Life of Pi: Week 7, Post B

FINAL BLOG POST!

I would like to post some comments about the book as a whole, and then maybe about blogging? Is that allowed? 

The book was a slight disappointment. Too much talk, too little action. Really not what I was hoping for. The beginning parts with the zoo were good, but once you got to the middle it was too philosophical and just plain bland--it's not that they weren't nicely written, they were just...boring? I think that's the word. And I don't like boring books. Even when the story moved away from that, the pace really never really picked up and overall I was let down. The set up definitely didn't pay off in the end. I don't know how to rate it exactly...I want to say 2.5/5. Not that it's a 50% bad, it's just....It's a tough call. There's too much bad to warrant a 3 star rating.

About blogging...let me just say I'm not a huge fan. While I like the concept, the execution is a little off...I think that the same prompts every week got old...It's nothing personal, just something that I feel could be perfected.

Life of Pi: Week 7, Post A

Cultural Differences

All right, well I've talked a lot about the way a woman behaves as a mother, but I haven't really talked about how she behaves a wife...which is interesting. First of all is the way she is chosen. And I mean, that's the weird part, isn't it? She's chosen, it's not a mutual decision, at least not for the most part. That's one main cultural difference. Second is the way she's treated...We don't really see her in the book--but maybe that's the point? Pi's father plays a key role in his development, like on page 50 with the tigers, but we never see Pi's mother, other then brief glimpses when she says very motherly things, like "be careful." I know in my family, my dad plays an equal if not slightly lesser role in my life, but they both treat each other equally--something we can't safely say Pi's parents do or don't. If Pi's father won't introduce her, we won't get to see her--and that's a bad thing.

Life of Pi: Week 6, Post B

What I'd like to talk about in post B isn't actually part of the story per se, but it is part of the text...It's the italicized portions in-between chapters. 

When reading them, I instantly got confused. They're about a man, described as "an excelled cook" (22) and "a small, slim man...Dark hair, dark eyes. Can't be older than forty" (7). I really had no idea who this was describing--Was it Pi in the future? It can't be, he talks to Pi. Was it Pi's father? No, wrong description. Maybe it was a character we would meet later on in the book...Why would we get a description of him now, and why was his text weird???

Well,  I went to the best possible source (Wikipedia) and it says:

"In the novel, Pi is met by another fictional character, the supposed author of Life of Pi...Although somewhat unclear, it is the fictional author who writes the story in Pi's own words" (Wikipedia). Ohhhhhh! That makes......no sense. Not kidding. It's a lame literature device to try and provide another level to the story. 

Not only is it confusing, it's pointless and I don't like it. That's all there is. 

Life of Pi: Week 6, Post A

The cultural difference featured in this section is the idea of a better life.

In The United States, people like to ponder the belief of the American Dream. What is the American Dream?  I think the American Dream is a better life--One where everyone can get along, no matter the race, gender, or age of the person in question. This elusive dream, however, is not easily found. I think people in America have to want it, really want for it to be achievable.  Simply moving here isn't enough. I think the bigger hurdle though is the people here--they have good lives and are reluctant to change.

In India, there is much strife, it's much worse than it is here. It says "The answer is the same the world over: people move in the hope of a better life" (77). I don't even think most Americans considering moving, especially not out of the country. Maybe to get away from crime or poverty, a family will move across the town. Maybe to get access to a better job, a family will move 50 miles south. Maybe a career of a parent will even take a family across state lines. 

But hardly ever do families move from America, and especially not to achieve better lives. There's something to ponder.

Life of Pi: Week 5, Post B

I'd like to talk about what I felt on the argument between the Christian, Muslim, and Hindu leaders. First, I thought the argument was flat out funny. Some of the insults were just like...I don't even know. They were so uncalled for it wasn't even funny, but most of them were actually pretty good. Beyond that, though, I thought that the argument was completely and totally pointless, and honestly quite immature. (It's not that the writing was uncalled for, on the contrary, I thought it was very well written. It's just that the argument itself was very childish and selfish.) 

However, I don't think Pi Piscine can be blamed at ALL for trying to experiment with new religions. He's a young boy and honestly admits it himself when he says he doesn't know what to believe. Just because he's trying different things doesn't mean he's practicing all three, and even if he is, it should be celebrated that someone is so open, not looked upon as a crime. I think the reactions toward Pi's many religions was quite rude and completely wrong to do. No fingers should be pointed at Piscine, rather, he should be looked upon as a hero and one who can carry multiple religions.

