a discussion of the title’s significance
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
The title of the amazing novel wrote by Khaled Hosseini has a very powerful and significant meaning. Considering that the book is based upon a storyline of a person who regrets something very traumatizing that has happened in his life. His dear childhood friend Hassan was helping him win a kite flying contest when the tragic moment occurred. In this game, one's goal is to knock your other opponent's kite out of the sky, and if you knock out the last one, someone has to fetch the falling kite to win. In the story, Hassan fetches the kite because Amir wins, but since Hassan is looked down upon because of his ethnicity, things went wrong.
Hassan got teased and raped by boys just as he was fetching the kite, and Amir saw it all happen; which is the most traumatizing moment he has ever experienced. He did not do anything about it, and has regretted it ever since. So the phrase "The Kite Runner" is very significant simply because that moment in his life, when he sent Hassan to be his kite runner, it became the worst memory placed in his mind. Therefore, showing the significance of the whole story of Amir's life and how he deals with his regret.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Monday, March 17, 2014
LRB #3
a statement relating the work to your experience or ideas
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
The Kite Runner is an amazing book that shows regret and many other things. As I have read along with it, I catch myself seeing similarities of situations that are in my life. My life has been a roller coaster of emotions, and as I have read, Amir's life seems to be the same. He regrets not helping Hassan, and feels guilty, as well as sleep deprived and depressed. He is also dealing with a self battle to win over Baba's undivided attention and praise. He says, "There was a monster in the lake. It had grabbed Hassan by the ankles, dragged him to the murky bottom. I was that monster." (Hosseini.chapter8.page86) He had totally convinced himself that he was absolutely horrible, which is entirely untrue.
His father does not show him enough attention, therefore messing with Amir's emotions and his whole life. My life seems similar. My mother is an absent parent from my life, and that sometimes causes me to be bitter in ways that I shouldn't, towards people who don't deserve meanness. I have chosen in the past not to help people simply because I have told myself that they deserve it. When in reality, I chose not to help them because I want them to suffer, and feel bitterness life I do, which is a horrible thing to do; but with people who are in these situations, one doesn't know that they are causing pain to others by being in pain.
Hurting people hurt people; which is so true because this book displays it perfectly. Now I am not saying this book is filled with just hurt and sorrow, but it has life lessons that teach through the text and on each page through a life story of a person who regrets things that he has done. It also teaches forgiveness for someone, and for yourself, which is a hard thing to do in life. I believe this book has showed me skillful things for many situations in life, and has touched my heart tremendously. I have enjoyed it simply because it correlates with my life so much.
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
The Kite Runner is an amazing book that shows regret and many other things. As I have read along with it, I catch myself seeing similarities of situations that are in my life. My life has been a roller coaster of emotions, and as I have read, Amir's life seems to be the same. He regrets not helping Hassan, and feels guilty, as well as sleep deprived and depressed. He is also dealing with a self battle to win over Baba's undivided attention and praise. He says, "There was a monster in the lake. It had grabbed Hassan by the ankles, dragged him to the murky bottom. I was that monster." (Hosseini.chapter8.page86) He had totally convinced himself that he was absolutely horrible, which is entirely untrue.
His father does not show him enough attention, therefore messing with Amir's emotions and his whole life. My life seems similar. My mother is an absent parent from my life, and that sometimes causes me to be bitter in ways that I shouldn't, towards people who don't deserve meanness. I have chosen in the past not to help people simply because I have told myself that they deserve it. When in reality, I chose not to help them because I want them to suffer, and feel bitterness life I do, which is a horrible thing to do; but with people who are in these situations, one doesn't know that they are causing pain to others by being in pain.
Hurting people hurt people; which is so true because this book displays it perfectly. Now I am not saying this book is filled with just hurt and sorrow, but it has life lessons that teach through the text and on each page through a life story of a person who regrets things that he has done. It also teaches forgiveness for someone, and for yourself, which is a hard thing to do in life. I believe this book has showed me skillful things for many situations in life, and has touched my heart tremendously. I have enjoyed it simply because it correlates with my life so much.
