Chapter 18

Imagery- "The sun had almost set..." (Hosseini 224). Sets the mood and setting of the common life here.

Flashback- page 225 a lot of flashbacks going back as Amir is trying to figure everything out.

Chapter 17

Imagery-"the sun was...." (214) this use of imagery gives a happy yet busy setting to this story

Quote- "I thank Allah.." (216) this shows that despite the fact that Hassan is living in fear he is great full for the people he does have 

Ionic- "the talibs said..." (218) talibs are calling Hassan a liar and a thief which was the one and only sin according to baba

Simile-"like wolves..." (219) this simile shows the deviousness of the sound of the voices of the Taliban

Ionic- "But all I could manage to whisper, No, No, No, over and over again" (Hosseini 219). This is 

ironic because we see that Hassan is gone and Amir can't redeem himself to Hassan no matter how hard he trys and now he will have to live with the guilt.

Flashback- "I kept thinking of that day in 1974.." (Hosseini 219). This flashback is significant because it is showing that now Amir is going to be the only one left in his family.

Simile- "...his life of unrequited loyality drifting.." (Hosseini 219). The significance of using this simile is that it shows that Hassan had always been loyal even to his death.

Simile- "...he looked older than a few moments before like he was aging with each coughing fit" (Hosseini 220). This is significant because it shows how sick Rahim really is and can foreshadow that he may be close to death.

Simile- "I felt like a man sliding down a steep cliff...." (Hosseini 222). This is significant because it shows how upset Amir was and how his life was just falling a part. 

Chapter 16

-imagery: Hassan's new way of life and new are of living "I do not even..." (204-205)

Simile- "he wept like.." (207) this shows that Hassan still cares a ton for Baba and Amir

Wondering- Hassan has been thinking about Amir just like Amir has been thinking this is important because this shows that despite the past they still care for each other. (207)

Foreshadow/symbol/Simile- "like he was preparing.." (208) this shows that Hassan is taking care of the house for Rahim in a symbolic way as if Amir may be coming back (208)

Metaphor- "it is a heartbreaking sound" (209) this is describing the pain and hurt that farzana is feeling

Connection- Hassan's son with the sling shot reminds me of the biblical story of David and Goliath. (212)

Simile-" they would put then up like paintings" (213) this shows that the kite were admired like a work of art and hung where everyone would see 

Foreshadow-"God help...." Hosseini is foreshadowing that the hazaras will experiance great tragedy which we soon find out is the ban of kite fighting and the massacre of the hazaras (213)

Chapter 15 Journal

-imagery: sites and smells giving the reader a feeling of a dirty, crowded, culture filled, loud. (196)

-building suspense: dark hallway, creaky steps, short sentences. (197)

-a lot of issues with the country and the way of life not being able to leave their homes (199)

-Rahim khan symptoms similar to babas before he's death (201)

-personification: "those thorny old barbs..." (Hosseini 202). Hosseini usess personification to show how painful and how much the guilt is hurting Amir 

Chapter 11 Journal

1. How does the tone of the novel change at the beginning of this chapter now that Baba and Amir live in the United  States?

The tone changes to a happy and more positive tone. Hosseini does this by using a lot of imagery and comparing life in Fremont to life in Kabul. Such as when Amir describes Kabul as "..a city of ghosts for me. A city of harelipped ghosts" (Hosseini 136) and America as "a river, roaring along, unmindful of the past. ..I could let my sins drown to the bottom, let the waters carry me someplace far. Someplace with no ghosts, no memories, and no sins" (Hosseini 136). Which shows that Kabul is where Amir's guilt is haunting him like a ghost but in America he is not constantly reminded of what happened and can start over.

2. What does Amir mean when he says that "Kabul had become a city of ghosts" for him? How does he think living in America is going to be an improvement for him?

Amir says that Kabul has become a city of ghosts to him because the memories of what happened in the alley with Hassan haunted him with constant reminders and guilt. Living in America is going to be an improvement for him because he can start over without the constant memories of Hassan. He even says. "Someplace with no ghost's, no memories, and no sins" (Hosseini 136) which shows that America is a place where Amir doesn't have the past constantly haunting him.

