurt and pain I believe it represents life and hope. It shows us a connection between Amir and Sohrab that we thought had been lost, and it shows the connection they both still have to Hassan. I also believe that it represents the change in Amir because, like Caitlyn said, he is not fighting for him self anymore, he is fighting for Sohrab and acting in Hassan’s place.
I think what I love so much about this book is that it is so unlike any others- it’s not predictable. It displays life in its rawest and harshest form, leaving the reader a bit disturbed, but all in all refreshed by its realism. Human nature leads me to wish for a happy ending to this novel, where Sohrab is a happy young boy, glowing with all of the vivacity of life, however this is not the case. Sohrab is in reality an extremely troubled young boy. Despite Sohrab’s seemingly ungrateful behavior, I do not have hard feelings towards him because I cannot even come close to imagining what it feels like to have been through so much at such a young age. The ending was simple and somewhat sad, yet perfect in its own way. By no means can it be classified as a “fairy-tale ending”, which is a perfect example of something Amir discusses prior the end of the novel. On page 357, Amir talks about happiness in life. He comments on old movies he watched and how when he was a young boy living in Kabul that was all that anyone cared about was the ending. “Did they find happiness?” This question always came to surface. Amir relates this past experience to events in his life, commenting on his own story with Hassan and Sohrab. You would like to think that it would end happily after all of the trials and tribulations that take place, but sadly Amir says that he would not know how to answer that question; he does not know if they’re story ended happily.
ReplyDeleteSo…
Despite one’s countless trials and valiant efforts in life, happiness is not always the outcome.
First, I must say that this is by far the best summer reading book I’ve ever read. Even though it was depressing and made me angry, it had a good story and kept me interested the whole time. I actually didn’t want it to end.
ReplyDeleteI wasn’t satisfied with the end of the novel. I was disappointed in Sohrab’s unwillingness to accept Amir and Soraya. Amir did everything he could to try to help Sohrab, and Soraya desperately wanted to have a child that she could talk and communicate with. Sohrab had no intention of accepting them until the very end of the novel. Sohrab should have been grateful of what Amir and Soraya had given him. He should have gladly accepted them. Instead, he didn’t speak to either of them even though they provided him with a home and food. If Amir and Soraya are willing to do all that for Sohrab, he should at least be able to act kindly towards them. However, he is completely detached from them. It made me made that Sohrab was so selfish and inconsiderate.
In the story of David and Goliath, Goliath is the bigger and stronger of the two, but David ends up winning the battle. The first time the story of David and Goliath plays out, is with Hassan and Assef. This comes early in the novel. Hassan is the underdog in the fight with Assef. He is much weaker physically. Assef also had brass knuckles. It truly seems that Hassan has no chance, but Hassan is very good with a slingshot. He uses the slingshot to scare Assef off. Assef leaves and Amir and Hassan are safe. Later in the novel, the slingshot appears again, only now it is in the hands of Sohrab, Hassan’s son. Amir and Assef are fighting in a room. Whoever comes out alive will get Sohrab. Assef is definitely the better fighter. He practically beats Amir to death. Assef was going to win this fight. There was no doubt about that. However, a moment before Assef was going to beat Amir to a pulp, Sohrab stepped in. He threatened Assef with his slingshot, filled with a brass ball. Sohrab asked Assef to stop torturing and beating Amir. Assef ordered Sohrab to put down the slingshot. Sohrab refused, so Assef lunged at him. Sohrab let the sling shot go and shot the brass ball right into Assef’s eye socket. As Assef’s eye bled, Sohrab and Amir escaped together.
I'm going to have to agree with Katie that this was the best summer reading book ever!! It was one of the few books that kept my attention and made me where I didn't want to put it down.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Spencer about Amir being a spoiled self centered brat at the beginning of the novel and constantly taking advantage of people to get what he wanted. Such as when he wants the last kite he cut and left Hassan to deal with the bullies himself. I'm also gonna agree with Spencer again when he says that Amir finds redemption when he takes up for himself and finally confronts his enemy Assef. He finally proves that he isnt afraid anymore and he is finally a man. He stands up and doesn't let the bully hurt him anymore.
