Tuesday, November 4, 2014

All Boys, All Blogged: November 4, 2014

Focus: Do I need to make up work for this class? What Level 2 and Level 3 questions do I have regarding The Kite Runner so far?

1. Warming up: Since this Friday marks the end of 12 weeks, I would like you to take a moment to look carefully at your grades for this class, keeping in mind the following:
  • All make-up work, late work, and redos/retakes must be completed by this Friday for credit.  This includes missed fishbowl blogs, retakes on quizzes, Kite Runner annotations/journal entries, grammar assignments, and any other work collected over the past six weeks.
  • Remember that if you missed an outer circle day on the fishbowl, you must make up the blog by e-mailing me an extended response that includes at least one quotation from the assigned chapters.  
  • If you are planning to make up any grades, please speak with me or e-mail me right now to develop a plan to ensure it gets taken care of by this Friday.
  • If your grades in this class are fine, then use this time to look up the two goals that you sent me a few weeks ago after our conference (one reading goal, one writing goal).  Are you working towards those goals right now? If not, what do you need to do?

2. Fishbowl #3: Discussing Chapters 14, 15, and 16 in The Kite Runner


3. Wrapping up fishbowl with take-aways and questions

HW:
1. Start reading and annotating Chapters 17 and 18 for Friday's fishbowl discussion; leaders should start preparing the syllabus.

2. If you have an upcoming book talk, please prepare and rehearse it.  


3. Remember that this Friday marks the end of the 12 week period.  All make-up work, late work, and redos/retakes must be completed by this Friday for credit.

94 comments:

  1. Do you think after Baba's death, Amir will now become more mature, and wise? Or do you think Amir will go down road after Baba's death?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think that Amir will try to live up to Baba's "legacy" and be a well know respectable man.

      Delete
    2. I think that Amir is scared because he has to figure things out himself now. Baba was always there to guide Amir throughout the tough times but now Amir is a grown man and he must make his own decisions. I think that Amir is really scared now that Baba has passed away.

      Delete
    3. I think it will kind of be a wake up call for Amir to be his own person.

      Delete
    4. Amir will start becoming much more independent. He will start thinking for himself, not about pleasing Baba. This will lead him to do what he really wants to do instead of what he thought his father wanted him to do.

      Delete
    5. I believe Amir will have to be forced to be mature. Without Baba, he would have to have grow up, because in his words, "Baba couldn't show me the way anymore; I'd have to find it on my own. The thought of it terrified me."

      Delete
  2. When Amir went to see Rahim Khan and Rahim Kahn says he has been living with Hassan how do you think Amir fells? How do you think Hassan feels?

    ReplyDelete
  3. How did the death of Baba change Amir?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think it made Amir realize that he has to be his own person and not do stuff for Baba or to get Baba's respect. He's on his own now.

      Delete
    2. I think the death of course has made a definite negative impact on Amir, because his most trusted loving person in his life is gone. But also, I think it has improved Amir, making him more mature and wise.

      Delete
  4. Since Amir and Soraya can't have kids, will they keep trying? Is there any hope for either Amir or Soraya at this point in there lives?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes they will keep trying, because they love each other. They will not lose hope. They will keep trying to accomplish their dreams of having a family.

      Delete
    2. They will keep trying because the doctors cannot figure out why they can't have kids. Maybe this will make them hope that they still can.

      Delete
    3. Yes they will keep trying, because having kids is both of there dreams and they wont give up on it.

      Delete
  5. Does Baba try and live through Amir through the entire story?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Do you think Baba moved to America to benefit Amir's future possibly knowing what was going to happen in Afghanistan?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think Baba loved the idea of America because of Amir and how he was growing up. With that said I think that Baba had a "bad feeling" about Afghanistan and wanted his son to be safe and live a good life.

      Delete
  7. I wonder if Amir had a kid if that kid would not be like Amir because Amir was not like Baba.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amir might raise his kid differently than baba raised him.

      Delete
  8. Do you think Amir is trying to go back and help to redeem himself for what happened in the past?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes I think he wants to go back to redeem himself for what happened in the pass because he knows he messed up the first time with Hassan.

      Delete
    2. Yes, I think he is going to try and fix things, so he will not keep living with regret and sorrow.

      Delete
    3. I think Amir wants to apologize to Hassan but he just doesn't have the guts to follow through with his thoughts.

      Delete
    4. Definitely. Amir mentions how Khan said that there is a way to be good again on page 192, which I think is one of the major reasons Amir knows that he must go back to Afghanistan.

      Delete
    5. Yes I believe he is but I also think he went back because he had guilt for leaving

      Delete
    6. Amir doesn't want to be a coward anymore. I believe he wants to redeem himself and make his life better.

