Nelson's AP Lit and Comp 2014-2015 discussion
The Kite Runner
>
Prompt #3
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Melody
(new)
Aug 07, 2014 06:14AM
Mod
reply
|
flag
"For you a thousand times over."(67) this quote is significant because it helps to understand Hassan no matter what Amir would do to Hassan he would always forgive him and would do anything for Amir, brotherly love."I wanted Baba all to myself."(13) this shows that Amir always wanted his father for himself to care just for him, Amir would get jealous sometimes when his Baba would invite Hassan to do something with them."When you lie you steal a man's right to the truth." this helps with the understanding of redemption Amir lied many times in the book and now he wants to redeem himself for all of the wrong that he did.
"For you, a thousand times over." - Hassan (67)This quote shows Hassan's dedication and friendship for Amir. Hassan loves Amir selflessly and is so loyal to Amir that he would do absolutely anything for Amir, he would sacrifice so much for Amir. This quote shows that Hassan will always be there for Amir, even if Hassan is a Hazara boy and Amir is a Pashtun boy, and even though they are not blood-related family. This quote haunts Amir for the rest of his life because it shows that Hassan is loyal, dedicated, caring, and loving towards Amir, but Amir can never give back the same dedication, loyalty and love to Hassan.
"There is a way to be good again." - Rahim (192)
This quote reveals the hope Rahim has in Amir to make things right between Hassan and himself. Rahim always encouraged and praised Amir when he was a child. Rahim's praises and encouragements showed that he always searched for the good in people, and always encouraged people to be good and have a positive mindset. This also connects to the theme of forgiveness, that there is a chance for Amir to redeem himself of what he's done, a way to come to forgive himself, because he made it up to Hassan after all these years of carrying his shame and guilt.
"Children aren't coloring books. You don't get to fill them with your favorite colors." - Rahim (21)
This quote reveals how Baba has high expectations and an image of who he wanted Amir to be, and become. Because Amir didn't meet Baba's expectations, Rahim had to remind Baba that children need to be who they are and not what their parents want them to be.
"A boy who won't stand up for himself becomes a man who can't stand up to anything." - Baba (22). The reason why I thought this quote was important was because ever since I started reading The Kite Runner, it has been stuck in my head. It's one of those unforgettable quotes. This quote can relate to the theme because maybe throughout the book Amir will finally become brave & have the courage to stand up for himself. The theme could be proving his dad wrong since they had a very difficult relationship. Amir would do anything to get his father's attention, he wants to be loved.
"For you a thousand times over." - Hassan (67)
I also agree with this quote due to the fact that it's so powerful. What I mean by powerful is that Hassan said "a thousand times", a thousand times is a lot & I mean a lot! This shows the readers that the relationship between these two are very different from Amir & Baba's. Another reason why this quote is very significant is because it shows how much Hassan loves Amir & cares about him even though Amir can't do much for him. He's very caring & kind hearted as it seems.
"I'm happy you came. It means... the world to me." - Amir (161)
This quote is important because it clarifies how important Soraya is to Amir. Amir seems to be very protective & careful towards Soraya. Even though he knows that he might get in trouble by Soraya's father, he still continues to talk to her but still looks out for her father. It's important to understand that Soraya is important to Amir because this can be the start to a love story.
"For you a thousand time over"(2)-Hassan When I first Look at this quote, i thought, the person who said this must be very loyal. As I read on further into to story, I figure that Hassan's character fit with his quote because no matter what Amir did to him he will always be loyal.
"For me, America was a place to bury my memories"(129) -Amir
Amir want to forget about what had happen in Afghanistan, therefore, he throw away his memories and decided to live a new life in America. This quote also shows that Amir is someone who will run away from his own problem. He not someone who will willing stand up for himself or others.
"'Your father, like you, was a tortured soul'" (301)
-Rahim
This quote relate to both Baba and Amir, both of them betray themselves and their friend. Baba, even though he did a lot of charities, he can not forgive him for not being proper father to Hassan and Amir. As for Amir, he called himself a coward becasue he was too scare to save him friend, after that he blame himself. To summarize, bothof them are a torture soul because they cannot forgive themselves.
