The Kite Runner-Week 7, Post B

This novel has taken me on such an amazing journey. I have been enticed from the very beginning and the author kept my interest all the way to the end. There have not been many books I've read for school that have done that. Khaled Hosseini does an impecable job of revealing the horrors and truths about the struggling country of Afghanistan. I never knew how bad things really were until I read his novel. It has truly opened my eyes. The reader bonds with many of the characters and personally suffers when the characters suffer. This is an emotional story that will rip at your heartstrings. To read a story as compelling as The Kite Runner forces the reader to evaluate their own life. Amir spent the majority of his life regretting one day in his childhood when he didn't stand up for his best friend who was being sexually abused right before his eyes. I believe a major message this story is teaching is simply this: Do the right thing. That may be a lesson one learns in kindergaten, but people forget how important that message really is. It's a message that follows you your entire life and is not meant to be forgotten.

The Kite Runner-Week 7, Post A

Vocab:
-Squalid (329): Foul and repulsive, as from lack of care or cleanliness; neglected and filthy.
-Milieu (338): Surroundings, esp. of a social or cultural nature

Figurative Language:
"He gave me a curt little shake; it felt like squeezing a sparrow." (328) This quote is an example of a similie describing the quality of Raymond Andrews's handshake.

"I felt like Jean Valjean sitting across from Javert." (328) This statement is an example of a similie describing how Amir was feeling sitting across from Raymond Andrews. If you are familiar with the show Les Miserables you understand that Amir is feelign very nervous and there is quite a bit of tension.

"He pressed his hands palm to palm, as if he were kneeling before the Virgin Mary." (330) This statement is an example of a similie describing the way Raymond Andrews folded his hands.

Quote:
"'Can I ask you something Mr. Andrews?'
'Yes.'
'Do you have children?'
For the first time, he blinked.
'Well do you? It's a simple question.'
He was silent.
'I thought so,' I said, taking Sohrab's hand. 'They ought to put someone in your chair who knows what it's like to want a child.' I turned to go, Sohrab trailing me." (331) I found this quote to be a clear example that Amir is finally taking initiative to help others besides himself. He has told his story to Soraya, which I think has lifted a huge weight off his shoulders. Now that his story is out in the open, he feels that he can finally repay Hassan for all the good Hassan did to him in their childhood. I have not seen Amir be this assertive with anyone before and I believe this experience with Sohrab has changed him permanently.

Theme:
The theme I noticed in this passage was the importance of taking initiative to help others who deserve it. Even if that means stepping out of your comfort zone.