Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Fishbowl #8, Chapters 24 and 25 of The Kite Runner

Welcome to your eighth and final fish bowl!

A few reminders if you're looking for an A for the day:


(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 hot seat in the inner circle for a little while and earn some of your daily participation points there.


Enjoy!

141 comments:

  1. On page 325, Amir finally does something that "I hadn't done in fifteen years of marriage: I told my wife everything." Why do you think Amir took so long to talk to Soraya? Especially with the fact that she had told him her story right from the beginning? I thought that 15 years would be long enough for him to build his relationship with her and tell her, but what sparks this change of heart in him?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It took Amir so long to talk to Soraya and tell her everything because he himself hadn't accepted what he's done so he can't expect her to accept it either. It also makes him feel weak and like less of a man, he probably thinks that telling her would change the way she thinks about him entirely. It's probably not that he didn't want to tell her, he just couldn't find a way to tell her.

      Delete
    2. I think that Amir struggles with facing "everything" by himself. I think that his past hurts him so much and causes so much guilt, that he has a lot of trouble acknowledging that it was true. When he finally tells Soraya all his past, he is truly coming to terms with his guilt and pain and in doing that, he can finally let go. I don't think that it is something that he should have flat out told Soraya, because each person has a different way of dealing with their troubles.

      Delete
  2. At the end of the book do you think Amir has redeemed himself for not saving Hassan in the alley by rescuing and making Sohrab his child now?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't think that he redeemed himself completely. There is some sense of redemption, but nothing can change the fact that Amir is responsible for what happened to Hassan, and that he did nothing to stop it. However, by growing up and turning into a much more selfless person, he used his selflessness to save Sohrab, which is admirable and hero-like.

      Delete
    2. I don't think Amir has completely redeemed himself because he caused a lot of pain to those who cared and looked after him. but i do think Amir is on the road to recovery (making up for his past.)

      Delete
    3. I don't think that he has redeemed himself and I don't think he can makeup for what he did. But, he can change. He changed for the better by saving Sohrab and I do think that he actually is a good person he just was used to being treated like royalty when was a kid and now that's not how things are so I don't think he has redeemed himself but I do think he has changed for the better.

      Delete
    4. I think there is still a sense of guilt that Amir does and will possess due to the extremity of what he let happen to Hassan but I think that one of the reasons Amir saved Sohrab was because he felt like he had to. Based on the way things ended with Hassan Amir tried to redeem himself and his inner guilt by making a difference in Sohrab's life.

      Delete
    5. I think that Amir hasn't redeemed himself fully. Saving Sohrab did give a sense of redemption but it did not fully redeem him. The fact that Amir just stood and watch and didn't do anything about it was bigger than saving Sohrab.

      Delete
  3. On the last page of the book (Page 371), it states ""For you, a thousand times over," I heard myself say." When referring to kite running. What do you think the significance of this quote is?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. In this book there is a lot of repeating of the past. Hassan earlier in the book had said the same thing to Amir when Hassan had ran the kite for Amir.

      Delete
    2. I think it is very symbolic because that's exactly what Hassan would say to Amir I find that since Amir said it to Sohrab that it's I don't know but symbolic and really compassionate and a great way to end the book.

      Delete
    3. I believe this is the most important part in the book. By saying the same thing that Hassan used to say to him, Amir has come full circle. He started as a child, blinded by jealousy and a lack of thought in his actions. He eventually came to hate himself for who he was, and in his hatred for himself, changed completely. Now, in adulthood, Amir has become a hero. He has changed from somebody who is hated by the readers, to someone that the readers connect to and feel for. Hosseini did a great job in this transformation. I think that Amirs' journey is very inspiring and this last page is the culmination of his journey. When he says "for you a thousand times over", he is acknowledging that he is now the caretaker of Sohrab, and has traded places with Hassan. He now realizes that Hassan was happy to serve him, because he loved Amir so much, he just wanted to see Amir happy.