One important quote would be, "Hassan and I fed from the same breasts. We took out first steps on the same lawn in the same yard. And, under the same roof, we spoke our first words. Mine was Baba. His was Amir. My name"(11). This quote is perhaps one of the most important when it comes to understanding the characters Amir and Hassan. In The Kite Runner, the person that matters the most to Amir was Baba. Amir struggled and longed for Baba's affection and envied anyone who received it other than him, including Hassan. Amir would do anything to impress Baba just to get Baba to recognize him even if it was no longer than five minutes. Amir was the last kite flying, not for his own happiness but to him winning meant earning the respect and love of Baba. Hassan spoke Amir's name and just like how Baba was important to Amir, Amir was special to Hassan. Hassan did everything for Amir, not because Hassan was Amir's servant but because he truly loved Amir. Hassan said, "For you, a thousand times over"(67). Hassan's love for Amir was like brotherhood. Though Amir was a troubled child who didn't always return the loyalty that Hassan had given him, he did love Hassan nonetheless, but Baba was still the one Amir idolized. Hassan no matter how big and strong or rich, whoever even thought about bullying Amir, Hassan stood up against. Hassan went as far as getting raped just to get that blue kite for Amir. And, the cowardly Amir just let it happen because he chose Baba's affection over helping Hassan. That conflict is what leads to the theme of redemption.A quote that is essential in understanding both theme and characterization would be,"Now no matter what the mullah teaches, there is only one sin, only one. And that is theft. Every other sin is a variation of theft"(17). Over the course of the novel, talk of sin is repeated consistently, from Amir lying to himself about what happened to Hassan to the lie Rahim Khan, Baba, and Sanaubar hid from Hassan and Amir for so long. That they were brothers. Baba goes as far as saying, "There is no act more wretched than stealing, Amir" just to install the theme that theft is a sin and no one should ever do it(18). Even when Amir had planted the money and watch in Hassan's mattress and Hassan admitted to it, Baba forgave Hassan and Amir never understood why. When Amir found out about Hassan and him being brothers he was shocked but angry at Baba for lying and for his theft of the truth. Though theft is still unacceptable and no matter how good the intention, the truth is better, Amir learns that there are some things sinning is worth.
Last but not least this quote illustrates the theme of redemption all on it's own,"And that, I believe is what true redemption is, Amir Jan, when guilt leads to good"(302). It illustrates redemption because it literally opens an opinion on what redemption is. In the novel, Amir and Sanaubar redeem themselves through Sohrab. Sanaubar left Hassan after giving birth to him and regretted it her whole life. The guilt led her begging for Hassan's forgiveness. She delivers Hassan's son Sohrab and raises him like her own along with Hassan and Fazara until she passes peacefully. Rahim Khan even said,"He became the center of her existence"(211). Amir redeemed himself by taking Sohrab out of Kabul and taking him to live happily in America and also by loving Sohrab the way he should have loved Hassan. Amir's guilt leads him to fight for himself and for Sohrab, literally when he gets into a brawl that Assef had promised him so long ago. In the end they found peace and redemption got them there. The real definition of redemption is: "the action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil". In Amir and Sanaubar's cases, guilt saved them and led them to good away from their sins, errors, and the evil they had inside.
“For you a thousand times over”This quote says it all about Hassan. Hassan knew what kind of person Amir was. Amir teases him for his ignorance, ignores Hassan in the presence of his other friends because Hassan is a Hazara, and doesn't admit that Hassan is his friend before Assef. Yet Hassan said to Amir, “For you a thousand times over”. It only shows what kind of person Hassan is; he’s a loyal and selfless person who only has undying love for Amir.
“...what true redemption is...when guilt leads to good”
This quote helped explain redemption. To get redemption it first starts with guilt. Then to gain redemption is to do something that is right. Just like Amir, he felt guilty for letting Hassan get raped that he went back to see Rahim. He wanted to “be good again” and wanted to somehow pay for his sin. That’s why he agreed to go get Sohrab in Kabul. His way to be good again was to save Sohrab. In the end his guilt lead him to do something good, and in turn it lead him to redemption.
“A man who has no conscience, no goodness, does not suffer”
We can tell that Amir isn’t a good man because of his actions; he’s selfish and a coward. However this quote is the start of his defense to that. He isn't heartless though, if he was he wouldn't feel guilty for his misdoings. He wouldn't be suffering from thinking back to that day in the alley. Amir was suffering though, he felt remorse for what he let happen. He had a conscience and goodness in him. Therefore this quote has helped readers understand that, Amir isn't as bad as he seemed. He still had, at least, a good being in him. Good enough to lead him to save Sohrab, and to try to make things right.
"For you a thousand times over."(67)This first quote I chose shows Hassan would always be loyal and be dedicated to Amir. This quote would always show that no matter what Amir does to Hassan he would always be loyal and dedicated to Amir. The theme of this quote would be loyalty and dedication.
"There is a way to be good again."(226)
The second quote I chose is from Rahim Khan. This quotes illustrates second chances to redeeming yourself. Amir did commit sins and he never got the chances to redeem himself. Which Amir kind of did when he helped and adopted Hassan's son Sohrab.
