Chapter 13
-Baba and Amir go to the Taheri's house for the ceremony of 'giving word'.
-Because Baba is very ill they choose to plan and have the wedding soon.
-Baba pays for the Afghan banquet hall, the ring, Amir's wedding tuxedo and everything else needed for the big day.
-Amir remembers a moment from the wedding: Him and Soraya are sitting together under the veil and looking at each other in a mirror, and that is the moment Amir tells Soraya he loves her.
-That night the two of them are together for the first time.
-Soon after the marriage Baba dies. Many people come to the funeral to pay their respects, and as Amir listens to them he realises it was Baba who defined him.
-Amir begins to learn about Soraya's family; General Taheri doesn't work as he feels it is below him, and so the family is on welfare. He also does not allow Jamila to sing in public, even though she was once a great singer. When the General came to find and bring home Soraya he came with a gun, and made her chop off her hair once she was home.
-Amir finishes his novel in 1988 and it is published.
-Soraya and Amir start trying to have a baby.
-They cannot conceive but it is unknown why, even though many tests are done.The two consider adoption, however General Taheri disagrees and so does Amir, however he does seem a little uncertain.
-Amir receives an advance from his second novel, which he and Soraya use to buy a house in San Francisco.
-There is still tension between the two because of the inability to have children.
Friday 26 October 2012
Thursday 18 October 2012
Chapters 11 and 12 summary
Chapter 11
-There is a skip forward in time, Baba and Amir are now in Fremont, California, and have been there for 2 years. Baba now works at a gas station and has found it hard to adapt to his new life.
-We are told about an incident with Baba and some shop owners, where he gets angry and flips over a magazine rack because they ask him for his ID to pay with check. He is not used to this as in Afghanistan everyone trusted each other.
-After the incident Amir asks Baba if it is best for them to return to Pakistan where they stayed for a while when escaping Kabul, but Baba says no, they are there for Amir to finish school and college.
-When Amir graduates Baba buys him a Ford Torino as a gift, and later that night says he wishes Hassan was there with them, which ruins the moment for Amir.
-Amir tells Baba that he wants to study writing, which Baba disapproves of and says is useless, but Amir stands his ground.
-Amir talks about how he takes long drives in his car, and says America is a place to forget the past.
-The next summer Baba buys an old van which the pair use to load with old junk which they sell for a profit at a flea market the next day.
-At the flea market one day Baba and Amir speak to General Taheri, who has a beautiful daughter called Soraya that Amir takes a liking to.
-Amir asks about her but all Baba knows is that she was once involved with a man but it did not end well.
-That night he falls asleep thinking of her.
Chapter 12
-Amir finally speaks to Soraya after a year of wanting her. He only speaks to her and her mother when the General is not around.
-One day Amir is giving Soraya one of his stories when the General returns. He throws away Amirs story and reminds him that he is around 'other Afghans'. Amir is disheartened.
-Baba is diagnosed with lung cancer, but tells Amir not to tell anyone and refuses treatment.
-One day Baba collapses as the cancer has spread to his brain. In the hospital many people come to visit, including the Taheris.
-At Baba's bedside Amir asks him if he will speak to the General about marrying Soraya. Baba very happily agrees and phones General Taheri straight away and agrees to visit him the next day.
-The next day Baba goes to ask the General for Sorayas hand. He agrees, and Baba phones Amir to give him the news. Baba puts Soraya on the line and she tells Amir that she is very happy that they will be getting married but she has to tell him something important which may change his mind. Amir says nothing will change his mind but she says she has to tell him.
-As it turns out Soraya had run away with an Afghan man when she was 18, and lived with him for nearly a month before her father, General Taheri, found her. While she was gone her mother had a stroke. Amir says it bothers him a little but he definitely has not changed his mind about wanting to marry her.
-There is a skip forward in time, Baba and Amir are now in Fremont, California, and have been there for 2 years. Baba now works at a gas station and has found it hard to adapt to his new life.
-We are told about an incident with Baba and some shop owners, where he gets angry and flips over a magazine rack because they ask him for his ID to pay with check. He is not used to this as in Afghanistan everyone trusted each other.