      Delete
  4. I found it almost cruel that in chapter 24, Amir was not allowed to adopt Sohrab without death certificates of Sohrab's parents. Obviously there was no possible way to get them, and with everything that was happening in Afghanistan and the fact that Sohrab's parents were killed by the Taliban, you would think that they would make an exception.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree with this. I think that the adoption should have understood that there was no possible way to get death certificates of Sohrab's parents especially with all of the violence that has happened from the Taliban.

      Delete
  5. On page 371, Amir says, "'For you, a thousand times over.'" What were your initial reactions to him saying this?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think that this symbolized that in the beginning of the book Hassan had complete loyalty to Amir, and now I believe that this shows that Amir is returning the loyalty to Hassan. He is returning the loyalty by doing everything in his power to give a good life to Hassan's son, Sohrab.

      Delete
    2. I felt sort of sad when I read this, because it was bitter sweet. The bitter was that Hassan had said that to him and it reconnects him to the story, and reminds you of all that Amir has gone through. But also sweet because it shows Amir's journey throughout the book, and gives a sense that all has been forgiven, and that he can finally move on with happiness and no longer have such a heavy sense of regret.

      Delete
    3. I felt like this was a very powerful saying and it represents trust and loyalty. Amir says this to Sohrab because he wants to show him how much he envy's him, just like Hassan.

      Delete
    4. My initial reaction is that Amir is going to be a good father figure for Sorhab. Because Amir knows how caring and how good of a person Hassan was and Hassan used to say that to Amir so it shows that Amir really is going to care for him and love him just like a son. It made me really happy when Amir said this Sorhab.

      Delete
    5. I think this symbolizes Amir showing his loyalty to Hassan. This shows growth in the character of Amir. He has become so much more selfish throughout the book and he is finally paying back the loyalty that Hassan always gave him while they were growing up.

      Delete
    6. Right then I think I realized that Amir actually does care and does regret all the mistake he made when he was younger and probably even the ones he made when he was older. And i think Amir realized that it does not matter what you look like it does not matter that he is a hazara. " You will never again refer to him as 'Hazara boy' in my presence. His name is Soharb"

      Delete
  6. Do you think Sohrab and Amir will fly kites together like Amir and Hassan once did? What is the symbolism of that?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think that Amir and Sohrab will fly kites together. I think it will be their little tradition together, just like it was Amir and Hassan's tradition. I think that it symbolizes how things circle around in life. Some things happen and then fade away and then come back around in the future.

      Delete
    2. Yes, I believe Sohrab and Amir will fly kites together, as a sort of "tradition" that Amir wants to pass down. I think this symbolizes how Amir hasn't forgotten what him and Hassan used to do.

      Delete
    3. I think they will. I think it shows a close relationship with each other.

      Delete
    4. I think they will win tournaments and that it is ironic almost that Sohrab is now the flyer and Amir is the runner so its repaying Hassan in a way for the the kites he ran for Amir.

      Delete
    5. I think they will. Because that one thing they can share together that also has to do with Hassan. They will share a lot of things now that Amir is taking care of Sorhab but, this is something they can do together to kinda of remember Hassan. It also shows that Amir really does care about Hassan because he is doing things with Hassan's son and he doesn't want to forget Hassan and this is a happy way he can remember him.

      Delete
    6. Yes, I do think that they will fly kites together. It is a strong Afghan tradition that has not changed even with all of the chaos and violence happening in the country. It will also help them to bond in their relationship. I think it also shows reverence and loyalty to Hassan.

      Delete
    7. I think that the last page is more of a symbol. They just happen to be flying kites in the park on that day, and it is a perfect way for Hosseini to end the novel. I doubt that they will fly kites together and I think it would be super cheesy if there was a sequel and Amir and Sohrab were a father-son kite running team. It does serve very well as a one time thing, symbolizing the change that has taken place in Amir, and in Hassan, living on through Sohrab.

      Delete
  7. Why do you think the orphanage was so bad that Sohrab had to cut himself and almost die just to not go back there?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do think it was bad because orphanages in third world countries are not pretty and could potentially be really horrible towards the kids. So I do think if was desperate enough which he was he would do that. I also think he did because the orphanage also reminds him of a time of sadness and darkness in his life that he is trying to forget.