"Now, no matter what the mullah teachers, there is only one sin, only one. And that is theft. Every other sin is a variation of theft. Do you understand that?"(17)
Throughout the book, the word sin was always being mention. Sin was an important thing that happen to everyone in the book and in the end Amir felt that he redeem himself from all that sin he commited. Amir never really understood why Baba forgave Hassan for stealing the money and watch Amir put under Hassan's pillow. That's why another theme for the book could be theft is the only sin there is.
“I thought about Hassan’s dream, the one about us swimming in the lake. There is no monster, he’s said, just water. Except he’d been wrong about that. There was a monster in the lake. it had grabbed Hassan by the ankles, dragged him to the murky bottom. I was the monster. That was the night I became insomniac.” - Amir (86)I find this quote significant because it helps understand the guilt that is eating up Amir by just letting Hassan get raped without helping him after all Hassan has done for him. Hassan was the one to protect Amir and in the end Amir couldn’t do anything for Hassan, but all he could do was watch and pretend like he didn’t see anything. It shows that Amir was the one to hurt Hassan, that he was a coward, and could never let go of not helping him out when he was most in need.
“Amir jan, I know how hard your father was on you when you were growing up. I saw how hard you suffered and yearned for his affections, and my heart bled for you. But your father was a man torn between two halves. Amir Jan: you and Hassan. He loved you both, but he could not love Hassan the way he longed to, openly, and as a father. So he took it out on you instead---Amir, the socially legitimate half, the half that represented the riches he had inherited and the sin-with-impunity privileges that came with him.” - Rahim Khan (301)
I think this quote is important because it gives a better understanding for one of the themes, the strain and love between fathers and sons. It shows how much Baba loved Amir and Hassan even though they had their differences especially for Amir and Baba, he still tried his best to do what he could for his 2 sons. Referencing Baba torn between two halves explains, both Amir as one half and Hassan as the other half, where Amir is treated well, while Hassan isn’t support as much.
“Saw the resignation in it. It was a look I had seen before. It was the look of the lamb.” - Amir (76)
This quote is significant because it helps understand the pain of what Hassan had to go through metaphorically as a lamb just before he was about to get raped. It reminded Amir of the day that he had seen the slaughter of a lamb that took place on the tenth day of Dhul-Hijjah. It’s a helpless look that both Hassan and the lamb had, the look of cooperation that they had to go through it. “I watch because of that look of acceptance in the animal’s eyes. Absurdly, I imagine the animal understands. I imagine the animal sees that its imminent demise is for a higher purpose. This is the look…” (76-77)
"But despite baba's successes people were always doubting him"(15)I chose this quote said by Amir, because at this point in the book we realize how deep Amir's admiration for his father real is. Amir's admiration for his father is a big part of Amir's character. Amir knows that he can't be like his father, this fact makes Amir shy and makes Amir want to stay invisible. Also this quote shows the hope Amir carries for his father. Baba has proved everyone wrong, he's Amir's hero and his role model. And even though Amir and Baba don't have the best relationship Amir knows he can count one him.
"There is only one sin. And that is theft... When you tell a lie, you steal someone's right to the the truth"(225) This quote was originally said by baba and is mentioned many times in the book, but it does tie in to the theme and Baba and Amir's characters. So at this point Amir has realized that Hassan is his half brother and that his father has hidden him the truth about it from both him and Hassan. Amir titled Baba as a sinner. Amir's admiration for Baba was destroyed he couldn't look at him the same he had for years. Baba's character changed at this point because we found out more about him, things that Baba tried to hide for years. We find out that his rules to live by doing the right thing, were a way to redeem himself. To make the guilt go away.
Throughout the whole book we generate the thought of Amir always and forever being the opposite of his father but at this point, we have reached the end of it because we find out that both Baba and Amir weren't so different. "Your father, like you, was a tortured soul"(301)
This quote was said by Rahim, I chose this quote because it connects both Baba and Amir. Baba lived his whole life after Hassan was born trying to redeem himself of his mistakes in different ways. Like the orphanage he had opened and constructed himself. He tried making it up to Hassan by getting gifts for him, taking him places, and just trying to make him part of the family but still not giving him all of the glory, by just keeping Amir as his only son. Like Baba, Amir had made mistakes he would have to live up to. Even though it took a while for Amir to actually live up to his mistakes he was tortured by the memories of the mistakes. Which told by the quote said by Rahim, Baba also lived through.