3. Compare and contrast Baba's business life in Afghanistan with his business life in the United. How has Baba changed? What qualities remain the same?

In Afghanistan Baba had high powers and held a high paying job. Now in America Baba works at a gas station and sells used goods at the flee market. Baba misses Kabul but still has the qualities that Amir also Baba is still admired by many people. The General even states to Amir, "I have heard many men foolishly labeled great. But your father has the distinction of belonging to the the minority who truly deserves the label" (Hosseini 140). 

4. Baba says that "what happens in a few days, sometimes even a single day, can change the course of a whole life." He is talking about Soraya Taheri, but the comment is more profound. Apply this wisdom to other characters in the novel. How could Baba be talking about Amir, Hassan, Rahim Khan, Kamal, Baba or any other character in the novel?

Baba can be talking about Amir and Hassan's friendship has ended because of what happened after the Kite fight what shows how one days events can lead to a life time change.

Chapter 9 and 10

Chapter 9

1. What does Amir mean when he says that all of his gifts or are "blood money"?

As Amir is opening gifts he "[gives] them a joyless glance and pitched them to the corner of the room" (Hosseini 101). He doesn't want any of the gifts he even says "Baba would never thrown me a party like that if I hadn't won the tournament" (Hosseini 101).

2. What does Amir mean when he says that he "was the monster in the lake"? Where have we seen this phrase before? What is the significance of Amir's use of this phrase in terms of understanding his character and how he feels about himself?

Amir is realizing that he is the thing that is hurting everyone and that he is the one destroying everyone and their relationships with each other. His guilt is tuning him into something he does not want to be, a monster he says "I was the snake in the grass, the monster in the lake. I wasn't worthy of the sacrifice; I was a liar, a cheat, a thief" (Hosseini 105). We have seen this phrase before in the dream Hassan shares where the people on the beach were to afraid to swim in the lake, afraid of the supposed monster at the bottom of the lake and Hassan and Amir decide to go ahead and swim proving that there is no monster and there is nothing to be afraid of. The significance  of Amir using this phrase in terms of understanding his character and how he feels about himself is that he is realizing that he is the monster that is shying everyone away from each other and hurting the ones he loves. 

3. Why did Ali and Hassan leave Babas house even though Baba forgives Hassan and begs Ali to stay? What does this scene tell the reader about Hassan? 

After all Amir has done to Hassan Ali says, "Life here is impossible for us now" (Hosseini 106). This scene tells a 

lot about Hassan, even after what happened in the ally he is still loyal to Amir and admitting to stealing when he is innocent. Ali realizes this is hard for Hassan and he tells Baba, "Don't make this even more difficult then it already is, Agha sahib" (Hosseini 106) which goes to show that Ali knows everything and Baba doesn't and he doesn't understand why they are leaving.

4. Why is it important that it rains the day that Ali and Hassan leave Babas house? How is this technique related to romanticism in literature?

Amir first notes that it rarely rains in Kabul during the summer. Also the rain can symbolize the feelings of pain and hurt pounding down on everyone also setting a dark, depressing atmosphere. As Amir describes, "Thunderheads rolled in, painted the sky iron gray" (Hosseini 108).

Chapter 10

1. How does Hosseini highlight Amir's cowardice in the scene with the Russian solider?

Hosseini adds a moment to the scene where Amir thinks to himself, "Do you always have to be the hero, can't you let it go for once" (Hosseini 115). This shows that Amir is not only a coward but selfish. His father is standing up for a women that he does not even know and yet Amir would not stand up for Hassan, his best friend, brother. 

2. How do Hosseini's word choice and sentence structure convey Amir's fear as he climbs into the fuel tank?

Hosseini uses short sentence fragments to add a dramatic feeling to the scene such as, "Panic" (Hosseini 121). He also uses much imagery to show the setting in the fuel tank, "They collapse, tighten, squeeze, and suddenly you're breathing through a drinking straw" (Hosseini 121). 

3. Explain the tragic irony of Kamal's death. What qualities to Amir and Kamal have in common?

He died because he was trying to get to America were he would be safe, they both have witnessed rape and have grown up without a mother.

