The Kite Runner

In "The Kite Runner" a novel by Hosseini, Khaled I was some what lost. I didn't under stand why Amir, and his father were all of a sudden were fleaing their country. I just thought that Baba was going to visit his brother. I don't know how they could just sit there, and listen to rats. I now know that it was so they could live. I guess if I was in that situation I would try to talk my mind into that the rats were something else. The rats were nothing compaired to crawling into a gas tank. Panic. You open your mouth. Open it so wide your jaws creek. You order your lungs to draw air, NOW, you need air, need it NOW.(106) I really do feel bad for any kind of human being having to go through any of that. Sometimes events in life, like war seems so unnessary. People face enough challenges in life, for instance, Baba when he got cancer. There's nothing he could do. I was very glad that Baba was able to see his only child get married, before he died peacefully. I also admired Baba very much for starting a new life in America. In Kabul he was very wealthy, and everybody looked up to him. In America, he worked very hard for what he and Amir had. I think everything started looking up, once they decided to go to garage sales, and to sell what they got in their flea market. That's when Baba's, and Amir's life got better. They could feel more at home with their fellow country men. Amir's secert still seems to haunt him, even though he's in America, and has a beautiful wife, and starting his adulthood.

Tess of the D'Urbervilles

In Tess of the D’Urbervilles, I want to focus on the last part of the section that we had to read for today’s class: the guilt that Tess feels about not telling Angel about her past with Alec D’Urberville and Angel’s reaction to this news when she finally does confess. First, I can’t imagine how terrifying it must be for Tess to live in a society were a past relationship could ruin your chance of a happy marriage; especially given the circumstances of the Tess's past relationship. In today’s society, there is still a certain attitude towards people when they have a child at a young age, but this doesn’t make them unworthy of marriage. Tess truly loves Angel and doesn’t want him to leave her. However, she also has such a guilty conscious that she can’t live a happy life with Angel when he doesn’t know the truth. I don’t blame her for being scared of telling Angel about Alec and Sorrow. This creates quiet a dilemma for Tess. To make matters worse for her, when a man who knew what happened between Tess and Alec confronts the soon to be newlyweds, Angel “struck the man on the chin with the full force of his fist” (Hardy 163). The guilt is now almost unbearable for Tess. If Angel punched a complete stranger, what was he going to do to her?

When I found out that Angel had “plunged into eight-and-forty hours’ dissipation with a stranger,” I felt some comfort in knowing that he might understand what Tess went through and be willing to forgive her for her sin (Harding 177). But his first reaction to this news is completely opposite! He says that he doesn’t know the real Tess! What a hypocrite! This just shows the difference between the roles of men and women in this time period. A man can be forgiven, or at least understood, for his sins; but a women is suppose to be punished for the rest of her life. From seeing the movie already, I know that he does finally come to his senses, but I am disappointed in the way he acts immediately hearing the news about Tess. To show how unforgiving he is, Angel “broke into horrible laughter—as unnatural and ghastly as a laugh in hell” (Harding 179). I can only imagine that Tess is feeling scared and ashamed. Anger towards herself, anger towards Alec, anger towards Angel. Disappointment in Angel and herself. Helplessness.

Harding, Thomas. "Tess of the D'Urbervilles." Norton & Company, Inc. New York: 1991.

Tess

In Tess of the D'Urberervilles, I feel bad for test, always having to move all the time. When she talks about leaving her home town and about leaving the young children for their good. The author makes this book sound so deep and interesting. I enjoy how everything is worded and how the author really captures you into that time period. I feel like I'm right thier with Tess milking the cows right along side of her.

The Kite Runner

I'm confused at why they're leaving their hometown of Kabul. I know there's a war going on but why did Baba decide he wanted to leave? I can't believe that Baba stood up for that woman in the truck, and was willing to take a bullet for her. I know this book was published in 2003 but I don't want to believe that soldiers would do that to a woman as a "tax" (Khaled 115). How could Karim take those people to Jalalabad and lock them in the basement with the rats? And then have enough guts to tell them that his brother Toor's truck was broke down and had been for a week, and that he was waiting for parts when in actuality his truck was unfixable (Khaled 118). When Karim found his friend that had a gasoline truck that had taken people to Peshawar everyone seemed relieved; deep down I think Baba knew that God was looking out for them. Although, its sad when they get there and Amir's friend is dead and then his father shoots himself in the head (Khaled 124).