      Delete
  9. I think he needs to make up to Hassan and finally actually provide something to Hassan because Amir has never really given Hassan anything.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I think this is his chance to become the protagonist in the story. and he is starting the hero's journey

    ReplyDelete
  11. On pg. 192 Rahim khan said "Come, there is a way to become good again." What does this mean for Amir, is this a way for Amir to get back together with his hometown and get over his dark past.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This quote is very important because it sparks Amir's journey to turn his life around and fill the gap that has been haunting him throughout his life.

      Delete
  12. How will Amir and Hassan act after all these years? Will Hassan forgive Amir?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think Hassan will act the same as he did when he was a kid, when Amir tried to set him up with the watch and he sacrificed for Amir. I think Amir will be a little nervous to see Hassan because of the things he knows that not many other people know.

      Delete
  13. If Amir stays in America will he forget about Hassan and the feelings he has towards him?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think the book has already answered this. Amir has been living in America for around 20 years now and still hasn't forgotten about Hassan and what he witnessed.If Amir continued living in America, I doubt that his feelings would fade away.

      Delete
    2. No, on page 194 Amir quotes,"And dreamed of Hassan running in the snow, the hem of his green chapan dragging behind him, snow crunching under his black rubber boots. He was yelling over his shoulder: For you, a thousand times over!" Amir is still dreaming of Hassan and his past impacted his life so much so he will not be able to forget even if he tried. His feelings for Hassan are too strong as well.

      Delete
  14. I wonder if Amir is already in the process of writhing this book. Like i wonder if he has wrote at all about his experiences as a kid.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I think that throughout the years of living with him and Baba telling him what to do and guiding him through his life he became dependent on his advisement. After he lost him I think Amir lost a part of him too. Baba was a part of Amir that knew Amir better than he knew himself, even though Baba wasn't always in favor of what Amir wants to do with his life.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree with that because I believe that If you loose a parent or a close relative than a part of you dies with them.

      Delete
  16. Why do you think Khaled Hosseini the author made the first page of the book the same as chapter 16? Does it symbolize anything?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They both symbolize new beginnings.

      Delete
  17. How do you think Hassan feels towards Amir after all those years? Is there still tension between the 2 or are they old and mature enough to forgive each other?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Throughout the chapter, Rahim Kahn said that Hassan asked about Baba and Amir quite frequently, so I think that Hassan still thinks of Amir as his friend, and that he does miss him.

      Delete
    2. I feel like they are both old and mature enough but the tension of the past definitely lingers in the back of each of their heads.

      Delete
    3. I think they are trying to forgive and forget but they know the past will always be in the back of there minds.

      Delete
  18. When Hassan's mother shows up what does this change for Hassan, what does he feel after seeing his mom after all these years?

    ReplyDelete
  19. I wonder if Amir documents lots of life?

    ReplyDelete
  20. the ban of kite fighting in Kabul definitely sounds like a symbol the shows the destruction of what the kites used to represent.

    ReplyDelete
  21. On page 179, Soraya said "When I told you about this on the phone that night of Khastegari, I was sure you'd change your mind." Soraya has told Amir her darkest secrets, why don't you think Amir tells her? What is holding him back?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He is too ashamed of himself to tell anyone about Hassan. He has tried to forget about what happened but everything in his life comes back to that incident.

      Delete
  22. When something happens like that you will never forget it. Amir will remember everything that happen with Hassan.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think Hassan is able to forgive Amir but Amir is not able to forgive himself for the guilt that he has had over the years for not helping Hassan with Assef.

      Delete
  23. Do you see change in Amir?

    ReplyDelete
  24. How did the death of Baba change Amir?

    ReplyDelete
  25. Why did the author make Rahim Khan the narrator in chapter seventeen rather than Amir?

    ReplyDelete
  26. Why do you think Rahim Kahn keeps telling Amir "there is a way to be good again?"

    ReplyDelete
  27. What could the banning of Kite cutting competitions by the Taliban symbolize?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think it symbolizes the end of the childhood ties between Amir and Hassan

      Delete
    2. I think the Taliban is trying to stop the rebellions and so the Kite cutting competitions symbolizes some sort of rebellion in Afghanistan.

      Delete
  28. On pg.192 "I glanced up and saw a pair of kites, red with blue tails." What does this mean for Amir, is the kites being brought back for the regret and guilt to continue or was it for him to feel relieved that its over?

    ReplyDelete
  29. "You look pale, Amir," Soraya said from the couch. What does this reaction tell us about how amir feels about going back?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think that he reacted this way because his past is coming back into his life.

      Delete
    2. Amir obviously is scared of facing his past and also Amir is scared because he doesn't think he could make up for his past.