Life of Pi: Week 5, Post A

One main cultural difference I have found throughout the book was the relationship between Pi Piscine and his parents. Pi's father is a tough man, who demands the best and wants to show the dangers of life, and his zoo, to his family. Like in America, he doesn't always share the same ideas as his wife. Unlike here, he has much more say in the family. Also, I feel like, and maybe it's wrong for me to say so, but I feel as if Pi respects his father much more than we respect our parents here. Pi never questions what his father does, and also goes with his plans. Even when his father asks him to watch a lion slaughter and eat a goat, Pi does it without question. Today, one of us might say something along the lines of "Dad! No way!" but Pi does it without any doubts. His blind following is something we don't often see in today's world. 

Something we also do (or don't see) is the presence of Pi's mother. Everyone loves their mom, but I feel Pi's mother plays much smaller of a role in his life than my mother does in mine. For example, in the zoo, Pi's father makes all the rules, he makes the decisions, and he watches over everything. Pi's mother is not mentioned once! I found the differences between family relationships shocking.

Life of Pi: Week 4, Post B

Dear Pi,

So far, I've had some very interesting thoughts on your book. First off, I really like your simplistic, peaceful perspective on life. I think it's very cool to have such an open mind and be able to think things in a unique way. One of the coolest things I got from the book, however, was the fact that you live in a ZOO! That's so awesome. Seriously. I would love to live in a zoo, with all the animals around you. Sure, it could smell, but you'd get used to that. And it would be like living in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Antarctica all at the same time. All the cool animals...It's something I would imagine to be sensational. However...I do think when your father showed you the Tiger eating a goat, I was shocked. However, come to think of it...I feel it was a good idea, to be honest. Sometimes, you need to see something to belive it, and that was a very powerful example for a very powerful action, and sometimes that is needed to prove a point. While it may seem disturbing now, I think you'll find it'll pay off in the long run in your respect and knowledge of animals, and will help you treat them as equals rather than lesser things.

Keep an open mind,

Michael

Life of Pi: Week 4, Post A

Cultural Differences....Well, today I'm going to talk more about religious differences, because religion is a huge part of culture in the United States and an even bigger part in the rest of world. In the story, Pi gives a very down-to-earth view of religion, giving examples of beliefs with easy and yet striking simplicity. For example, he describes how Christianity is like if a lion killed two of you llamas, but to make up for it, you had to be fed to the lions. Pi goes on to say how, regardless of the question, the answer to anything relating to God is "love." Simple, yet brilliant. He also discusses religions we don't think about much, such as Islam. He describes how the prayer for Islams is so simple, and people can do it whereever they are. He says "Why, Islam is nothing but an easy sort of exercise, I thought. Hot weather yoga for the Bedouins. Asanas without sweat, heaven without strain" (60). This, in a few words, is Pi's thinking, as well as an insider's look at an outsider's religion. In the U.S., we either a) completely ignore it, or b) look on it badly. In some countries, people hate Islam. Overall, in other parts of the word, Islam is looked upon very differently, whether for better or worse.

Life of Pi: Week 3, Post B

I suppose I'll do first thoughts again, and expectations for the book. 

So far, I'm only a few chapters in, and I have a few very distinct thoughts. First, it is quite confusing. They never really tell us who Pi is, what he looks like, what he does, we just have to get that out of the stories. Also, the story jumps around. For example, in just the first chapter, Pi starts out talking about his college studies, and his project--Sloths. But not the 2-toed sloths, mind you, the 3-toed ones, though you have to tell that from the front paws, since they all have 3 in the back. All of a sudden, the story jumps, and they're talking about hospitals in Mexico and BAM! it jumps again and they're talking about eating with your hands in Canada. Then the next chapter is just a description. Then, the following chapter is about swimming. Quite confusing, especially for an opener. 

As for expectation, I think I'm setting the bar high. Although Ms. Burgess told me that she knew people who didn't like it, I have heard good things from others. And not that I don't trust Ms. Burgess, I'm just an optimistic person who hopes it will be an enjoyable read rather than a boring one. 

