Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Kite Runner Fishbowl: Chapters 9 and 10

Hello, happy fishbowlers! Great job yesterday, by the way.

Here are your two special challenges for today:

(1) Bring a quotation into at least one of your blogs today.

(2) Please capitalize your "I's" (and maintain all other capitalization rules).

Have fun!

136 comments:

  1. Why did Hassan lie to Baba when Baba asked him if he stole Amir's watch?

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  2. Why would all of the people hide in the gas tank when they knew the fumes would be deadly?

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  4. Is there any chance that Hassan knew that Amir was watching him from getting rapped and thats why they are leaving
    page 106 "We are leaving, Agha sahib,"

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  5. One question I had when I was reading was what is a MiG? For example on page 113 it says, "As on cue, a MiG suddenly screamed past overhead"

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  6. Tyler-

    Hassan did not lie to Baba, when Baba asked him if he stole the watch he said yes. He did not lie to Baba

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  7. How come if Hassan knew Amir saw him in the ally he didn't say anything?

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  8. Tyler:

    i think Hassan lied because he didn't know what Baba would do if he told him.

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  9. When Amir was opening presents why does he say " I didnt want any of it-it was all blood money?"

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  10. This questions confusing because he had sat Amir down and tried to explain to him how wrong stealing was and yet he just lets Hassan get away with it. If it's the worst sin, and lives strongly through his religion then I would think that he wouldn't make any exceptions.

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  11. Tyler~
    I think that Hassan would lie to Baba because he knew that Amit wanted them to leave so like it said in the book it was like his last favor for Amir and also they could both be happy that way.

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  12. Ariel:

    I think Hassan valued his friendship with Amir, so he never said anything about the ally.

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  13. Do you think after Hassan stole the watch, Amir's and Hassan's friendship is down the drain?

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  14. The entire theme of the book is based on the idea that "Stealing is the only sin." when Hassan was raped, Assef stole his innocence, one of the worst things to have stolen from you.

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  15. Nouhad-
    Do you think he might have lied because he respects Baba and didn't want Baba to be upset with him?

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  16. On page 105, it says, "Except Baba stunned me by saying, 'I forgive you.'" Baba forgave Hassan for "stealing" Amir's watch. Why does Baba lay down his beilief that stealing is the only sin?

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  17. Tyler- I think Hassan lied because he was protecting Amir. If Baba found out about Amir putting the money there he might be mad.

    Peyton- I think Hassan did see Amir and I think that is a big reason why they are leaving because I think Hassan told Amir everything and they didn't want something like this to happen again.

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  18. Alex:
    I'm pretty sure the MiG is a plane?

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  19. Drew: What did I just say about capitalizing the letter "I"?

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  20. I was wondering what a MiG is? like on page 113 it states "As if on cue, a MiG screamed."

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  21. On page 105 it says, "He knew I'd seen everything in that alley, that I'd stood there and done nothing. He knew that I had betrayed him and yet he was rescuing me once again, maybe for the last time. I loved him in that moment, loved him more than I'd ever loved anyone, and I wanted to tell them all that I was the snake in the grass, the monster in the lake." How did Hassan ever find out that Amir saw everything in the alley?

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  22. Tyler:
    Like it said in that chapter, that was Hassan's last way of showing his compassion to Amir and that was his way of like I think that he was saying, 'here I am Amir and I was a better person for sticking up for you all the time' and that's just the way I interpreted it. Plus it's just the type of person that Hassan is, he wouldn't give up what he once called his "friend."

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  23. Pierce Amir put the watch under Hassans pillow and Hassan lied and said he stole it, but he really didnt.

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  24. Pierce, i think yes because Hassan stole his watch and he wouldn't wanna be friends with a stealer.

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  25. Ryan-

    I think he might have lied because he respects Baba, and he didn't want to ruin that relationship he had with
    Baba.

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  26. pierce
    I think when he stole the watch it will end there friendship for awhile, but i think over time they will let it go and forget about it.

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  27. Pierce:
    Hassan and Amir's relationship has already been ruined because of what happened in the Alley. Even though Hassan doesn't know that Amir saw, still Amir can't look at him.