I liked the ending of the novel. It left me woundering what Amir and Sohrab will do in the future and if they will continue to fly kites. I also wounder if Amir will continue to be a man and take up for himself and his friends like he didn't do during his childhood. Overall this was the best novel of the summer and one of the best novels I have ever read. I hate the summer is coming to an end but I'm glad that summer reading is finally over!! :)
I thought the end of the novel wrap the story up quite neatly and all the loose ends were taken care of. It was an interesting surprise to see that Assef was the Taliban official. Once again good ole Amir just stood there and took a beating without standing up even for his self. So again he was protected by the ones that surround him as Sohrab was the one that slingshoted a rock right into the eye of Assef. This series of events broke down the walls that surrounded Amir like the guilt of not fighting for Hassan in the alley and the necessity of saving his half brothers only child. Another full circle event was significant in the end was the kite fight in San Francisco. Amir handed the kite to Sohrab and let him fight with it and when Sohrab succeeded by using his father’s favorite maneuvers Amir was the one who happily ran the Kite down. To me this signifies how Amir has grown as a man and has become the servant, he is the one running the kite while the son of Hassan is the one with the glory of the victory. That’s about as full circle as it can get.
ReplyDeleteWith the close of the book at the very end when it’s all said and done comes my favorite quote from throughout the entire novel Amir ask Sohrab if he wants him to run the kite for him Sohrab nods and Amir says, “For you, a thousand times over”. Epic. This simple statement is the key that unlocks the chains around both the reader and Amir finally he is free like a deep breath after holding your breath for a long time the book says Amir smiles and it was like the snow was melting away and a breeze blew in his face as he ran and was set free from all the guilt from his actions with Hassan, the pain of losing his beloved Baba was no more, the sadness of seeing war torn home it had all been replace with a smile that didn’t make everything alright didn’t make anything alright but it was the start of a new life ahead of him and he was running to it even if he had to a thousand times over.Epic.
Did nobody recognize my profile picture of Richard Simmons I thought it too be pretty tasteful...summers up and i have finally done it for the kids..there is no meaning behind it it's just the truth i mean what would you not do for a bunch of little kids that's why everything i do i do for the kids....Times in the Hood Volume V is set to release in October btw
ReplyDeleteWell, I like how you have ended the summer with a variety of comments that represent your critical and evaluative thoughts of the novel. I'm glad you enjoyed The Kite Runner. I think it represents the elements of literary fiction in significant ways. First, you have a protagonist that is morally ambiguous. You can't figure out if you loathe him or maybe even admire him a little. Then you have these other complex characters, some of them very minor characters, that act in ways we can't understand. Hassan continues to love and admire Amir even after he betrays him in the basest manner. Assef's behavior is horrendous and we certainly can't identify with his motivations and desires (do it for the kids takes on a whole new meaning for him, right?) And then Sohrab, in the short time we see him, is one of the most perplexing characters, which also makes him much more real in his representation of the human condition. Think about all he's been through. Would YOU be able to shake all that off and move to another country and pick up a new life with people you've never met before? That's why, although the ending frustrates me, I feel it is accurate and just, because life does not usually tie things up neatly and wrap them in bows. It usually unravels unpredicatably. Anyway, your discussion here was mature and thoughtful, and I'm so pleased with all of you who blogged. Because you did so well all summer, I will give you a heads up that there will be a couple of timed writings the first few days of class that will be based on the summer reading texts, one on the Kite Runner and one on Frankenstein. If you have any questions or concerns, you may post them on this thread throughout the week and we will discuss.
ReplyDeleteMoose, I did recognize your profile picture as Richard Simmons a few weeks ago. Really, there is not much to say about Richard Simmons on an academic blog. Put the picture with the slogan you have so vehemently adopted this summer and it could be considered rather creepy, to tell you the truth! All in good fun I suspect. See you soon.
ReplyDeleteNicole said...
ReplyDeleteI believe Amir found redemption for himself in Sorhab’s smile. He had wanted so badly to redeem himself for what he did to Hassan that winter, that he left his wife and comfortable life in America, spent loads of money, took a beating from Assef, and ultimately risked his life to save Sorhab and bring him to a safe place, being America. Also, I believe he found redemption when Shorhab tried to kill himself and Amir, got down on his hands and knees and prayed to Allah. He hadn’t truly believed til that moment, when all he could do was pray and hope that Allah would be merciful. Overall, Amir was redeemed.
I personally loved the book, hated some parts, but loved it overall. The book had an amazing story line and I believe the book ended well. i would have preferred the novel to end with Sorhab speaking, however, if the novel was going to continue to go on and on about their sad life and the vacuum which they knew as silence then I believe the book ended at the appropriate time. Hosseini’s ending was good, and quite possibly the best one for the story, however, some first words would have been great.