-After the incident Amir asks Baba if it is best for them to return to Pakistan where they stayed for a while when escaping Kabul, but Baba says no, they are there for Amir to finish school and college.
-When Amir graduates Baba buys him a Ford Torino as a gift, and later that night says he wishes Hassan was there with them, which ruins the moment for Amir.
-Amir tells Baba that he wants to study writing, which Baba disapproves of and says is useless, but Amir stands his ground.
-Amir talks about how he takes long drives in his car, and says America is a place to forget the past.
-The next summer Baba buys an old van which the pair use to load with old junk which they sell for a profit at a flea market the next day.
-At the flea market one day Baba and Amir speak to General Taheri, who has a beautiful daughter called Soraya that Amir takes a liking to.
-Amir asks about her but all Baba knows is that she was once involved with a man but it did not end well.
-That night he falls asleep thinking of her.
Chapter 12
-Amir finally speaks to Soraya after a year of wanting her. He only speaks to her and her mother when the General is not around.
-One day Amir is giving Soraya one of his stories when the General returns. He throws away Amirs story and reminds him that he is around 'other Afghans'. Amir is disheartened.
-Baba is diagnosed with lung cancer, but tells Amir not to tell anyone and refuses treatment.
-One day Baba collapses as the cancer has spread to his brain. In the hospital many people come to visit, including the Taheris.
-At Baba's bedside Amir asks him if he will speak to the General about marrying Soraya. Baba very happily agrees and phones General Taheri straight away and agrees to visit him the next day.
-The next day Baba goes to ask the General for Sorayas hand. He agrees, and Baba phones Amir to give him the news. Baba puts Soraya on the line and she tells Amir that she is very happy that they will be getting married but she has to tell him something important which may change his mind. Amir says nothing will change his mind but she says she has to tell him.
-As it turns out Soraya had run away with an Afghan man when she was 18, and lived with him for nearly a month before her father, General Taheri, found her. While she was gone her mother had a stroke. Amir says it bothers him a little but he definitely has not changed his mind about wanting to marry her.
Monday 15 October 2012
Chapter 9 and 10 summary
Chapter 9
-Amir opens his presents the day after the party
-He thinks either him or Hassan has to leave
-Ali gives Amir his present, it is a new version of the Shahnamah
-The next morning Amir takes his birthday money and the watch Baba gave him and puts them under Amir's pillow.
-Hassan lies and says he did steal the money and watch, but Baba forgives him.
-Ali says that he and Hassan are leaving, Baba pleads for them to stay but Ali refuses.
-Hassan and Ali leave, Amir watches them go.
Chapter 10
-Amir and Baba are in a truck with others trying to escape Kabul in March 1981.
-A Russian soldier says he will only let the truck pass if he can have half an hour with her. Baba sticks up for the woman, the soldier is about to shoot Baba when another soldier comes in and stops him by killing him. The woman's husband is grateful and kisses Baba's hands.
-When they arrive in Jalalabad to switch trucks they are informed that it has broken down. Baba attacks Karim, the driver, for not telling them earlier.
-The group stay in Jalalabad a week waiting for the truck.
- Kamal (One of Assef's henchmen) is with them, and Amir over hears his father speaking to Baba about Kaml being caught by 4 men, and bleeding from 'down there' when he returned, suggesting that he was raped.
-Finally a truck arrives to take them to Pakistan, it is a fuel truck so it is full of fumes and thick air, making it hard to breath.
-When they arrive in Pakistan they find Kamal has died. Kamal's father becomes frantic and shoots himself with Karim's gun, before anyone can stop him.
-Amir opens his presents the day after the party
-He thinks either him or Hassan has to leave
-Ali gives Amir his present, it is a new version of the Shahnamah
-The next morning Amir takes his birthday money and the watch Baba gave him and puts them under Amir's pillow.
-Hassan lies and says he did steal the money and watch, but Baba forgives him.
-Ali says that he and Hassan are leaving, Baba pleads for them to stay but Ali refuses.
-Hassan and Ali leave, Amir watches them go.
Chapter 10
-Amir and Baba are in a truck with others trying to escape Kabul in March 1981.
-A Russian soldier says he will only let the truck pass if he can have half an hour with her. Baba sticks up for the woman, the soldier is about to shoot Baba when another soldier comes in and stops him by killing him. The woman's husband is grateful and kisses Baba's hands.
