Relive the Past, Danielle Sison

The ending was a touching segment. It recreated the past in which Amir betrayed Hassan. It was the moment their friendship ended. Since then, Amir punished himself and regretted what he did not do. Amir constantly questioned his friendship and loyalty to Hassan. He wondered why he could not call Hassan his friend, and if he really was Hassan's friend at all. The book ended with Sohrab in the kite flying scene, because it was Amir's second chance. The book ended with Sohrab in the kite flying scene, because it was Amir's second chance. Through the quest Amir was given, he transformed. He possessed something he did not possess when he was a child. It was his chance to prove his loyalty to Hassan, an act he was unable to do back then, to show how much he valued Hassan's friendship. It was Amir's chance to say,"For you, a thousand times over."

Pomegranite Tree, Danielle Sison

The pomegranite tree was always significant to Amir and Hassan. It aged as Amir and Hassan's relationship went sour. When it became sour, the tree no longer bore fruit.

Amir would read to Hassan, under the ripe promegranite tree. They would taste the sweet red juice it bore. They were the sultans of Kabul. Amir Agha and Hassan, the Hazaar, sultans of Kabul. Breaking the rules of society, breaking their social norm, a Hazaar sultan. It became the public statement of their bond and friendship. When Amir broke that friendship, he could no longer look at the tree, then Hassan left, then the tree withered. When it was too late to mend anything between Amir and Hassan, Amir, with hatred gone, traced the carved letters on the tree,missing his old friend Hassan.

Defined by Success, Danielle Sison

Amir believed in order to win his father's love he must win and be successful. But I do not understand how Amir's success would make up for his father's sins. If Amir got the better half of life, how does "being a man" make his father happy? Wouldn't Amir's success represent what Baba has denied his other son? What can Baba gain from the success? When Amir won the kite tournament, he and Baba decieved themselves in the transformation of their relationship. Amir sacrificed Hassan for Baba's love. He had to pay a price, and he found Baba's affections to be tainted with guilt. But why did Baba decieve himself?

Slingshot, the Deadliest Weapon. Danielle Sison

The slingshot was Hassan's identity. Despite Hassan's masked fear of Assef, the slingshot was his weapon. The weapon that protected Amir and his cowardly traits. It stood for the undying loyalty Hassan had for Amir. Compared to Assef's brass knuckles, a slingshot can be easily attained or created by anyone. Brass knuckles on the other hand, isn't in every market. Thus, the slingshot became a symbol of Hassan's modesty, his status. Even though a slingshot was just a toy, Hassan possessed the talent of deadly precision that transformed the toy into a weapon. It showed Hassan didn't have much, but he had everything and used it for good. It describes Hassan in a way more than any other object could. And when his son, Sohrab was even better, a part of Hassan lived through him. Amir was saved once more by the blood and flesh of Hassan, through the hands of his son and his slingshot. And when it was mentioned that Sohrab possessed deadlier skills than that of his father, it was a sign from Hassan. That their could be another change to make things right again, to fixed what was unsaid. To save Sohrab, known for his skills with his slingshot, from a fate many orphans went through, simultaneously, saving Hassan.

The Story, Only told through stories, Danielle Sison

"The Kite Runner" was told through an odd way. The chapters seemed to have chapters within itself. And whenever a break as seemed to appear within the chapter, I am left with a feeling that that particular subsection's purpose trying to produce.

The subsections were always ending in "and it was good/bad,"

Basically, the small stories within the chapter had its own significance, inducing its own special role within the story. Amir is a writer ever since he was young. He wasn't merely telling his reader about his life and his experience traveling back to his homeland, he was telling us stories.

Hassan's Dreams, Danielle Sison

"So everyone is scared to get in the water, and suddenly you kick off your shoes, Amir agha, and take off your shirt. 'There's no monster,' you say. 'I'll show you all.' And before anyone can stop you, you dive in the water, start swimming away. I follow you in and we're both swimming." (59)

"They see now. There is no monster, just water. They change the name of the lae after that, and call it the 'Lake of Amire and Hassan, Sultans of Kabul," (60)

Before I finished the entire book, I led myself to believe that dream foreshadowed the future. That the split between the Hazaraas and the others will end through the bond of Amir and Hassan, that society soon realized that their differences was mere squabble. But I was wrong, the book ended with an open wound between Amir and Hassan left untreated. Then Amir believed he was the monster in the water.