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  28. Sarah- I think he said it was all blood money because he thinks they are only giving it to him for winning the kite race, and not really for his birthday.

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  29. Why do you think that Baba allowed Hassan to steal yet in the previous chapters he told Amir never to do that?

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  30. How would the story be different if Amir had been honest, instead of continuing his spree of lies?

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  31. What does Amir mean when he refers to his gifts as blood money. Like on page 101 it says "I didn't want any of it-it was all blood money"

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  32. Ariel-

    Hassan I think just did not want to even think about what happened because being raped scares you forever. You never forget what happened and just the thought of it most likely brings tears to your eyes and uneasy feelings rush over you. It also may be he is reading Amir and knows he feels horrible but is afraid to ask him about what happened. I also think it may be because they have drifted apart. What could of the outcome been if Amir would have stood up for Hassan and stopped the rape like Hassan has always done for him?

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  33. Alex
    I am pretty sure that a Mig is a plane

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  34. Does Hassan know that Amir watched him in the ally if so how do you think it will effect their friendship.

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  35. During chapter 10 I was really confused, what was going on with Baba and almost being shot??

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  36. Why does Amir consider the book that Ali and Hassan gave him a blood money gift when they bought it with their own money, and why did he just throw it in the pile?

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  37. Sarah-
    I believe that Amir called the presents "blood money" because it was all for show. Amir knew that his dad would have never hosted the party if Amir never had won the kite competition. There was nothing sincere about the gifts except for Rahim Khan's gift.

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  38. Pierce M to answer your question, First off Hassan never stole the money and watch, Amir put them under Hassans mattress to frame Hassan and get them fired. Also i think that long before Amir put the money in Hassans house, Amir and Hassan's friendship was way over.

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  39. Jessie,

    i don't think there friendship totatlly ended after the allie, i think it was just slowly ending but i dont think it was already completely ruined.

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  40. Timmy-
    I think that Baba let go of his belief that theft is the only sin because he realized that Hassan is the most kind boy and I kinda think that Baba knew Amir tried to frame Hassan.

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  41. Peyton-
    I think that Baba forgave Hassan because he feels closer to Hassan than he does to Amir.

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  42. Peyton:
    I think he allows Hassan to steal because Hassan is someone that Baba really likes. He is like the son Baba never had and it would be hard to punish someone you admire.

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  43. Hassan didn't steal Amirs watch! Amir put it under his pillow to frame him.

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  44. Ariel- A MiG or Mikoyan-Gurevich is a Russian Fighter plane used in the Indo-Pakistani War.

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  45. Kyle, thats true but Baba doesn't know that he was lying.

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  46. Peyton~
    I think that Baba allowed Hassan to steal even though he said that that is the greatest sin is because I think that he knew that Amir planted that watch in Hassan's house and he didn't want to point that out and embarrass him and also maybe he really just wanted Ali and Hassan to stay there and they really needed them

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  47. "Did you steal Amir's watch, Hassan?"
    "Yes" (Hosseini 105)

    Why do you think Hassan told the truth, instead of lying to Baba, and not taking the risk of loosing his job?

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  48. How does regret hurt us, and why is it so hard to "move on" with life?

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  49. Krysta:
    I think that Amir means the "blood money" as something that he didn't need and or want and something that didn't really touch him, and spending that money was just a way of appealing him. Google says:compensation paid to the family of a murdered person but that really doesn't fit with what the book is talking about, so I'm inferencing that is what he meant.

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  50. Jessie-
    I agree with you on the fact that Baba is more affectionate towards Hassan, but why do you think he doesn't show that same affection towards Amir?

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  51. Was it a major turning point for Amir when he saw his father cry when Ali and Hassan left?

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  52. RyanH- I agree with you when you say Baba is closer to Hassan than he is Amir. Amir is always saying he is a disappointment to Baba. I think Baba respects Hassan more because he is so loyal to Baba and Amir.

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  53. In chapter 10 why are Baba and Amir leaving their house?

