Saturday, September 14, 2013

Fishbowl #1: Chapters 9 and 10 of The Kite Runner

Welcome to your first official fishbowl!


Aiming for an A for the day?  Here's how to get it:
(A) Bring at least one quotation and/or page reference into at least one of your responses.
(B) Explain your thinking thoughtfully and thoroughly (try to avoid the one-sentence response).

(C) Keep it professional, including the usage of proper grammar and spelling.

(D) Comment frequently from the beginning of the conversation to the end.

Remember also that you're welcome to get into a hotseat in the inner circle for a little while and earn some of your daily participation points there.
 

Enjoy!

71 comments:

  1. Why would Hassan admit to stealing the watch and money?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hassan admitted to stealing the watch and money because he is a loyal friend. He doesn't want Amir to get in trouble, Hassan has always taken the blame.

      Delete
    2. Adding on to clay, why do you think Hassan still sacrifices for Amir even thought Amir hasn't dont anything for him in return?

      Delete
    3. I think it was in a way his "surrender" to Amir. He was just done and he admitted to it as a way of saying that he was basically done with their friendship.

      Delete
    4. I think he's just a very loyal friend to Amir and in some way looks up to him. Amir can read, and he goes to school; 2 things that Hassan can't do. So Hassan does look up to Amir and is loyal, and doesn't want him to get in trouble.

      Delete
    5. I think that Hassan was looking out for Amir, and also he was wanting to leave the house and knew that this was the only way to do it. The fact that Baba forgives him though ruins Amirs plan and i think takes Ali and Hassan by surprise.

      Delete
    6. Hassan Mostly likely confessed to taking the money because he probably realized that Amir could not stand to be around him after what happened to him in chapter 7. Hassan also probably wanted to let Amir know that even though he suppose best friend framed him for stealing that he did not care and he that he would always be there for him. Amir said I do not know why he would protect me again and probably for the last time.

      Delete
    7. On page 105 Amir says "This was Hassan's final sacrifice for me." Based on that quote I think Hassan still feels loyal to Amir. Also we find out Ali knows what Amir has done to Hassan. I think Hassan took the blame so they had a reason to leave. On page 106 and 107 Ali is ready to leave. He doesn't protest the accusation and leaves without force.

      Delete
    8. Hasaan admitting to stealing the watch and money shows his true loyalty towards Amir. Hasaan and Amir are polar opposites when it comes to loyalty. Amir wouldn't step in to help Hasaan in the alley because he was concerned about himself. Hasaan is extremely selfless by admitting to stealing the watch and money.

      Delete
    9. Hassan admitted to stealing the watch and money because so far in the book he has never let anybody down, for example in the beginning of chapter 8 they are talking about how every morning Hassan greets Ali and has his clothes folded and tea and food waiting on the table but that morning everything was there but Hassan wasn't there. That shows how loyal he is because after what happened in the ally most friends would be really mad and would not want to talk to Ali ever again for him just standing there not doing anything, but Hassan still got up and helped out his friend. So that goes to prove that he is a loyal friend.

      Delete
    10. I agree with Zabrina, that Amir couldn't stand being around Hassan after chapter 7. Amir was living with the guilt of seeing what happened to Hassan and now when he looked at him he couldn't see the real him anymore.

      Delete
  2. Do you think that Amir will see Hassan again?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Based on the amount of guilt he feels right now, I think that later on in the next few chapter, they both will get to see each other again. I think something will make Amir realize that he needs to say something to Amir before he can move on because the guilt will eventually get to him.

      Delete
    2. I think that they will see each other again because right now in the book Ali feels really bad about what happened, and I get the feeling that this is almost a way of him running away from his problems not facing them. So later on I can see Ali realizing that he needs to maybe be a better friend to Hassan and he will find him and they will see each other again.

      Delete
  3. The fact that Amir and Baba, along with many other Afghans, are trying to escape Afghanistan reminds me of the Holocaust because people were trying to escape Germany. Afghanistan is at war with Russia so in a way it is similar, but also different. As the book goes on further it continues to remind me of the Holocaust.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I see the connection your making. The country is in extreme disparity which may have inspired the author to write this book and the violence that takes place might have a deep rooted connection to the war happening in Afghanistan.

      Delete
    2. I agree with your connection and it makes sense to me. I feel as if it is a little bit different though. But the violence is out of hand in the book and in the Holocaust. Another thing that is connected is that the violence is so off the wall and intense that in the Holocaust and in the book.

      Delete
  4. Why didn't Amir stop Hassan from leaving? I mean he should've at least said something before Hassan left.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amir didn't stop him from leaving because he didn't seem to care enough to follow him. After all he was the one that got him to leave with putting the watch and money under his bed. Amir also didn't want to follow because he still didn't want people to know he cared about him.

      Delete
    2. Amir did not stop Hassan from leaving because he still felt guilty about what all had happened with Assef and him. In a way, he was being a coward and was just hiding from his feelings.

      Delete
  5. The people are trying to reach Peshawar because of the Russians that are attacking, so they are seeking safety.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think that are but it doesn't talk about it in the book, so that is the thing that throws you off. I think baba talks about going to america for a better education but i cant find that either.