"Children aren't coloring books. You don't get to fill them with your favorite colors." (21)This quote is significant to the theme because it contributes to Amir and Buba's relationship. How Buba feels the need to fix everything that Amir does. The strained relationship makes Amir a insecure person who hesitates to to help others in which makes him feel guilty. He feels so guilty that he needs to seek redemption for Hassan because of his coward actions when he was younger.
"Baba loved the idea of America. It was living in America that gave him an ulcer." (127)
This is an significant quote to Buba because although he goes to great measure to live America, Buba is torn by adjusting to new custom and still maintaining his heritage and traditions.
"That was a long time ago, but it's wrong what they say about the past, I've learned, about how you can bury it. Because the past claws its way out" (1)
One of the main themes of the Kite Runner is redemption. No matter how hard Amir tries to bury his past or fix it. Amir's memories will always haunt him as a reminder of is coward actions. That is why it's significant to the theme
"For you a thousand times over."This quote is used many times throughout the book. It showed that Hassan did and would have done anything for Amir. Also in the end it showed that Amir will do anything for Sohrab.
"Come there is a way to be good again." (192)
This quote showed that Rahim Khan wanted Amir to come back to Kabul. He wanted to tell Amir the truth about Hassan. The secret that was hidden from them both before he died. It was somewhat his way of redemption.
"When you kill a man, you steal a life, you still a wife's right to a husband, rob his children of a father. When you tell a lie, you steal someone's right to the truth..." (18)
Amir's father was telling him that there was only one sin in the world and this was it, theft. When Amir finds out Hassan is actually his half brother, he feels betrayed. Like his life was a lie.
"...there is only one sin, only one. And that is theft....When you kill a man, you steal a life. You steal his wife's right to a husband, rob his children of a father. When you tell a lie, you steal someone's right to the truth. When you cheat, you steal the right to fairness," (29-34). I was very moved when I heard this quote. I strongly agree with what Baba has said. Although Baba said this himself, he probably thinks to himself that he committed a sin, because all his life, as a father, he robbed Amir of a brother, and that brother was the very Hassan that he did not do his job as the older brother. "For you a thousand times over!" (67). This quote shows how much Hassan loves Amir. It shows how important Amir is to him. Hassan's loyalty to Amir cannot be described, but the author makes it really clear and vivid to the audience that Hassan is someone who is really faithful. His love is unconditional, and he really looks up to Amir no matter what happens. This quote, it's the most that it can do, yet it couldn't even scratch the outside layer of Hassan's love for Amir.
"Because the past claws its way out. Looking back now, I realize I have been peeking into that deserted alley for the last twenty-six years," (4). After finishing the book, this quote tells that Amir has been stuck with the past all his life while thinking he has escaped it. It didn't really go anywhere or he didn't leave that place back at him at all. It was with him all these time. Right in his mind, killing him as he ages but he doesn't know. Until he was called back home, everything comes crashing down on him again. And that's when he noticed he's been living with his guilt .
Rahim Khan says, "Children aren't coloring books. You don't get to fill them with your favorite colors." (21). By this quote we can tell that Rahim Khan is an understanding character. He accepts other people's differences, such as Amir's fear of fighting. Though Baba is wondering why his son is so different, Rahim Khan tries to convince him that everyone isn't the same, and that it's okay for Amir to be the shy, story-writing kid who would rather have someone else stand up for him than himself. This also shows how much Rahim Khan loves and supports Amir. He encourages Amir and considers what Amir likes and cares about.Omar Faisal (the lawyer) says, "If America taught me anything, it's that quitting is right up there with pissing in the Girl Scouts' lemonade jar." (338). The quote supports the theme of pursuing things in life. This is because giving up is considered shameful and unacceptable, such as pissing in a lemonade jar belonging to the Girl Scouts. Although there were many times where Amir pissed in a lemonade jar (the Girl Scouts' one), Amir didn't quit trying to adopt Sohrab or redeem himself.
"It hurts to say that. But better to get hurt by the truth than comforted with the lie." (58) Stated by Baba, this quote reveals to use how much Baba valued the truth. He is telling Amir this because he doesn't want his son to be believing the lies. Believing lies would have him soon telling them, and Baba didn't want Amir to live a lying life just as he had. Baba also hated theft, and lying was a form of it. Lying stole the rights of another person to know the truth.
"That was a long time ago, but it's wrong what they say about the past, I've learned, about how you can bury it. Because the past claws its way out." (1). After I finish reading the book it show Amir feeling the pain. He saw Hassan getting attack and raped, he did nothing to stand up for him. This scars, Amir more than Hassan. He is never able to forgive himself for what he did as acting of an cowardice."For you, a thousand times over, ' I heard myself say." (163). Towards the end, this quote catch my attention because Amir was saying this to Sohrab while he was running the kite. It was important what Hassan says to Amir when he wins the tournament in Afghanistan as a child. It bring Amir the moment of hope Sohrab coming out of his silence.