Deciphering Kite Runner

"The Kite Runner" has been difficult to decipher. I tried applying the elements of light and dark that seemed to consistently shown up within other books, but found no significance in them whatsoever. I soon found myself highlighting whatever seemed a vital piece in dissecting this book. I have read over the discussion questions in the back and found that i have seemed to miss obvious pieces of the book. I need more practice in trying to find the hidden nooks and crannies in literature.

Months;Danielle Sison

Julia and Winston's relationship's development corresponds with the months.

" Under the trees to the left of them the ground was misty with bluebells. The air seemed to kiss one's skin. It was the second of May." (117)

The author created the perfect season for Julia and Winston. May is during Spring, during the birth of new life and is right before April. In this case, the birth of a romantic relationship are the Mau flowers in which April rained upon.Phrases were used to create an environment perfect for romance where "the aire seemed to kiss one's skin."

" The June sun was still high in the sky..." (137)

When the narrator mentioned that it was now June, it was wedding season. I figured that marriage would pop out soon.
"He [Winston] wished they were a married couple..." (139)

Last Stanza; Danielle Sison

"Oranges and lemons, say the bells of St. Clements..." (178)

What is significant about this poem for this story? Winston seemed to be in dire need to know the last stanza, but why?

As soon as I noticed Winston fustratingly searched for the poem, I foreshadowed his death. I believed that as soon as Winston found the last line to the poem, he will die. In theory, the poem could represent the forgotten past, a piece of history that survived the era of Big Brother. And when Winston finds the last line to this poem, he will complete his total separation from Big Brother. The day he entered O'Brien's home, Winston found the last part of the poem. Although, he did not die right away, he was declared dead. Because that was the day, he exposed his opposition against Big Brother.

It's a Dead Language; Danielle Sison

"You think, I dare say,that our chief job is inventing new words. But not a bit of it!" We're destroying words..." (51)

The author notes the reader that Oceania is being destroyed, not transformed. When a language is created, it is replaced by new words of new sounds. Language defines society, it what differentiates one society from another. But the author takes the time to emphasize that the effect of Big Brother is destroying society. When Newpeak, the destruction of words/language, begins to replace Oldpeak, it slowly destroys the world before the era of Big Brother and Oceania.

Julia; Danielle Sison

Julia is a rebellious youth. Her sexuality is in defiance of Big Brother. She also is in within some skill that differentiate herself from others. She is smart, described as cunning, with mapping knowledge of Oceana. She is always in charge within the relationship between Winston and her. The fact that she is independent and takes charge defies the roles of men and women, where men must be the provider. In 1984, this is extremeley bold. Her past is not normal either, she had relations with a 60 year old when she was 16, very uncommon.

"Once when he happened in some connection to mention the war against Eurasioa, she startled him by saying casually that in her opinion the war was not happening. The rocket bombs which fell daily on London were proably fired by the Government of Oceania itself," (153)
- When I read this excerpt, I found it to be unorthodox and "out of the box." This possibility never occured to me.

Big Brother;

Perhaphs in a sense, as Big Brother being the overseer of his world, he represents the essence of God or of any greater entity for that matter. He is immortal, never seen or heard, but his presence is no doubtedly controlling society. His principles govern society, and how it works. Just like our country, despite its secular ways. We still live in a Christianized world. Winston doubted Big Brother, representing many of those who do not share the same religion. This liberal symbolizes the separation of an individual from popularized ideals. Unfortunately, his doubt lead him to his end, where he was "converted," seeing the error of his ways.

All Angels Are White. Danielle Sison

"The white man is a close descendant of Adam and Eve, you see. You have seen the pictures of Jesus in your books, have you not? Adam and Eve and Jesus all have such skin. They are fragile, their skin burning in the sun, because they are closer to the status of angels. Angels would burn in a similar way." (256)

When the priest told Valentino that the "the white man is a close descendant of Adam and Eve" I felt displeased. Yes it obviously held white as the supremacist, but the irony of the quote amused me. White is the closest status of angels and white is light. In yet, the priest says that the white man and angels would burn under the sun. Only vampires burn under the sun, they are not the representatives of light. They are the darkness. So why would angels burn under the sun also? How are they fragile if it is the White that mothers the refugees? They are the providers.

Insecticide. Danielle Sison

Valentino associated his old self and the refugees of Sudan as insects. They were described as skinny with eyes that were sunken. The passages from the book gave me the image of insects. Whenever he describes the refugees running from attack, they scattered in millions, like ants that march in hundreds and scatter in all directions when disturbed. These refugees were also treated like insects... they were disposable and easy to kill without a thought of their significance. They were easy to kill because there was always "plenty more where that came from."