1. How do Amir and Hassan represent the divisions in Afghan society, and how do these divisions affect the courses their lives take?

-Amir is a part of a group called the Pashtuns, these people are the majority of ethnic people in Afghanistan. Hassan is a Hazara which is a splintered group of persecuted ethnic people in Afghanistan. Them being in different groups of society shows how they are treated differently as they grow up, one with respect, and the other with none. As the Russians took over Amir and Baba flee to America even though their power and social status remained in Kabul. Hassan, gets affected in Afghanistan because the attack of the Taliban, in which Hassan is killed.

2. How does the author use time as a narrative device in the novel?

The author uses time a narrative device to show the evolution and change in the characters' from childhood to adulthood. The author is showing us that overtime people can change (like Amir) or not so much (like Assef).

 

3. How do the political events that occur in Afghanistan shape the lives of Amir, Hassan, and Assef?

The events in this novel shape many Afghan lives, but Amir, Hassan, and Assef had a big role in the shift. Amir is affected because of Baba and his social class. They had to flee for themselves to california to live a middle class life, leaving all their status, fortune, and power in Kabul. Hassan’s life does not change that much in Russian rule, but as the Taliban come to power he is affected highly. His fate it turns out was death by the Taliban. Assef also had power, until the russians took over, but when the Taliban came to power he joined them and rose in authority, and controls the oppression in Afghanistan.

 

4. In what ways does Amir seek redemption and why?

Amir seeks redemption by letting himself receive the same pain that he had caused Hassan. Amir feels it's important to seek this redemption because of his realization of how amazing Hassan had treated him compared to how he had treated Hassan. Amir puts his whole entire life on the line to rescue Sohrab which, is the exact opposite of what he was doing behind that rock years ago.

 

5. How do the relationships between fathers and sons affect the events of the novel?

The relationships between the fathers and the sons affect the events of the novel by how each character grows. The fathers of the sons teach them the lessons they believe their children should grow to live by. For example, Assef's father had never shown a trace of discipline for Assef. Assef got away with a ton of awful things and had never learned that those things were wrong because because his father was too afraid to speak up.

 

6. If you have another topic you would like to explore, consult with me during class.