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  54. On page 117, Amir said " We rode in silence for about fifteen minutes before the young women's husband stood and did something Id seen many other do before him; He kissed Baba's hand." Why did the man kiss Baba's hand??

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  55. Jamie,

    Yes i tihnk it was because amir has never seen that side of his father. Where he has feelings

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  56. How did Anir feel when he saw his father crying?

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  57. Jamie-

    I do think it was a major turning point when Amir saw his father cry because he never really sees his father like that when they are together

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  58. In chapter ten When the lady on the truck was about to be taken in the back of a truck with a solider, Baba stuck up for her and asked to be shot instead, why did he do this and why was Amir shocked that he did?

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  59. On page 116, when Baba says to Amir "Haven't I taught you anything?" What do you think Baba mens by this? (when they are talking to the Russian in the back of the truck)

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  60. This is kind of a far off question, but do you think that Hassan will be ending up back in the book, becoming even more significant to Amir?

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  61. i think it was a good move for baba

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  62. JamieM:

    I think that Hassan knew that Amir saw him in the alley because maybe Hassan saw Amir watching or maybe Hassan can read Amir enough to know that he saw him.

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  63. Sully:

    I think the man kissed Baba's hand because he respected Baba, and that may be a way to greet someone.

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  64. Alex B -
    That is a good point, but then why doesn't Baba show that same affection towards Amir? After all Amir is his son.

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  65. Why does Baba protect the women?

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  66. Ryan2013-
    I think that Baba doesn't show affection towards Amir because he is worried about his business because he thinks Amir won't be able to handle taking over the business. Also, maybe Baba also feels guilty and some way.

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  67. Nouhad- Hassan is actually lying to Baba when he says yes to protect Amir. The truth is he didn't steal it. But, Hassan knows that it would make Amir look bad if he said no. Hassan is forever loyal to Amir. Hassan just found the watch and money under his mattress because Amir put it there.

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  68. On page 177 Amir says "TOOR'S BAD LUCK" Is Toor a person? What is Amir meaning and why was it said in capital letters.

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  69. What has happened in the beginning of chapter ten to make every one so untrustworthy.

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  70. Sometimes heroic actions are not based on bravery or courage, but morals. Baba did what he did because thats what Baba does.

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  71. Ariel
    I think that Amir was shocked that his father would stand up for someone and give his own life. And Amir thought that his dad would never do something that good.

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  72. Nouhad~
    Hassan did lie to Baba because on page 104 it says" I lifted Hassan's mattress and planted my new watch and a handfull of Afghani bills under it." So Hassan actually took the blame for Amir.

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  73. Ryan:
    I think it's because Baba had that image of his perfect son and he just expected him to become that sort of person. Baba could just relate more with Hassan and saw more of himself in him.

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  74. RyanH- I think Baba doesn't show his affection to Amir because Baba wanted him to like sports and that kind of stuff and Amir is the total opposite, he likes reading and writing. I think Baba just doesn't really understand the concept that Amir doesn't have to be just like him.

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  75. Does Baba think that maybe Rahim Khan or Ali is more of the father figure to his son?

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  76. Many thoughtful, insightful questions and comments here. Remember your challenge: Try to work in a significant quotation to show us your thinking and persuade us to see things your way.

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  77. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  78. Ryan:
    Maybe Baba doesn't show affection to Amir because they can't really relate or maybe Baba feels that Amir doesn't understand his situation and that Baba is tired of dealing with Amir.

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  79. Matt
    because he knows that it is the right thing to do. And if he did not i think that he would feel really guilty. And i think he felt like he had to.

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  80. Tyler:
    He means manners wise, Baba wanted Amir to be a man instead of a coward and letting the woman go off into the back of the truck. Baba tells him that because he also wanted to be the hero, page 115 even Amir asks himself, "do you always have to be the hero." Which suggests that Baba acts this way a lot.

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  81. Krysta~

    Why do you think Hassan would take the blame for something he didn't do, and risk getting fired from his job as a servant?