      Delete
  6. How does Amir feel now that Hassan is gone?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amir feels bad about it "I was sorry, but I didn't cry and I didn't chase the car." pg. 109 He also I believe is kinda glad he is gone because now he gets Baba's attention.

      Delete
    2. In a way, Amir feels relieved that he doesn't have to think about his guilt but on the other hand, he still has all the guilt built up in his mind.

      Delete
    3. Amir probably feels bad about Hassan, and wonders where Hassan is and how he's doing, but at the same time feels free and relieved because he won't be constantly reminded of what he did, and what happened to Hassan.

      Delete
    4. I think Amir feels that Hassan is gone and he will never see him again. It is kinda like lossig a good friend that you know that you will not see again. You can tell he cares because on page
      109 he tell us what he would do if he could and cared.

      Delete
  7. It's now 2 years after Hassan left Amir's house-where do you think he is?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm really not sure where Hassan could be. I feel he may be working for someone again. I still think he is scarred from what happened in the ally, and isn't happy anymore.

      Delete
  8. Hassan admitted to stealing the watch and money because he was trying to protect Amir, Hassan is extremely loyal to Amir.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Based on the first chapter when Rahim Khan calls Amir many years later, I have a feeling that it is possible for him to see Hassan again but not for a very long time. Possibly decades but I'm not positive.

    ReplyDelete
  10. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
  11. Amir didn't stop Hassan from leaving because it was a way for Amir to escape from his guilt that he felt when he saw Hassan get raped. Even though Hassan was so loyal to Amir in the end Amir had betrayed him on multiple occasions.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Why did Baba believe Hassan when he said he said he stole the money and watch? He knows Hassan wouldn't ever do that and he knows how loyal Hassan was to him and Amir. Why did Baba forgive him for the sin?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Baba probably believed him because they found the Watch and the money under Hassan mattress which told Baba they he did steal even if was very unlikely they found proof to the of the theft. Baba forgave Hassan because he was Ali's kid and he told Ali I have forgave him, you and I had been friends for so long you can not leave please don't. Baba in a way need that life long friend that has always been there for him no matter what him or his son did it did not matter because he is like a brother and has been with him through a lot.

      Delete
    2. I think Baba believed and forgave Hassan because he knows how loyal and respectful of a kid he is. Also Baba loves Hassan to death.

      Delete
    3. I think that Baba forgave Hassan because his father is his trust worthy friend. Ali has passed that kindness and caring down to Hassan, Baba sees Ali in Hassan.

      Delete
    4. Baba forgives him for the sin because he sees them as family. He relies on Ali and they grew up together. Also Baba knows if he punishes Hassan, a child, for his actions it will effect Ali who hasn't done anything bad. Overall Ali and Baba's relationship had a big effect on baba's decision to forgive them.

      Delete
  13. On the question that Milad asked. Baba wants to be a hero because he has grown up always protecting people and he probably feels good when he helps somebody out. Also the feeling that you stood up for something that was wrong and fought against it. Unlike Amir Baba is always going to stand up for what he believes is right and wrong and will go out of his way to protect people.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Amir should have said something about the fact that he lied about Hassan taking his watch and some money. He pretty much ruined Hassan's life even more than Assef did.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree and disagree with this. I agree that Amir should have said something about planting the watch and money under Hassan's bed because it was a rude and selfish thing to do, he was being a coward. I disagree that it ruined Hassan's life. It may have made it hard but I think that if I was assaulted, I would not want to live in the place where it happened. Hassan and Baba did have to leave the people who were most like family but for Hassan, it may have been a relief to escape Assef for good.

      Delete
    2. I disagree with this because rap is something that can not be more power ful than it is. Stealing is one thig but rap destroys you as a person and your life

      Delete
  15. I think Amir did not tell the truth because after winning the kite tournament, Baba finally gave him the attention he's always wanted and he doesn't want anything to ruin the moment. Honestly, from my perspective, I think that if Amir told Baba what had happened, Baba would have been even more proud of him and would've probably showed him a more fatherly affection.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Does Amir want to cause himself pain for not acting when Hassan was getting raped?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It doesn't seem as if he wants to cause himself pain but Baba and Ali leaving Ali is probably thinking that once he is gone all the problems will escape him and everything will be fine. So I don't think that he will want to cause physical pain to himself but the guilt will live with him forever and he will never forget it so I feel like it will be mental pain and emotional pain not physical pain.

      Delete
  17. I don't think that they are trying to find the closest safe point because baba is really well off. if he wanted he could have found a better way to get out of the country. I cant seem to find the page where baba says they are going to america in ch 10.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Amir probably does need a motherly figure very badly, he probably would have not lied. And maybe he would have been able to stand up for Hassan in the alley, or at least get help. Mothers do provide even more knowledge along with fathers. Children do need to have both parent in their life.

    ReplyDelete
  19. On page 112, it' talks about Amir and Baba's seventh servant, which is a way of saying that Ali and Hassan are irreplaceable. No other servant is ever going to be as close to them, or know them as well. I bet that Baba and maybe Amir wishes they were still their servants in this hard time where you can't trust anyone.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We also saw Baba getting extremely angered when Amir asked if they would ever think of getting new servants. Baba looks at Amir and Hasaan like family and they truly are irreplaceable to Baba.

