Sunday, June 14, 2009
Kite Runner Blog
The Kite Runner is a spotlight on the culture of Afghanistan. Provide your thoughts concerning any of the aspects of the book you found to be sociologically insightful: the role of women, the role of servants, the way the Taliban began to gather strength, or anything else you found interesting.
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In the Kite Runner, the way Afghans did business was intriguing. They would carve out a piece of a stick every time a purchase was made- that same stick would be brought back at the end of the month, by the purchaser, in order to balance the books. It seems like a archaic way of doing business, especially to an American like me who is accustomed to Western ways. Life would be simpler if moder society could adopt aspects like the one mentioned above. The hand shake way of doing business is slipping away.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the ominous way in which the Taliban acts is appalling. In America, we only focus on the problems the Taliban has caused us, but after reading this book, I'm realizing they've been plaguing societies for decades. The way they coerced people to think they were there on their side reminded me of stories my parents use to tell of Cuba, when Fidel came in as a supposed voice for the people. Not only did the Taliban make it worse for the people, they also attempted to destroy any remanence of Afghan culture.
ReplyDeleteThe kite runner to me is simply a narrative novel that gave me insight towards the war in Afghanistan, the loyalty between friends, the bond between parents and their offspring, and the decsions we make that impact our lives. The part of the book that I found sociologically insightful was when Amir returned to Pakistan. I found this part of the book insightful to me because just like most people when it comes to war you think, eventually it will end. But, in the end, it never does. The role of the women in the Kite Runner I perceived is that were only to cook, clean, and take care of the kids because when Hassan's mother abandoned him just one week after he was born to be with traveling dancers this was considered very shameful. The role of the servants surprised me because the servants in this book was very dedicated and passionate to whom they were served. Hassan was the servant to Amir and Hassan is loyal to Amir to do whatever he asks, no matter what the consequences he may have received. This surprise's me because normally when you think of servants you think about oh just someone whom picks up after you, cooks, and does your laundry, not someone you've shared your entire life with. Also I was pretty upset when I learned that after the Taliban officials took over, they banned the kite fighting. This distrubed me because kite fighting was were the competitions were and the bondings of friendship grew because you worked twice as hard to win. I also found out that hassan had died before he even knew that he was Baba's son. In the end, Amir wants to adopt Sohrab but it became impossible because he would need death certificates and the majority of the people in Afghanistan didn't have any birth certificates. Amir also would have to prove that Sohrab was his half nephew which was just as impossible as getting death certificates. When the impossible seemed to be over bearing, Sohrab tries to commit suicide and remains silent for about a year.
ReplyDeleteFlying the kites, was an event in this book, than showed how wonderful Afghanistan is. I can relate to this because where I am from, Kite Day is probably the most welcomed day by children of all ages. I loved how Amir's father showed love for him when he won the fight with the kites. In a country where the Taliban and other forces take over with creulty, the kites remind me of peace, and a place where children are free. It was the most amazing part of the book. I was reminded of how well life is as a child and no matter what environment you live in, peace is there. Socially this event showed the world, that Afghanistan and its people are lively, and enjoy life with their children. It represents the simplicity that most people fail to remind themselves of. Being on the top of their roofs, and watching as children fly their kites, and try to keep them high in the air as long as possible is amazing and allows me to feel as if I am there flying a kite. The author gives details of the preparedness of making the kites, which is the fun part for children. It shows children are constructive and able to learn and take lead into their affairs. Not all things are horrible. The enjoyment of all adults and children with the kite flying is as if the people are watching one of the most anticipated cricket games. Kites are important to the people of Afghanistan, all hand made, with the best of quality. The excitement portrayed for kite day was what it feels like when Afghanistan allows all its children to roam around in peace.