Chapters 6 7 and 8 Journal

Chapter 6

1. What are some details of imagery that set the mood for the beginning of Chapter 6? How do these details create a mood for the reader?

The imagery of winter days in Amir's  view gives the mood of happiness and excitement.

2. Amir describes Hassan as having two faces, one that he has known since childhood and another that he feels he has seen before. What is Hosseini suggesting by having Amir make this observation?

Hosseini could be suggesting that people in our lives may resemble others in our life's in showing us our actions and making us view things in other perspectives.

3. What is the importance of the kite fight for Amir and Baba? How does Hosseini give it great value through his word choice in the text.

Hosseini shows that Amir feels and knows he is unapproved of by his father and winning this kite fight would make his father approve of him. He ephisizes the work and history of kite fighting. Also he is repeatitive of the blue kite. 

Chapter 7

1. What is the importance of Hassan's dream? Why does Hosseini include it at this point in the plot? How does the dream affect other events in the chapter?

Hassan's dream symbolizes that sometimes no matter what other people say or do you need to step out and stand up for why you believe in. That you need to swim in the lake where you will find there is no monster. Hosseini includes it at this point because it can be used to show the symbolism and to show how Hassan believes things should be. The dream is constantly on Amir's mind where he grows a different opinion then Hassan.

2. How does Hosseini set the mood for the kite fight when it is down to just two kites? What details provide the mixture of excitement and anxiety?

Hosseini sets the mood of the final kite fighting with lots of excitement but also the hope that Amir and Babas relationship will grow positively after this. We see that Amir's biggest worry is being approved by his dad which he feels is only possible by winning this. 

3. Explain why this is much more than a kite fight to Amir? What details from the text make this clear and how do they do this? 

To Amir he is fighting to win his dad over, to be approved of and to be someone Baba takes pride in.

4. Amir encounters racism reapeatedly as he looks for Hassan, who is running the last kite. Why does Hosseini include these exchanges?

The racism Amir experiences towards Hassan shows that there were these things that everyone else thought of but Amir didn't. Also it shows how people saw Hassan.

5. What is the purpose of the memories and the dream included in this chapter as Amir peeks into the alley? How does Hosseini use this exposition to prepare the reader for Hassan's rape?

They use the memory of the sheep to show a innocent creature be sacrificed for the good of others. 

6. Why is Amir's memory of the sheep important? Explain the effect that Hosseini creates by revealing this bit of exposition at this moment in the plot.

Because it shows the imagery of how Hassan was feeling and how Amir felt bad but wouldn't step up.

7. Why does Amir run instead of helping Hassan? Point to the many details in the text that try to make sense of his decision. What does this action reveal about Amir?

He is a coward. Amir is lost between standing up for Hassan and leaving and easily being able to escape. This reveals that Amir is not a true friend and is selfish.

8. How does this scene reveal the primary conflict of the novel that first appears in chapter 1 before the flashback?

The rape has forever changed the bond of Amir and Hassan that hunts Amir for the rest of his life.

Chapter 8

1. The image of Hassan's brown corduroy pants haunts Amir for years after the day of the kite fight. What does this image symbolize? What is the purpose?

If Amir stood up for Hassan he would not have been abused and the knowing of that haunts Amir forever knowing that he could have done something.

2.why does Hassan's friendship and loyality bother Amir so much? 

Amir is upset with the outcome and is haunted by feeling bad and wants it to go away.

3. Why does Amir not enjoy the lavish birthday party thrown in his honor? Point to specific details from the text.

He dosnt know anyone and it is been made to be all about him.

4. Why does Rahim Khan tell Amir the story of how he was almost married? What does the story foreshadow?

He shows that sometimes things happen

Chapters 4 and 5 Journal

Chapter 4

1. What does the pomegranate tree symbolize to Amir and Hassan? How does Hosseini create this symbol? 

The boys engrave their names in the tree claiming it as theirs. The spot of the tree is where the Amir shares works of literature with Hassan who is illiterate and can not read or write.

2. What is ironic about Hassan's ability to solve riddles? What is the implication of this irony?

It is ironic that Hassan can solve the riddles better then Arim because he is illiterate and can not read or write and the    implecation of this irony is that even though Hassan can not read and write he can still understand literature and figure thinks out through pure thought.

