...A thousand splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini Music: Leonard Cohen – Hallelujah fade out in the background. Song ends play river flows in you by Yiruma in the background Host: Welcome back listeners, to literacy 98.3. That was hallelujah by Leonard Cohen. It’s time for our weekly review, as you all know this week we are exploring the theme oppression. This week’s book is A thousand splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, author of the bestseller the Kite runner. I have with me, Ms. Kathryn Stockett, Reclaimed author of one for the most insightful books, The Help. Welcome Kathryn, we happy to have you with us. Kathryn Stockett: Thank you for having me Host: Kathryn could you tell those who are listening, what oppression means to you, and if you don’t mind give us a summary of the book A thousand Splendid Suns Kathryn Stockett: Oppression to me means dominating somebody (or a group of people), through cruelty, or harshness. One is oppressive if he/she is the source of worry stress or trouble to others. A thousand splendid suns is at one an incredible chronicle of thirty years of Afghan history and a deeply moving story of family, friendship, faith and the salvation to be found in love....
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...The Kite Runner The Kite Runner is a great tale about betrayal and redemption, in the novel, the author uses diction to portray the theme through symbolism and through suspense, these elements help tell the tale of betrayal and redemption. In the first few chapters, Amir’s cowardice leads directly to the betrayal of Hassan. When is forced to stick up for the both of them, the cost is much higher then if Amir would of stuck up for both of them, leading to the rape of Hassan. Amir could of said something to Assef, telling him to leave them be, as Amir is pashtan and pashtans are a higher majority in Afghanistan, instead, Hassan being Hazara, the leading minority in their country, which are treated as servents and slaves, is forced to take action. Assef’s racism towards Hazaras is compared to Hitler and the jewish, showing immediately how his hate towards hassan is much greater then his hate towards Amir. When Hassan sticks up for them, the cost is much higher because of his racial minority. “Assef gritted his teeth “Put it down you motherless Hazara” (Hosseini 45) Amir’s cowardice is shown through fear as he thinks about his relationship with Hassan, thoughts of betrayal ponder his mind even before the rape. “But he’s not my friend! I almost blurted, He’s my servent!” (Hosseini 44) As Amir thinks of future encounters, He also fears for his safty, and Hassans, because he knows that Hassan will not always be able to save them with his slingshot. “Certin that Assef...
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...How does Hosseini tell the story in chapter one? In chapter one we are introduced to the narrator in first person however we are not told who. We are immediately aware something bad has happened in the winter of 1975 as Hosseini uses the weather to have an impact on the event in the first sentence and continues to describe what went on in the next few sentences. This stands out to the reader and comes across as the main event in the book, the thing the reader wants to find out. Hosseini seems to be using a double frame yet we don’t know what has happened but we know we are going to find out later on. Time is significant as it is used in the chapter heading and in the first sentence, as a reader we think Hosseini uses time to show his feelings and to tell the story through them. Hosseini quickly introduces us to a place: the ‘alley’, and uses a lot of strong verbs such as ‘crouching’ and ‘crumbling’ which also mirrors how he feels about what happened. The first paragraph of the chapter is to set the story which is in contrast to the second one where there is a flashback to ‘one day last summer’ another link to time. In the first paragraph Hosseini tells us about the past in Pakistan whereas in the second paragraph he mentions San Francisco so we know the story is going to change places. The story is in chronological order, even though it is told the date of the chapter is 2001, the story being told is in order and the story is kept in the past. The characters introduced in the...
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...Chapter 1 Amir will narrate the whole book, except for Chapter 16, which is narrated by Rahim Khan. This first chapter is very cryptic if you haven't read the rest of the book, or at least read a summary of the plot. There, we've warned you. Amir tells us something happened in the winter of 1975 and this event made him what he is today. He gives us some scattered images: a crumbling mud wall, an alley, a frozen creek. Amir remembers a phone call last summer from his friend Rahim Khan. He feels like a past of "unatoned sins" is calling him up. So he takes a walk and looks at some kites, which remind him of someone named Hassan. During the walk, Amir sits on a park bench. He thinks of Baba and Ali, and Kabul, Afghanistan. The chapter ends where it began: "I thought of the life I had lived until the winter of 1975 came along and changed everything. And made me what I am today" (1.3). Chapter 2 This chapter is a slideshow of Amir's early childhood. Fasten the seatbelts on your recliners! Amir and Hassan get into harmless mischief together as kids. Hassan often takes the blame if the two troublemakers get caught. Amir describes his childhood home, built by his father. It has rosebushes, marble floors, mosaic tiles, and gold-stitched tapestries. Oh, and a crystal chandelier. Baba, Amir's father, has a smoking room in the house but he doesn't let Amir hang out there. Go away, Amir. Some of Baba's cabinets have a few pictures: Amir's grandfather and King Nadir Shah and one of Amir's...