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  82. Peyton-
    Yes, I think that Hassan will eventually pop up in the book later because when you look at it, Hassan taught Amir many important lessons and this might cause Amir to visit Hassan or something. But I'm just predicting here I have no idea what is going to happen.

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  83. Jessie-

    Maybe it is, I'm not sure

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  84. Sarah to answer your question of how Amir felt when his father was crying.Amir on page 107 states "I will never forget the way Baba said that, the pain, the fear." I think Amir felt bad and he kinda regretted what he did, but in the same sense Amir still didn't fess up about framing Hassan and Ali. He Never wanted to fess up because he thought all the guilt would go away.

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  85. Ryan

    Baba doesn't show any affection towards Amir because they don't have much in common, so it is hard for him to connect with his own son.

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  86. Sully- The man kissed Baba's hand because Baba stood up for the man's wife risking his life. Baba stopped the Russian soldier from raping the woman. Baba said, "Tell him I'll take a thousand of his bullets before I let this indecency take place" (Hosseini 116).

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  87. Jamie M-
    I think Baba realizes that Rahim Khan is more of a father figure to Amir than he is, but it doens't seem to bother him.

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  88. shouldn't baba show affection to amir though considering he is his son?

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  89. i thought they were more like brothers then just freinds

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  90. I think that Amir was greatly effected by losing Ali and Hassan because it was like losing a brother. Hassan was practically a brother to Amir.

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  91. On page 119. When Amir says i am glad it was dark i did not want to see the murderous look on baba's face". Why did Amir not want to see his face like that?

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  92. Nouhad E.-
    I think Hassan took the blame because he loves Amir like a best friend or even a brother. Also maybe Hassan has a disadvantage of having such a strong loyalty to others that he gets hurt and taken advantage of.

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  93. Ryan:

    Baba doesn't show affection because amir doesn't show affection towards him so they just kind of don't have much to say.

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  94. Nouhad~
    I think that Hassan would take the blame for something he didn't do because like Timmy said before Hassan is forever loyal to Amir and would do anything to protect him. To Hassan Amir would be more important than anything to him they are pretty much brothers and it has always been that way.

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  95. Timothy-

    Thank you I understand now.

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  96. JamieM:
    Baba thinks that Rahim Khan is kind of like a father figure to Amir and he tells Rahim to keep acting like that because he can relate to Amir and Baba doesn't think he can.

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  97. After reading these first 10 chapters, in what ways do you think life in Afghanistan is different from life here in the USA?

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  98. On page 117 when The soldier had meant to shoot baba what happend how come he was gonna shoot him and how come he didnt?

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  99. Drew:
    But Amir was trying and really wanted that relationship with his father but Baba just wasn't interested so I don't think they both didn't want to talk.

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  100. Ryan2013-
    You are right, that doesn't seem the bother Baba and maybe he likes it that way. Almost like Rahim Khan is taking Amir out of Baba's hands for him because Baba is disappointed in Amir and his decisions.

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  101. I agree with Jessie. I feel like Amir losing Ali and Hassan will effect him greatly because they are pretty much brothers and I can relate because I have a brother and I cant imagine losing him.

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  102. Jessie:

    Well i just think they don't have anything in common to really do.

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  103. Sarah- Amir didn't want to see Baba like that because he knows that Baba is vicious when he's angry and he doesn't enjoy seeing Baba angry because he's such a threatening guy.

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  104. Why did Ali refuse when Baba offered to take them to Bamiyan? On pg 108 it says, "Baba had offered to drive them to Bamiyan himself, but Ali refused". Is it because Ali wants to do it on his won or because he is mad at Baba?

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  105. Tyler-

    Life in Afghanistan is much different then here in the US, because what Assef did by raping Hassan would not be something someone would do here, their culture is just much different from ours.

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  106. Jessie~
    I completely agree with you I think that Amir feels guilty for what he did to Hassan and probably wishes that he would have just come clean after he saw what happened to Hassan in the alley.

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  107. I was confused when Kamal's father was talking about why Kamal was always quiet. From the snippets that came out of it, I inferred that Kamal was rapped, does anyone else know what happened to him?