BOOK SWITCH! Life of Pi: Week 3, Post A

All right, so if you've heard me complain you know I hated the old book, so I switched, and thanks to Mrs. Burgess to lending it to me for the time being. 

Well, as for cultural differences. One thing I found interesting was when Pi goes to an Indian restaurant in Canada, and eats with his hands. The server says "Fresh off the boat, are you?" and Pi gets very offended. In India, where Pi grows up, they don't use silverware, which I've personally never thought about, but now that I do, that really is quite weird. Well, not necessarily weird, just different, I suppose. 

Another cultural...well, cultural similarity I found interesting was that of swimming. In the Olympics, you hear of Michael Phelps, and American leading the way. There are a few other foreigners, but no one considers India. In the book, Pi's father was a big swimmer, as is Pi, and he practices three times a week, not counting the millions of times he goes over it mentally in his head, thinking of everything.

Just two things you never really think about--eating utensils and swimming, that are practiced differently in other cultures.

At the Crossing Places: Week 2, Post B

Today's topic: Merlin

Today I decided to look up Merlin. He's a wizard in the Arthurian Legends, and is wildly popular. In the story, he gives a seeing stone. Here's some info on him from, where else, Wikipedia.  

He first shows up in Geoffery of Monmouth's story, but has been featured in hundreds of other stories and movies, from hundreds of authors including Mark Twain. According to Monmouth, he was born from a normal, mortal woman, but is sired by a demon like creature and given supernatural powers. It's actually unclear as to whether Merlin ever lived, and if not, who the character was based off of. 

Well, I'll be honest. I looked today in Zephyrus and at home, and pretty much everything written about Merlin contradicts itself. Did he live? Was he young or old? No one seems to know. Like my last post, I'll try to improve on this if I find some definite information...this whole book is confusing!

At the Crossing Places: Week 2, Post A

Collops, Clinchpoop, Poultices. 

What do these words all have in common? They're all words used in the novel that we never say. In fact, I have only heard one of these words in my life. I decided to looks up the words to find out what they mean and why we don't use them...

Collops: Pieces of meat. Comes from the french word escalope.  Scottish collops is a, well, a scottish meal with strips of meat served with potatoes. 

Here's a recipe if you want to make it. 

Clinchpoop: According to Urban Dictionary, it's "a moronic person, an idiot." That's how they use it in the book as well, but we just never use it. I'll try to use it in class tomorrow.

Poultices: A soft, moist mass used to treat an injury. This is the word I've heard, and I think maybe we use it sometimes in our "American" english...I just don't use it. At all.

All of these words, and more (maybe I'll add more later) are just words we don't use in our language today but seem to be commonplace back then. Interesting cultural differences you could say...Now excuse me while I go make some collops. Don't make me hurt you clinchpoop, or you'll need a poultice.

Essay Topic: Pollution in China

Links in titles...

Main Page

Backround

Olympics POV

At the Crossing Places: Week 1, Post A

All right, well...cultural differences. Suprisingly, I found quite a few. One main thing I was thinking about while reading was the importance of family heritage, and heredity. Now, that's obviously not a big issue. But as we learned in AP Euro, and in this class, that's ALL that mattered. In this book, Arthur couldn't inherit any of his land because he was the second born son. Everything, including pretty much your whole life path, is determind by your parents and your birth order. Which, connecting back to present day, I find interesting. Recently, a lot of studies have come out about birth order and how it affect a child. I found this interesting: http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1672715,00.html. It talks about how birth order can affect kids--But can it really? I found this quote pretty interesting:
"People read birth-order books the way they read horoscopes," warns Toni Falbo, professor of educational psychology at the University of Texas. "'I'm a middle-born, so that explains everything in my life'—it's just not like that."
In family, it's not like that, either. But for some, maybe it is. Back then, birth order really mattered. Today? Not so much.

