Irony #3

http://mikeymiller.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/opposites.jpg
We chose this picture because it shows the two differences of Hassan and Amir. The impure black of a Hazara being Hassan and the Pure white of a Pashtun being Amir.

The last irony that we found..Ironic was when Hassan, a Hazara, stood up for Amir who was a "Great Pashtun." Not once or twice but whenever the chance arose, Hassan would stick up for Amir. Whether it was against Assef or even Baba, he would always stick to Amir even if he knew that Amir was in the wrong. For example, when Amir blamed Hassan for the stolen items, Hassan admitted to it, knowing that he had not done it but also knowing that it would make Amir's life easier. Hassan gave away his dignity, his extreme sense of loyalty and devotion to Amir. Everything that Hassan is, Amir is the exact opposite despite where they come from, Hassan being a Hazara and Amir being a noble Pashtun.

" For you a thousand times over" -Hassan

Irony #2

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I find this picture Ironic because the sign says "stay off the grass" but realistically there is no grass. Much like how Amir is now the man that Baba wanted him to be but Baba is no longer there to see him.
Another Irony found in "The Kite Runner" is when Assef is beating Amir to a pulp. Rather than crying out in pain and begging for Assef to stop beating him, he merely laughs at Assef. We find this Ironic because when one is beaten, they usually cry out in pain or beg for forgiveness but with Amir, he laughs as though he was waiting for this beating his whole life. We believe that, Assef beating Amir, is a release of guilt for Amir. Finally in his whole life, someone has beaten him so badly that he feels as if all the guilt he bared over the span of his life, has finally begun to lift. Amir was destroyed physically but healed emotionally in the process. Something else that happened was that Amir finally proved that he was not a coward and that he could finally stand up to Assef. Amir finally became the man that Baba had wanted him to be. However, Baba was no longer alive to see Amir the way that he is now and that in itself is very ironic.
"He leaned toward me, like a man about to share a great secret. "You don't know the meaning of the word 'liberating' until you've done that, stood in a roomful of targets, let the bullets fly, free of guilt and remorse, knowing you are virtuous, good, and decent. Knowing you're doing God's work. It's breathtaking." He kissed the prayer beads, tilted his head.
We left the bodies in the streets, and if their families tried to sneak out to drag them back into their homes, we'd shoot them too. We left them in the streets for days. We left them for the dogs. Dog meat for dogs." 

Irony

“I became what I am today at the age of twelve, on a frigid overcast day in the winter of 1975. I remember the precise moment, crouching behind a crumbling mud wall, peeking into the alley near the frozen creek. That was a long time ago, but it’s wrong what they say about the past, I’ve learned, about how you can bury it. Because the past claws its way out. Looking back now, I realize I have been peeking into that deserted alley for the last twenty-six years.” 

An irony exists in the kite tournament which Amir has participated in. Amir has always wanted to gain Baba's impression. In order to do so, he decides to try and win the kite tournament. With skills, Amir is able to cut off the last opponent's kite and win the contest. Indeed, Baba feels proud of Amir. Baba later even throws a birthday party for his son. Nevertheless, as Hassan, who is trying to retrieve the trophy kite for Amir, is being abused by Pashtuns, Amir is defeated by his own cowardice and betrays his best friend. Amir does gain Baba's impression through winning the tournament, but truthfully Amir does the exact opposite of what Baba would have wanted him to do: standing up for Hassan. Due to cowardice and fear, Amir is unable to help and prevent Hassan being raped. This action is a type of betrayal which can also be considered as "stealing", an unforgivable sin, according to Baba. Winning the kite tournament does not make Amir become a better person. What it actually makes Amir become is a sinful and unreliable person. The irony lays in the fact which Amir tries so try to gain Baba's impression actually somehow leads him to become worse and sinful. This picture displays blood on someone's hand which is holding a string that is attached to a kite. The blood can be symbolized as guilt of Amir's. Blood is well related to Hassan since there is blood after he is being raped. The message which this picture is trying to convey is: Amir is guilty for allowing Hassan to be raped.

Morality

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 Morality is another important theme in Khaled Hosseini's "The Kite Runner". When Amir is still a child, Baba constantly teaches Amir to not "steal". Stealing is an unforgivable sin, and it is the "common denominator of all sins". The fact that, in Baba's point of view, nearly all crimes can be determined as an action of stealing implies Baba wishes Amir to not commit any sin. On the trip to Pakistan, Baba and Amir witness a potential crime in action which a Russian guard intends to rape a woman. However, due to Baba's courage and perseverance, that woman is saved. Baba does such brave action because, to Baba, doing the right thing is so important, losing morality and justice is so tragic, he becomes fearless of death. Baba hopes Amir can one day be a man who is like himself (Baba): able to stand up to anything and do the right things. As readers, we can also notice morality is important through a different perspective. Discrimination, violence, war, rape, and so forth are continuously brought up in " The Kite Runner". Those injustices are indeed horrifying and tragic. Countless of those immoral actions are vividly depicted chapter after chapter. It strongly conveys the message of how important it is to have morality, regulation, and peace. The author illustrates the importance of morality through different approaches. The Tiananmen-tank-man picture is a powerful image which can be related well to Baba's bravery against that Russian guard. Like that tank-man, Baba is not afraid of the armed Russian guard. In spite of the risk of death, the tank-man and Baba both know it is important to stand up for doing the rights things. The author's intention of conveying the message of the importance morality and bravery against crimes can be well illustrated in this photo.

