Week #1 - Post by Friday, may 8th - Ms. Sockett's English Courses

Week #1 - Post by Friday, may 8th

4/26/2015

Click on the comment box below in order to start your blog post. Follow the blog posting set-up as described in your instructions. Identify yourself with first name and last initial only.

Pick ONE of the blog post topics (note: you must cover THREE different topics over the three weeks).

Be sure to check all of the posts by your group members AND also check in to see what other students are posting. This is a forum for added discussion so feel free to post comments on other peoples' postings. POSITIVE FEEDBACK ONLY!

21 Comments

Leo Y

5/7/2015 04:17:21

Quotation: (Amir just won the kite competition and is finding Hassan, who went off the chase the last kite they cut. Amir runs into a merchant at a dried fruit stand) "'Which way did he go?' He eyed me up and down. 'What is a boy like you doing here at this time of day looking for a Hazara?' His glance lingered admiringly on my leather coat and my jeans --- cowboy pants, we used to call them. In Afghanistan, owning anything American, especially if it wasn't second-hand, was a sign of wealth. 'I need to find him, Agha.' 'What is he to you?" he said. I didn't see the point of his question, but I reminded myself that impatience wasn't going to make him tell me any faster. 'He's our servant's son,' I said. The old man raised a pepper gray eyebrow. 'He is? Lucky Hazara, having such a concerned master. His father should get on his knees, sweep the dust at your feet with his eyelashes.'" (Hosseini 74).

Occurrences of racism towards the Hazara people occur often, as they are put down by others on a daily basis. In the book The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, racism impacts the friendship between Amir and Hassan negatively. In this passage, as Amir asks the old man if he has seen Hassan, his Hazara friend, he does not mention that Hassan is his friend as it would shame him as a Pashtun. Without knowing anything about Hassan, the old man assumes that Hassan is an unworthy child, which implies that he thinks Hazaras are meant to be a lower class than Pashtuns. There are many more situations like this, and affects the Hazara community (which includes Hassan and Ali) negatively. They must endure all the pain and shame other people bring to them solely based on their culture. Racism is a factor which affects the relationship between the Pashtun and the Hazara, specifically the friendship between Amir and Hassan. Amir is afraid to be friends with Hassan with the racism going on. Amir keeps holding back from announcing that he is Hassan’s friend, as he does in the passage, afraid that people would judge him negatively. Racism also forces Hassan to be treated poorly, as his best friend is not able to call him a friend. Amir often leaves Hassan out of group activities when other people are present, which definitely hurts him. Hassan experiences constant bullying from Assef, being abused by him for being a Hazara. Hassan wishes to keep his friendship with Amir, but does not wish to hurt him. However, he being bullied constantly drags Amir into the situation, which hurts Amir. From racism, Hassan struggles to live life with Amir as friends, as his wishes conflict. Racism essentially pursuits to tear the friendship between the two friends, therefore it affects both negatively. However, racism does not only affect Amir and Hassan. It affects the whole relationship between the Hazara and Pashtun communities, as instances of friendship between the two communities often are disturbed by the community who wishes to isolate them based on their culture. This major division between two communities within one country is what has been holding it back from developing towards success. If the two major cultures in the country conflicts with each other, it is close to being impossible to move onto more important matters in that country, which makes it worse for all of its residents.

Ms. Sockett

5/8/2015 00:42:07

You highlight one of the ongoing "problems" that I always face when I read this novel: that systemic racism that leads to ingrained beliefs that are very difficult to challenge. I always wonder at the lack of character shown by Amir as he watches his best friend, his "brother" (by way of their shared nurse) be abused and debased and does nothing. But then I have to forgive him somewhat because in that society, he had never learned any other way to behave. It is hard for us (as Canadians) to imagine living in a world that is that divided, where one group feels that entitled over another based on something as superficial as race.

Mahdiyyah Kasmani

5/10/2015 08:04:38

The quotation above really helps understand the harsh reality that the Hazaras face on a daily basis in Afghanistan.The fact that the merchant is surprised that Amir is caring about another human shows how they are looked down on as if their lives are worthless. He is acting as if Amir and his dad should be praised upon for acting so generously towards the Hazaras by treating them as human beings. Due to this injustice, it can easily be identified that Afghanistan is not a land of equality especially for the Hazaras.

Ms. Sockett

5/11/2015 05:13:21

How do humans accept hatred? When they can consider fellow human beings to be "animals" - once you de-humanize a person, you can treat them in unacceptable ways. You are right - it is disturbing to see that their society accepts this as being the way things should be.