When they get to America Baba becomes someone he has not been throughout this whole novel. Before he was a loving nurturing man and now he's become a hard working, grumpy, stubborn, ill-tempered man. When Amir suggests to Baba that he should enroll in ESL classes Baba's not too happy about it (Khaled 126-127). For the first time Amir is embarassed of Baba, when he throws a fit at the grocery store (Khaled 127).

Towards the end of the reading Baba says and does things to Amir that almost bring him to tears. When they get started in the flea market business it seems that Baba and Amir talk about more things then they once did and Baba knows about Amir liking the Generals daughter. But all he says to Amir is, " becareful and don't embarass me" (Khaled 145).

The Kite Runner

I really feel bad for Baba, his son is a horrible person he has lost everthing that he worked his whole life for and now he has cancer that is inoperable. All his son can worry about is himself. He set up Hassan to try to help himself to forget about what happened, and now he wants his dad to take chemo so his dad will be there for him, how selfish can one person be. If I was Baba i would have to ask Amir to grow up and tell him to take a long look in the mirror and find out who he really is. I dont know why a boy and a girl cannot talk to each other if there is no adult present. I really want to learn about Afghan customs. Also I dont understand some words in the book. When Amir and Baba are fleeing Kabul it makes me think about how that was not made up real people had to go through that same kind of situatuion, it makes me thankful for what I have. One subject I am confused about is why Baba wants to hide his cancer from everyone. "And one more thing. No one finds out about this, you hear me? No one" (Hossseini 156). I dont understand why he doesnt want anyone to find out about it, he makes it seem like its his own fault he got cancer. Hosseini really did an excellent job making it seem like you were actually in the story. When they are in the fuel truck he makes it seem like you are right there with them, like you can smell exactly what they are smelling. I'm also starting to wonder when Amir will stop thinking of himself, maybe him getting married will help.

Kite Runner

I was kind of dissappointed in the "Kite Runner" in the begining because I was lost at first. He all of a sudden jumped to Amir and Baba running away from their home. I am sure I would of understood it more if I remeber learning about it in history class. The author could have told a little more about it so you wouldnt get lost in it. I was happy that they came to America so you could hear from their perspective on how they saw America. Its weird seeing how they left Kabul pretty much being like the rich and famous, and coming to America poor. I would never would have guessed that Baba would develope cancer. Its something that hits you in the face. At the flea market when Baba was having a seizure and I thought that was when he was going to die from the cancer, I started tearing up! I really want to find out what happened to Hassan and Ali. I know they have to come back to the picture sometime!! I cant wait to read the next portion of the book to see what the author does with Amir getting married and Baba's cancer!

The Kite Runner

In "The Kite Runner", by Khaled Hosseini, the imagery that is inscribed within the readers mind is something that keeps you wanting to read more because Hosseini does an excellent job making the reader feel as if they were present. I am surprised how Amir is acting towards Hassan. He is not giving him the time of day and Hassan still sticks by Amir and would do anything for him. I am shocked at Amir's actions when he framed Hassan by planting the money and the watch under the matress. Then Hassan admitted to taking the gifts even though they both knew that he did not do it. I think Amir realized at that point that Hassan was a better person then he could ever be. I do not feel that Amir needed to set Hassan up in order to " set him free". Amir made the decision that either Hassan or himself had to leave but he knew that he was not able to do so. Also, when Amir uses all of his senses to describe what it was like being in the fuel tank of the truck provides excellent imagery to the reader.