Thursday, March 13, 2014
LRB #2
4. a discussion of the role(s) played by minor character(s)
In The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini there are few minor characters that have a significant meaning, and one in particular is Hassan's father, Ali. He does not have much say but being in the setting represents Hassan's reasoning for being important; therefore, Hassan is a major character in the book. Ali was first Baba's servant when they both were young, and now his son and himself work for Baba and his son Amir. Baba's and Ali's relationship is a platform of how Hassan and Amir are so close, and Ali has significance in such.
Whenever Amir sees what happens to Hassan in the alley, that scars them both. All the while Amir thought Hassan did not see him get raped, but he knew he was watching. He told Ali privately, and when Amir had finally got tired of feeling guilty and tried getting rid of Hassan, Ali stepped up and spoke for Hassan and for himself by telling Baba, "Life here is impossible for us now, Agha sahib. We're leaving." (Hosseini.chapter9.page106)
By saying such, Ali, as a minor character, shows his significance by standing up for his son Hassan who puts major impact and symbolism on the plot and overall story. He is significant to the plot.
In The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini there are few minor characters that have a significant meaning, and one in particular is Hassan's father, Ali. He does not have much say but being in the setting represents Hassan's reasoning for being important; therefore, Hassan is a major character in the book. Ali was first Baba's servant when they both were young, and now his son and himself work for Baba and his son Amir. Baba's and Ali's relationship is a platform of how Hassan and Amir are so close, and Ali has significance in such.
Whenever Amir sees what happens to Hassan in the alley, that scars them both. All the while Amir thought Hassan did not see him get raped, but he knew he was watching. He told Ali privately, and when Amir had finally got tired of feeling guilty and tried getting rid of Hassan, Ali stepped up and spoke for Hassan and for himself by telling Baba, "Life here is impossible for us now, Agha sahib. We're leaving." (Hosseini.chapter9.page106)
By saying such, Ali, as a minor character, shows his significance by standing up for his son Hassan who puts major impact and symbolism on the plot and overall story. He is significant to the plot.
Monday, March 10, 2014
LBR #1
a discussion of the validity and development of the theme(s)
The Kite Runner
In The Kite Runner written by Khaled Hosseini is a very controversial story that carries many themes such as selfishness and violence, that have fluent relevance that develop more and more throughout the story. Hosseini uses character's actions and plot to reveal such themes that relate to the story, as well as connecting to show and help the audience see the over all meaning. The narrator, Amir, is reflecting to his past as he explains the events that had happened to him that changed him into the person he is today. He soon begins to describe his servant's son Hassan, as his friend, and the memories that they had together. Those memories being told shows the selfishness and jealousness Amir had towards Hassan, as he states in the book after reading a story to Hassan saying," Taught by Hassan, of all people. Hassan who couldn't read and had never written a single word in his entire life. A voice, cold and dark, suddenly whispered in my ear, what does he know, that illiterate Hazara? He'll never be anything but a cook. How dare he criticize you?" (Hosseini.V.pg. 34)
This statement shows the audience that whenever Hassan corrects Amir, he despises it, and resents Hassan,, and his subconscious fills his mind with selfishness, but yet he is still friends with Hassan, and feels guilty for thinking such things.
The Kite Runner
In The Kite Runner written by Khaled Hosseini is a very controversial story that carries many themes such as selfishness and violence, that have fluent relevance that develop more and more throughout the story. Hosseini uses character's actions and plot to reveal such themes that relate to the story, as well as connecting to show and help the audience see the over all meaning. The narrator, Amir, is reflecting to his past as he explains the events that had happened to him that changed him into the person he is today. He soon begins to describe his servant's son Hassan, as his friend, and the memories that they had together. Those memories being told shows the selfishness and jealousness Amir had towards Hassan, as he states in the book after reading a story to Hassan saying," Taught by Hassan, of all people. Hassan who couldn't read and had never written a single word in his entire life. A voice, cold and dark, suddenly whispered in my ear, what does he know, that illiterate Hazara? He'll never be anything but a cook. How dare he criticize you?" (Hosseini.V.pg. 34)
This statement shows the audience that whenever Hassan corrects Amir, he despises it, and resents Hassan,, and his subconscious fills his mind with selfishness, but yet he is still friends with Hassan, and feels guilty for thinking such things.