Holly P

5/27/2015 03:56:30

I agree that the racism affects both boys, but I can't help but feel sorry for Hassan. He is so thoughtful and selfless with everything he does, but it is almost expected because he is just looked at as Amir's Hazara servant. He does everything for Amir but really doesn't get much in return, and as unfair as it sounds it happens regularly because the racism is accepted as daily life. If Hassan didn't have the "Hazara" title he would be treated so differently, the way he deserves to be treated. On the other hand, if Amir was in Hassan's position he wouldn't get away with any of what he is doing now. The racism is shown clearly through this double standard.

Owen T.

5/7/2015 23:48:40

Racism:
An example of racism is shown when Amir and Hassan start talking about the president bringing television to Kabul and describing how Iran already has television in their country. Amir then begins to describe the Iranians and how his teacher mentioned that they were “grinning smooth talkers who patted you on the back with one hand and picked your pocket with the other.” This is a small example of racism inflicted with jealousy as Amir and Hassan wish to see television in their country, but from what Amir has learned from his teacher about Iranians, it gives him a bias view on Iranian culture and how they behave. It also important to understand because Amir has learned many things and lessons from those around him and inflicting racist view against other cultures, people and countries.
Another example of racism happens when Amir and Hassan are confronted by Assef and his friends on the hill. Assef believes that Adolf Hitler was a “great leader” and that if “they had let Hitler finish what he had started, the world would be a better place now.” Using similar ideology as Hitler, he then states how “Afghanistan is the land of the Pashtuns. It always has been, always will be.” This is similar to how Hitler treated the jewish people in World War Two and that he believed Germany was the land of the Nazi’s and true Germans. Assef continues by saying how “We are the true Afghans, the pure Afghans, not this Flat-Nose here.” At this point, Assef has now pointed out how Hassan should not be part of Afghanistan, simply because of how his people look, his culture and the way they interact with Afghan society. “His people pollute our homeland, our watan. They dirty our blood” (Hosseini 43) This inflicts an immense amount of racism against Hassan and his people as Assaf states that he believes they should not be part of Afghanistan and that they should rid Afghanistan of all these people. This is important as all people of all cultures should be treated equally in all countries. Just because someone’s culture is different to another, does not mean that this people should be rid of, instead learn to cooperate together and become a stronger and collaborative society.

Classism:
As Amir describes in the novel, there are many classes that the people of Afghanistan fall into, but the two that are described are the Pashtuns or the Hazaras. In this case, Amir is of the Pashtuns, being the son of Baba, a wealthy merchant, living in a huge house. Hassan on the other hand is of the Hazaras, living in a mud hut outside Amir’s house with Ali. These classes are broadly explained by showing that the Pashtuns are of the wealthier class and successful, as the Hazaras are the people that are usually below the Pashtuns, becoming servants as such. As Hosseini explains in the novel, we understand how Hassan is Amir’s servant, but treats him as a friend to play with. This is shown when Amir is confronted by Assef and his friends and thinks “But he’s not my friend! I almost blurted. He’s my servant!” (Hosseini 44). This example is important because it shows how when Amir and Hassan get into trouble, Amir will remember that Hassan is only a Hazaras and does not think of him as a friend, but contradicts himself wanting to be his friend and play with him when he is bored.

Zubair G

5/8/2015 12:16:47

Response to: Owen T- the Kite Runner-Isms

You make a great point when you were writing about Amir and Assef 's interactions. I will always find that quotation you use Ironic, the one where Assef says “We are the true Afghans, the pure Afghans, not this Flat-Nose here.” but he falls to think that he is not even full Afghan, he if a half blood half Afghan and half German. Hassan is more pure blooded Afghan than Assef. If anybody is spoiling the pure Afghan blood it is Assef not Hassan. Yes you also make an excellent on classism it show that people who have power or reputation will always throw the closest friends under the bus for there own gain.

Ms. Sockett

5/11/2015 04:09:26

"under the bus" - that's pretty cynical Zubair!

Ms. Sockett

5/11/2015 04:18:14

I find that it is in the daily "slips" of the tongue where we an see the true beliefs that are ingrained in a person (e.g. when Amir immediately thinks of Hassan as his servant rather than his friend). I must tell you that during the years I've read and taught this novel, Amir is always problematic to me - I want to feel sorry for him because his life is not that great (dead mother, distant father) but then he goes and does things that don't show a very good character and it makes me dislike him a great deal. What does that tell us about nurture (versus nature)? Or does it tell us anything at all? Hmm, I ponder.