At The Crossing Places: Week 1, Post B

Well, first post B since I'm not 100% sure as to what goes into post A. Just mixing it up a bit.
I suppose I'll just start with first impressions. So far....I don't really know, to be honest. It hasn't been anything interesting really, just some set-up information. Arthur de Caldicot, our main character, is a squire for Lord Stephen. As I see it, Lord Stephen is a noble of sorts, who has a kingdom but it's overly powerful. He's training Arthur, but mainly Arthur wants to go out into the Crusades and fight. I think this is pretty typical: Arthur's just a teen who wants to go into battle before understanding any of the politics or really even learning to fight.
I've read the first book, but many years ago, and so went on (where else?) Wikipedia to refresh my memory. Oh yes! I remember. Arthur was the 2nd son of Sir John and therefore cannot recieve any land...First he must become a squire (now) and a knight (later) to get his own land.
In the Seeing Stone (not the first part of the series, but the object), Arthur sees many things. This is one plot device used by Crossley-Holland that I simply don't like. While interesting, it becomes overly confusing. Isn't there an easier way to intertwine two stories? The seeing stone shows another Arthur, much like our Arthur, rise to power as King Arthur, as well as providing backround on King Arthur--Or is it Arthur? It's meant to be similar, and yet to me it's annoying. I'm not 100% sure where this book is headed, but I already don't like it. Bad sign.

REASON FOR OUTSIDE READING QTR. 4

All right, well, I picked the book "At the Crossing Places" by Kevin Crossley-Holland. I picked it for two reasons: 1) I started it once and I don't know why I didn't finish it, but I didn't. And 2) because I'm interested in Middle-aged stuff, and the Holy Wars. It seems exciting enough for a teenage boys, it's got your swordfights and your battle scenes and stuff. (Maybe it's got some love interest, yeah, you know? (Wink, Nudge)) Now, I don't know how much actual information I'll get from the book--It is fiction--But still. I'm excited to read it...Now, as for differences in culture, it'll be different because a) it's set in England and Scotland, and b) it's set in the year 1200. So, obviously there are going to be some cultural differences and overall lifestyle changes.

Goblet of Fire: Week 7, Post B

I think now I'd like to talk about ethics, and how it's portrayed in our lives and literature. First, the tie in the Harry Potter. During the novel, Hagrid, the groundskeeper, talks to Harry, and tells him to come to his house at midnight, that he has something to show him. When Harry arrives, Hagrid takes Harry as well as the head of an opposing school into the forest, where he shows them dragons, the subject of the secret first task. When Harry is leaving, he sees the head of another school heading into the woods, apparently going to see the dragons as well. Harry, realizing that Cedric, the other Hogwarts champion, has not seen the dragons, he quickly informs him. Now all the champions know before the event.

Harry says it's "only fair" that Cedric knows, stating the fact that everyone else has already heard of what's to come. However, is something fair just because everyone is doing/seeing it? The task was supposed to be secret...Shouldn't it stay a secret?

I think that because Harry was taken there without his consent, as was Madame Maxime, their guilt is justified. In this situation, I think it WAS fair for Harry to tell Cedric, otherwise it would be unfair to NOT know, not the other way around. However, Hagrid should have never taken Harry to see the dragons--Hagrid is the one at fault. If one champion unintentionally sees the task, all champions have the right to know--Although the problem would be better avoided in the first place.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Week 7, Post A

Well, I finished the Kite Runner, so now I get to blog on whatever, and this is what I'm reading right now.

VOCAB

Beauxbatons: Though it's a school in the book, the term roughly translates to "beautiful stick/wand" in french, which fits considering their coat of arms contains 2 wands, and they're all portrayed as beautiful.

Durmstrang: Strang, meaning storm, and Durm meaning urge, in German, fit considering the school is supposed to be tough and violent.

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

"The faces in the portraits turned to look at him as he entered" (273). I suppose this is a personification, since pictures can't look at you. But then again, in Hogwarts they can.

"Giving him the most skull-like appearance" (277). This is a simile because it uses like to compare Mr. Crouch to a skeleton when standing in the shadows.

"A living room on wheels" (245). This is a metaphor since it compares the Beauxbaton carriage to a living room, which scares me a little, but all right.

QUOTE

"And then Dumbledore cleared his throat and read out--Harry Potter!" (271). This was big, because it was when Harry was picked as the 4th champion. You kinda knew he was going to be in the plot somehow, but still this came as a surprise. The first time. Not this time. This is like my 10th time reading it.

THEME

No matter what, the main character is always going to be in the big event--Not just in this book, but still, never bet against the main character finding away into the mix, especially when the book is named after him. An age restriction, limit on the number of competitors, and the fact that he didn't enter didn't even stop him from joining the tournament.

