Really enjoyed todays lesson! After playing a quick game of describing people, we looked at Sylvia Plath's poem "You're". I love Sylvia Plath.
We looked at this poem for inspiration for our own poems describing Hassan. Her poem
was a riddle, each line was a metaphor. When I complete my poem I will post it:)
Wednesday, 24 November 2010
Tuesday, 23 November 2010
Fridays Lesson
In Fridays lesson, as a group we created a large poster of the characters in The Kite Runner and also the main themes. We wrote down every idea we had about each character and theme then had a group discussion about what we thought. I found this very useful for revision of the characters and themes, but I also found it interesting to hear everyones different opinions and views on the subjects.
Thursday, 18 November 2010
Wednesdays Lesson
We read chapter 22 on Wednesday, which sees the return of Assef, the baddie.
What I found interesting about Assefs character was how he was described to have track lines on his arms, signalling he must be an opium/heroin addict. Assef still hasn't changed from the bully he was when he was a kid. It shocks and repulses the reader when he kisses Sorab's neck and how he sneers when he calls Sorab 'my boy'.
At the end of the chapter, it sees Amir escape with Sorab after a face to face punch up between Assef and Amir. Though it was supposedly a 'fight to the death', neither was killed. When Assef tells Amir how he came to be i nthe position he is in, he said how he laughed when he was beaten up by the prison guards. This is mirrored when Amir laughs as Assef beats him up, which could be a reason why he left Amir go.
This is a big chapter and a lot of things happen. In my opinion, it is also the most gripping and interesting chapter.
What I found interesting about Assefs character was how he was described to have track lines on his arms, signalling he must be an opium/heroin addict. Assef still hasn't changed from the bully he was when he was a kid. It shocks and repulses the reader when he kisses Sorab's neck and how he sneers when he calls Sorab 'my boy'.
At the end of the chapter, it sees Amir escape with Sorab after a face to face punch up between Assef and Amir. Though it was supposedly a 'fight to the death', neither was killed. When Assef tells Amir how he came to be i nthe position he is in, he said how he laughed when he was beaten up by the prison guards. This is mirrored when Amir laughs as Assef beats him up, which could be a reason why he left Amir go.
This is a big chapter and a lot of things happen. In my opinion, it is also the most gripping and interesting chapter.
Tuesday, 16 November 2010
Friday's Lesson
Friday's lesson- Chapter 19.
Not only in this chapter do we see a change in Amir, but also a change in his driver, Faird. At the beginning of the chapter we are reminded of Amir's weakness; "Again, the car sickness" yet we as the reader develops an admiration for Amir, as he tried to overcome (or just cover up) his weakness's; "You were right, I do feel better' I lied". It is as if now that Amir has a responsibility to take care of, he has matured and realised he cannot be protected and shielded from the world.
You also see a change in Farid, Amir's driver. At the beginning of the journey, he is cold and harsh towards Amir, "Farid gave me a dismissive look". This could be argued that he is like this towards Amir because he feels almost betrayed by Amir for leaving Afghanistan before the war became worse. Perhaps also he acts cold towards Amir because, as said previously in the book, honour and pride is very important to the people of Afghanistan, and he may feel that Amir has breached this by leaving. You do see some of Farids Afghan pride show through on page 201; "Farid snickered, 'It's not like fancy American medicine, I know, just an old remedy my mother taught me'". When Farid approaches his family, he is warm and welcoming- the complete opposite to how he treats Amir. However when Amir tells why he has business in Kabul, Farid's emotions change towards Amir, as he sees that his intentions are great.
A quote I found shocking, (which I am sure Hosseini's intentions were) was; "They hadn't been staring at my watch at all. They had been staring at my food." Amirs ignorance to how bad things had gotten for the poor families in Afghanistan made even myself feel guilty and feel sorry for the starving children. Yet it again shows Afghans pride, that they would sacrifice their dinner for guests.
Even though we found out that Hassan has died, he still has a big impact on Amir. When Amir wakes up with "a scream in his throat" after having a dream about Hassans' death (and being the person who shot him) he wakes up with a start, shocked by his own sub-conscience. It almost foreshadows how important Hassans son will become in Amir life.
In my opinion, The Kite Runner is at its 'juiciest', the plot is thickening and really makes you want to read on and finalise the events of Amir's troubled life.
:)
Not only in this chapter do we see a change in Amir, but also a change in his driver, Faird. At the beginning of the chapter we are reminded of Amir's weakness; "Again, the car sickness" yet we as the reader develops an admiration for Amir, as he tried to overcome (or just cover up) his weakness's; "You were right, I do feel better' I lied". It is as if now that Amir has a responsibility to take care of, he has matured and realised he cannot be protected and shielded from the world.