Dante A

5/8/2015 13:47:30

Dante Allen
The Kite Runner
Clash of Culture
Quotation: “restore some honor to his uncle’s blemished name” (Hosseini 10)

Early in the book readers see how the clash of culture between the characters in the book and modern say society is way different. Amir, in this section of the novel was indirectly showing readers a lot of examples of clash of culture. One example is when Amir was talking about how he and Hassan both shared the same wet nurse. Some people might read this and wonder what a wet nurse even is and what their purpose is, while in this culture it’s strange not to have a wet nurse for your child during the early years of their life. This is one of the many examples of how the author depicts the clash of culture within the book. We also see things that seem natural to them but completely foreign to us. For example, when Amir was describing that Ali, Hassan’s father, wedded his own first cousin to “restore some honor to his uncle’s blemished name” (Hosseini 10), we in the present day look at this and think it’s very unusual and it’s even illegal in some countries such as Canada. Yet in this book and in that culture its completely normal and respected if there is a marriage within the family. It’s an ideal clash of culture because it shows readers that an idea that seems outrageous to some cultures is completely accepted in other cultures around the world. Another example where we can see a vivid clash of culture is when Amir was talking about how he lost his mother in child birth during the 1960’s. Normally, in this time, the rate in which the mother and child both being safe during child birth in countries such as Canada and the USA was higher when compared to the outcome of death for both infant and mother in those countries during that time, but Amir states that this fate of the mother and/or child dying during/after child birth was common in his country, possibly due to lack of medical equipment during that time. The clash of culture in the book is not really seen in direct context to what the book is saying, but it is seen in the comparison of modern day life and within the book we see countless examples of clash of culture when comparing situations back to modern day society.

Leo Y

5/11/2015 04:00:59

You make a good point that even if the book is directed to the western audience, it uses vocabulary which are foreign to the most western people to allow us to learn and experience the life of Afghanistan. The concepts which were mentioned in the text are very strange to us, who are able to enjoy life without requiring to worry to be able to survive. This emphasizes how frequent these events occur and how horrible and hard it must be to endure a life like that, and how undeveloped the country must be for the to be able to get used to going through such horrible experiences. Between the western and Afghanistan life, there are many differences which are effectively defined in the book to let the reader compare and contrast with his/her own life, which essentially establishes a slice of the experience of life in Afghanistan. The Afghan culture are foreign to the western people, as some practices can be interpreted as strange. However, this clash of culture between us and the Afghanistan people allows us to experience and accept different cultures, teaching us to be able to be open to foreign things we do not believe in at first glance. This book effectively opens a new culture to the reader, allowing us to step in the life of an Afghanistan and be able to visualize the differences between the two.

Dave D

5/11/2015 04:04:51

You are totally right when you say that there are major differences in culture when comparing Afghanistan to countries like Canada. Your example of marrying a cousin being normal in Afghanistan is a great representation of the cultural divide from other countries. Afghanistan is a country that respects traditions while countries like Canada just go with the "norm" that is set by society. I feel like the author was not trying to say one is better than the other, but wanted to show the world how different this country is from any other. Good analysis.

Ms. Sockett

5/11/2015 04:55:47

I think that reading the Kite Runner did open my eyes in terms of cultural understanding because I remember being so surprised at how modern they were (the first time I read the book we were in the post-9/11 world, and Afghanistan was this unknown place, where the Taliban ruled and it had been devastated by ongoing wars) - to see Amir and Hassan enjoying a life that was somewhat like children in North American (e.g. liking movies, riding in sports cars, etc) was quite a revelation.

Holly P

5/15/2015 04:04:21

Assef and his friends approach Amir and Hassan with insults and his brass knuckle when Assef speaks to Amir directly, "'You're bothering me very much. In fact, you bother me more than this Hazara here. How can you talk to him, play with him, let him touch you?' he said, his voice dripping with disgust. Wali and Kamal nodded and grunted in agreement... "How can you call him your 'friend'?" But he's not my friend! I almost blurted. He's my servant!" (Hosseini 44).