"Sometimes, Soraya sleeping next to me, I lay in bed a listened to the screen door swinging open and shut in the breeze, to the crickets chirping in the yard. And I could almost feel the emptiness in Soraya's womb, like it was a living, breathing thing. It had seeped into our marriage, that emptiness, into our laughs, and our lovemaking. And late at night, in the darkness of the room, I'd feel it rising from Soraya and settling between us. Sleeping between us. Like a newborn child." (189). This quote is about a love mariage. Amir and Soraya cannot have a baby. It'll slowly begin to destroy the marriage. He is imagining a newborn child sleeping between them in the bed at night. The emotional distance of them having the same effect.
"For you a thousand times over."(67) It just shows Hassan was so true and so loving that even when others made mistakes or when Amir made mistakes. Hassan would still love because that's just who he is, and that his love was genuine.
"A boy who won't stand up for himself becomes a man who can't stand up to anything." (22).
It really shows and totally pushes the theme that you had to be able to stand up for yourself and if you can't stand up for yourself then you can't stand up for anything at all cause you can't even stand up for yourself. It show the relationship between Amir and Baba and that's very vital.
"Children aren't coloring books. You don't get to fill them with your favorite colors." (21)
Rahim Khan just saying and describing that everyone isn't and can't be the same. This quote just shows that Rahim Khan truly loves Amir and supports him. He encourages him that if he is this don't change to be someone else because you're yourself and people aren't the same and can't be the same. He encourages Amir to be original and be himself and to accept himself instead of trying to change and be someone he isn't.
"Let me save you the trouble: Nothing that you remember has survived. Best to forget" - Farid (263). The quote is significant to Amir because not only is this quote referring to places, it also could be referring to people, such as Hassan, but Amir can't forget because that is the reason why he is back in Kabul. He is back in Kabul because of memories. No one can save anyone from their memories. "And that, I believe, is what true redemption is, Amir Jan, when guilt leads to good" -Rahim (302). This quote is significant to the theme of redemption and it contributes to characterization. Rahim shares his definition of true redemption by using Baba as an example. We learn that Baba and Amir are more similar than we know it because they both carried their own guilt and redeemed themselves. They acted the way they did because of the guilt that influenced the both of them.
And lastly - "For you a thousand times over" - Hassan (67). This quote demonstrates Hassan's unrequited loyalty to Amir. It was this ironic quote that made Amir full of guilt when it was suppose to make him feel the opposite.
"For you a thousand times over."(67)This quote is significant to understand Hassan because no matter what Amir did to him, he’d still forgive Amir for the sake of friends and love. Even though there are differences between them; he is a Hazara and Amir is a Pashtun, or that he is a servant and Amir is Baba’s son, he is still showing loyalty love to Amir and always protect him at every cost.
“I ran because I was a coward...I actually aspired to cowardice, because the alternative, the real reason I was running, was that Assef was right: Nothing was free in this world. Maybe Hassan was the price I had to pay, the lamb I had to slay, to win Baba.” (77)
This quote is significant to understand Amir because it explains why he chose to do the wrong thing. Wanting the kite to win the kite runner was his reason to not help Hassan when he was raped. All he wanted was to prove to Baba that he is a winner just like him and get Baba’s love and approval. But at the cost of getting that, he had to sacrifice letting Hassan get raped.
"Children aren't coloring books. You don't get to fill them with your favorite colors." (21)
This quote is significant to understand Rahim Khan because Rahim was trying to tell Baba that he can’t expect Amir to be like him just because Hassan can stand up for himself just like him. Not everyone is the same and you can’t expect someone to be like you or be the same as you. He understands that Amir is scared to stand up for himself and you should be yourself. Amir can be whoever he wants and Baba should accept that. He loves and supports Amir for who he is.
The most notable quote from the book sums up Hassan's and Amir's relationship as well as Hassan's character as a whole. "For you a thousand times over!" (pg. 67) Hassan has unbridled loyalty and endearment for Amir. His happiest moments being with Amir that he recalls with his family later in life. Hassan trusts Amir wholeheartedly despite Amir's teasing. His dedication to Amir is almost sad when he prevents Ali from telling Baba about his rape to protect Amir. "As always, it was Rahim Khan who rescued me. He held out his hand and favored me with a smile that had nothing feigned about it." (pg. 31) Rahim Khan is the opposite of Baba as he praises Amir and accepts him for who he is. He serves as a father figure to Amir when Baba cannot. Although he is a flat character, he is seen to be kind hearted and persuades Amir to facing his past.