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  108. Tony

    I don't think that Baba means to act the way he does towards Amir. I think that Baba is just a little disapointed in Amir because they are very different people. For example In chapter ten when Baba Stands up for that lady and he asks to be shoot instead, this shocked Amir. On page 116 Amir states " Sometimes, I too Wonder if I was really Baba's son."

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  109. Sarah-
    Amir does not want to see Baba's murderous face because Amir looks up to Baba and uses him as a model of what a man should be like and Amir is afraid that if he sees Baba's murderous face he will not look up to Baba as much as before.

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  110. Jamie-
    That's what I was thinking too. It's kind of sad that Baba just wants Amir out of his hands, unless there's a different reason for Baba not being very affection to Amir.

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  111. Tyler
    The USA is really different, Because here in the USA i think alot more people can get away with more things and we are not as strict. But over there it is like you have to watch your every move. And can never do anything wrong or there will be a big punishment.

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  112. Drew:
    Just because you don't have anything in common with a person it doesn't mean you can't have some sort of interaction. Baba is his father and there is no excuse to ignore your son. They're family and that's plenty to have in common.

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  113. On page 106 why does Ali act so hostile towards Amir when they are telling Baba that they are leaving?

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  114. Brendan,

    The soldier didn't shoot Baba because a Russian officer fires his gun first and stops the soldier from being bad.

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  115. Do you think that Amir and Hassan have a strong friendship? Why or why not?

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  116. Jessie:

    Yes but we are from the USA things may be different over where they live.

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  117. On page 124, the book depicts more violence saying, "Kamal's father shoved the barrel in his own mouth. I'll never forget the echo of that blast. Or the flash of light and the spray of red." Do you think this use of violence is excessive or necessary?

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  118. Ryan2013-
    I agree with you and I think Baba will sometime regret it later in life. Maybe Baba will see that damage he has done to Amir.

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  119. Tyler-

    I think the difference between Afghanistan and America is there lack of speed in development. A lot of the people in Afghanistan are poor and it is still a third world country also their culture is different then ours in America. They never really had an industrial revolution like ours, during our industrial revolution we advanced may years were they could not advance half as fast as America.

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  120. Why does baba think that stealing is the number one unforgivable sin?

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  121. Krysta-
    Ali could be acting hostile towards Amir because maybe Hassan has told Ali about the rape and now Ali can't trust anybody.

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  122. Tyler W

    To answer your question I think life in the USA is way different then life in Afghanistan. In Afghanistan i think men get away with more, like rape, theft and lieing. As to in America we have equal rights for both men and woman

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  123. Drew:
    Yes some things are different but they're still humans and family is family. Relationships are very similar all around the world no matter how different the customs are.

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  124. Krysta

    I think that Hassan new that Amir watched him get rapped and then Hassan might have told his father that Amir watched it happen and didn't do anything, or maybe Hassan told Ali that he didn't steal the watch and money and that they know that Amir is trying to get ride of them.

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  125. Nouhad-
    I don't think they have a strong friendship because if they did Amir wouldn't have framed Hassan and he would have done something when Hassan was being raped.

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  126. on page 106 i thought Ali acted kind of defensive to Baba because in some ways Baba is a threatening guy and is not a guy you want to make angry so Ali was just trying to be defensive.

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  127. Krysta L- Kamal was one of Assef's friends who took part in what happened to Hassan in the alley way.

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  128. Timmy:
    I think it was necessary because it was showing the horrors of Amir's life and how they escalate and are traumatic.

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  129. Sarah-
    Baba thinks that stealing is the number one sin because it can be incorporated in all the other sins and can lead to other sins.

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  130. Timmy-
    Yes, I do think that the violence in the quote posted is necessary because it finalizes the overall depressed tone for the chapter and really sets a mood for the next chapter. (because I know that quote is the last few lines of the chapter.)

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  131. Peyton~
    I think that maybe Kamal was acting so quiet because Amir was there and he to knew that he was there in the alley and he was embarassed for what he did.

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  132. If Baba had been shot by the soldier how would that impact Amir's life.

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