I didn't think i was going to like the book Kite Runner when i first started to read. As i read through each chapter i enjoyed the book more and more. Its was interesting to me that Hassan is not able to read and loved to listen to Amir jan. For some reason i enjoyed the part in the book where Amir jan reads to Hassan and then stops reading from the book and makes up his own story and Hassan really enjoyed what Amir read to him, which then made Amir start to write his own short story.
Amir jan father seems to me that he blames Amir for the death of this wife, Amir mother because she died giving birth to Amir and thoughout the book you can tell that by what his father says about him. His father wishes that Amir would stand up for himself and do things like play soccer and interact with more people then just Hassan. His father thinks it is not right that a young boy/man should write stories or poems but that's what Amir jan enjoys the most in the book. It also seems that Baba is maybe afraid that the way his son act's is not going to be good for the business and he will not be able to pass the business on to his son.
I think this book is going to end well and i'm excited for the ending.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Who is Amir?
The Kite Runner is an excellent novel. I really felt that it has been easy to read, but it still has many layers to it. One of those layers, the one I really have focused on, is the layer of human nature.
Human nature seems to be a fickle thing. So many works of fiction are about this very topic. It is an almost obsessive topic because it applies to us, every one of us.
The Kite Runner has a layer to it where we see a little boy asking himself who he is. I found the first 79 pages of the novel were him trying to answer this question. Rahim Khan is speaking with Amir's father and telling him that Amir does not have a mean streak. Amir thinks to himself, "Rahim Khan had been wrong about that mean streak thing" (Hosseini 23). He was so much different than his father, so who was he?
Exploration and discovery, however, are usually not without cost. This cost seems to not only affect him for the rest of his life, but his servant Hassan, too. After Hassan finds a plot hole in Amir's story, Amir thinks to himself, "What does he know, that illiterate Hazara? He'll never be anything but a cook. How dare he criticize you?" (Hosseini 34).
Hassan gives up so much, but he always keeps his integrity. I believe it is this integrity that drives Amir for the rest of his life. He is always seeking to regain that lost integrity.
Human nature seems to be a fickle thing. So many works of fiction are about this very topic. It is an almost obsessive topic because it applies to us, every one of us.
The Kite Runner has a layer to it where we see a little boy asking himself who he is. I found the first 79 pages of the novel were him trying to answer this question. Rahim Khan is speaking with Amir's father and telling him that Amir does not have a mean streak. Amir thinks to himself, "Rahim Khan had been wrong about that mean streak thing" (Hosseini 23). He was so much different than his father, so who was he?
Exploration and discovery, however, are usually not without cost. This cost seems to not only affect him for the rest of his life, but his servant Hassan, too. After Hassan finds a plot hole in Amir's story, Amir thinks to himself, "What does he know, that illiterate Hazara? He'll never be anything but a cook. How dare he criticize you?" (Hosseini 34).
Hassan gives up so much, but he always keeps his integrity. I believe it is this integrity that drives Amir for the rest of his life. He is always seeking to regain that lost integrity.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
The Kite Runner
I am fascinated by this story thus far. It is something new to me, not only is it new because it is a new book but I am also new with the location the book is based on. Whenever I read a book, it is most likely based in a location that is familiar to me – such as Boston, Massachusetts. Or maybe it is based in Hollywood, California. Or even Seattle, Washington. This story is based in the Middle East and that is not familiar to me so it is really interesting.
The other interesting thing about this novel is the names used. I learned that there is a word that you use all the time to refer to any older male as Kaka or any older female as Khala which is basically “uncle” and “aunt” (Hosseini, 83). I just find that a little different because we don’t call every grown man “Uncle” or grown woman, “Aunt” here in America. There is also the difference in how they use the term of “mister.” They don’t say “Mr. Amir” they say “Amir agha” as Hassan always calls him. “Amir jan” is more of an affectionate way of referring to someone as it obviously shows when Amir stated in the book, “Baba hardly ever used the term of endearment jan when he addressed me,” (Hosseini, 31).
Another reason why I really like the book thus far is because it is so similar to the American way of life – they work just like we do, they live their lives just like we do, there are bullies over there just as there are bullies here and there are bullies that have raped here in America so it struck a chord in me that made me think, “just because we are different in ethnicity, race, religion, socially, it doesn’t mean we don’t go through the same type of experiences in life.” I’m sure there are people who have been through experiences of wanting a father’s affection, or having a “servant” for a friend and not wanting to admit it, or being bullied. We are all similar more than we will think, or sometimes even admit.
