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.