      Delete
    2. I think he did what he did because, if he had to go back he would have gotten beat there not by choice and may have died there. So maybe he was thinking that if he did himself it would have been more of his choice not someone else. I doubt he wanted to die but he probably was thinking he is going to die either way so why not do it himself and not deal with the pain of someone else doing it.

      Delete
  8. What role does religion play in Baba, Amir, and Assef's lives, and also in the novel as a whole?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think that religion plays a role in the aspect of segregation. At this time in Afghanistan historically it is in a very violent state, it reminds me of the Holocaust. In Afghanistan Hazara's become the target of the violence and that is shown through the beliefs that differ between Hazaras and Taliban. Based on what you believe or what you are at this time could determine life or death. Amir seems to be the only person present in the homeland of Afghanistan that accepts Hazara's for who they are. Not only are they targeted in violent ways, but socially as well. On page 361 Amir states "You will never again refer to him as 'Hazara Boy' in my presence. He has a name and its Sohrab." This passage in the book shows the attitude towards Hazaras at this time just simply because they believe differently than most in Afghanistan.

      Delete
    2. Through out the whole book religion had shown up at many different times. On page 346 it says," Baba was wring, there is a God, there always had been. I see Him here, in the eyes of people in this corridor of desperation." This shows that Baba was religious, but was never certain if there ever really was a God. Assef on the other hand thinks that God had spoken to him in a prison cell thinking that God was on his side. Assef didn't really understand the concept of God, and assumes that he believes God wants him to go around and kill all these people. Religion shows up in Amir more at the end of the book where he is praying and praying to have God save Sohrab. Like the quote says he realizes there is a God, he is here in everyone wanting their loved ones to live.

      Delete
  9. In the beginning o f the book Hassan is kite running for Amir, now at the end of the book Amir is kite running for Hassan's son Sohrab. Why do you think the author did this? What do you think Amir was feeling?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think that the author was trying to show that, Hassan used to always serve and be there for Amir, and then Amir hurt him, but by the end of the book when Amir is serving Hassan's son, it's showing that Amir has changed. He's no longer getting served, he's serving. Amir was feeling grateful, for all Hassan did to him.

      Delete
  10. Why did Sohrab jump to conclusions so fast when Amir told him that he MIGHT have to go back to the orphanage? Did Sohrab see how hard Amir was trying to get him into America?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think that the memories and experiences of the orphanage were so horrible for Sohrab, that that was all he focused on. He didn't care about going to America, or how hard Amir was trying, all he was thinking about was having to go back to a horrible place again.

      Delete
    2. Because he never trusted anyone and since he had such a bad time in orphanages that he expected the worse to happen so he tried to kill himself.

      Delete
  11. On page 355, Sohrab says, "Wish you had left me in the water." If Sohrab would have died in the bathtub, how would this affect Amir and his life? What would he do?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think this would have made Amir feel like that he let Hassan down, Rahim down, and himself down. Amir couldn't forgive himself for letting this happen to Sohrab. He may think that if he was a little earlier he could have told Sohrab the good news of going to America.

      Delete
    2. If Sohrab would've died, I don't think that Amir would've ever been able to forgive himself about Hassan, or about Sohrab. Amir probably would've felt like he was the cause of Hassans death, and Sohrabs death.

      Delete
    3. I think Amir would see it as another failure. it would not have a good result. I think that if Sohrab had died Amir would hit rock bottom.

      Delete
    4. I think that if Sohrab would have died, it would make Amir feel guilty because by getting Sohrab from the orphanage back in Afghanistan, he was kind of promising to Hassan that he would take care of Sohrab for him. And if Sohrab died it would show that Amir broke that promise to Hassan.

      Delete
    5. I think that Amir would feel like he was disappointing Hassan completely. I think that it would put Amir in such a hopeless state. He would feel so much guilt because he feels an obligation to Hassan to take care and protect Sohrab.

      Delete
    6. I think that Amir would feel like all of his work was for nothing. He went out of his way in America to come save this child and if Sohrab died it all would have been for nothing. I also think that he would have felt like he let down Hassan because he couldn't redeem himself.

