Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Live Blogging: Kite Runner, Chapter 11

Please review the expectations that were posted last time. You've made some impressive comments on both the inner and outer circles. Keep up the great work, and try to jump into the inner circle to keep the conversation fresh!

87 comments:

toreinm said...

I Don't Think Baba Really Likes It, But I Think Baba Will Be Proud Of Amir No Matter What He Does.

rachelf said...

NO i don't really think Baba approves of Amir going to college to write because Baba wanted him to be more, like him.

Bandido said...

Baba is just happy to get Amir out of the house.

Whitney C said...

No because Baba doesn't care about AMir and his writing...he would much rather have Amir just go to college but not for writing...there is a part of him that is happy that Amir is going to college but Baba is not completely happy for Amir

allie f. said...

I think that Baba does not approve him for going to college writing because its not something he wants him to do.

BrookeG said...

I do not think that Baba approves of Amir going to college for writting because Babe has always wanted Amir to turn out like him. He wants Amir to be successful but he wants him to do it his way.

Shelby M. said...

I dont think that he approves of Amir doing that but in the end i think hes just happy hes going to schol

chadf said...

I think Baba respects his decision but doenst want him to do it.

amandab said...

I think Baba is fine with Amir's choice to go to college, because at least he is going to college.

Jenna F said...

He doesn't. When Amir told him about his creative writing idea, he visibly showed that he didn't approve of it. He also asked the age old question, what will you do for money?

Keiko A said...

No, I don't think that Baba really approves of Amir's descision to major in writing because he wants him to major in something where he could get a good job to support for his family and he doesn't think that he could provide for his family if he follows writing.

Whitney C said...

Yeah Amir will feel bad about not telling anyone about what happened to Hassan and Amir will always care for him.

Christine said...

I think earlier in the book Baba and his buisness partner were talking about Amir taking over the family buisness so i don't really think Baba will like the idea very much.

Tabitha M said...

I agree with Tyler when he said that Baba has never approved of anything Amir has done. Baba probably thinks that Amir should be more like him and this adds how different they are. Baba feels like Amir isn’t his son and how different they are makes Baba feelings stronger about how he shouldn’t be his son.

Keiko A said...

I think that Amir is sorry about the way that he treated Hassan because he feels haunted because he missed his chance to save Hassan and their friendship.

toreinm said...

I Agree With Jenna. Because He Implied That If Amir Did That, He Wouldn't Be Helping Him Pay For Anything. So Obviously He Doesn't APPROVE.

chadf said...

I think that Baba is nice to Amir only becuase Amir is the only person who he has some sort of connection to.

Shelby M. said...

i think he might be finally accepting him because they are the only ones in america together and they are starting to grow on each other. And baba is starting to realize what hes been doing to Amir.

allie f. said...

Baba only has Amir and I feel he is learning to grow closer to him and understand him.

BrookeG said...

I think that Baba is being more kind to Amir is due to the fact that Amir is all he has left. They are all alone in a foreign country and they need each other.

Tabitha M said...

Baba now feels like all he has is Amir from what they have gone through. His wife died, his best friend is gone, and they are in a foreign country. He has no one else so now he wants to be closer to Amir so he isn't alone.

amandab said...

I think that Baba is starting to accept Amir because he is now alone with him so he can see who he is.

Bandido said...

Baba is still disappointed with Amir it's just that he is in America and that place sucks for people who are by themselves.
And he's spending more time with Amir so he eventually forgets flaws and deals with Amir.

Jenna F said...

"Then Baba rolled his head toward me. 'I wish Hassan had been there with us today,' he said." According to this passage on page 133-134, Baba still regrets not having Ali and Hassan. In a way it implies that he isn't really accepting Amir. More like dealing with him.

Travisg said...

Like what chad said i think that baba respects his own decisions but he really doesn't want him to go.

Christine said...

I think Baba is just getting use to the idea that Amir is not like him and that he has a different idea of what he wants to be. So in a way Baba is really starting to except Amir.

Shelby M. said...

i think hes accepting of who he is because hes the only one there and i think that he is proud of what he can do because hes starting to realize what Amir can do. Baba might be getting older and hers figuring out he hasnt been so great to Amir

toreinm said...

Baba Is Getting Older And I Think He Wants To Make Everything Alright Between Him And Amir. I Also THink It's Because They ARE The Only Two In America And He Spends A Lot Of Time With Him Because Of It.

TraciAnn said...

this is chelsea chapman...
I agree with Hilary, I think that baba just wants amir to be successful and not end up like him so i think that he is somewhat proud of amir but he just wants the best for his son. I also think that baba is starting to except amir because he is the only he has and now they are growing up together and accepting each other

Bandido said...

Majoring in writing is so lame, he should major in someting cool like rope climbing or hurdle jumping. That's where the real money is at. None of that pretentious writing stuff. Yuck.

Keiko A said...