The Kite Runner: Week 6, Post B

Final thoughts on the book:



One of the words I've been using throughout the book has been a simple one: "wow." The ending really draws the same emotion-- though I'll admit I have a slight feeling that it could have been better. I've been moved intensly over the course of the book...From the intro of the characters, to the happiness after Amir's kite-cutting championship, to the terror when Hassan is cornered- it's all been quite a wild ride.

I'm just going to get it out there right now though-I was fairly annoyed with the ending. Really annoyed? No. Annoyed enough to make me dislike the book? No. But...something deep down made me not like the ending. With Amir kite-running in the end with his "son"...it's all cute and things, but for some reason, it didn't seem complete. Sohrab, to me, wasn't a complete character after he stopped speaking. He didn't convey emotion, he simply annoyed me, and I know it sounds wrong but it's true. I felt terrible for him after Amir said he had to go back to the orphanage--terribly, actually-- but I don't think not speaking was the best solution-for the character or the author.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It's definetly one of the best books I've ever read, and though it may not be the top of the list, it's up there, and I will for sure read it again. A true classic.

The Kite Runner: Week 6, Post A

VOCAB

Carafe (313): A bottle used to hold beverages, usually wine or coffee

Trellis (352): A form of latticework used as a support for plants.

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

"That's how children deal with terror. They fall asleep" (342). This book is filled with irony, in a sad way of course. This is no exception, since after this scare we never hear Sohrab speak again. It's his way of dealing with terror.

"the hospital was a maze of teeming, angled hallways" (350). This is a metaphor comparing the crazy, passage-filled hospital to a maze, making it tough for people to find their way.

"by the whooshing ventilator beside the bed" (350). This is an onomatopoeia because the word "whooshing" sounds like the action.

QUOTE

"Later, they said I was still screaming when the ambulance arrived" (343). I won't lie: This was the closest I came to crying while reading. And while I'm not quite there, something pangs inside me every time I re-read this part. It's just so sad and so intense...I feel bad for both Sohrab and for Amir.

THEME

There is a way to be good again. This was used in the book during a phone message from Rahim Khan to Amir, and I think it's true: No matter who you were, you can always change.

The Kite Runner: Week 5, Post B

"Earlier, when I was sure no one was looking, I did something I had done 26 years earlier: I planted a fistful of crumpled money under a mattress" (242).

Wow. Like I said in my last post, I really like this quote, and it really made me smile-- I was so amazed at not only how much Amir has been through, but how deep writing can be.
First, what it means. After witness the brutal rape of his friend Hassan, Amir decides to break off contact with him. Hassan, however, being the kind person that he is, still wants to hang out with Amir and talks to him daily. Unknowingly, this brings out even more guilt in Amir and he feels he must rectify the situation by getting rid of Hassan. He plants money under Hassan's bed in an attempt to frame him for a theft he did not committ. The only problem came when Hassan admitted to stealing the money, and is allowed to continue living with Amir's family.
Amir does the same thing this time, only with different intent. He stays for a night with the family of Farid (Amir's drivers)'s brother. That night, while eating, Hassan sees the children in the house looking at his watch, and he later gives it to them. Unfortuantly, he realizes it was not the watch the children were admiring but the food set next to his hand-- The children could not eat in order to give Amir a proper meal. Feeling guilty, Amir places money under the matress of the family before he leaves.
Long summary? Yes. But I feel a proper build-up is needed if the quote is going to be fully understood. This quote was possibly my favorite of the novel-- it made me feel good, seeing that Amir had such kindness even after what he had been through and done.
Finally, I'd just like to touch on how many emotions literature can bring about. While I wasn't quite going to tears, this story easily can bring many people to cry--It's just that good. There's time when you laugh, when you smile, when you grimace and when you are at the point of tears. It's rare you read a novel this good, and I'm glad to have chosen it.

The Kite Runner: Week 5, Post A

VOCAB

Sultry (224): Hot with passion or anger
Cursory (230): Rapidly and often superficially performed or produced

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

"The signs had been there for me to see all along, they came flying back at me now" (224). This is a personification because it gives human like traits to the tell-tale signs depicting Hassan and Amir as brothers.

"[...] that I would wade back into that great, big river and let myself forget" (231). This is imagry and a metaphor in a way, because he's causing his potential forgetfulness and oblivious beahvior a river, which he must not fall into.