"If someone were to ask me today whether the story of Hassan, Sohrab, and me ends with happiness, I wouldn't know what to say.
Does anybody's?" (pg. 357) This quote resonates with me and how redemption can be perceived. I don't think Amir was truly able to redeem Hassan but then again how do you redeem yourself from seeing your friend raped? He was able to redeem himself though by being brave enough to return to Kabul and hunt for Sohrab. I think most readers were hoping for a happy Sohrab eager to leave Afghanistan. I liked how the ending wasn't perfect and showed a realistic view about forgiveness wasn't handed to. :/
"For you, a thousand times over." - Hassan (67) This quote shows how great a bond is. It shows over time how someone could love somebody so much that they don't mind doing something over and over again. This quote also holds a secret meaning, like its unconditional love. This quote related to Hassan and how he cherished his unbreakable bond between him and Amir. No matter what Hassan always loved him for what he did and always treated him as his brother/ best friend.
"There is no act more wretched than stealing." - Baba (18)
This quote shows how significant theft is. Any crime, sin, or lie it's all a part of theft. All in all this quote really relates to Sohrab. He had his parents lives stolen from him. He had his freedom stolen from him. He had his childhood stolen from him. Theft is the worst deed someone could to do a person.
"There is a way to be good again." - Rahim (192)
Shows how there is always a second chance to life. There is always a moment to have redemption for the actions one would regret. This one applies to Amir. Shows how the quest to go save Sohrab was his redemption. Also when Amir received Assef's beating , Amir simply laughs like he was free from the burden that he had carried so long from that winter day in 1975.
"Children aren't coloring books. You don't get to fill them with your favorite colors." (21). This quote is significant to Baba's character because Baba wants Amir to inherit his parts of his characteristic so badly, but he doesn't see it in Amir. It tells us that Baba is a proud man and wants Amir to taste the same greatness that he has, but he's too busy with that to try and understand Amir, so Rahim must step in with words of advice."Remember Amir agha. There's no monster, just a beautiful day." (61). This quote is significant to Hassan's character because it shows his care for Amir. Hassan is Amir's support and reassurance, even when he doesn't want him to be. This quote shows us that Hassan is loyal to Amir not as a servant, but as a friend.
"Kabul had become a city of ghosts for me. A city of harelipped ghost." (136). This quote is significant to Amir's character. It's telling us that Amir regrets his decision with what he did to Hassan. The harelipped characteristic is something that haunts Amir, and it also becomes a part of who he is. Hassan left and imprints in Amir, one that wasn't able to be relieved until Amir went back to Kabul.
Chia Lia wrote: ""For you a thousand times over."This quote is used many times throughout the book. It showed that Hassan did and would have done anything for Amir. Also in the end it showed that Amir will do anyt..."
For the last quote, are you talking about how it's significant to theme, or does it add to Amir or Baba's character?
"there is only one sin. And that is theft" (17). It is very ironic that the person who says this is Baba because he is the source of so much of the conflict in the story. He stole the truth from Ali that Hassan was not his biological son. Baba also stole the truth from Hassan and Amir that they were both half brothers. These lies led to tension between Baba and Amir which led to tension between Hassan and Amir. This quote lets us understand why Baba is so hard on Amir and why Amir goes to such lengths to win Baba's affection."I cried all the way back home. I remember how Baba's hands clenched around the steering wheel. Clenched and unclenched. Mostly, I will never forget Baba's valiant efforts to conceal the disgusted look on his face as he drove in silence" (21). This helps us see the soft side of Amir and how much Baba hated seeing it, especially in the public. Also this lets us see how Baba deals with these situations, he doesn't do anything, just tires to ignore it and forget that it happens.
"My door is and always will be open to you, Amir jan" (33). Rahim Khan has helped Amir so many times throughout the story. He has comforted Amir many times and reminding him to be himself. I think Amir also took Rahim Khan's words more seriously than someone like Hassan. He also gave Amir the chance to redeem himself to not only help Amir, but also help Sorhab.
"And right there was the single greatest moment of my twelve years of life, seeing Baba on that roof, proud of me at last." (pg 66) This shows that Amir felt that he had never made his Father proud before that day and just how much it meant to do so. "You don't order someone to polish your shoes one day and call them "sister" the next" (pg 99) This shows how the relationship between Amir and Hassan must have been like. This also explains why Amir didn't look at Hassan as a friend and was ashamed to be seen playing with him.