I agree with Chad that Baba treats Amir better because he is the only one who he has a connection with, because Baba is used to having groups of people around him that he knows and connects, so he is using Amir to fill his void.

Trevorg said...

I agree with Rachel I think Baba will be proud of him just because he is going to collage and he is starting to accept him

Jenna F said...

Hey, Jason. I want to major in writing.... I think its a good path and even if it doesn't bring in a lot of money at first, it is still a good thing to know. Baba should understnad that but from past actions I doubt he will approve of Amir.

Tabitha M said...

Baba's insecurities are definitely showing now that he is in a foreign country and he isn't known there. Where he comes from he was on top, but now he is like a gold fish in the sea.

Maria A. said...
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amandab said...

I think that it was just a policy, and Baba freaked out because it was something different and he thought it was weird how they were unsure of him and asked for his ID after him shopping there for two years.

Whitney C said...

Keiko and chad are totally right. Baba doesn't have any friends and is kind of forced to become closer with Amir.

Bandido said...

When Hassan and Ali left, it may have brought them closer in the sense that Amir is all Baba had left but deep down inside his soul Baba probably blames Amir for Ali and Hassan leaving.

Tabitha M said...

I think that since Hassan and Alli left it has forced Baba and Amir to grow closer. Amir was always jealous of Hassan like Jennifer said and since he left Amir probably thinks he finally won.

Trevorg said...

I agree with Torein Baba is getting old and he wants everything to be good between him and Amir

Maria A. said...

From the question that Mackenzie asked in the middle circle, I think Baba is accepting Amir for what he is agreeing with Jennifer, and I think they will become even closer as the years go on in the book. Baba is seeing that when he is getting older he feels what Amir is feeling because Amir is living by himself and feels lonely and mix emotions going on.

allie f. said...

When Hassan and Ali left it did leave Amir and Baba to learn to get to know each other and if they didnt leave things probably would still of been the same with Hassan and Ali and Amir would still envy Hassan for Baba's love.

Whitney C said...

Leaving Ali and Hassan in a way brought Amir and Baba together becuase they were forced to keep each other company.

Keiko A said...

I think that Hassan and Ali leaving did bring Baba and Amir closer because Baba always favored Hassan over Amir, and so if they were still there then Amir would still be thought of as less of a person as Hassan because Hassan is more like the son that Baba had always wanted.

BrookeG said...

I think the fact that Hassan and Alli left did bring Baba and Amir a bit closesr because they are going through alot of the same things. They both lost two of the most important people in their live's. Also, Amir doesn't have to compete with Hassan for attention so that takes away from alot of the tension.

amandab said...

I think that they are closer because it's just the two of them and they don't have anyone else with them so the focus is on each other so that brings them closer because they have time to really get to know each other.

rachelf said...

Yes i do think that Hassan and Ali leaving brought Baba and Amir closer because then Baba had more time to focus on Amir, and Amir didn't have to be jealous of Hassan. Plus with the traveling to a new country that is foriegn to both of them Baba wasn't higher than Amir, which i'm sure helped as well.

toreinm said...

I Think Baba Was Just Stubborn, So He Wouldn't Want To Improve His English. I Think It's Also Because He Didn't Even Want To Leave Kabul So He Definitely Doesn't Want To Change His Language.

Whitney C said...

Baba has pride in his culture and heritage and did not want to switch to American culture so he did not want to learn the language.

allie f. said...

I agree with Hilary on how Baba didnt take English classes because of his pride and he didnt really want to adopt to American culture.

TraciAnn said...

this is chelsea...
i think that the reason baba dint want to take the classes to improve his english is because i dont think he wanted to take orders from a younger kid and i think he has too much pride to go into a new language away from his regular language.

Bandido said...

Jenna, how dare you? Major in something that gives back to society, like hurdle jumping or Frogger.

And about the whole food stamps thing, Baba is mos def not digging American culture and he sees that as another way to conform to the USA. Which is how he keeps it real.

amandab said...

I think that he didnt' take the food stamp because he felt like he was lower or that he wasn't worthy of earning real food. I guess he felt kind of like a charity case.

Trevorg said...

I agree with Jason I think that Baba blames Amir a little bit for Hassan and Ali leaving

Trevorg said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Travisg said...

I don't think that baba wanted to feel like he was dependant on that for food because he doesn't want to be here. He also wouldn't take the classes to improve his eanglish becuase i think that he is trying to keep his culture so that he doesn't change from his past. I truly think that baba just wants to be back in pakastan because they don't have the same respect that they had in there old community.

Christine said...

I think its just a sense of pride why Baba will not improve his english. He wants to keep tradition and what not.

Whitney C said...

I think it's both...Amir misses Hassan and also feels a little out of place...but he mostly misses Hassan.

Jenna F said...

I disagree with Hilary. Amir stated he embraced America because it was a river that washed everything away. He wants to forget but he knows he can't.