ReplyDeleteThere were a lot of parts in the book that I found interesting. The first was the bond that Amir and Hassan share, although Hassan is a servent he is Amir's one and only friend. He would never admit it, but Hassan always made him feel like he could be himself. In some ways Amir showed jealousy toward Hassan because he wished that he had the courage Hassan always showed. The second thing I found interesting was the kite flying, I think the kite flying is in some way a sign of innocence. When Hassan's was lost the kite flying stopped. The third and final thing I found interesting was the way a country changed when the Taliban took over. I found it appalling how terribly barbaric a group of people could be. Amir showed a lot of courage going back in the end, I think his life would never be truley right if he hadn't gone back. He needed to redeem himself for the wrong he felt he'd done.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading the Kite Runner because I haven't followed what had gone on in Afganistan and it was interesting for me to see the way of life over there. It is very different from my culture here in the United States and I couldn't imagine living like that. I guess you could say I am a little spoiled. I greatly appreciate what I have after having read this book. Although our cultures differ, I found Amir's story to be similar to what a lot people go through in some aspects. I saw that the most when he was having problems with his father. It must have been difficult as a young boy to have a father who didn't accept you and appreciate you as you are. I sensed a lot of jealousy on Amir's part and I think we can all realate to being a little jealous at some point in our lives. I found the role of women to be a stay at home wife. The belonged in the home taking care of the children, cleaning, and cooking. They weren't to have their own opinions and should never cross their husband. IT seemed as though Amir's mother didn't follow suit to that way of living and was frowned upon for her actions. The role of servants was to not only perform servantly duties, but to be there forh their owners like Hassan was there for Amir no matter what. The way the Taliban began to gather their stength was horrible and apalling. It is amazing how strong they became and how the ultimately changed the world with their ations. Who knows what the world would be like today in they had never existed.
ReplyDelete-Brittany Freeman
The novel "The Kite Runner" I have to say was one of the best books I have read but it is also a very sad version of Afghanistan's history. It was based on two childhood friends Amir and Hassan who grow up together and are pretty much like brothers. There was however, a big difference between both which ended up ruining the relationship as friends they once had. Amir is the son in the novel of a very wealthy man and Hassan was the son of Amir's fathers servant. Hassan was an extremely loyal friend as opposed to Amir who in many occasions due to jealousy and the pride coming from his father said and did many horrile things. In the end however after feeling that guilt of leaving his friend in a time when he needed him the most for so many years he finlly returned to redeem himself which really surprised me.
ReplyDeleteWhat I found most interesting in The Kite Runner was the bond between the servants and their masters. Amir and Hassan followed in the footsteps of the fathers in regard to their relationship.
ReplyDeleteThe bond between the servant and master is very much a deep friendship that is governed by society. Because of who they were born gave them their place, but the relationships in the book show much more. The book eludes that Baba and Ali had that competitive bond that Amir and Hassan share but because of the societal architecture the servants must remain in their shadow. Amir feels the burden and at times is overcome with jealousy for Hassan, especially in regards to his father. Hassan was born into servitude and not given the same opportunities as Amir, and yet he only shows gratitude and loyalty to him, as Ali does Baba, and this is a feeling that Amir can not understand. And this is what causes Amir to to test Hassan, or tease him, and eventually stand in the shadows.
Stephen K. Herbenick
I've read many books in my life but this one is one of the best. This book impacted my life. I learned alot about how life is in afganistan, their costums and believes. The major thing that most impact my life from this book is the way fathers influence the their children's life. I also liked the friendship that Hassan and Amir had.hey were both helping and caring for eachother. Eventhough Hassam was a srvant's son; Amir treated him as his own brother. They both shared good and bad moments but they never forgot eachother.It was very intereting how Amir got corage and changed his life from bad o good. That is a great example for those who are now in the darkness. I've always said " If there is life, there is a chance to change". I was impressed on the way the country change when the Talibans took control. How they distroid everything and hundreds of lives. I can compare that change with the change we had in my country, Cuba. Cuba was a free, beautifull and well developed country. When Castro came and took place everything, little by little, was distroyed. Today, Afganistan should be the same way Cuba is now.
ReplyDeleteMichelle Verdin
ReplyDeleteDuring the rule of the Taliban in 1996-2001, women were treated worse than any other time or by any other society. Women were forbidden to work, leave the house without an escort, were not allowed to speak to male doctors, and were forced to cover themselves from head to toe.
Today, the Afghanistan Constitution states that "the citizens of Afghanistan - whether man or female - have equal rights and duties before the law. The control of women is still active in some neighborhoods. Many families still restrict their wives, daughters, sisters, and mothers from participation from public life. Numerous girl schools have been burned down. Since many rights are taken from women in Afghanistan, many become solely dependent on their husbands. Many husbands die from the Taliban rule, and women become incapable of surviving. Most women become either beggars or prostitutes to survive. The average life expectancy of women in Afghanistan is forty-four years old.
Studies show that 87% of women in Afghanistan are illiterate, and only 30% of Afghanistan girls receive education.