"For you a thousand times over." This shows just how loyal Hassan is to Amir. Even though Amir isn't necessarily a great friend.It gives the audience a better sense of the relationship between Amir and Hassan is.
An important quote from the book, The Kite Runner, would be one that highlights Hassan's character. "For you a thousand times over!" (67). Hassan had said this to Amir and by doing so, it's showed Hassan's true loyalty towards Amir. Although Amir had hurt and betrayed Hassan multiple times before, his love for Amir stays true. "But it's wrong what they say about the past, I've learned, about how you can bury it. Because the past claws its way out"(1). This quote is very important as it connects to the theme of redemption. When Amir had moved to America, he tried to bury his past as he left it behind in Kabul, or so he thought. He had tried to start over and forget about his life before America, but this past caught up with him, and he had to face it. This quote helps the readers understand that, running away, burrying your past or forgetting that anything happen will not give you redemption.
"Children aren't coloring books. You don't get to fill them with your favorite colors"(21). This quote is important behalf of Baba's character because he was not sasitfied with the way Amir was and he wanted to change him. Amir's personality is feminine compared to Baba, and Baba wanted to change that so he would be more masculine like himself. This quote helps the readers understand the way Baba thinks, although this quote is going agasint it.
"Behind him, sitting on piles of scrap and rubble, was the blue kite. My key to Baba's heart". (71)This quote is significant to understand the character because all Amir really wants to do is make Baba proud of him and give him the attention that he craves. And so by winning the kite race with the blue kite, the blue kite really was the key to Baba's heart.
"Hadn't Baba sat me on his lap and said those words to me? Then how could be just forgive Hassan? And if Baba could forgive that, then why couldn't he forgive me for not being the son he'd always wanted"? (106)
The significance of this quote to correlate with the theme of the Father and Son relationship that Baba and Amir has. Sometimes like when Amir won the competition and when he graduated from school, Baba was very happy. He showed him love. After that, it just diminished and then there's tension again from Amir's jealousy and Baba's inability to continue it.
"Do you always have to be the hero? I thought, my heart fluttering. Can't you just let it go for once? But I knew he couldn't- it wasn't in his nature". (115)
This quote signifies the theme of letting go of the past. In the beginning when they lived in Kabul, Baba was very powerful because he was rich and he had the ability to help and save people. But, when they were in America, Baba had no power, he just couldn't really accept that he's sort of like a nobody.
" 'A boy who won't stand up for himself becomes a man who can't stand up to anything.' I wonder, is that you've become?' " (221). This quote is important, because in the end it gives Amir the courage to take responsibility and do what was right. This was said by his father to Rahim Klan which connects to the theme of redemption. How Aamir wanted to prove to his father that he was worthy. " 'As it turned out, Baba and I were more alike than I’d ever known. We had both betrayed the people who would have given their lives for us. And with that came this realization: that Rahim Khan had summoned me here to atone not just for my sins but for Baba’s too.' (226). This is very important because it shows that Amir was like Baba not necessarily in positive ways but in the end Amir became a better man by redeeming both of their sins.
" 'I looked at Hassan, showing those two missing teeth, sunlight slanting on his face. Baba’s other half. The unentitled, unprivileged half. The half who had inherited what had been pure and noble in Baba. The half that, maybe, in the most secret recesses of his heart, Baba had thought of as his true son… Then I realized something: That last thought had brought no sting with it… I wondered if that was how forgiveness budded, not with the fanfare of epiphany, but with pain gathering its things, packing up, and slipping away unannounced in the middle of the night.' " (359).
This quote is important because it shows that Amir accepts the past and he understood his father's intentions. He also forgives his father for favoring Hassan.
"Because history isn't easy to overcome."(25) This is significant because the whole story is about how history never dies but sleeps because it always come back some time to haunt. Also because the problem with the Pashtuns and Hazaras."Baba and I were finally friends."(85) This is also significant because it shows how vulnerable Amir is about his relationship with his father and how much Amir wants his fathers approval.
"I ran with the wind blowing in my face, and a smile as wide as the Valley of Panjsher on my lips."(371) Finally this last quote is significant because its shows that Amir is finally free of his past and has forgiven himself for what hes done and also for what his father has done.
"When you tell a lie, you steal someone's right to the truth. When you cheat, you steal the right to fairness" (17). This quote is significant because Baba said it to Amir when Amir asked for advice. I feel that Baba doesn't want Amir to end up doing the same thing he did but doesn't want Amir to know that he did that because Amir already sees Baba as the most perfect man."A boy who won't stand up for himself becomes a man who can't stand up to anything" (22).