Tabitha M said...

Baba's pride is stricken when Amir asks him to improve his english. I think that Baba doesn't want Amir to teach him anything, because he is proud of his heritage.

I think that Amir is sad that Hassan isn't in America with him and that he wishes he was. I believe he cried because they had always planned it together, but he did it without Hassan. I agree with Tyler when he said it's like another thing Amir did to Hassan and he feels guilty.

TraciAnn said...

The question asked if Baba and Amir are closer because Ali and Hassan left. I think they are closer becuase Baba had lost one of his best friends and he lets Amir get closer to fill the spot of Ali. Baba and Amir only have each other on this trip for the most part so they have to stick together.

BrookeG said...

I agree with Hilary when she says that Amir almost cries at the ocean because he makes the connetion that he and Hassan were supposed to go to the ocean together. Amir is constantly reminded about Hassan and it makes things very hard for him.

BrookeG said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
TraciAnn said...

this is chelsea...
i think that amir took the random drives because i know that everyone likes to get away at some point. Like i know that when i get sick of being in my house i like to go drive to just get away and i think that is the same with amir.

TraciAnn said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jenna F said...

Writing does give back to society, Jason. If your good at it, you can make good money, which i feel is Amir's point when speaking to his father bout it.

amandab said...

I think that Amir cried because he missed Hassan and the memories were coming back of what he let happen and other memories about what him and Hassan had plans to do. I think that the whole experience was overwhelming for Amir because he was happy and sad because he was in a new place with a good life, but he was missing a part of him; Hassan.

Maria A. said...

Rachel, I think that is a good and well thought out way to think about Amir's and Baba's relationship. it sort of does seem like Baba wants Amir to be more like him before Baba dies. Having someone like yourself feels pretty good but can get annoying especially when they try to be just like you but then that is sortof a compliment. In a way, this situation is more like pushing Amir into being more like Baba by being around Amir longer.

Keiko A said...

I think that Amir took those drives because he needs his time away from Baba and I also think that he isn't used to this much attention from Baba, he is more used to his critisism, so I think it is all a little much for him to handle.

Trevorg said...

A swap meet is a weird place to find some one like that

Bandido said...

They are so gonna get married, but I looked forward and that wedding dress is so totally bufu. :(

jake a. said...

fi dont think baba likes that amir is going to college for writing but in the end i think he is just glad he is going to college

jake a. said...

i think amir will get married to soraya and have a good family

Jenna F said...

I think Amir cried because he wanted to forget about everything that happened in Kabul but he knew that he couldn't. What happened in Kabul made him who he is.

Jenna F said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
TraciAnn said...

I agree with Tyler everyone needs time alone no matter how much they care about the people they are with they need alone time. Amir just needs time alone to process everything that happens in his life. He needs time to think to himself. I don't think he is trying to get away from Baba he just needs time alone which is something he doesn't get when he is always with Baba.

Trevorg said...

I love the ocean I go to mission beach every other year

Whitney C said...

I do believe they will get married...I hope. :\

chadf said...

I think that Baba loving the idea of America means that he thought this would give him a chance to start a new life.

Maria A. said...

I love the ocean! It is so much fun. It can get a little hot, but seeing the ocean is just so relaxing and soothing. I am not just talking about the ocean randomly I am talking about it because it was brought up in the discussion of seeing the ocean for the first time.

Bandido said...

Writing is a gauranteed way to live a poor pitiful life. Look at Samuel Beckket. Didn't he die or something?
Or Eugène Ionesco, he turned into a Rhinoceros cause he was so poor. Jenna, unless you want to turn into a Rhino, keep away from writing, it destroys you and makes your bar tab grow bigger.

But on a less serious note, it's pretty funny that Baba digs Reagon. That's so Reagon-esque, cause wasn't he the worst president or something? I read that in a history book.

TraciAnn said...

this is chelsea...
i think that baba loves the idea of america because people are always talking about how great it is and stuff but now that he is here i dont think he feels the same way as everyone else. I think baba felt specail in his home town and now that america is so big he feels like a needle in a hay stack.

Travisg said...

I think that baba likes the idea of america because he had the chance to do more and to become more in america but he still has to work for them and i don't think he knows how much work that is.

Maria A. said...

Jennifer had a really good connection about wanting something that you can not have. And going to America was a big thing to go to for the first time.

Bandido said...

Here's a show tune for you all about the ocean:

The ocean is way better than rain
When I get on commuter trains,
It's that prolapse paaiiiin!
Ragghha!

Please hold your applause.

rachelf said...

Amir says that Baba loved the idea of America. I think that Baba didn't realize just how different America is. Everyone talks about how great America is, so I think he had different expectations for America. Also another reason he doesn't really like it is because he isn't the best.

TraciAnn said...

Mrs. Leclaire I was absent for the first 10 minutes of the fishbowl so i only have 2 comments.