"Kite Runner"

I can not believe the deception of one friend to another in this story. How could Amir set up his best friend, Hassan? To put his Birthday money and his watch under his mattress and then let Hassan take the fall for it, is so surreal. I don’t know if it’s because Amir is that jealous of Hassan and Baba’s relationship, or if the secret is eating him alive, so every time he looks at Hassan, he is reminded of the betrayal of a friendship.
And then to sit back and let Baba’s best friend Ali leave, is so shameful. Baba was clearly upset when Hassan, and Ali were leaving, I thought the writer did an awesome job with the imagery in that. You could feel Baba’s emotion. For Baba to forgive Hassan in the greatest sin in their culture, surely proves his feeling towards Hassan, and Ali. But Amir sat back and watched it happen. I can now understand how Baba is disappointed in Amir most of the time.
When Amir proposed to Soraya, and she told Amir the truth of her past, that Amir should have been honest with her, and told the truth at that time. Once again, it show’s Amir’s cowardness, and willing to go into a brand new marriage with a lie. Soraya did not want to go into the marriage with secrets, and she told Amir regardless of the outcome.
If Amir would just tell the truth he could get the monkey off his back!

The Kite Runner

In The Kite Runner, I couldn't even imagain what Baba and Amir went through. To make that transition in there lives had to be hard. Amir belives that his relationship with Baba is stronger than ever. Amir and Hassan's friendship is going down hill. Not knowing his life was about to change dramaticly, Amir keeps treating Hassan unfriendly. He still hasn't admitted to seeing Hassan geting rapped. Ali asked Amir why Hassan is sleeping so much lately. Ali asks Amir,"'Did something happen to him, Amir agha? Something he's not telling me?'" (Hosseine 81) and Amir replies back "'How should I know'" (Hosseine 81). You know Amir is bothered by this because when everyone was asleep Amir wispered "'I watched Hassan get raped'"(Hosseine 86). Hearing this outloud made Amir think about the lie he was living. Amir also took a watch from one of his birtday presents and hid it under Hassan's bed so it looked like he stole it from Amir. When that conflict occured the big news of Ali and Hassan moving shifted the story a little. After fourty years of knowing eachother they packed and moved away. When the time came, Amir and Baba had to move too. The Russians were invading and the journey from Kabul to Pakistan was a rough one. Finding themselves in a fairly large truck with others, Amir had a hard time with his car sickness.I couldn't imagine the smell. Vomit and feces...ugh! It's very hard for me to imagin all of this! I have never moved away before and not only are they moving but the reason they are moving is scary. When they arrived to America, their lives changed but their culture stayed with them.

The Kite Runner

Amir has really lost his mind this time!! I can't believe he would put his watch and some money under Hassan's pillow and then let Hassan take the blame just to get more of his dad's attention. I think Amir is very self centered and isn't a good friend to Hassan. Hassan, on the the other hand, is a very good friend to Amir. He took the blame knowing that he didn't take Amir's stuff and wouldn't ever do that. I think Baba accepted Hassan's apology because he didn't really believe Hassan would do that. I am glad Amir was shocked when Baba said, "'I forgive you.'" (105) to Hassan. It was unfortunate that Ali and Hassan decided to move but I think it was a good lesson for Amir and I think it would help Hassan and he wouldn't be treated like crap by his so called "friend."
I am glad Amir and Baba got to America and that Amir found a girlfriend. It's sad that Baba was diagnosed with cancer. I don't understand why he didn't want anyone to know about it and why he said, "'But no chemo medication for me.'" (156) Baba is a very strong willed person and I think Baba getting cancer is some kind of payback for Amir being so cruel to Hassan and will make him realize not to take advantage of his loved ones and the ones who truly love and care for him.

The Kite Runner

Knowing that Hassan and Amir are going through a tough time in their relationship because of the rape seems hard to deal with. It seemed like they were trying to forget that it all happened but Amir always had the guilt on him that he did not do anything about it and he just watched. I would not know what to do if I was ever put in that situation. I think me to would try to forget it even happened and shut people out of my life to help erase it. The families seem to break down and go their different ways. It was interesting to see how Baba and Amir travel to the United States from Kabul, and how they made a living in America. I feel bad for them in a way for the fact that in Kabul they seemed wealthy and now coming to America they have to start all over trying to find a new living. After reading about where Baba and Amir have ended up it would be interesting to find out where Hassan and Ali ended up after leaving Baba as his servants. One question that I was thinking about while reading was if Hassan and Ali never left would they to be in America with Baba and Amir?

