"Saifo was a nearly blind old man who was a moochi by profession-a shoe repairman." Pg 51
When reading The Sun also Rises, I was constantly confused because Hemingway used French words but did not explain their meaning. Hosseini also uses foreign words but he always explains afterward. This is helpful for readers who are not accustomed to Afghan culture. I think that it helps the reader get more into the setting and into Amir's world. However, it does not leave them confused. His choice of foreign words to use is interesting because it is usually a random word that didn't really need to be used. Nonetheless, it again helps the reader connect more. It also educates them on a culture that they are unfamiliar with for the most part.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Strength
"In one of those brief bursts of light, I saw something I'll never forget: Hassan serving drinks to Assef and Wali from a silver platter. The light winked out, a hiss and a crackle, then another flicker of orange light: Assef grinning, kneading Hassan in the chest with a knuckle." Pg 100
Throughout the book, I have found Hassan to be an extremely strong person. He is loyal to Amir regardless of the way he treats him in return. Even when Assef rapes him, he does not fight back. He doesn't want to give Assef the satisfaction of seeing his pain. But the scene quoted above was just too much for me. After all he has suffered, he is still tormented and his 'friend' Amir once again does nothing. There is not a doubt that his strength is unique and admirable.
Throughout the book, I have found Hassan to be an extremely strong person. He is loyal to Amir regardless of the way he treats him in return. Even when Assef rapes him, he does not fight back. He doesn't want to give Assef the satisfaction of seeing his pain. But the scene quoted above was just too much for me. After all he has suffered, he is still tormented and his 'friend' Amir once again does nothing. There is not a doubt that his strength is unique and admirable.
Baba as a Dynamic Character
"Besides, I didn't bring us here for me, did I?" pg. 130
The Baba of America is a changed man. When Amir was young, he hardly ever showed him affection. However, here in America, everything Baba does is for Amir. Baba left his home to give Amir a better life. He is a lowly gas station clerk because it will give his son a better future. This is a huge shift from the beginning of the story. In addition, even when he was practically on his death bed, he helped Amir get married by performing the customs that were expected of a father. This endless love for Amir was not always present and it was a huge change in his character.
The Baba of America is a changed man. When Amir was young, he hardly ever showed him affection. However, here in America, everything Baba does is for Amir. Baba left his home to give Amir a better life. He is a lowly gas station clerk because it will give his son a better future. This is a huge shift from the beginning of the story. In addition, even when he was practically on his death bed, he helped Amir get married by performing the customs that were expected of a father. This endless love for Amir was not always present and it was a huge change in his character.
Baba and Ali: Foil characters
"But mostly because Ali was immune to the insults of his assailants; he had found his joy, his antidote, the moment Sanaubar had given birth to Hassan." pg 10
I found it interesting that when Ali and Hassan leave Baba says that Ali was like the brother he never had. This close bond surprised me. They were complete opposites. The above passage shows this. Hassan is Ali's whole world however Amir has to really try to get Baba's attention and love. Another way they are different is their religious beliefs. Ali has memorized the Koran while Baba denies that God exists. Also their life styles are very different. Baba is rich and comfortable while Ali is a poor servant. These two different men may be opposites but the things they have been through together formed an unbreakable bond between them.
I found it interesting that when Ali and Hassan leave Baba says that Ali was like the brother he never had. This close bond surprised me. They were complete opposites. The above passage shows this. Hassan is Ali's whole world however Amir has to really try to get Baba's attention and love. Another way they are different is their religious beliefs. Ali has memorized the Koran while Baba denies that God exists. Also their life styles are very different. Baba is rich and comfortable while Ali is a poor servant. These two different men may be opposites but the things they have been through together formed an unbreakable bond between them.
Amir the antihero
"I suspected there were many ways in which Soraya Taheri was a better person than me. Courage was just one of them." -Page 165
Amir is the perfect example of an antihero. He is the central character but he is constantly failing morally and in terms of courage. It started as a child when he failed to stand up for Hassan. This occurred when Hassan was raped but at other times as well. He then turns to lies to fix the situation. He gets rid of Hassan so that his presence and loyalty cannot aggravate his guilt any longer. He then does not have the courage to tell his own fiance the truth. She attempts to build their relationship on truth and honesty but he is too ashamed to share his past with her.
Amir is the perfect example of an antihero. He is the central character but he is constantly failing morally and in terms of courage. It started as a child when he failed to stand up for Hassan. This occurred when Hassan was raped but at other times as well. He then turns to lies to fix the situation. He gets rid of Hassan so that his presence and loyalty cannot aggravate his guilt any longer. He then does not have the courage to tell his own fiance the truth. She attempts to build their relationship on truth and honesty but he is too ashamed to share his past with her.
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