"I saw chains of little villages [...] like discarded toys among the rocks" (231). This is a similie because it uses like to compare the small, haunting Afgahn towns to toys, forgotten.

QUOTE

"Earlier, when I was sure no one was looking, I did something I had done 26 years earlier: I planted a fistful of crumpled money under a mattress" (242). I may analyze this further for my post B, but I really liked this quote-- it showed how Amir has changed and grown as a person, and how he still remembers what it's like to be in need, and so he helps out.

THEME

Sometimes, the things we dread the most are the things we must do, which is shown as Amir dreads going to find Hassan's son, yet does it anyway.

The Kite Runner: Week 4, Post B

"I opened the door and turned to him. 'Why? What can you possibly say to me? I'm thirty-eight years old and I've just found out that my whole life is one big f-----g lie! What can you possible say to make things better? Nothing. Not a goddamn thing!'" (223).

While we had always, as readers, seen how close Hassan and Amir were as they grew up. However, I don't think anyone couldn't be shocked when they read this part in the novel and realized that they were in fact half-brothers. They had always said it was "like they were brothers," but this goes beyond that. Amir had been lied to his entire life, and that has to hurt. Although to be honest I don't know what it would exactly be like, I can imagine that realizing something that important that late in life would be traumatizing.
What also made this worse for Amir was the fact that he now has to deal with the fact that he watched his brother get raped and did nothing, then intentionally got rid of him. He feels that everything is magnified due to the fact that the person he hung out with all of his young life is in fact his own brother. They said that when you're breast-fed from the same woman, you're like brothers. But when you're from the same father, you ARE brothers. And the truth hurts.

The Kite Runner: Week 4, Post A

VOCAB

Temperament: (211) Constitution of a substance, body, or organism with respect to the mixture or balance of its elements, qualities, or parts. (Complexion, makeup)

Tenets: (189) A principal or belief.

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

"The city was bursting with sounds..." (196). This is a personification since the city cannot be bursting with sounds. This is also important in the book because it's when he returns to Afghanistan.

"Then, a thing made of skin and bones pretending to be Rahim Kahn opened the door" (197). This is imagery, since it gives us a feel about Rahim Kahn right from the top, although it's admittedly not a good one.

"Those thorny old barbs of guilt bore into me once more..." (202). This is personification, giving the guilt of Amir about the rape of his friend the ability to cause pain, which I'm sure in some ways they do.

QUOTE

"Then Rahim Kahn sipped some more tea. Rested his head against the wall, and spoke"  (202). This is an important quote, because it starts Rahim Kahn's story about everything, about all that's happened since Amir left and what happened with Hassan.

THEME

Years can separate people physically, but true friends can never be fully separated. This is true in the case of both Rahim Kahn and Hassan, where distance does not end the relationship.                                                                                                           

The Kite Runner: Week 3, Post B

"I envied her. Her secret was out. Spoken. Dealt with. I opened my mouth, almost told her how I'd betrayed Hassan, lied, driven him out, and destroyed a 40 year relationship between Baba and Ali. But I didn't. I suspected there were many ways in which Soraya Taheri was a better person than me. Courage was just one of them" (165).

This I think was a tough thing for Amir to handle. He decided to get married to Soraya even though his father was dying, knowing it would make his father, and him, quite happy.
I really liked this except from the book, the simplicity, the tone, just the general way it's written, I think it's all great.
However, it's a sad and true quote. Seeing Amir growing up, I think we can say- safely and sadly- that Soraya is a better person, and definetly a more couragous person. I understand that Amir has a much tougher thing to disclose, but I think he ought to get it off his chest as soon as possible and would have been much better off to talk about it before he even left Afghanistan.
I know it was the wrong thing to set up his friend, but I think talking about that and getting that out would be nice, too.

The Kite Runner: Week 3, Post A

VOCAB

Ochre: (133) An earthy usually red or yellow and often impure iron ore used as a pigment
Tenets: (145) A Principle, belief, or doctrine generally held to be true

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

"Despite the sun bearing down like a branding iron..." (144) This is a simile since it uses "like" to compare the suns beating down on Baba and Amir in the market to an iron.