-When they arrive in Jalalabad to switch trucks they are informed that it has broken down. Baba attacks Karim, the driver, for not telling them earlier.
-The group stay in Jalalabad a week waiting for the truck.
- Kamal (One of Assef's henchmen) is with them, and Amir over hears his father speaking to Baba about Kaml being caught by 4 men, and bleeding from 'down there' when he returned, suggesting that he was raped.
-Finally a truck arrives to take them to Pakistan, it is a fuel truck so it is full of fumes and thick air, making it hard to breath.
-When they arrive in Pakistan they find Kamal has died. Kamal's father becomes frantic and shoots himself with Karim's gun, before anyone can stop him.
Sunday 7 October 2012
Chapter 8 summary
Chapter 8
-Ali asks Amir if something has happened to Hassan, but Amir snaps at him and denies it.
-Amir, Baba and some other relatives and friends go to Jalalabad. Amir does not invite Hassan, telling Baba that he is not well.
-Baba tells the people they go with about the kite tournament but Amir isn't enthusiastic. Rahim Kahn is the only one who is not praising him.
-Amir is sick and everyone pulls over to air the coach.
-Now Amir has his fathers appreciation he does not feel happy as he thought he would.
-Amir becomes an insomniac because he can't stop thinking about how he watched Hassan get raped.
-The next week Amir asks Hassan if he wants to go up to their tree, but when they get there he changes his mind and goes home.
-Amir tells Hassan he wants him to leave him alone, so he does, but what Amir really wanted was Hassan to retaliate.
-After that he avoids Hassan
-Amir asks Baba if they would ever get new servants, but Baba gets angry and after that the two start drifting apart again.
- Amir and Hassan go out again, but Amir throws pomegranates at him in an attempt to get him to fight back, but Hassan doesn't.
-Baba throws a party for Amir's 13th birthday. He invited everyone.
-Assef is invited to the party and Baba seems very fond of him which annoys Hassan.
-Amir escapes from the party, and sits in a secluded area.
-Rahim Kahn joins Amir and they talk for a while. He says that Amir can tell him anything he wants, hinting that he knows something is wrong.
-They head back to watch the fireworks. Amir sees Hassan serving drinks to Assef ans Wali.
-Ali asks Amir if something has happened to Hassan, but Amir snaps at him and denies it.
-Amir, Baba and some other relatives and friends go to Jalalabad. Amir does not invite Hassan, telling Baba that he is not well.
-Baba tells the people they go with about the kite tournament but Amir isn't enthusiastic. Rahim Kahn is the only one who is not praising him.
-Amir is sick and everyone pulls over to air the coach.
-Now Amir has his fathers appreciation he does not feel happy as he thought he would.
-Amir becomes an insomniac because he can't stop thinking about how he watched Hassan get raped.
-The next week Amir asks Hassan if he wants to go up to their tree, but when they get there he changes his mind and goes home.
-Amir tells Hassan he wants him to leave him alone, so he does, but what Amir really wanted was Hassan to retaliate.
-After that he avoids Hassan
-Amir asks Baba if they would ever get new servants, but Baba gets angry and after that the two start drifting apart again.
- Amir and Hassan go out again, but Amir throws pomegranates at him in an attempt to get him to fight back, but Hassan doesn't.
-Baba throws a party for Amir's 13th birthday. He invited everyone.
-Assef is invited to the party and Baba seems very fond of him which annoys Hassan.
-Amir escapes from the party, and sits in a secluded area.
-Rahim Kahn joins Amir and they talk for a while. He says that Amir can tell him anything he wants, hinting that he knows something is wrong.
-They head back to watch the fireworks. Amir sees Hassan serving drinks to Assef ans Wali.
Thursday 4 October 2012
The characters of Assef, Wali and Kamal
Assef
Assef is the neighbourhood bully. He is part of the gang of boys who bully Ali, Hassans father, and is the most relentless. He dislikes Amir and threatens him because he is friends with Hassan, who is Hazara, and Assef does not approve of Hazara people. He has very strong views on the Hazara's and how they do not belong in Afghanistan, that Afghanistan should be just for the Pashtuns. Assef seems to enjoy threatening and hurting people, and is known for savagery. Amir thinks it is possible he may not be completely sane.