      Delete
  12. What is the significance of Amir saying "For you, a thousand times over." to Sohrab?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Significance of this quote is his tie to Hassan and and how he and Hassan were such good friends and it shows that Amir will do anything to make this relationship work and be good to Sohrab unlike the way he treated Sohrab.

      Delete
  13. After Amir tells Sohrab that he might have to go back to an orphanage, Sohrab closes up again, do you think that Sohrab will ever really be able to trust someone again?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think that Sohrab has a long way to go before the trust is regained although i think that Amir has a start.

      Delete
  14. What is the symbolism of the two words on page 371 "I ran." How do you think he meant that? Do you think that it meant literally and metaphorically? What do the last two words mean to you?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. think "I ran" definitely means something metaphorically in the alley all those years ago Amir had to choices to run and be ashamed or to stand up and fight. I think when he ran this time he was not ashamed of running and proud that he is doing good for Sohrab.

      Delete
    2. I think that "I ran." symbolizes that he has returned to a happy place. He has broken free from the dull sad places that he had to go through throughout this book and found himself in a place where he can have fun and continue on with his life.

      Delete
  15. On page 371 when Amir says "For you a thousand times over." just like what Hassan said the day he was raped doing the same job Amir was going to do for Sohrab, do you think that that gave him some sort of feeling of being 'better'?

    ReplyDelete
  16. On page 371- "For you, a thousand times over." Amir had said. My reaction to this was thinking of Hassan, and how Hassan had always said that to Amir and now Amir said it. I thought it was kind of weird to see that come out of Amir's mouth.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree with you, but I wasn't as shocked because in the moment, it made sense to say that and bring everything together, it helped Amir find a happy moment and remembering Hassan. Hassan was Amir's childhood friend and would take a bullet for him and did anything he could to help and I think Amir would do that for Sohrab.

      Delete
  17. I don't think the book ended the way I thought it would be a lot more slow and bring this book to a peaceful close. Also because of the ending I don't think Amir is a hero, I was starting to believe that he was a hero but after the ending I was just really dissapointed and let down.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think the ending of the book was terrible. It was way too fast and it didn't bring enough closure to the story. However, I do think that Amir is a hero. He saved a suffering boy from the Taliban and gave him a much better life.

      Delete
  18. On page 371 Khaled Hosseini ends the book off with an old experience of Amir when he was happy. Does this symbolize a beginning of happiness in the family?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think that this symbolizes a return to home, a return to a place familiar that he knows. I think that it is the beginning of happiness in his family.

      Delete
  19. Although this book is very depressing, it shows a very accurate representation of Afghanistan through the ages. This leads to the question, was this book a good book, or to depressing that it took away from the value of the book?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The book was a good book it was obviously depressing, but it didn't overpower the reason of why it was a good book. It was good because it was something that could have actually happened. Maybe the author wanted to make the book be depressing and that is what made it a good book. It could also relate to readers lives, not all of it, but just certain events.

      Delete
  20. Why do you think Sohrab tried to kill himself?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think Sohrab tried to kill himself because he just felt so ashamed about everything that he's had to go through, and he was scared that he wouldn't be able to get out of there and that he'd have to go through all of it again.

      Delete
    2. I think he tried to kill himself because he was trying to forget his past forget what the Taliban did to him and more. I think that Amir telling him he might have had to go back to the orphanage did not help because the orphanage is the place that gave him away. So I think he wanted to escape the guilt he feels.

      Delete
    3. I think he tried to kill himself because of all the sins and all the stress he was put in to with Amir and Amir's problems. Also he has gone through a lot of bad thing him self.

      Delete
  21. On page 371 it states "I ran." What exactly do you think Amir was running from? Or what was he running towards?

    ReplyDelete
  22. When Rahim Khan told Amir that there "was a way to be good again." over the phone, do you think that everything that Amir has done since that point was what Rahim was talking about?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amir has done that since Rahim was talking about it. Amir just going through the pain of getting Sohrab defiantly made Amir good. Doing something for others will make Amir be good again.