The other interesting thing about this novel is the names used. I learned that there is a word that you use all the time to refer to any older male as Kaka or any older female as Khala which is basically “uncle” and “aunt” (Hosseini, 83). I just find that a little different because we don’t call every grown man “Uncle” or grown woman, “Aunt” here in America. There is also the difference in how they use the term of “mister.” They don’t say “Mr. Amir” they say “Amir agha” as Hassan always calls him. “Amir jan” is more of an affectionate way of referring to someone as it obviously shows when Amir stated in the book, “Baba hardly ever used the term of endearment jan when he addressed me,” (Hosseini, 31).
Another reason why I really like the book thus far is because it is so similar to the American way of life – they work just like we do, they live their lives just like we do, there are bullies over there just as there are bullies here and there are bullies that have raped here in America so it struck a chord in me that made me think, “just because we are different in ethnicity, race, religion, socially, it doesn’t mean we don’t go through the same type of experiences in life.” I’m sure there are people who have been through experiences of wanting a father’s affection, or having a “servant” for a friend and not wanting to admit it, or being bullied. We are all similar more than we will think, or sometimes even admit.
Novel Blog
I thought the novel i started reading is really good. It is sort of hard to understand at first. For times sake i am going to refer to the novel as "Tess". Overall the story is sort of complicated to get since it was written long ago and takes place in the late 1800's. There are many details and little things to catch. Right away in the story i resented Tess' parents, i felt as though they are lazy, and just want to make a buck of their own child. Tess seems really responsible, and level headed, however i do think she is batteling with herself and her own issues. Some people say she may have been seduced, but i think she was raped by alec. To me this is really sad because before it happens i see the author adding details of how pure Tess is. After she goes home and quits working i feel like her mom wants her to marry Alec just for status reasons. After the baby dies i really feel bad for Tess and what she must be going through. Esecially since she is giving birth not only really young but in a time where its unacceptable to give birth back then and is still today is looked at as deviant.
So far i really enjoy the book. I am not that far into the book and so much has happend! The author does a good joob of getting the reader hooked right away. There are so many events in the first part that im excited to see what possibly could happen next!
So far i really enjoy the book. I am not that far into the book and so much has happend! The author does a good joob of getting the reader hooked right away. There are so many events in the first part that im excited to see what possibly could happen next!
Teh Kite Runner
In class today, when we discussed the story I felt that there was a wall up between Amir and his father. All he wanted was for his dad to except him as his son. I think that the smoke room represented that wall. He would sit outside the door and listen to his dad talking. Amir's friendship with Hassan was hard to except because he was envious of him. Hassan had a better relationship with Baba(Amirs father) than Amir did. For Hassan being a servant to Amir he never seemed to have any bad felling for not having the things Amir had. He was a loyal friend to Amir. Hassan would have to be the character that keeps me reading. With in the first 79 pages of the book, Hassan has been threw more any young boy. I am excited to keep reading!
The Kite Runner
I wasn't sure if I would enjoy this book or not when I started reading it, but now that I'm into it I really enjoy it. It is a very powerful piece of literature and is very moving, and eye opening. It really gives you a glimps of how life is through anothers eyes. The settings of the story, I beleive, are essential to this story. Some of the main ones are: Kabul, the pomegranate tree, the study, and many more. The begining is about two young boys, Amir and Hassan. Hassan is on of the servants to the Amir and his father. Hassan is a Hazara. I believe that this is an important parta nd aspect of the story. "People called Hazaras mice eating, flat-nosed, load carrying donkeys." ( Hosseini 9). The Hazara people are seen as slaves and have had everything stripped from them in the past by the Pashtuns. This, I believe, is important because Hassan, the Hazaras, are looked down on for being slaves, and illiterate. This is an issue because Amir and Hassan are so close. They do everything together, "Hassan and I fed from the same breast" (Hosseini 11). This just goes to show that they have been close from the very begining. Amir was even the first word Hassan said. Even though this close Amir makes mockeries towards Hassan and his illiteracy. With this in mind I ask is Hassan a friend or a servent? For example how could a friend just stand by while his friend was raped? "I ran because I was a coward" (Hosseini 77). For all the times that Hassen stuck up for Amir and all he's done for Amir, Amir did nothing. He ran away when he could have stuck up for Hassen. After all Hassen is getting raped for Amir. So which is it, servent or slave. I hope that with further reading it will become clear.