"I burst into giggles. Baba joined in" (162). I think in some ways this is irony, since Baba was always the mature character and only discussed "grown-up" topic, and yet he giggles when thinking of Amir getting married.

"... a rising sun over a new day..." (170) This is a metaphor because it compares a rising to the marriage and new life of Amir.

QUOTE

"We closed the door. Baba never woke up" (173). This quote was tough because Baba was there for Amir from the beginning, and even though they haven't always been best friends, Baba's been the one Amir has always wanted to impress.

THEME

Love can come in all shapes and sizes, since Amir loves Soraya in one way, and Baba, his father, in another, and yet he loves them both tremedously

Week 2 Post B: The Kite Runner

Wow. That's all I can say about this book so far. Just wow. I don't even know where to start, but I can say this: For all the hype this book has had, so far it lives up to it. It's an emotional rollercoaster: Going for delighted at Amir's kite fighting victory- something that finally impresses his father- to the brutal rape of Hassan, a part that shook me more than I think anything I've read in long time, maybe ever.
Khaled Hosseini, the author, must have toned down his writing for "A Thousand Splendid Suns," that's for sure. And let me just say, that hurt him. While this book is raw, filled with emotion, "Suns" seems pale in comparison, a half-hearted story.
As I continue in the story, I truly wonder how Hosseini's going to wrap things up. He's got Amir, a boy turned man hiding a secret deep down that'll hurt him until he dies. He also has Hassan, the one the secret is about, on the other side of the world, seperated by war and disagreements.
Finally, I'd like to point out in my opinion the second most moving part of the book to this point: Hassan taking the blame for Amir's crime. Amir hides his money under Hassan's bed in an attempt to get him fired. When asked if he did it, Hassan has a simple answer :"yes." Hassan's devotion, even admiration of Amir is something amazing.

Week 2 Post A: The Kite Runner

VOCAB

Beneficent (74): Doing or producing goods
Guileless (78): Innocent, naive

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

"I felt as empty as this unkempt pool..." (85). This is a simile because it uses as to compare Amir's feelings to that of the pool- Empty after all he's seen.

"By the following summer, it was only a faint scar" (47). As Amir points out, this is ironic, because just as Amir is able to smile, he stops. As much as this is irony, it also means much, more more.

"I stepped back and all I saw was the rain through windowpanes that looked like melting silver" (109). This is a simile because it uses like to compare the rain Amir sees through the window to melting silver.

QUOTE

"'What am I going to do with you?' But by the time the tears dried up and I trudged down the hill, I knew the answer to that question" (93). This is a turning point for Amir- He's so fed up with the fact that he could have saved his friend Hassan and yet still hasn't told anyone, he decides that he has to make the next move- get rid of Hassan. Not a good call, but a huge turning point.

THEME

Pressure changes people, because as good of friends as Hassan and Amir were, it didn't help much in the end.

The Kite Runner: Week 1, Post B

Although limited, there is some good information to get out of the first few chapters of "The Kite Runner." We're introduced to our (seemingly) main characters, Amir and Hassan. We see them as best friends, attached at the hip and bonded with a "kinship that not even time could break" (11). I think that as we see these characters more, we could see either a) a relationship that really is as strong as it can be, or b) a relationship from 2 point of views, where one member may be decieved.
Also in the beginning, we see some family background, mostly discussing Ali, Hassan's father, who was a cripple and was often made fun of by the villagers. While this story seems as sad as it is, I hope it proves to have more meaning and carries more weight then it does at this point, a dramatic yet somewhat one-dimensional tale.
As the story unfolds obviously we will meet more and more characters who will influence the story in their own way. All I except is a great read, since all I hear are positive reviews for this novel. For me, a good book has a good opening, middle, and close. If one of those parts is lacking, the book is automatically taken out of the running. However, it can be tough to judge a book, considering certain books take many readings to fully appreciate. We'll see what "The Kite Runner" brings.

The Kite Runner: Week 1 Post A

VOCAB

Unscrupulous: (8) Unprincipled (adj)

Atrophied: (8) Decrease in size or wasting away of a body part or tissue (n)


FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

"A face like a Chinese doll..." (3). This is a simile because it uses like to compare Hussan's face to that of a Chinese doll, carved and chiseled by a doll maker.

"My father was a force of nature" (13). This is a metaphor, comparing our main character Amir's father to a force of nature due to his strength and his ability to wrestle bears. No joke.