      Delete
  23. Does the end of the book change you view on Amir? Did you see the book ending the way it did? If not, What way did you see the book ending?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Honestly, it kind of did because throughout the book, I didn't really like Amir because of the things that he did. But at the end, I saw that Amir truly cares for Sohrab and how great it was to take him the America and start a brand new life. If Amir didn't do this, then who knows where and how Sohrab is.

      Delete
    2. In the overall perspective of the story the ending shows much of how Amir changes. In the beginning and for most of the book Amir was cowardly and full of fear but as soon as he begins this journey to Afghanistan he forgive his past and truthfully decides to become good. This evidence can be shown on page 320 when Amir decides it would be a good idea to adopt sohrab even though he didn't need to.

      Delete
    3. I think the ending shows how much Amir has grown as a person throughout the novel. At the beginning of the novel it was really hard to like Amir because of his constant selfish decisions but by the end of the book he realizes being selfish will not bring him happiness. And overall he becomes so much more of a loyal person.

      Delete
  24. On page 256, it says, "Something was lost between Sohrab and me." What does Amir mean by this? What do you think Amir was feeling after Sohrab got out of the hospital and wasn't talking at all?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think Amir means that since he had said that he had to put Sohrab in the orphanage it caused Sohrab to despise Amir. So Sohrab may have just been mad about that. Also Sohrab says, "I want my old life back." It just made Amir feel that Sohrab won't ever accept him. Which caused the fall out between them.

      Delete
  25. At the bottom of page 354, how could Amir be so down on himself? He's saying everything is dead and he doesn't know what to do anymore. Why do you think he is thinking that?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He's thinking that way because I mean it's true. It's harsh but it's true, everything from Amir's childhood is gone, and same with Sohrab's. Everything is gone. I think that Amir is saying that he doesn't know what to do because he thought everything was going good and then Sohrab tried to kill himself. So just everything that Amir had worked for almost died, and he realized how down hill everything is going.

      Delete
  26. In the beginning of the chapter, it states, "They won't let me in." page 344. I think this statement by Amir shows the desperation that he is feeling with Sohrab's well being. The fact that Amir is not able to see Sohrab is driving him crazy. It's so different and amazing to see how much Amir has matured as a character. Before, I don't think Amir would've done anything to save Sohrab, but now he's realized that he should give back to others.

    ReplyDelete
  27. On page 341 when Sohrab yells "Im scared of that place. They'll hurt me! I don't want to go." was Sohrab actually scared of the orphanage or of the place that Zaman sent him when he was there?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sohrab is scared of both. At the orphanage they didn't have enough food and I believe that Assef didn't go to just one orphanage I think he went to multiple and there's that one chance that Assef could find Sohrab again. Afghanistan was going through a hard time at the time and orphanages aren't the most homey of places. So Sohrab doesn't like the idea of going back one bit.

      Delete
    2. Sohrab wasn't scared of the actually orphanage I don't think I think he's scared that after he goes back he'll get sold again and Assef will be even crueler because of what he's done.

      Delete
  28. As much as Amir has tried to do for Hassan I don't think that he is a hero. A hero knows that he should stand up for what he believes in and what he thinks is right not just complain about his weaknesses. I think Hassan was the hero of the story because he knew what was right and stood up for what he believed in.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I disagree completely. I think that Amir always acted on his own beliefs. I don't believe that a hero must always act on his opinion of what is right, but even by that standard Amir was still a hero. I think that Amir was just going through the dark phase in his journey. He had not yet received his call to become a hero. Hassan did not exhibit any form of heroic, because he simply did what he thought Amir wanted. That's not a trait of a hero, that's a trait of a servant.

      Delete
  29. Do you think Amir and Sohrab are similar or different? What qualities do they share, and which characteristics differ?

    ReplyDelete
  30. On page 324 when Amir and Sohrab are talking about America, Sohrab is scared. He tells this to Amir when he says, "What if you get tired of me? What if your wife doesn't like me?". This shows the pain that Sohrab went through and the constant betrayal that he had endured. Although I think that this is very sad, I do believe that it is a very accurate mindset for many of the common Afghanistan people.

