Monday, October 8, 2018

Kite Runner Fishbowl on Chapters 11-13: October 8, 2018

Focus: Can Amir move forward?

1. Warming up with three good things

2. Offering you feedback on your first fishbowl: Successes and things to work on

3. Reading The Kite Runner with a focus on the Chapter 1 quotations below in blue...

Find five lines/passages that connect to one or both of the following statements, 
and create a journal entry/annotation for each:

"...the past claws its way out" (1)

"There is a way to be good again." (2)


Alternative #1: Instead of creating annotations, you could draw a sketch that portrays how those two quotations infiltrate Chapter 13.

Alternative #2: You could also perform some creative writing, such as a poem, that conveys how those two quotations infiltrate Chapter 13.

4. Enjoying KR Fishbowl #2: Chapters 11-13

HW:
1. For TOMORROW: Read and annotate Chapters 14, 15, and 16 for tomorrow's fishbowl; tomorrow's leaders should prepare their syllabus.

2. For THURSDAY: Read and annotate Chapters 17 and 18.

3. For FRIDAY: Study the first ten Kite Runner words for a short assessment.

71 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    1. Since Amir told Baba he wants to be a writer Baba at first did not think this was a good career path for him, he thought he couldn't succeed. I think Baba's views on what he wants Amir to be hasn't changed that much since they moved to America when they were living in Afghanistan Baba was strict on Amir and how he viewed his own life, he wants Amir to grow up like him so he could succeed the way Baba did.

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    2. I think it dose. When Amir stated working on his writing, Baba starts joking around with him more. He's also a little less disappointed in Amir I feel. On page 139 Baba says "'Amir is going to be a great writer"..."He has finished his first year of college and earned A's in all of his courses'".

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  2. Adjusting to american life seems to be hard for Amir, how do you think Baba is adjusting?

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    1. I think Baba's adjustment is harder than Amir's because in chapter 11 it says, "My father is still adjusting to life in America." on page 128.

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    2. I think Baba doesn't like America because it is so different from Afghanistan. For example America is more of a world power at this time which means that politics are a huge thing. Baba does not agree with most of America on the politics. I think Baba is just having a really hard time adjusting to the super eccentric way of America.

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    3. I think Baba is adjusting worse than Amir because there had been many instances where Baba had lashed out about the things he doesn't agree with. On page 128 Baba yelled about how no one trusts anyone in America because he got mad about the cashier wanting to see his ID.

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  3. How do you feel about Baba dying? Do you think he was a good father to Amir?

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    1. i feel like baba was a little harsh on amir through.
      out his life
      -Aaron

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    2. I'm kinda sad because he's been a huge character throughout the whole book.

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    3. I'm sad but I think it definitely added to the story line because of how fast the wedding moved and how he has to deal with the death of his father. I think it was hard for Baba to raise Amir as a single parent because he didn't have experience or a partner to help him raise Amir. I think that hardship leads to him not being that supportive to Amir.

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  4. Soraya opening up about her past is making Amir realize that he needs to make things right, or at least open up about what happened. He regrets his choice he made in the alley, and knows he needs to do something.

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    1. This is part where Amir "redeems" himself by fixing what happened in the alleyway I think is a part of the Hero's journey.

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    2. Do you think Amir will ever tell Soraya about what happens? Or do you think that Amir won't tell Soraya? And if he doesn't tell her how would she react if she ever finds out?

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    3. I am sure a lot of us want Amir to open up and fix things with Hassan but how do you think he is going to do that if he goes that far as to reaching out to him.

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    4. I think that if they rekindle their relationship, it would be when Amir is visiting the East to see Rahim Khan.

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    5. I don't think he's going to tell her soon, I feel like it's going to be forced out of him in some sort of way by the end of the book. I think he's going to try to fix things with Hassan and he'll have to tell Soraya what he's doing.

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    6. i feel like this is kind of amir's guilt to come back to him sinces he really hasn't told anybody about hassan in the alley.
      -Aaron

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  5. I was sad when Baba died because he was a good role model for Amir.

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  6. Has Amir and Baba's relationship grown now that Hassan has left? I think that it has because Baba now can pay more attention to Amir and there isn't someone else who takes up his time and affection.

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    1. I agree I think without Hassan there to be the perfect child in Baba's eyes he focused more on what he likes about Amir.

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  7. How do you think Amir is on the path to become good again after he has dealt with this dark path in his life?

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    1. Since Amir has gone through hard times and made decisions in his life that he himself is not proud of, looking back Amir wants to fix things and because he is now marrying Soraya she seems strong and independent and a person who wants to help others, I think she might help Amir on the rest of his path.

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    2. I think Amir will find Hassan again and find a way to make things right between them again.

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    3. I think Amir has had time to process what has happened in his past and many things have happened to him in America to give him a new perspective. Amir is now open to addressing what he did and trying his best to fix it. Amir no longer thinks it's hopeless to try to be good again.

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  8. was Baba a good influence on Amir?

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    1. Yes, I think he was an excellent influence.

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    2. I think that it can go both ways, I think that Baba taught Amir how to be a man, and he was a really great role model for Amir, but he wasn't very accepting of his son in the beginning.

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    3. I think overall he was pretty good, but there were definitely times where Baba could've done better.

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    4. I think that Baba was a good influence on Amir in a way that allows him to be respectful, but it was hard for Amir to really learn from Baba and understand him because of how he distanced himself. If Baba had opened up to Amir, they would've had a stronger relationship and they would've learned more from each other.

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    5. I think that he was partly but not entirely because, as far as good goes he was very head strong and stood up for what he believed in. But, on the other hand he was very judgmental and not entirely open minded.