Wali
There is not much of a description of Wali, other than that he is one of Assefs wingmen. Him and Kamal follow him around and do as he tells them. In chapter 5 he is described as their 'god'. In chapter 7 however he does seem to stand up for himself a little, saying his father would be disappointed, but still helps Assef with raping Hassan.
Kamal
Kamal is very much the same as Wali in that he seems to have no personality of his own but just follows Assef round, helping him hurt innocent people.Him and Wali try to act as though they are the same as Assef by saying things they think he would say, and always agreeing with him when he is threatening people.
The only reason Kamal and Wali follow Assef around is because they are scared of him. If they left him not they don't know what he would do to them. They also have no idea what he is capable of and do not want to find themselves on the end of it.
In the book they play the role of the 'baddies'. They cause the main complications and they are the enemies of Amir and Hassan, so are instantly disliked by the reader. Assef is intimidating, so we do feel some sympathy for Wali and Kamal, who are dragged into being Assefs wingmen through fear.
Assef is the neighbourhood bully. He is part of the gang of boys who bully Ali, Hassans father, and is the most relentless. He dislikes Amir and threatens him because he is friends with Hassan, who is Hazara, and Assef does not approve of Hazara people. He has very strong views on the Hazara's and how they do not belong in Afghanistan, that Afghanistan should be just for the Pashtuns. Assef seems to enjoy threatening and hurting people, and is known for savagery. Amir thinks it is possible he may not be completely sane.
Wali
There is not much of a description of Wali, other than that he is one of Assefs wingmen. Him and Kamal follow him around and do as he tells them. In chapter 5 he is described as their 'god'. In chapter 7 however he does seem to stand up for himself a little, saying his father would be disappointed, but still helps Assef with raping Hassan.
Kamal
Kamal is very much the same as Wali in that he seems to have no personality of his own but just follows Assef round, helping him hurt innocent people.Him and Wali try to act as though they are the same as Assef by saying things they think he would say, and always agreeing with him when he is threatening people.
The only reason Kamal and Wali follow Assef around is because they are scared of him. If they left him not they don't know what he would do to them. They also have no idea what he is capable of and do not want to find themselves on the end of it.
In the book they play the role of the 'baddies'. They cause the main complications and they are the enemies of Amir and Hassan, so are instantly disliked by the reader. Assef is intimidating, so we do feel some sympathy for Wali and Kamal, who are dragged into being Assefs wingmen through fear.
Tuesday 2 October 2012
Chapter 7 summary
Chapter 7
-Hassan tells Amir about the dream he had. It adds tension and seems to be a warning.
-Amir and Hassan go out to the contest, Amir can't help looking at Baba a lot as he feels he must win to gain his fathers respect.
-Amir and Hassan win the contest, everyone is congratulating them and Baba seems very proud.
-Hassan goes to run the last kite for Amir.
-Amir gets worried when Hassan has not returned and goes looking for him, a man tells him that he saw Hassan with the blue kite but he was being chased by some boys.
-Amir finds Hassan, he has been cornered by Assef and his friends. They are threatening him.
-Hassan refuses to give them the kite and so Assef beats him up.
-Amir does not defend Hassan but runs away.
-He pretends he doesn't know what happened when Hassan returns to him.
-They go home and Baba is proud of Amir.
-Hassan tells Amir about the dream he had. It adds tension and seems to be a warning.
-Amir and Hassan go out to the contest, Amir can't help looking at Baba a lot as he feels he must win to gain his fathers respect.
-Amir and Hassan win the contest, everyone is congratulating them and Baba seems very proud.
-Hassan goes to run the last kite for Amir.
-Amir gets worried when Hassan has not returned and goes looking for him, a man tells him that he saw Hassan with the blue kite but he was being chased by some boys.
-Amir finds Hassan, he has been cornered by Assef and his friends. They are threatening him.
-Hassan refuses to give them the kite and so Assef beats him up.
-Amir does not defend Hassan but runs away.
-He pretends he doesn't know what happened when Hassan returns to him.
-They go home and Baba is proud of Amir.
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