    ReplyDelete
  31. What significance do you think that Sohrab standing up to Assef, someone who beat him and sexually assaulted him for years, for a man he'd only just met and didn't really know, when Amir couldn't stand up for Hassan who was supposedly his best friend back then?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think because they have different qualities. Throughout the book, Amir still showed that he was somewhat of a coward. Sohrab is the opposite of a coward. He has Hassan's courageousness to stand up for what he thinks is right. Sohrab stood up for Amir against Assef just like Hassan had stood up for Amir against Assef.

      Delete
    2. I think Sohrab has the same courage and conscious as Hassan, and I think this gave him a way to get back at Assef for doing what he did to him.

      Delete
  32. on page 371 when amir says " for you a thousand times over" Do you think that quote has more meaning than we think? Did he say it for Hassan? Is it him trying to ask for forgives from Hassan?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think this is important because throughout this story this saying has been present out of other's mouths and never really Amir's. Hassan said it to Amir, Rahim said it to Amir and Farid said it to Amir but of all those times that this was said, it was never by Amir. This is significant because it shows how truly passionate he is for this kid and turning his life around. Amir has had much regret in his life and he is done, he is ready for his new life with Sohrab.

      Delete
  33. On page 341- Sohrab was yelling at Amir because he was scared of going back to the orphanage. What do you think the significance of this is?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He has been through dreadful situations and what he went through in Afghanistan he would rather die than go through again.

      Delete
    2. I think the orphanage for Sohrab was a very scary place. Sohrab was not safe and since he already left the orphanage, then he definitely does not want to go back to it. He wanted to make a point and the only way to really do that is to yell. He was making sure he was not going back to that horrible place.

      Delete
  34. Amir may not be a good hero but I can tell he tries really hard to be a good father figure for Sohrab. I think he is trying to be a good father figure to Sohrab because he owes Hassan and all that is left of him is his son and it brings back the memories of when they were younger and I figured that out at the end on page 371 "For you one thousand times over." This shows that Amir always did care about Hassan but didn't show it but now that Sohrab is his it looks like a second chamce for Amir to do whats right.

    ReplyDelete
  35. In chapter 24, Amir and Sohrab were talking about what God will do to Assef and they were saying God will send him to Hell. What do you think will happen to him? Do you agree or disagree with them? And why?

    ReplyDelete
  36. I think that if Sohrab had died, then Amir would have taken the blame for it and he would have been very upset. And he would have had a ton of guilt and shame knowing that he could've prevented it. I think that Sohrab tried to kill himself because he was scared. He was scared that his life was just going to get worse and he wouldn't be able to control it. I think he was scared of sin.

    ReplyDelete
  37. In chapter 25 Sorhab tries to kill himself? Why do you think he thinks this is his only way of escaping everything?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think that Sohrab is just tired with his life. He is emotionally scarred and its hard for him to become normal again. I think this goes for everyone. If two important people in your life die and you get taken away and get made fun of, you will definitely be emotionally scared. You probably feel like the whole world is against you and you have no motivation to live life again. Killing youreslf means that you won't have to deal with any of the hardships anymore. It's gonna take a while to heal yourself which is why Sohrab tried to kill himself. He didn't know another way to escape his problems.

      Delete
    2. I think Sohrab thought it was the only way out just because he had lost both his parents and was in such a foreign place to him and he had just lost hope. For him, he had lost hope and didn't know how to find it again when he didn't really have anyone.

      Delete
    3. I think Sohrab's attempted suicide is a way for the author to show how scarring and horrible the orphanages in Afghanistan were at this time. If a young boy is so scared and terrified to go back to one place that he kills himself, it just shows how truly terrible it must be. If the other had had Sohrab nearly die it wouldn't express Sohrab's fear in the same way because it wouldn't be death by choice. By having Sohrab try and kill himself it shows that he would rather die then continue to be present in any orphanage in Afghanistan.