“War doesn't negate decency. It demands it, even more than in times of peace." - Baba” 

Discrimination

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"I had read about the Hazara massacre in Mazar-i-Sharif in the papers. It had happened just after the Taliban took over Mazar, one of the last cities to fall. I remembered Soraya handing me the article over breakfast, her face bloodless."

  Discrimination is being depicted and implied throughout the entire story. Hassan is one of the many Hazaras who has been severely discriminated by Pashtuns. Due to cultural conflicts, Hazaras are normally being considered as lower class and servants for others. Through the interactions between the two races, such as Ali being called by "flat-nosed" and Amir being raped, it is obvious that Hazaras are having hard time living in Afghanistan. Even though some Pashtuns and Hazaras might get along and be good friends, it does not alter the fact which Hazaras are constantly living under fear and violence. It does not matter if it is the Soviets or the Talibans are in control of Afghanistan, Harazas are barely being treated nor valued as humans. After a while Rahim Khan has successfully persuaded Hassan to go back to Kabul and take care of Baba's mansion, the Talibans goes to that house and find Hassan and his family there. The Talibans do not believe that Hassan is taking care of the house for a friend and simply assume Hassan as a liar like every other Hazara. They shoot Hassan and his wife dead in the street for seemingly meaningless reason. Hassan's murder is significant. It truly displays that Hazaras have near to no rights in all aspects due to discrimination. The fact that the Haliban officials are never being punished for killing Hassan and Farzana suggests the lives of Hazaras have no value for many people. Discrimination is indeed severe and horrifying in this novel and perhaps in the real world. This picture depicts a person being dead on the top of the stairs and one or two officer-looking people being careless of the corpse. The picture relates well with the scene where Hassan is being shot. This picture not only gives a vivid imagery of what happens in "The Kite Runner", but also delivers a powerful image which illustrates violence, conflicts, and discrimination. 

Redemption

 

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The man in this photo is demonstrating redemption. He feels free and the rain that hits his face is a huge sense of relief.

"" Whats so funny?" Assef kept roaring with each blow. His spittle landed in my eye. Sohrab screamed" 

  One of the most important themes which "The Kite Runner" is centered around is: redemption. At the age of twelve, Amir witnesses his best friend, Hassan, being raped by Assef, a bully who disrespects the Hazaras completely. Unable to stand up for Hassan and save him, Amir is defeated by his own cowardice. Amir runs away from that alley and becomes reluctant to talk to Hassan anymore. Due to the fact that Afghanistan is becoming more dangerous for all, Baba and Amir moves to America for safety. Amir sees this action of moving to a foreign country as an opportunity to have a new start and forget about his guilt from the past. Nevertheless, in spite of many years of living in American, the fact t that Amir says, " I realize I have been peeking into that deserted alley for the last twenty-six years" truly suggests that Amir can never forget his sinful past. He must redeem himself from his guilt in order to truly become a better person who both Baba and himself want. The call from Rahim Khan makes Amir decide to go back to Afghanistan and meet Hassan. Being notified that Hassan is dead, Amir is now never able to apologize to Hassan for what he has done to him, such as allowing his rape and lying about Hassan steal Amir's gift. Hassan's death creates a turning point in terms of Amir's quest for redemption. Amir goes back to Kabul where is now a dangerous place and tries to rescue Sohrub, Hassan's son. Through the process of trying to save Sohrub, it is clear for the readers that Amir has changed significantly. He is no longer the coward boy who is afraid to stand up to anything; he has become courageous man. In the end of the story, Amir is not only successful in orders of redemption, he is also able achieve Baba's expectation for him: be a man and not be afraid of standing up to anything. Just like a caterpillar is finally able to transform into a butterfly, Amir is finally able to break out from the cocoon of his sinful past and move on.

Symbolism #3

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This picture portrays a pomegranate tree much like the one that was described in "The Kite Runner." The pomegranate tree is a symbol for both Amir and Hassan because it symbolizes their everlasting friendship. When Amir and Hassan carved their names into the pomegranate tree, pomegranate grew from the tree. However, years later when Hassan has died and Amir comes back to Kabul, the pomegranate tree no longer bears fruits and looks withered and dried up instead. This is a symbol of the relationship between Amir and Hassan but not only as a relationship but also as a reminder for Amir of how Hassan had always refused to hurt him to lessen his guilt. 

Quotes:
" It didn't take me long to find it. It was still there, and so was the old pomegranate tree." (Pg 276)
" Hassan had said in his letter that the pomegranate tree hadn't borne fruit in years. Looking at the wilted, leafless tree, I doubted it would ever again." 

We feel as though the author wanted to take the beautiful pomegranate tree to portray the friendship of Hassan and Amir. The tree will always be a reminder for Amir of the guilt that he couldn't get rid of when confronting Hassan and asking him to throw fruits at Amir.