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...societies. Oppression usually refers to a great power such as government applying control over a large group, such as the population of a country. The Youth Action Center of Canada identifies six main forms of oppression based on race, gender, class, sex, ability and age. Oppression can be categorised into four different groups, social oppression, institutionalised oppression, systematic oppression and internalized oppression. Kite runner: In the novel, Kite Runner written by Khaled Hosseini, many occasions are reflective of situations that occur in reality. Oppression is a prevalent theme throughout the novel, just as oppression is prevalent in society. Many oppression regimes have become adopted by society causing some forms of oppression to go unnoticed because it is accepted as a part of social structure. If people try to break out of the social code, they are usually silenced unless more people follow the lead of the rebels and change the inequality that is occurring. Many different people can be oppressed for different reasons and in Kite Runner, racism and ableism are two forms of oppression that are addressed. The novel shows how both of these ostracized people are being oppressed because of their race, or disability. People need to open their eyes and see the oppression that is going on in the world and recognize that they themselves may be victims of oppression, or that they are the oppressors. Society needs to become informed about this issue that seems to be accepted...
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...Unit 1 & 2 Holiday Homework Over the summer break you will be expected to complete the following tasks: • Become familiar with the Year 11 English course outline • Read The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini and answer the activities attached • Find the key words in your text and begin a glossary Your English teacher will collect this homework in Week One of Term One, 2014. All the best!! Failure to complete the required reading and activities will mean that you will be unprepared to begin the year and giving up time to complete the work afterschool. YEAR 11 ENGLISH UNIT 1 & 2 OUTLINE 2014 UNIT 1 Reading & Responding – Outcome 1 The Kite Runner - Text response essay (800 – 1000 words). Creating & Presenting – Outcome 2 Visual Text ‘Redfern Now’ - One written piece in an imaginative, persuasive or expository style (600 - 800 words) related to the context of Identity and Belonging + 2 hurdle tasks exploring imaginative, persuasive or expository styles. Language Analysis – Outcome 3 You will focus on the use of persuasive language techniques written articles and visual images. You will then produce a language and visual analysis essay. (600 – 800 words) Exam: Reading and Responding and Language Analysis - 2hrs 15mins • A reading and responding essay for The Kite Runner • A language and visual analysis essay on the issue studied in class UNIT 2 Reading & Responding – Outcome 1 The Crucible - Text response essay (800 – 1000 words) Creating...
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...Victor Hugo. In the novel, The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini, Khaled effectively portrays guilt as being destructive to oneself and affecting others around it. The violence that the main character, Amir, experiences leads to him feeling guilty for rest of his life, which breaks up the relationships that he once had in his previous years. Amir’s guilt turns brother against brother and friend against friend. In the novel, The Kite Runner, Khaled uses the character, Amir, to demonstrate how violence leads to betrayal, which creates guilt within oneself, and ultimate destroying relationships. The impact of violence on Amir leads him to betray Hassan, his only friend, brother and servant by running away from helping Hassan. Amir’s first experience of violence is when Amir wins the Kite fighting Tournament, and Hassan, runs off in pursuit of Amir’s trophy. Hassan is gone long enough to alarm Amir, who begins to search for him and once he finds him, he sees Assef, a bully, raping him. Amir at first is scared of Assef but later convinces himself by says, “Nothing was free in this world. Maybe Hassan was the price I had to pay, the lamb I had to slay to win Baba (Amir’s Father) Was it a fair price?” (Hosseini 82). As Amir never helps Hassan, this shows that Amir will do anything to get Baba’s love and intention. Amir uses Hassan as a tool even though Hassan was his best friend from birth. Hassan’s friendship for Amir is not worth more than the blue kite, which ultimately shows Amir...
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...The Influence of the Past The past will forever be a part of the present, it affects who we become and how we live our lives. Depending on a specific past, future lives can be affected positively or negatively. In the novel The Kite Runner Baba, Amir and Hassan all had violent pasts which negatively impacted their future and how they viewed themselves and their lives. There was a point in each of their lives where their childhood ended with just one event. Amir watched his friend/brother get raped for the wellbeing of himself, Hassan’s mother left him when he was born mainly because of his appearance, and Baba and Amir lost a wife and mother at the time Amir was born. All these events attributed to a problematic childhood and future. Having a difficult past can limit how you perceive yourself, how you perceive others and how you look at life as a whole. In these following paragraphs I will discuss in detail about Hassan, Baba’s and Amir’s lives including specifics as to how their lives are different due to their intense emotional pasts. Facing rejection can be hard enough as is, however when the rejection comes from the one woman who brought you into this world, that’s when the real damage sets in. Hassan was merely a newborn boy when his mother rejected him the first time, for something so small, and for something he couldn’t control. After Sanaubar had given birth, she took “one glance at the baby in Ali's arms, [saw] the cleft lip, and barked a bitter laughter. [...]. She...