3. How and why does Hosseini create In Amir a complicated protagonist, someone with whom the reader can sympathize while despising at the same time? 

I think that we, the readers can sympathize with Amir because he dosnt have a father who loves him, yet dispose him because off his cowadness toward the relationship with Hassan.

4. Why does time slow down for Amir when he shows his story to Baba? How does Hosseini create this effect?

Baba shows no intrest in the story that his son wrote and had taken much pride in and Arim is heartbroken to realize that he has done something great and his father still will not show him pride. Hosseini creates this effect my using exaggeration and personification, I was breathing bricks, and these techniques shows the importance of this event.

Chapter 5

1. How does Hosseini's description of Assef let the reader know immediately that he is the antagonist?

The reader discribes Assef as being known for his "famous stainless-steel brass knuckles" with a well-earned reputation for savagery. He was nicknamed "the ear eater" but Amir knows him to be "sociopath". He also was the most relentless in torturing Ali. 

2. What does Assef foreshadow when he talks about his admiration for Hitler?

He states that Afghanistan is the land of the Pashtuns and always has been and will be. Which like what Hitler did would happen but killing those who were not Pashtuns.

3. How does Hassan's harelip foster Amirs jealousy of him? 

Amir is jealous because Baba gives him the gift of surgery which was seen and being fixed. 

4. What is suggested by the affection that Baba shows Hassan?

That  Baba would rather have Hassan as a son whom he would be proud of and do anything for.

Chapters 2 and 3 Journal

Chapter 2

1. What are the reader's first impressions of Hassan based on Hosseini's description of him?

He has a perfectly round face like a china doll with a flat, broad nose with slanting, narrow eyes that were a green, gold, even sapphire color, pointy chin. Hassan never denied Amir anything and therefore he can be seen as a friend willing to go to all extremes for someone else.

2. Why have Amirs teachers not said very much about the Hazaras?

The Hazaras were Shia's and passed themselves as martyrs.

3. What is unusual about the relationship between Amir and Hassan?

They fed from the same breasts and grew up together and their first words were baba and Amir. 

Chapter 3

1. How does Hosseini use hyperbole in his descriptions of Baba? What can the reader conclude about Baba based on these descriptions?

Hosseini tells the story of how Baba wrestled a black bear with his bare hands which shows that he is strong and also Hosseini says that if this story was about anyone else it would have been dismissed as a exaggeration. Baba holds much power and respect of all the people where everyone believes anything said by him or about him. Baba was also nicknamed "Mr. Hurricane" because he was known as a force of nature who looked capable of uprooting a willow tree and had a black glare that would drop the devil dead to his knees begging for mercy.

2. Why does Amir lie about Hassan's health when Baba wants to take them to Ghangha Lake? What is the significance of this lie in terms of developing the readers understanding of Amir?

Amir wants to have Baba all to himself and did not want Hassan there to out due him and impress Baba. The reader is understanding that Amir is kind of the unwanted child, the not normal one that is having to work his hardest to get his fathers approval. 

3. What does Baba mean when he says that Amir has "confused what you're learning in school with actual education"?  What are the implications of this statement?

Baba believes that the only sin is theft and that everything else Amir is learning is uneccasary. Baba is implying that what  Amir is learning in school will not give him the education he needs to run the business or become as wealthy as him.

Chapter 1 Journal

1.How does the use of chapter 1 to introduce the flashback establish the overall mood of the novel? How would it be different if the story were told without the flashback?

The flashback sets a dark and harsh mood, adding a hunting and eriy effect to the events of this characters past and how something had dramatically changed his life. If there was not a flashback there would be no setting and no attention grabber to intise the reader.

2. What does the reader know about the narrator's present life, and how do we know?
 

We know the character is 38 and living in San Francisco and that he has experianced a tramatic event and he has a friend who was a part of the incident that happened in 1975. We know this because of the similes and imagery and personification the author uses.

3.What mood does the image of the two kites create? How does Hosseini create this mood?
 

The two kites create an image of the friends being side my side or kite fighting. Hosseini creates this mood by giving the kites human traits.