The Kite Runner

In the Kite Runner, I thought that when Amir was being smuggled to Pakistan was one of the more exciting parts. Espescially when the Russian soldier was singing the Afghani marriage song. It was pretty crazy to imagine that Baba and Amir were hiding right under the nose of the enemy! I figured that the Russian soldier was too high to even do his job correctly. "Thank Allah for that", Amir probably thought. That soldier must have been on opium or hash. Who knows? Also the descripiton of how the truck smelled of vomit and feces. If you have ever had to smell that, then you would know that it is not very pleasurable. Those refugees had no choice because time was a factor. Also, they could not give up their postion, for this could have costed them their lives. In desperate times,you have to learn how to improvise, adapt and overcome. You also have to learn how to ignore certain things as well. Sometimes that could involve ignoring fear itself. Just like in the part were they were driving on dark, winding and moutainous roads.They were bascically blacked out or with little light. To some people that is known as "light discipline." It took alot of skill for the driver to bring Amir and Baba to safety. It takes alot of skill to drive like that."Were in Pakistan Amir"p123. They had finally made it.

Kite Runner

The Kite Runner was alright at first but after 80 more pages it got even better. Two things that sticks in my head are the images of all the people riding in the oil truck, and when Kamal's father was holding Kamal, and he took Karim's gun and put it in his mouth, and killed himself. These were some very strong moments in the story to me.
I'm still confused with what is happening with the Russian's. I wish they would have told us more. I'm not very good with history so it would be nice to know what is happening.
I'm sad that they had to leave Kabul. They seem so lost in the United States with it being so advanced. When Baba gets in trouble at the store for taking stuff he thinks that nothing is wrong. He thought that he could pay later like he would in Kabul. He was a big man back in his town and now he is nothing but an average person in California. So it is sad that he worked so hard to be at the top and then he comes over to the US and know he is nothing.
I'm really enjoying the story as of now hopefully it gets even better.

"Doe Season"

“Doe Season” was a very good short story. I think it really focused on the rite of passage idea. Here is a daddy’s girl, Andy, who wants to participate in the big ritual of deer hunting. However, it is not the rite of passage that I tried to predict. I envisioned Andy shooting a deer, getting an honorable spot in the group of guys, and more importantly making her father proud. I think that that is what Andy was expecting too. She even thinks that "there was no place else she would reather be" (Kaplan 458). In reality, Andy creates her own identity through this rite of passage. Not only does she finally realize what she values (not killing innocent animals for a sport), but she doesn’t give into peer pressure. Andy feels so guilty about killing her doe that she can’t bear to watch the guys slaughter it. As a result "Andy was running from them" when they preceeded to cut open her deer (Kaplan 467). She becomes Andrea. She is now a girl who realizes her love for animals and the woods but can’t handle the idea of killing a creature that is so innocent and defenseless. Andrea discovers a big lesson by learning that she doesn’t have to follow the norms of the people she was with. Maybe she disappointed her father, but she might have also made him realize that she is an independent person with independent values. A passage in the story that really stuck out to me and proves my point is …And they were all calling to her—Charlie Spoon and Mac and her father—crying Andy, Andy (but that wasn’t her name, she would no longer be called that)”(Kaplan 467).

Kaplan, David Michael. “Doe Season.” Kirszner, Literature: Reading, Reacting, Writing. Ed. Laurie, and Stephen Madell. Boston, MA: Thomson Wadsworth, 2007. 456-467.

The Kite Runner

The voyage to Pakistan was a very exciting part of the reading. The parts that have stuck in my memory are when Baba confronted that Russian soldier that was “attached to drug”(117) and was going to rape the refugee woman. Also, the ride in the fuel tank of a Gasoline truck was suspenseful, with the “a baby wailing in the dark; the stench of gasoline, vomit and shit.
My repressed memory from this story was “Hassan’s final sacrifice”(105). When Amir framed Hassan for stealing his watch and money, so he wouldn’t have to live with the guilt of sacrificing Hassan for his kite. Hassan would be left with no choice, except to move away with Ali. The Ironic part of the story was the misfortune of Kamal, who had been a bully and aided in Hassan’s rape. The “fumes”(124) had killed Kamal instead of the baby, but not before he had lost his mother to a stray bullet in Kabul. It was very sad to read about the “Advanced. Inoperable”(156) cancer that Baba had, and he wasted away to skin and bones. But Amir asked him to go “Khastegari”(161) as a last favor, and now he is going marry Soraya.