      Delete
    2. I agree because I do think that Amir wishes Ali and Hassan were still their servants but in a way it may be easier for Amir not having Hassan there for him to deal with the guilt he has.

      Delete
    3. I Agree with this because when they decided to leave Baba was crushed and did not want Ali and Hassan to leave he begged him not to.

      Delete
  20. On page 104 is there any significance to the choosing of a watch and money and not like his bike and the book ali gave him?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He went and hid it to get Hassan in trouble to get him to leave the house. Those two things were the ones that had the most value to him. The bike couldn't have been hidden to look like it had been stolen, and the book Ali gave him wouldn't have made sense because why would Hassan steal something from Amir that was given to him as a gift?

      Delete
    2. The watch and money would be easier to hide and easier to carry. The watch was important to Amir and I think he wanted Hassan to have it. Hassan didn't know how to read so the book would be pointless and the bike would be to heavy and to big for Hassan to carry on his journey because they are in the car.

      Delete
    3. There was a significance of the watch and the money. The money would be easy to hide and something that a child would want. Unlike the money the watch has more of a reason. The watch was placed there because it was a special gift from Baba. It was special that Baba had picked it out for Amir.

      Delete
    4. He couldn't read the book so that really work. I agree with Jessa with the bike, it is to hard to hide a bike. Unlike the money and the watch those are easy to hide and the watch was one of Baba's gifts.

      Delete
  21. Throughout the entire book I find it hard to feel sympathy for Amir because you know that he feels terribly guilty about what happened to Hassan, but at the same time it is his fault that it happened at all. For example, in chapter nine Amir talks about the gifts and money that he gets for his birthday. "I didn't want any of it- it was all blood money; Baba would have never thrown me a party like that if I hadn't won the tournament." This shows that Amir feels guilty and that he is still getting over what happened, but it was all his fault so it's hard to feel bad for him.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. But with his guilt he also knows that he would've stood up for hassan and stopped all of this. I think that they would also still be friends because they would talk and Hassan would thank him very much for saving him from getting servely beaten up and this would probably have brought them closer together.

      Delete
  22. In the long run, how do you think Amir's personality will be affected by rape incident? Do you think he's gonna be nicer because of guiltiness or do you think he's still gonna act like the spoiled child? As he grows older, how will he mature?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think that Amir will forever be filled with regret and guilt from what happened. I think it could possibly affect his social life because he will be so concerned with what happened that it will be hard for him to move on. Even years later you can tell it still bothers him and how hard it is for him to put the past behind him, or "bury the past" as he mentions many times in the book.

      Delete
    2. I think that the rape indecent will definitely define who Amir turns out to be. Amir says it himself earlier in the book he says that "I have become what I am today because of what happened in that alley" This shows that Amir will be living with regret for what he did all his life.

      Delete
  23. Pakistan is a very unsafe place now and everyone is leaving to be safer. I thought the gas fumes were going to kill either Amir or Baba.
    Baba said. "We're in Pakistan Amir, Karim says he will call a bus to take us to Peshawar." (Page 123)

    ReplyDelete
  24. If Amir really did end up feeling bad about what happened in his childhood, and if he actually cared for Hassan, why wouldn't he at least talk to him about it? Maybe things would have been better, at least between Hassan and Amir. However, Baba probably would have been very upset with his son for lying and making his lifelong friend leave.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think it would've been too hard to talk about. It is an awkward subject and it must've been hard for Amir to talk about because he would know that it was his fault that it had happened. It also could have ruined their friendship further, though I don't know how it could've gotten worse. Also, I think that regarding Baba it would have ruined their relationship entirely, and I doubt he could ever have the chance of making his father proud ever again. I also believe that Ali would have been incredibly disappointed in him and Amir would have just been treated very differently, even though he probably deserves it.

      Delete
  25. Kamal's Father probably killed himself because he could not bare the death of yet another family member. This is because it says a week or two before his mother, his wife was killed with a shot to the head, and his son had just died of fume poising and. He just could not bare to live with out his family. This is why he mostly likely killed himself.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Losing a son would be incredibly hard, especially if he was the only family left for him. The reason for Kamal's father killing himself isn't too unreasonable, although I'm not saying it was good, but with no family left and your country being attacked, that is not entirely unreasonable.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I wonder why Hassan left because they liked being with Amir's dad and him. Do you think Amir will ever see Hassan again or is Hassan dead?

    ReplyDelete
  28. How do you think Amir feels watching his father almost take a bullet to protect someone, then almost killing someone a couple hours later?

    ReplyDelete
  29. I feel that even though Baba is proud of Amir or shows his fatherly affection towards Amir, deep down he still loves Amir. Part of me thinks that the reason why Baba doesn't show any care towards Amir is because he is preparing Amir for the adult world. Because Baba is Amir's only family, once Baba dies, Akir would probably be left alone in the real world and will finally have to take full responsibility of himself. I also think that Baba isn't the type to show his feelings although he is a wise man.

    ReplyDelete