      Delete
    3. It shows that Amir is worried. Coming to America was his way to break away from all that he had done and seen in Afghanistan, and having to go back and face all that once again is something he probably doesn't look forward to.

      Delete
    4. I think Amir just feels really sick thinking of the mistakes he made in his past.

      Delete
  30. "in 1998, they massacred the Hazaras in Mazar-i-Sharif" page 213. If they started to massacre Hazaras why did Rahim Khan call Amir to Pakistan if Hassan might be dead.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Khan tells Amir that "There is a way to be good again." This shows that Khan knows a way for Amir to be good again, because the inability to act and let Hassan get raped, and then accuse him of stealing, it stops him from being completely happy. Khan knows what happened to Hassan, so he knows a way for him to repent even if Hassan is dead

      Delete
  31. What made rahim decide to call amir

    ReplyDelete
  32. Amir and Hassan's friendship is more of distant friendship, but then again its almost like brotherhood like griffin said, since Ali and Baba were very close just like a whole family.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Will Hassan ever accept Amir's apology?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, the author portrayed Hassan as a pure and forgiving character in the first few chapters. Hassan's love and appreciation of Amir is great enough to where Hassan would do anything to have Amir even talk to him again.

      Delete
    2. I think even if Hassan does not accept Amir's apology, I believe that Amir will do something to repent his sins. For example, a person might start being raped, I mean this is Taliban controlled Afghanistan, and Amir will have to replay the situation and he will have the choice to grow up and repent his sins, or let it happen again.

      Delete
  34. On page 198 after Amir arrives to Afghanistan he ask "Is it as bad as I hear here?"
    What will Amir hear in Afghanistan compare to what the rumors have been in America?

    ReplyDelete
  35. If Amir and Hassan met again though i don't think they will. I think that they could became better friends than they ever were. they are not girls who tend to hold grudges a lot longer than guys.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Pg 201 Rhahim Khan says " I don't think I'll see the end of the summer"
    Since he is about to move on to a different world did Amir think of him just as one of his fathers friends or as a family member?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes I think Rhahim Khan is another big role model in Amir's life. I think he respects Amir and cares for his future.

      Delete
  37. On page 213 the author explains that two weeks after taking control, the Taliban banned kite fighting. Why do you think they did this?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think they banned kite fighting because it could be a form of rebellion in the Taliban's eyes.

      Delete
    2. I believe that the Kites at first symbolize the brotherhood, innocence, and unity between Hassan and Amir, It then becomes a symbol of how Amir betrayed Hassan. It also represents the beauty and violence in the book. The banning of Kite fighting could possibly foreshadow events that Hassan could/never forgive Amir for what he did.

      Delete
  38. I could see that Hassan will still forgive Amir but I don't think he will forget, there will still be that thought in the back of his head that Amir didn't help him getting raped.

    ReplyDelete
  39. On page 207, Hassan says that he doesn't want to leave all that he has and that he won't come back with Khan. What made Hassan change his mind? Did Hassan really have that much?

    ReplyDelete
  40. Early in his life Amir's mentor was Rahim Kahn, do you think that Amir still looks up to Rahim Kahn?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, in a way I think he still does. After all, Rahim Kahn started off Amir's writing career.

      Delete
    2. I think Amir does look up to Rahim Kahn because he was the first adult that Amir thought of as a friend.

      Delete
  41. On page 213 it says, "In 1998, they massacred the Hazaras in Mazar-i-Sharif" Do you think Hassan might have been killed?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, there is a possibility but because of Amir and his mistakes, I don't think the author would kill of Hassan, because Amir still has to fix his mistakes.

      Delete
  42. Why do you think the author has Amir go through all of these deaths and violent events? Could it relate to the hero's journey? Is Amir going to be the hero? What heroic action could he perform?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I believe that Amir goes through these events because it is part of a hero's journey, but Hassan is also going such events. I believe in the end, Amir and Hassan could both be heroes, and that they will possibly stop Assef or another from raping someone.

      Delete
  43. When cooper is talking about the ups and downs of the story, is he suggesting that there will be one more giant dip down in the story? If so what is this giant dip and what characters does it include?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think there could be another dip or everything may just get even better for Amir. I think that Amir will resolve all that he has messed up and for him, things will be at peace.

      Delete
  44. Is Amir going to avenge the deaths of his loved ones from his past?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, he will keep on going, and keep the spirit of his loved ones that passed moving on.

      Delete
  45. I would agree that Amir has to be strong and that the foreshadowing is where its going to show the hero's journey. In the next couple of chapters when Hassan is going to see Amir its going to change the rest of the story.

    ReplyDelete
  46. I dont htink there is a problem with amir and hassan forgiving eachother but with amir forgiving himself

    ReplyDelete