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...The reluctant fundamentalist is a fictional book (novel) written by Mohsin Hamid and pivots on the narrators story. This novel is set in the subsequent years after 9/11. Changez, the narrator, talks to the reader, who takes the form of an American businessman or CIA agent. He is invited by Changez to join him for tea, snacks, and a meal in Lahore, Pakistan, which leads to an unexpected friendship and story of Changez' life during the years in which he studied at Princeton and worked in one of Americas most well known and valued enterprise. Mira Nair, the director, gave this novel the Hollywood treatment. Firstly, the novel itself has an unhurried and laid-back pace, while the film revolves around action and suspense. The novels plot is minimal overall, whereas the film adds kidnapping and chaotic and unmanageable crowds. Another change that the film took hold of was Erica's character. In the film, she is a photographer, while in the novel she is described as a person who loves to write and dreams of becoming a journalist/writer, but also the film failed to mention or bring up her mental health issues. In addition, Chris' cause of death takes a complete different turn in the film, because in the novel Chris died at the cause of cancer, but in the film he died due to Erica's recklessness and disregard, since she decided to drive even after having one too many alcoholic drinks. Furthermore, in the film there is a subplot, unlike in the novel. The subplot consists of the kidnapping...
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...The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini, is a novel that follows the maturation of Amir, a male from Afghanistan who needs to find his way in the world as he realises that his own belief system is not that of his dominant culture. It is the story of both fathers and sons; and friends and brothers. Through this journey of Amir’s, Khaled Hosseini’s depicts right and wrong and the nature of evil. The relationship between Amir and his ‘best friend’ Hassan was saddening. Not only is Hassan Amir’s best friend, he is also Amir’s servant and a member of the discriminated ethnic minority. I was saddened because although they were very close, Amir never wanted to be associated with Hassan in public. Often, people would tease Amir for being with Hassan, saying things like, “Afghanistan is the land of Pashtuns. It always has been, always will be. We are the true Afghans, the pure Afghans, not this Flat-Nose here. His people pollute our homeland, our watan. They dirty our blood.” Therefore, Amir would always avoid being seen in public with Hassan. In my mind, this poses the question of whether love for a friend should outweigh the divisions of class and ethnicity. Or are these divisions too far-reaching? In any right mind, love for a friend should outweigh the divisions of class and ethnicity because, who cares as to what blood or skin colour they are? How can you call yourself their best friend if you do not want to be seen with them in public? I found that often Amir wouldn’t even stand up...
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...Khaled Hosseini worked as a medical internist at Kaiser Hospital in Mountain View, California for several years before publishing The Kite Runner.[3][6][7] In 1999, he learned through a news report that the Taliban had banned kite flying in Afghanistan,[8] a restriction he found particularly cruel.[9] The news "struck a personal chord" for him, as he had grown up with the sport while living in Afghanistan. He was motivated to write a 25-page short story about two boys who fly kites in Kabul.[8] Hosseini submitted copies to Esquire and The New Yorker, both of which rejected it.[9] He rediscovered the manuscript in his garage in March 2001 and began to expand it to novel format at the suggestion of a friend.[8][9] According to Hosseini, the narrative became "much darker" than he originally intended.[8] His editor, Cindy Spiegel, "helped him rework the last third of his manuscript", something she describes as relatively common for a first novel.[9] As with Hosseini's subsequent novels, The Kite Runner covers a multigenerational period and focuses on the relationship between parents and their children.[2] The latter was unintentional; Hosseini developed an interest in the theme while in the process of writing.[2] He later divulged that he frequently came up with pieces of the plot by drawing pictures of it.[7] For example, he did not decide to make Amir and Hassan brothers until after he had "doodled it".[7] Like Amir, the protagonist of the novel, Hosseini was born in Afghanistan...