In April 2009, Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai signed into law that, "unless the wife is ill, the wife is bound to give a positive response to the sexual desires of her husband." Human right groups are calling the law "foul play". The United Nations is arguing that the new law essentially legalizes the rape of women within the marriage contract. One out of every three Afghanistan women experience physical, psychological, or sexual violence in their life.
The presence of women in Afghanistan is missing. In The Kite Runner, the author exemplifies life for women in Afghanistan by lacking female characters in the novel. It ties in together because Afghanistan women have been hidden from society. When a female character was mentioned, it was brief. Women characters in the novel are compared to women in Afghanistan.
Hassan's mother, Sanaubar, defied principles the Taliban had set forth. She tried being sexually appealing, when she was suppose to be covering herself to detract attention from men. Sanaubar took part in activities without a dominant male figure present when she abandoned her son. The things Sanaubar did could have resulted in her death in Afghani culture.
A second woman present in the novel was the women traveling with Amir and Baba in the Russian truck on their way to Pakistan. "She was dressed in an olive green dress with a black shawl wrapped tightly around her face", as to abide by the Taliban dress code. When the truck reaches the border, they are stopped by a Russian guard who will not let them pass unless he could have half an hour with the lady in the truck. This demonstrates where women in Afghanistan culture stand in reference to sexual violence and rape.
Soraya, is the final woman spoken about in The Kite Runner. Many different ways of the culture are portrayed when he meets Soraya. In the Afghanistan culture, the father and son meet with the father and mother of the partner they have chosen for marriage. The girl is not present while the engagement is being requested. Once the engagement has been approved by the parents of the Afghanistan girl, an engagement party with the chosen girl takes place. During the engagement, the man and woman are not to go out without a chaperone. The man and woman may not kiss nor have sex before marriage by the Afghanistan culture. The father of the groom pays the arrangements.
The novel is a perfect representation of where woman in Afghanistan stand. Its overall meaning regarding women and the treatment of women in Afghanistan can be proven through facts and statistics.
I found the novel “The Kite Runner” very interesting. The relationship between Amir and Hassan was pure and innocent. The animosity and love of two brothers, although at the beginning of the story they didn’t know they were brothers, was apparent. The way they played, joked around with each other, and even misbehaved amongst the two of them created the bond that is only obvious in brothers. For most, the relationship could have been considered a very tight knit friendship but in the connection between Amir and Hassan, there was more. The ending of the book tied this relationship into what was already a profound bond between friends and brothers. The relationship and love between two blood relatives is inseparable. It is what moves families together and joins them. It is what tears them apart. The connection, or lack of, is what I found to be the most intriguing element of the book.
ReplyDeleteExcellent research and post! You already have some material for your documented paper, I see.
ReplyDeleteThe social cultural perception of the story is based on the relationship amongst Amir and Hassan. It is the time where there is a diversity between the social classes. Amir was the son of a wealthy man, and in contrast Hassan was Amirs fathers sultan. They grew up and formed a brotherly bond together. Influenced by their fathers relationship, it led to reflect competitiveness and jealousy to each other. I could understand Amirs jealousy and influenced thoughts also relating to the society. It was truly moving that Amir redeemed the friendship which was the true meaning of family all along. The women's restricted aspect was an impact. Acknowledged as a stay at home wife, with no conjecture. My perspective on the women is that they had no importance to society. They could not express themselves and they were subjects to sexual abuse. This book gives example to express where women used to stand and to this day it occurs in their culture. What surprised me was the relationships between them.
ReplyDeleteGabriela Mendoza
The kite runner has been the best book I have read so far. It was so inspirational and shows how the war in Afghanistan really was. My view on the role of women in Afghanistan was actually really poor and sad. Women didn't have a say or choice to stand up for themselves. The men in Afghanistan would just use them for sexual purposes such as Hassan's mom was used for sexual purposes and she conceived Hassan accidentally. One of the things that really got my attention was how they treat the children as well, The owner of the orphanage doesn't have much of a choice and tries to help the orphans as much as he can. However, life in Afghanistan is so much harder now and the Russians have changed everything for the worse. I also found very interesting how the men and women weren't to go out without a chaperon until married, it shows a sign of respect. Overall, this book is amazing and shows you about loyalty, betrayal, and life in general. Not many books can bring a tear to my eye, but this one definitely did.
ReplyDeleteI forgot to add my name: Jesenia Reyes
ReplyDelete