You also see a change in Farid, Amir's driver. At the beginning of the journey, he is cold and harsh towards Amir, "Farid gave me a dismissive look". This could be argued that he is like this towards Amir because he feels almost betrayed by Amir for leaving Afghanistan before the war became worse. Perhaps also he acts cold towards Amir because, as said previously in the book, honour and pride is very important to the people of Afghanistan, and he may feel that Amir has breached this by leaving. You do see some of Farids Afghan pride show through on page 201; "Farid snickered, 'It's not like fancy American medicine, I know, just an old remedy my mother taught me'". When Farid approaches his family, he is warm and welcoming- the complete opposite to how he treats Amir. However when Amir tells why he has business in Kabul, Farid's emotions change towards Amir, as he sees that his intentions are great.
A quote I found shocking, (which I am sure Hosseini's intentions were) was; "They hadn't been staring at my watch at all. They had been staring at my food." Amirs ignorance to how bad things had gotten for the poor families in Afghanistan made even myself feel guilty and feel sorry for the starving children. Yet it again shows Afghans pride, that they would sacrifice their dinner for guests.
Even though we found out that Hassan has died, he still has a big impact on Amir. When Amir wakes up with "a scream in his throat" after having a dream about Hassans' death (and being the person who shot him) he wakes up with a start, shocked by his own sub-conscience. It almost foreshadows how important Hassans son will become in Amir life.
In my opinion, The Kite Runner is at its 'juiciest', the plot is thickening and really makes you want to read on and finalise the events of Amir's troubled life.
:)
Friday, 12 November 2010
Wednesday 10/11/2010
Yes, I am posting this blog a little late, however I really haven't had the time to blog since Wednesday and at least I'm blogging now.
So, on Wednesdays lesson, we looked at the different voices in chapter 17 of The Kite Runner which were Amir, Hassan and Rahim Khan. I was particularly interested in the voice of Hassan, how his voice was expressed through letters to Amir. It seemed his confidence in writing and his intelligence shown in the letter how he has grown up and developed, yet as the letters are described to be 'childlike' his innocence has not been lost.
I was also interested in Rahim Khan's reactions and emotion when it comes to telling Amir that Hassan, his illegitimate half brother, has been shot dead. He is emotionless, and it can be ambiguous as to why he is so non challant about it. Perhaps because he is so used to the violence in Kabul that he is used to things like this happening, or perhaps he is numb to the idea of losing Hassan.
Now, I am going to have lunch. As Fiona would say, Toodles.
So, on Wednesdays lesson, we looked at the different voices in chapter 17 of The Kite Runner which were Amir, Hassan and Rahim Khan. I was particularly interested in the voice of Hassan, how his voice was expressed through letters to Amir. It seemed his confidence in writing and his intelligence shown in the letter how he has grown up and developed, yet as the letters are described to be 'childlike' his innocence has not been lost.
I was also interested in Rahim Khan's reactions and emotion when it comes to telling Amir that Hassan, his illegitimate half brother, has been shot dead. He is emotionless, and it can be ambiguous as to why he is so non challant about it. Perhaps because he is so used to the violence in Kabul that he is used to things like this happening, or perhaps he is numb to the idea of losing Hassan.
Now, I am going to have lunch. As Fiona would say, Toodles.
Sunday, 7 November 2010
Wednesday and Friday Lesson
On Wednesday, we looked at 'How Hosseini tells the story in chapter 10' and it followed with a homework. This is a good practice exam question as it looks at all the different points throughout the chapter. Chapter 10 is the 'changing' chapter, where Amir and Baba leave Kabul and Afghanistan to live in America safely. We also learn that the relationship between Baba and Amir has gone 'back to it's old ways', as they are uncomfortable with each other, and Amir cannot stand up to him- "Do you always have to be the hero?"
On Friday, we read Chapter 14, where Amir gets back in touch with Rahim Khan, one of Baba's old friends. When Amir flies to Kabul, he does not still see it as his home. Rahim Khan now also is frail and weak, which mirrors the deterioration of Baba's health in previous chapters.
Homework set was to make two bubble-diagrams of chapter 16 and 17, on 'How Hosseini tells the story in these chapters'.
On Friday, we read Chapter 14, where Amir gets back in touch with Rahim Khan, one of Baba's old friends. When Amir flies to Kabul, he does not still see it as his home. Rahim Khan now also is frail and weak, which mirrors the deterioration of Baba's health in previous chapters.
Homework set was to make two bubble-diagrams of chapter 16 and 17, on 'How Hosseini tells the story in these chapters'.
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