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Taming of the Shrew: Act 4 & 5
Act 4
| 1. | How is Petruchio's masculinity represented? Examine his treatment of servants, Kate, etc. He manipulates Kate's words around and takes things away from her that she wants, as if he says the moon is pretty and she replies it is the sun, he will reply taking away something she wants to do which is go to her father's home, then that changes her mind to start agreeing with whatever he says. |
| 2. | Many critics mark the sun/moon scene in the road to Padua (scene 5) as the turning point in the play which indicates Kate's taming. What is different about this scene? If she is tamed, what is she submitting to? Is it really a "submission," or can it be interpreted in other ways? She is tired of arguing with him over pointless things that do not really matter, and Kate knows he is acting that way purposely to tame her and finally she just gives in, and begins to be obedient. |
Act 5
| 1. | Analyze Kate's final speech. Is she sincere or ironic? Should we take her at her word? Or should we imagine a gap between what she says and what she means? Does the context of her words change their meanings? What are different possibilities in performing this scene? Kate is sincere as she tells her final speech, and we should take her word for it, because she has represented her words with actions of changing into something better for herself and others. Another possibility to approach the lecture to the women is to explain her own situation to them, and how it changed her personally. |
| 2. | What happens to the power dynamics in this scene–between mem and men, women and women, men and women? Men to men are very equal even though they all think they are the best and have the best; always trying to outwit one another. Women to women are very jealous of one another and try to bring each other down, but yet some positive there because women look out for one another. Men to women is more of a dominance role play, because the female is supposed to be controlled by the male; to love him and serve him as a loyal wife "should". |
Monday, February 10, 2014
Taming of the Shrew: Act 2 & 3
| 1. | How does Petruchio "tame" Kate? Consider how he seems to define their roles. Petruchio tames Kate by talking with her and saying nice things to her even though she is a hard pill to swallow. He also ignores the fact that she is still being rude while he is trying to woo her. He also tells her that her father is forcing her to marry him so that gives her a little push to actually enjoy Petruchio's company or anyone's at all considering no one ever wants to be with her. | |||
| 2. | How does Katherine act in the scenes where she says little or nothing? For example, in Act 2, scene 1, how does Katherine behave when Petruchio reports on his success in wooing Kate and in their plans for marriage? Because the text provides little explanation, you must decide how she would act based on your interpretation of her character from previous scenes. To my interpretation, Kate seems to be mumbling and grumbling under her breath and kind of expressing she's not so happy about the marriage but is going along since she is being forced to marry Petruchio. I believe in the back of her mind she is kind of very happy that a man really wants to be with her but she doesn't express it because she has a chip on her shoulder.
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Taming of the Shrew: Incduction and Act 1
Describe each character:
- Katherine- rude and outspoken, and seems to have a chip on her shoulder
- Bianca- quiet and naïve, also very well mannered and respectful
- Gremio- an old man who is greedy, conceited, and in love with Bianca
- Hortensio- sneaky and blinded by love for Bianca, also would do anything to get her
- Petruchio- a man who is very wealthy and odd, and wants Kate mostly for her money
- Lucentio- a honored man, who is blinded by love and will do anything to get what he wants
- Compare Katherine and Bianca to modern day people- sort of like Cinderella and her two stepsisters, no one wants to be with the stepsisters but the mother wont let anyone get near Cinderella because she is their slave.
| 1. | The Induction portrays role-playing. Who acts the part of whom? Why? How does such role-playing address issues of gender and class? What effects might these representations have on the play? The Lord portrays a servant, and the page portrays a lovely wife. Sly is being portrayed to himself by the Lord, page, and others that he is a King or very high royalty to play a joke on him. The play issues playing a woman was something looked down upon so lower class people played those parts. |
| 2. | From the outset, we learn from Bianca's suitors that Katherine is the less desirable of the two sisters. Examine and question this claim. How are Biance and Katherine different? What makes Katherine rather than Bianca the shrew? Bianca is rather quiet, sweet, and well mannered, while Katherine is the total opposite, which is that she shares her opinion, very independent, and very rude. Katherine is more of the shrew because she is so sour and harsh towards everyone including people who try to be nice to her. |
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