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...what happens you can always redeem yourself. This statement is especially true for the novel “The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini. In the novel the main character is a Pashtun boy named Amir who is the son of a wealthy father and a Hazara boy named Hassan who is the son of a poor father. Hassan and his father Ali are the servents to Hassan and his father Baba located in Afghanastan. In a land where reputation is like a gun which is aimed at you at all times Amir is constantly reminded of how poorly Hazara’s are treated throughout the novel. Amir and Hassan are no exception to the problems in Afghan society and this is seen through Amir’s treatment and jeasolousy of Hassan. Throughout the entire novel all Amir wanted was his fathers love and attenetion but he realized that he had to constantly live up to his fathers expectations in order to gain it. Amir wants to be the only person in his fathers life but instead he has to share the spotlight with Hassan as well who Amir claims is just a “Hazara boy”. Amir feels guilty in many situations because Hassan always takes the blame for Amir’s actions and always shows love and dedication to Amir even in the face of danger. One such incident where Hassan was in the face of danger and even death was right after Amir and Hassan won the kite fighting championship. Hassan being Amirs servent decides to “run the kite” which means to get the kite that was cut and return it to Amir so that he can show his father. Amir at this point of the novel...
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...because “There is [always] a way to be good again” (2). In The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini there are many examples of guilt and redemption. Amir, the main character in the story, commits many mistakes but he always finds a way to redeem himself and cover his mistakes. In order for Amir to beat the shadows that haunt him, he decides to rescue Sohrab, his best friend and half-brother’s son, and do for him what he did not do for Hassan. Baba also commits many mistakes, but he attempts to make up for them in his everyday life. There is always something people can do to expiate their guilt. Throughout Amir’s childhood, he constantly feels that his father blames him for his mother’s death and that he does not love him. Amir does everything he can to make up for the mistakes he made in the past. “I always felt like baba hated me a little. And why not? After all I had killed his beloved wife,” he says (19). Since Amir feels no love from Baba, he thinks of ways to make things right with him. Amir sees his father as a perfect man because everyone in their neighborhood looks up to him. In order to convince Baba that he is an ‘ideal’ son, Amir decides to sign up for the kite running competition, he sees it as the only opportunity to become closer to his father and prove his worth. Amir tries to redeem himself, so that Baba does not blame him for the death of his mother anymore. Overall Amir did redeem himself by winning the kite running competition. In Hassan’s attempt to make Amir;...
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...“Redemption” The Kite Runner Kati Hernandez 3/3/15 AP English 12 Period 1 Three Questions 1. Why do you think Baba refuses to refer to Ali as his friend? Is it the divide between servant and master? 2. Does a character like Assef even choose between good and evil? Could Assef be innocent in ways Amir is not? 3. Why doesn't Amir admire Rahim Khan as much as he admires his father? What does this tell us about admiration? Literary Criticism New historicism criticism insists that to understand a literary piece, readers need to understand the author's biography and social background. Every human action is actually the effect of a network of material practices. Every act of unmasking, critique and opposition uses the tools it condemns and risks falling prey to the practice it exposes. No discourse, imaginative, scientific, or archival, gives access to unchanging truths, nor expresses inalterable human nature. A critical method and a language adequate to describe culture under capitalism participate in the economy they describe. What makes a legend, is it someone who is a hero or someone who is infallible from making mistakes? In the novel, The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, the character described as a legend is Baba. Seen as the most perfect figure to be looked at for its bravery, generosity and caring for others. His actions describe him better than words can, as he always defends others in time of need and stays loyal to his home and country...
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...Role of Conflict and Power Paper Shaun Weems March 4, 2016. BSHS385 Andrea Winston The Kite Runner, written by Khaled Hosseini, is a novel about power, justice, and both internal and external conflict. The feelings of jealousy and selfishness are continually shown by at least two of the main characters throughout the story. This is also a story of cultural power brought on by the influences of the Taliban within the Afghan society. Power is a constant theme throughout the novel and ties closely with the conflict in the characters. Amir, is the central character and is shaped both in character and intellect by power. He is privileged and wealthy, but also steeped in jealousy and cowardice. He is selfish and guilty of abhorrent behaviors. The one positive strength Amir has in his friendship with Hassan. Considered best friends this is a friendship that is generally one-sided with Hassan showing the loyalty and trust. There is an ongoing conflict for this friendship because Amir shares paternal heritage with Hassan. Hassan was born into servitude and thus Baba, the boys’ father, cannot lay claim to Hassan’s heritage. The Afghan traditions and culture pose a conflict for Baba regarding Hassan. Hassan for his part is loyal, forgiving, and an all- around pleasant person to be with. The two boys are drawn to each other naturally. Hassan is the family servant and never wavers in his loyalty to the family even with the knowledge that he should be considered part of it. At the...
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