      Delete
  38. At one point of chapter 25, Amir has a religious revelation. Amir says, "....Baba was wrong, there is a God, there always had been..... This is the real house of God, this is where those who have lost God will find him," pg 346. After saying this, Amir starts to pray even thought he doesn't know all of the verses. I think this sudden turn to faith really shows that Amir is does truly care for Sohrab. I also think Amir is scared because he feels that he is finally being punished for the sins he committed a long time back.

    ReplyDelete
  39. "A smile" its stated on page 370. Why was a smile from Sohrab at this time so important? What did it represent?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. At this time, it was very important because it shows a turning point from darkness and everything dead to happiness. His smile represented him being happy and not in a desperate/depressed phase.

      Delete
    2. I think the smile was so important because it was a symbol that Sohrab was chaning. He was starting to get used to the idea of America, and of his parents and family no longer being there for him. The smile represents change, for the better.

      Delete
    3. I think the smile represents hope to Sohrab. Sohrab is so young and has so much life to live. Amir wants to give Sohrab a bountiful life and I think Sohrab is beginning to realize that Amir truly does care about him.

      Delete
    4. I think the smile was so important because at this point, the story had been very dark and gloomy, so the smile represented the ray of sunshine in the dark. It shows that there is still hope even with all the chaos.

      Delete
    5. A major theme in this book is the idea that a human can get over anything. Hassan got over being raped, eventually. Amir got over the guilt he felt for his actions in Kabul. I think this quote shows that Sohrab will too get over his pain. He will get used to his past, just like Amir. His life is improving and the smile is returning to his face.

      Delete
  40. Amir doesn't let Sohrab go to the orphanage, but why would that be a possibility? Amir is more of a fatherly figure to Sohrab more than anyone because he has a special connection.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amir knows that Sohrab would rather die than go back to the orphanage and It is an unsafe place for him to be. As a fatherly figure, Amir doesn't let Sohrab back to the orphanage.

      Delete
  41. When he is running the kite for Sohrab there a tons of little kids and it says,"A grown man running with a swarm of screaming children. But I didn't care I ran with the wind blowing in my face, and a smile as big as the valley of peshawar on my lips." I noticed that after he starts running after a while he is getting a bigger and bigger smile as he did. It also says it was small part of redemption but it didn't make anything right at all.

    ReplyDelete
  42. How was the sudden disappearing relevant to the story? Why was Rahim Khan taken out of the story so suddenly?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think the sudden disappearance of Rhaim Khan was done in order to show how Amir's way of living in sorrow has changed. By Rahim Khan leaving the story completely we are able to see the changes in how Amir thinks and what he will do with this poor child in his protection.

      Delete
  43. When Sohrab tried killing himself, do you think some people, like the doctors, thought that it was Amirs fault? That he was being mean and that's why Sohrab did it?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I believe that maybe some doctors in the beginning may have thought that Amir being mean to Sohrab was the reason for Sohrab trying tgo kill himself. However after the way Amir acted in the hospital and the way he was begging for Sohrab's life, I think that nobody thought that Amir was being mean to Sohrab.

      Delete
    2. On page 316 Mr. Fayyaz says "Thing thing about you Afghanis is that...well, you people are a little reckless." If most people in this area have this stereotype to Afghan people then I believe that the doctors would be suspicious of Amir having something to do with the incident. Also Amir is a Shi'a and Hassan is a Hazara and they don't really mix well in their culture, so that could spark suspicion also.

      Delete
  44. On page 538 when Soraya and Sohrab meet for the first time Amir thinks, "I had a glimpse of the mother she might have been, had her own womb not betrayed her." This quote leads me to wonder the question, is Soraya happy with Sohrab as her son, and does she love him as much as she would have loved the son that her and Amir never could have?

    ReplyDelete
  45. Why do you think Sohrab was so amazed by the Mosque?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think Sohrab was so amazed by the mosque because it was something he'd never seen before, and he was living in a place surrounded by ruins, and destroyed things, and the mosque was so different; so beautiful.

      Delete
    2. Being locked up inside of an orphanage for the majority of your life has got to be uninteresting and boring. This mosque had some meaning to Sohrab as well, he and Hassan had gone to look at mosques once and he was just as amazed then. When Sohrab was looking at the mosque in awe I think it brought back many peaceful and happy memories with his father whom he misses very much.