This quote is important because it ties up with the theme and Amir because Amir is a weakling and all his life, he never stood up for himself. Hassan has always been there to take the punch for Amir. So with that quote said by his father who he loves, he wanted to redeem himself.
"For you a thousand times over" (67).
This quote is important because it shows how much Hassan loves and truly cares for Amir. Amir has done many bad things to Hassan and everyone sees the way he is towards Hassan also. Assef also said to Hassan, "Because to him, you're nothing but an ugly pet" (68).
"He asked me to fetch Hassan too, but I lied and told him Hassan had the runs. I wanted Baba all to myself." -Amir (13)I believe that this quote is significant because it explains why Amir decides to be a selfish and greedy character in this novel; because Amir desires the attention and love from Baba. Although Baba loves Amir and Hassan both equally but differently (because they both are his sons), Amir struggles to receive Baba’s love. Baba isn’t there for Amir because he doesn’t understand why Amir is a whole different person from him. That is why Amir tries to win Baba’s love by doing many things, such as keeping his kite the last one flying. Amir envied anyone who received Baba’s love, and Hassan was receiving it, therefore this motivates Amir not to help Hassan when he was getting raped, although Hassan was loyal and loved him. This quote is also significant because it helps the reader notice right away what a major theme in this novel is; the love and constriction between fathers and sons.
"Children aren't coloring books. You don't get to fill them with your favorite colors." -Rahim Khan (21)
This quote is significant because it shows the love and companion that Rahim Khan has towards Amir, and it shows who Rahim Khan is as a character, and how understanding he is a character. It also gives a deep message to Baba, saying that children are who they are, and no one should tell them to be like anyone who they don’t want to be. After Amir runs home crying after the Buzkashi tournament, Baba talks to Rahim Khan at night, and Baba rants about how disappointed he is in Amir. Baba says, “I’m telling you, I wasn't like that at all, and neither were any of the kids I grew up with” (22), and Rahim Khan replies, “You know, you are the most self-centered man I know” (22). Rahim Khan supports Amir and covers him up every time Baba says something negative about him, and even Amir is surprised Rahim Khan would get away with saying such things to his father, as Amir says “He was the only person I knew who could get away with saying something like that to Baba” (22). This quote is also significant because it contributes with one of the themes, the love and tension between fathers and sons. It shows that being a parent, you shouldn’t expect your children to be just like you, because they may be just like Amir, different, and your relationship may just end up like Baba and Amir’s, unconnectable.
“I hadn’t been happy and I hadn’t felt better, not at all. But I did now. My body was broken—just how badly I wouldn’t find out until later—but I felt healed. Healed at last. I laughed.” -Amir (289)
I believe that this quote is significant because this is when Amir redeems himself from all his sins; his worst one is seeing Hassan get raped by Assef, but not doing anything. This quote is also significant because it relates to the major theme, redemption. Amir moves to America, where it’s a place he can forget about all his sins, his regrets and guilts. But one day Rahim Khan calls Amir to come back to Kabul to get Sohrab, because Hassan and his wife died, and Sohrab is at an orphanage. This was Amir’s chance to redeem himself for all the sins he has done, and for the selfish decisions he made that caused Hassan trouble, although Hassan was loyal and loved Amir unconditionally like a brother. He takes it as an opportunity to face his problems where they all started. When Amir tries to save Sohrab, he finally found ease when Assef beats him up badly because he was trying to take Sohrab with him back to America. Amir felt like that was what he deserved, after every choice he made in his childhood. Amir finally redeems himself and brings Sohrab to America where he treats him like his son.
"When you kill a man, you steal a life," Baba said (18). This quote is significant because it shows the importance of a person to their loved ones. Later on when Baba passed away Amir realizes how fast they had to do their wedding for his father who was very ill at the time before he was going to passed away. That precious time was spent on Amir's wedding. As Hassan passed away later on in the book, a part of Sohrab's life was stolen. "The generation of Afghan children whose ears would know nothing but the sound of bombs and gunfire was not yet born," said Amir (36). This quote portrays the future for the children who aren't born yet. Their childhood would be worse than Amir's and Hassan's because in the beginning the only horrible memory was getting bullied by other boys but the future children will be having memories of gunshots, bombs, and soldiers.
"It's just a Hazara," Assef said (75). The significance of this quote portrays who is well respected between a Pashtun and a Hazara. This is where Hassan gets raped and disrespected. Even though Amir was witnessing all of this happening his loyalty to Hassan was far less than how Hassan is loyal to Amir. Amir cliam's that although Hassan in a Hazara he still see's him as a friend but wouldn't still up for him because he was a coward and afraid.