Jason Brown
Tess of the d'Urbervilles
Immediately I was aware that in order to understand this novel I would have to record my thoughts and take note of significant rising actions throughout the story. What caused this idea was the difficulty I had in understanding the language the characters use. Some definitions are provided for the reader, although some passages remain confusing for me. "...and in constructing his family tree on the new basis was duly reasonable in framing this intermarriages and aristocratic links, never inserting a single title above a rank of strict moderation." This passage in particular was especially difficult for me to grasp, even after reading it a second time. The only way I see this problem being solved is reading the text next to a dictionary, and simply removing myself form the modern day lingo I am used to and placing my mind in an 1800's environment. Although my knowledge of this era is quite scarce, removing myself from the modern day has come second nature to me though the years. Aside from the language being difficult to understand, it is also very interesting as well. The style of language Alec uses strikes me as well mannered and educated, (although his intentions are quite the opposite) and this continues to make the story engaging for me. Personally I love the endless use of words one has to choose from to get their point across, and reading such a different style than what I hear everyday is something I love to experience. In this aspect, along with others, "Tess of the d'Urbervilles" promises to be a interesting and insightful experience.
"The Chrysanthemums"
I did not really like this story too much, I thought that Elisa should had left like she wanted to . But instead she stuck to her role of little o'housewife which sucks. She wanted to spread her wings and go out into the world but instead she stayed with the traditional role that society expected her to do. Elisa had a expert knack in growing plants she could have used that out in the world. But all she did was stay in marriage with a man she cannot communicate with or that understands her. she just continues a nameless and boring existence hindered by her own fear. of the world. She can barely take pride in herself she gets all weird and emotional when her husband complements her and instead of admtting she wanted to go to a fight she just hushed herself and looked into the open field where she pondered where the road could take her. know wonder she wanted to drink wine maybe then she could forget about how crappy she felt.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
"The Chrysanthemums"
On the surface “The Chrysanthemums” seems to be a rather odd tale. The ending, without a doubt, is quite strange. Yet, after having the class discussion, I think there really is an underlying story somewhere in “The Chrysanthemums.”
The real message for me is one of a woman who is not content with her position in life. She is the wife of a rancher and her husband seems to be nice enough. He encourages her and compliments her abilities as a gardener saying, “’you’ve got a gift with things’” (Steinbeck 633). He seems to want to make her happy when he suggests a night out.
I think we see her lack of contentment when a traveling repairman seems to get under her skin. After having heard of his nomadic lifestyle, our protagonist says, “’I wish women could do such things’” (Steinbeck 637). The repairman tells her that “’it ain’t the right kind of a life for a woman’” (Steinbeck 637) and she is obviously not pleased “her upper lip raised a little, showing her teeth” (Steinbeck 637).
Later, when she gets into a little tiff with Henry, Elisa tells him (really, it seems, she’s more telling herself), “’I’m strong…I never knew before how strong” (Steinbeck 638). Here she shows her insecurity and tries to reaffirm, in her own mind, that she has self worth.
The real message for me is one of a woman who is not content with her position in life. She is the wife of a rancher and her husband seems to be nice enough. He encourages her and compliments her abilities as a gardener saying, “’you’ve got a gift with things’” (Steinbeck 633). He seems to want to make her happy when he suggests a night out.
I think we see her lack of contentment when a traveling repairman seems to get under her skin. After having heard of his nomadic lifestyle, our protagonist says, “’I wish women could do such things’” (Steinbeck 637). The repairman tells her that “’it ain’t the right kind of a life for a woman’” (Steinbeck 637) and she is obviously not pleased “her upper lip raised a little, showing her teeth” (Steinbeck 637).
Later, when she gets into a little tiff with Henry, Elisa tells him (really, it seems, she’s more telling herself), “’I’m strong…I never knew before how strong” (Steinbeck 638). Here she shows her insecurity and tries to reaffirm, in her own mind, that she has self worth.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
BLOG 2
The Chrysanthemums
I think that this story was about a young woman that really didn't of much and did'nt care to meet other people. She loved her garden and that's where she spent most of her time. She didn't really want to go into town to eat dinner or go to a movie because i think she was afraid of the people or to meet new people. When the guy came up to her when she was working in the garden she didn't really know what to do i thought until they started to talk about Chrysanthemums. When she starts talking about those it was like she was in control of the her world and was happy. She loved Chrysanthemums like there which part of the family and would care for them like they were her kids.
I think that this story was about a young woman that really didn't of much and did'nt care to meet other people. She loved her garden and that's where she spent most of her time. She didn't really want to go into town to eat dinner or go to a movie because i think she was afraid of the people or to meet new people. When the guy came up to her when she was working in the garden she didn't really know what to do i thought until they started to talk about Chrysanthemums. When she starts talking about those it was like she was in control of the her world and was happy. She loved Chrysanthemums like there which part of the family and would care for them like they were her kids.
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