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    6. Baba always seemed hard headed but independent and he stood up for what he believed he was successful and strong and didn't let people see his weaknesses, which are all good character traits that hopefully Amir took out of his fathers life style. There were some traits like his drinking and selfishness that were not good influences on Amir as a kid.

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    7. I think that Baba should have been more honest with Amir, but overall I think that he made a good influence.

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  9. Amir is talking with Baba about his cancer and says "What about me Baba what am I supposed to do?" the book says " A look of disgust swept across his rain soaked face" (Pg 156) Why do you think Baba was so disgusted, is it because Amir is a grown man and still wants his father?

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    1. I do think that this is part of it, but he might also not come to peace with his illness and that might just make him cringe. Also he could be thinking of back in Afghanistan when Hassan would have to stand up for Amir when he was pushed down.

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    2. I think that he sees this as a sign of weakness.

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    3. I think maybe Baba is a little disappointed in Amir just because in his plan I think he wanted Amir to live life and be more independent. So having Amir showing so much remorse for Baba and his sickness Baba wants him to let this go and go on with his life.

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  10. Do you think Soraya is making/is going to make Amir a better person? Will he open up finally and tell everybody the truth?

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    1. I think Soraya is going to inspire Amir to open up about his past.

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    2. I think the fact that Soraya's past has made Amir think about his past and his mistakes, he'll eventually open up to her about what he did to Hassan.

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  11. Why did the General originally wave Amir off when he approached Soraya? Soon after he allowed them to marry. What changed?

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    1. Maybe he realised that amir was actually ready to commit to a relationship.

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    2. I think Soraya and her mother spoke fondly of Amir and the General finally changed his mind about Amir.

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  12. When Baba and Amir move to America, does Baba's opinion on what he wants Amir to become change? On page 135 when Amir is telling Baba about what he wants to major in for college, Baba seems very skeptical. How does this relate to earlier in the book when Baba was talking to Rahim Khan about how Amir plays with other kids and how he isn't very rough.

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    1. I think Baba's opinion of what Amir wants to be will not change. He most likley want's Amir to be as tough as he is and become some sort of hard worker or mechanic. Baba probably thinks that if Amir becomes an author he won't be able to defend himself in America.

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    2. I think that Baba doesn't want Amir to become something else I think he just wants the best for Amir. When Baba was talking to Rahim Khan about how he wasn't very rough I think he was just worried about Amir getting beaten up. In America Baba doesn't want Amir to major in english because it's not a secure job, there's no guarantee that he'll get discovered. Right now Baba and Amir definitely weren't living a great life in America so I think Baba wants Amir to have the best life he can including a different major that is more secure.

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  13. Where do you think the book is going with Soraya and Amir not being able to have kids? Do you think that it will be a test in Amir's life?

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    1. I think that Amir and Soraya will realize that they really want kids. The might look in to adoption again even though Soraya's father does not approve of it. Amir keeps thinking that something is missing in life and he will most likley come to the realization that it is a child.

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    2. Yes, I think the test won't just end with him not having kids. This "test" might progress to how he handles not being able to and how this affects Soraya and Amir's relationship.

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  14. @Oliva D I think it is very true that after he heard Soraya's past he would have wanted to push the pressure of his chest. Yet do you believe that Amir is worthy of Soraya after he is still bottling up these secrets?

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    1. I definitely think that Amir will realize and come to appreciate Soraya's honestly. I think he will eventually share his past but as of now it is hard for him to open up.

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  15. '"Not this is the right way-Afghan way-to do it...(page 167)", This shows how well taught Amir is and also shows how good of a father Baba is. This passage shows the General commenting on the traditional ways of the Afghans.

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  16. When will Amir get the chance "to be good again"?

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    1. I think it's going to be up to him, because it's on his time for when he wants to start opening up and telling the truth.

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    2. I don't know if Amir will ever think of himself as good ever again. He will most likley keep making his way through life and being a good person but he will probably still think about what happened in Afghanistan.

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  17. On page 171, Amir thinks about Hassan once again, "And I remember wondering if Hassan too had married." Did he get notified about Amir's marriage, is he married himself?

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    1. Rahim Khan tells Amir about Hassan getting married later.

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    2. I don't think Amir has spoken/contacted Hassan ever since he left.

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    3. I do wonder this too, I would like to know how the event in the alley affects Hassan after all these years and how Hassan is. I wonder if Hassan is still thinking about what Amir did in the alley.

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    4. I don't think Amir will ever see or speak to Hassan again because if he does, Hassan will most likley be super mad at Amir no matter what.

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    5. I think that Amir is married, but I do not think Amir knew heard anything about Hassan getting married.

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  18. What problems could Khan have that Amir could fix?

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  19. Was there more behind Baba asking to switch the doctor than just the fact that he is Russian? Could he have possibly wanted somebody more understanding of his decision to decline treatment?

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  20. I think Baba knew that it was his time to go.

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    1. I agree. I think he saw it coming and accepted what was about to happen.

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  21. Why didn't Baba want anyone to know about his lung cancer?

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  22. " A pair of steel hands closed around my windpipe at the sound of Hassan's name" Pg 134
    " There is a way to be good again" Pg 2

    Amir has clearly been holding onto the guilt from that winter, what do you think will make him good again? It has to be something significant. Like possibly seeing Hassan again?

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  23. On Page 171 when Amir and Soraya are proceeding with the wedding he remembers a song. It was the same song "ahesta boro" that the Russian soldier had sung. How is this affected Amir and Baba at the moment?

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  24. Do you think Baba dying has a bigger significance in the story then what first meets the eye? Who dose his death affect?

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  25. Baba probably did not trust American Health Car.

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