Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Talibans


As can be seen, in chapters 9 throughout 17  we have been introduce to new characters as well as changes in our main characters. In the event that Amir has changed  after the incident with Hassan , we encounter an Amir that doesn't want anything to do with Hassan due to the blame he feels and does the impossible to keep Hassan away which in fact comes easy due to the fact Hassan encounters a time of depression. We can see Amir's frustration when he sets up Hassan  to blame him for stealing which Hassan takes blame , and even though Baba forgives him , Ali decides is time for them to go away , which they do and this leaves Baba very sad. Not long after,  Baba  and Amir have to go due to the war  and during there travel we can still see Baba's heroism. "Tell him I 'll take a thousand of his bullets before I let this indecency take place." also, we still se Amir's feelings about the difference he encounters with Baba and the blame he feels frequently about Hassan. "Some hero I had been , fretting about the kite. Sometimes ,  I too wondered if I was really Baba's son. "   After a lot of struggle , they get to America were we see the contrast of how a well known business man like Baba was in Kabul , in America because of not knowing the language and not having a collage education  is force to work on a poorly job as a gas station worker. As well as  changes in status , Baba faces difficulty in adapting with usa customs like  the difference in trust in both countries where is shown when Baba encounters a conflict in the market he goes frequently and he is asked for an id what he finds ir respectful  when in usa is a regular thing to do. Because of Baba sacrifices , Amir gets to graduate which makes Baba very proud that he even gives Amir a car. Even in those circumstances , Baba still remembers Hassan. Even though Amir wanted to help Baba by working, Baba insist he has to go to collage what brings him to disappointment when Amir decides he wont sacrifice  for Baba once again , and studies what he really loves which is writing . "I didn't want to sacrifice for Baba anymore." later on, while they go as always on sundays to sell , Baba comes across an all friend ; General Taheri. General Taheri has Daughter , that quickly makes an impact on Amir due to how she isn't  that traditional and she acts more as an american. Quickly, Amir starts feeling an atraction to her ,mean while Baba starts feeling sick and the doctor discovers he has cancer . Not wanting any treatment , Baba get sicks very quickly , but before anything happened , Amir asked him to ask the general for his daughter  Soraya's  hand which  he did. After Baba asked for Soraya's hand  , Soraya  confessed all her rebellious past to Amir which he accepts because he thinks his past isn't something to be proud neither. Because of Baba's condition they get married very fast , and they decide to live with Baba and take care of him. Meanwhile we are introduced to General Taheri wife ; Jamila which is a traditional  afghan who obeys every word his husband says. After 3 months after Amir's wedding,  with no pain Baba dies which leaves Amir devastated. Shortly after , they get to their own apartment , and both carry on with their jobs ; Amir as a publish writer and Jamila as a teacher. As any marriage couple would want , they started trying to have babies which ended up with them been  diagnose with  Infertility with no clear reason why , what makes them think of adoption. Days later, they go Soraya's parent house , where they discuss there diagnosis  and the option of adopting , which  the general thinks is wrong due to the fact afghans believe in pure blood which gives us a insight on afghans customs.  Because of not been able to have babies  ,  a barrier is form between Amir and Soraya.  Soon after,  Amir receives a  call from Rahim Khan  asking to see him in Pakistan and also saying that there was a way for him to be good again which  made Amir  quickly understand that Rahim new everything  .  When Amir  got to Rahim , Rahim confessed everything that had happened in all those  years. Most importantly , how he felt so lonely  living alone in Baba ' s house  that he went and looked  for Hassan where he found out  how Hassan had gotten married to Farzana , how Ali had died , and how Hassan never stopped worrying for Amir. After insisting to  Hassan and his wife to  go  live with him , they did.  Later on, they  had a son named Sohrab  after Hassan's favorite hero . Sohrab and  Rahim quickly   developed a relationship. After a few years, a women knock on there door and it was surprisingly Sanaubar all beaten up.   Asking no questions, Hassan accepted her and she lived with  them until the day she died. When the war was
 over, Hassan quickly thought how they were going to go after al Hazards which they did meanwhile Rahim Khan was  going to the doctor. With information from a neighbor , Rahim Khan eventually find out how  the Talibans had gone  to inspect the house due to the rumors they had heard about hazards living alone in the house ,  after interrogating  Hassan,  they thought he was  a  liar which resulted on them  killing both Amir and his wife  , while they left Sohrab an orphan. Rahim Khan only having a few months to live , his only dying wish was for Amir to save Sohrab.   Amir Not wanting to do it ,  made Rahim confess  how Amir and Hassan were brothers which   changed  Amir's  life forever.

In this last chapters we have seen themes like redemption and symbols like  the unborn child and the literally space it had made between Amir and Soraya.

This book  has  been so far excellent. I like very much where the plot is going and I specially liked   how  the author expressed guilt throughout the years which is something everybody could relate to given a situation they could go throughout there lives. 

Sunday, October 13, 2013

The Kite Runner



      "The Kite Runner” by Khalid Hussein is a story placed on Kabul, Afghanistan narrated in first person by our main character Amir. Amir the protagonist is a sensitive, jealous and a great writer; which struggles with the attention of his father baba who is a businessman in Kabul, which doesn’t understand Amir´s personality due to the fact they are both very different. Since  they are different, Baba has a lot of affection towards Hassan; who is not only Amir´s best friend  but worker as well , who is loyal and understanding and his interests are more like Baba´s. This is a common conflict through out the story due to the jealousy Amir has towards Hassan given the affection Baba has towards Hassan. Hassan is the son of Ali, who grew up almost the same as Hassan whereas Baba´s best friend. Regardless the fact  they don’t recognize themselves as best friends ,due to the difference in religion; Amir and Baba being both Sunni and Ali and Hassan being both Shi’a, they appreciate each other nevertheless. Baba´s best friend, Rahim Khan, is probably the only one who understands fully Amir, and takes the place Baba can´t be for Amir. After all , Because of Baba´s emotional distance of Amir, he tries to do everything in his power to satisfy Baba, which under those circumstances  is the reason the biggest conflict of the story takes place being when Amir lets Hassan get raped by Assef; who is a racist and violent kid , therefore changing  both main characters, Amir and Hassan, forever. In fact,   When Hassan was being raped , Amir compares Hassan look to the lamp´s before been scarified ,”I imagine the animal sees that its imminent demise is for a higher purpose. This is the look..”pg. 76, there for been one of the biggest symbols of the story , that give us the sense of loyalty of Hassan and Amir´s reaction towards the situation.  As can be seen through  out the story ,  the main theme is  friendship vs. jealousy .

   In my personal opinion, "The Kite Runner" is an excellent book, which will touch anyone’s heart. Despite of being a great story, it gives us a sense of understanding of the history of Afghanistan.
 Even though, we haven’t finished yet, given the reason I am loving this book , I know it will become one of my favorites.


 
 

What are the differences between Sunni and Shia Muslims?