      Delete
  46. I think that religion played a big factor in this book, because Amir was guilty for what had happened in the alley in the winter of 1975, and how he had committed a sin that night. Also, Baba was very religious and he tried to teach his ways to Amir.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I disagree with you because many times in the book it sated how Baba was not religious and did not want the country to be run by religion. I agree that Baba tried to pass down being a good person to Amir and knowing when to do the right things, but I don't think he tried to pass down religion to him.

      Delete
  47. I think it has been so long since he had prayed because he lost faith and he lost sight of what he believed and kind of lost sight of who he was. This is why I think it has been so long since he prayed.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Many times in chapter 24 during there discussion in the lot Sohrab brought up the idea of religion and how it will effect the actions that he has committed. What does it mean for someone to be dirty instead of being a victim? How much does it take for someone to sin to the point where they are evil without a doubt.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. To be dirty is to feel like it is all your fault, and also like when he was raped all of those times he feels dirty and violated, it's a natural feeling. He may not feel like a victim because he has never had anyone tell him or make him feel like he is the victim.
      I think that it takes a life time to be evil undoubtedly, because I believe that everyone has some good in them and can be saved even when they seem hopeless.

      Delete
  49. I think that Sohrab has changed Amir a lot usually for the better. Sohrab has given Amir this chance to be good and make up for his sin. This is his Link to become good again and fix what he had done wrong. Sohrab is Amir's tie too Hassan and his past. I also think that Sohrab is his ticket to forget what happened.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree with this because at the beginning of the book, the saying about being good again ties back to Sohrab.

      Delete
  50. How do you think Amir feels, knowing that he caused Hassan and Hassan's son pain? Does it make what he did to Hassan worse?

    ReplyDelete
  51. On page 348 I says "He is alive." What is the significance of this line, and how do you think Amir felt?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think that Amir felt relief when he heard these words. To know that he didn't fail his mission gives him a sense of worth, like he isn't just a coward. This part also gives Amir some redemption from what all of what happened when Hassan and Amir where kids.

      Delete
  52. What do you think the last line of the book " I Ran" Means?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well the last thing that Hassan did for Amir before he was raped was ran his kite, and Amir was running to get Sohrab's kite. So he ran, just like Hassan did.

      Delete
  53. On page 351, "The thing about you Afghanis is that.... well, you people are a little reckless." Why do they even say this? How is this statement significant to Amir and Sohrab?

    ReplyDelete
  54. How do you think Sohrab feels knowing that Amir really tried to help him? That someone, even with all the conflicts, still cares about him?

    ReplyDelete
  55. On page 333 it says, "Sohrab took a long bath every night before bed." I believe that this is metaphorical, and Sohrab is trying to wash away the sins that he has on him. However, what I think is sad is that Sohrab is not dirty with sins, he has been through a lot sure, but everything he did was done with good intention. I believe he needs to realize this and let it go and live the happy life that he could be living.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is also possible that he isn't filled with sin he caused on himself but sin struck upon him by others

      Delete
  56. I think Amir actually wants to take care of Sohrab because for one they can't have children back home and Amir sees Hassan in Sohrab sees his best friend from his childhood, he wants to take care of him and give him a better life than Hassan had a life that is free. I think he also wants to redeem himself for what he did to Hassan all those years ago.

    ReplyDelete
  57. Do you think that if Amir had never brought up the orphanage thing, would Sohrab like the idea of America, and warm up to Amir? Or would he still be sad about his family?

    ReplyDelete
  58. Even though Amir had caused Hassan and his son pain, I believe that Amir feels like the world had equaled out. Even though Hassan may have died he died on his own terms protecting what he believed in and Amir was there in time to keep his ideas and his memory alive by saving his son. Also it is probably harder to relate himself to Sohrab's pain because that pain was more based on Hassan's father and Baba.

    ReplyDelete
  59. On page 359, Amir says, "I wondered if that was how forgiveness budded, not with the fanfare of epiphany, but with pain gathering its things" Do you think that's how forgiveness works? That you don't notice it happening?

    ReplyDelete