"They danced high above the trees on the west..." (2). This is a personification because it gives the kites the ability to do human things, such as dance.

QUOTE

"Looking back on it now, I think the foundation for what happened in the winter of 1975-and all that followed- was already laid in those first words" (11).
This really sets the base for the book to follow. All we saw in these first few chapters were some introductions and some (very) minor action. Obvously we don't know what happened in the winter of 1975, but I think we'll find out.

THEME

Bad things can happen to good people, because so far we are introduced to several nice characters with tough lives/backrounds

Sound Track of The Odyssey: Athena

For the character of Athena, I chose the song "Day Tripper" by The Beatles. Now, barring all drug refrences, the lyrics point to someone going on quick trips somewhere. Our character of Athena goes on many short voyages to places, and has plans to travel to many more.
"While I myself go down to Ithica, rouse his son to a braver pitch, inspire his heart with courage to summon the flowing-haired Acheaens to fully assemble, speak his mind to all those suitors, slaughtering on and on his droves of sheep and shambling longhorn cattle. Next I will send him to Sparta and sandy Pylos, there to learn of his father's journey home" (Book 1 102-110). Obviously, Athena has many plans as to where to go and how to get there. She's a trooper who's not afraid to go new places and is calm in the face of danger. "[...] he weighed in his mind the course Athena charter" (Book 3 444). She has plans for how to get somewhere, and a reason why, which is something we don't see much in our world, and I really respect. Athena truly is a day tripper.
In the classic song by The Beatles, they say "[...] She took me half the way there" just like how Athena takes Telemachus places, but won't do everything for him. I think the Beatles had a really good, and overlooked song in this one, and I really like the voice in this piece. As shown, Telemachus and Athena go on many adventures, but they're splitting the work evenly. She's a team player, which I think is great, and she's a strong figure. Really a day tripper.

A Thousand Splendid Suns: Week 7, Post B

Well, I suppose this will just be a wrap-up of sorts, just some of my final thoughts on the book. First, let me just say I enjoyed the book very much. Although it's not my favorite book I've read this year, or even really in the top-5, it's by no means a disappointing book. I'll put this out there first: It was a little repetitive. The beginning 1/3 was very fulfilling, but the book spiraled downward, as it were, from there. The same plot lines were simply visited again and again, using simple plot twists to retell and already mediocre storyline. And it worked- For a while. The story line seemed to be compelling enough, generally pushed by the simple change of location or addition of basic characters. That's not to say the book failed in all ways. On the contrary, it built on our knowledge of life in the middle east, and provided an in-depth and remarkable look inside. But, it tried to hard to follow up the previous success of "The Kite Runner," which, although it could be used to the novel's advantage, resulted in somewhat sloppy writing, and an overall bittersweet read.
There were some parts that did stand out in the text, however. Like I said, the beginning was very well written, and some of the characters were pretty good. But, characters, especially the children of Laila, were very vague, and the personalities seemed slapped on.

Now, I'm a picky reader, so don't take this review the wrong way.... 6.5/10

A Thousand Splendid Suns: Week 7, Post A

VOCAB

Babaloo: (362) Prayers spoken by the family, generally said by head of house (father).
Rickshaw: (363) A small, covered, two-wheeled vehicle, for one passenger.

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

"But mostly, Mariam is in Laila's own heart, where she shines with the burning radiance of a thousand splendid suns" (366). Actually, I'm not 100% sure what this is...it's kinda a personification, because Mariam is dead, and obviously can't shine anywhere.

"A woman who will be like a rock in a riverbed, enduring without complaint" (355). This is a simile, because it compares Mariam to a rock, something strong and unwavering.

"Her way of keeping Mariam close awhile yet before time has its way, before it snatches Mariam from the garden of her memory like a weed pulled by its roots" (362). This is also a simile, because it compares Laila forgetting Mariam to a weed being ripped from its garden.

QUOTE

"Because, if it's a girl, Laila has already named her" (367). This line, the last of the book, shows us the deep respect Laila has for Mariam, amazing considering that only a handful of year ago, they wouldn't even talk. This is a great quote, and a fitting end to a good book.

THEME

Love is a powerful force, because love compels Laila to go on with her life, to help at the orphanage, and to move her family back to Kabul.