This quotation shows how much the racism affects Amir's and Hassan's relationship. They are obviously close friends and Amir even considers him "more of a brother" (Hosseini 44) but the way society in Afghanistan separates the Hazara and Pashtun causes Amir to feel embarrassed and ashamed about their friendship. Hassan has got to be the best friend Amir has, he genuinely cares and will do anything he is asked to do (including eating dirt and doing whatever it takes to bring the kite back to Amir). Amir admits that he only hangs out with Hassan when nobody else is around, and that he is never invited when his other friends are with him, although if Hassan wasn't a Hazara that could be different. Assef tells Hassan that Amir is not his friend and someday he will realize he is worthless, and while Hassan is being attacked, assaulted and raped, Amir stands by and lets it happen. He is terrified of Assef and his friends and what they might do to him if he stands up for “the Hazara” again, and because of this he leaves his friend/brother in that awful situation.

5/19/2015 10:21:31

Jose Romero
Reply to Holly P's week 1 post

I concur with your point of view on the the effect of racism on Hassan and Amir’s relationship. It is obvious how their whole relationship revolves around who they people around them are and what they think. This sort of racism has been around for thousands of years, however reading The Kite Runner, changed my perspective on the matter because of how recently this scene takes place (the 1970s). It is troubling to the think about the extent of this racial divide between Hazaras and Pashtuns. Leading to Amir being paralyzed by the fear of what the other Pashtuns (Assef & friends) might do to him.

Bethany J

6/1/2015 12:02:57

I can't help but wonder all through out this novel how different Amir and Hassan's relationship would be. It is not fair to Hassan that one day Amir treats him as a brother and then the next day he treats him like the servant he is. I can't imagine how Hassan would feel being loved one second then forgotten and ignored the next. Hassan is such a selfless person and would honestly do anything for his best friend yet Amir constantly only thinks about himself. Clearly Hassan had to get to a breaking point after the assault but Amir was never there for him. The racism that effects their relationship clearly draws a very straight line between Hassan and Amir, but there wasn't really anyway to prevent this because of what type of family they were born into.

Sockett

6/22/2015 12:46:48

Checked June 22/15
Mark updated Holly!

Bethany J

5/27/2015 14:25:33

character development
“I had one last chance to make a decision. One final opportunity to decide who I was going to be. I could step into that alley, stand up for Hassan- the way he’d stood up for me all those times in the past- and accept whatever would happen to me. Or I could run. In the end, I ran.” (Hosseini 82)
This section in the book is proving who Amir really is in his young age. At the beginning of the novel it seems like Amir is very different compared to the other kids in the neighbourhood, he treats Hassan like a brother rather than the servant he really is. They begin the novel as best friends but Amir’s true personality quickly shines through. Amir starts to expect things from Hassan as others would expect from their servants, such as breakfast on the table, and doesn’t seem to care much when Hassan was not waiting for him anymore. When Amir’s father suggested that Hassan would come on trips with them he would always refuse to let Hassan come along. By the middle of the first section you can see that Amir is truly a very selfish and greedy person, needing his father’s attention and not wanting to deal with Hassan’s “problems”. This quotation shows how Amir had started to only think about himself, he could have easily helped Hassan but chose to run instead so that he would not be involved with the situation. Amir proved that he was greedy for his father’s attention and also didn’t want to deal with the guilt that came with every sight of Hassan when he blamed him for the theft of the watch and money. This action ruined that family’s lives. Amir developed negatively as a character in this section and started to become one of the boys him and Hassan hated.

Sockett

6/22/2015 12:48:44

Bethany, checked and updated, June 22/15

kendel

5/29/2015 00:45:37

Kendel
The Kite Runner
Imagery
Quotation:
“A havoc of scrap and rubble littered the alley. Worn bicycle tires, bottles with peeled labels, ripped magazines, yellowed newspapers, all scattered amid a pile of bricks and slabs of cement. A rusted cast-iron stove with a gaping hole on its side tilted against the wall.” (Hosseini 80)
This instance of imagery is effective to the novel for the reason that this scene leads to the graphic situation that happens to Hassan. The image produced in the readers mind helps to emphasize the mood and atmosphere of the event that happens to Hassan. If the author did not include this passage of imagery then the following scene would not have been included effectively. This passage is therefore effective since it provides a link in order to integrate the rest of the scene into the novel. The quotation as well gives the reader the view of another point of view on the lifestyle in Afghanistan. Amir lives a rich lifestyle having servants; however when Amir observes the alley he is not used to this layout of objects. If this scene was described with a more elegant layout then Amir would have a different felling towards the scene. Nonetheless by having the scene the way it is the reader can see more about Amir’s character, as well as how he feels towards such a weird place.

Sockett

6/22/2015 12:50:17

Kendel, entry checked and mark updated,
June 22/15

Week #1 - Post by Friday, may 8th

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