Saturday, September 14, 2013

Fishbowl #2: Chapters 11 and 12 of The Kite Runner

Welcome to your second fishbowl!

A few reminders if you're looking for an A for the day:

(A) Bring at least one quotation and/or page reference into at least one of your responses.
 
(B) Explain your thinking thoughtfully and thoroughly (try to avoid the one-sentence response).

(C) Keep it professional, including the usage of proper grammar and spelling.

(D) Comment frequently from the beginning of the conversation to the end.


Remember also that you're welcome to get into a hotseat in the inner circle for a little while and earn some of your daily participation points there.


Enjoy!

100 comments:

  1. Do you know how lung cancer started with Baba?

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    1. If I were to guess it would be smoking. He smokes constantly throughout the book.

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    2. Well we do know that Baba smokes and smoking is a leading cause for lung cancer. like on page 154, when the doctor ask, "you said your father smokes right?"
      "yes"
      He is also old and his body is not as strong and efficient as Amir's body.

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  2. Do you think that arranged marriages are more successful *length wise*?
    I think they would *in SOME WAYS NOT ALL WAYS* because you'd have more to talk about with each other.
    Except, when you date you become more comfortable with each other and you're happy to get married.
    With arranged, you're meeting for sometimes the first time on your wedding day.
    What do you think?

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    1. No! Cause in arrange marriages are horrible. You are marrying someone that you may not even love! And also you never know who you are marrying cause the person could be a total jerk and you still have to marry him/ her.

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    2. Usually, most arranged marriages aren't successful because of both of the families have forced their daughter or sons into the marriage without their consent and that creates more conflict into the family.

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    3. No, I do not think arranged marriages are more successful. You do not know that person which makes it awkward. I feel that dating fist is better than getting married right away. You have more time to get to know the person.

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  3. Why was Soraya so upset (in the past) when Padar brought her home? (page 164)

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    1. She ran away with someone that she loved and Padar took her away from him so she was really angry about it until she saw that her mom had a stroke.

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    2. Because she was in love and she ran away with him for a reason. She was young and in love and couldn't control her feelings. She felt like her father was taking her world away by making her come home and separating her.

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  4. Why did Baba not want to receive treatment for his lung cancer?

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    1. Baba doesn't want to show weakness, he wants to set an example for Amir

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    2. I think Baba doesn't want to waste money and also I think he would just go back to smoking and get cancer again. Also I agree that he doesn't want to show weakness cause he has been so independent for so long and then he suddenly has to be catered to I think his pride can't take it.

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    3. In Afghanistan they may not have as consistent medical care like we do here in the United States

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    4. So he may not think he needs it.

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    5. I think it is because of his culture. I think he doesn't want to receive help because of his pride. Many cultures says that the man of house should be strong and not receive help from others.

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    6. I think that Baba didn't want to receive the cancer treatment to show weakness. He wants everyone to that he is always strong. I also believe that it may be that he wants Amir to look up to him and always think that he is strong.

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  5. On page 111 Baba grumbles under his breathe.
    Do you think he is making fun of Amir for throwing up? Why?

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    1. No I don't think Baba is making fun of Amir. I think he was grossed out and embarrassed that Amir was throwing up.

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    2. Well, on page 111 when Baba said "Tell him to have a stronger stomach." and the other quote your talking about Andy is that Baba is disappointing and embarrassed of Amir's actions about him barfing.

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    3. I agree with Robin, it was much more embarrassed then making fun of him. Baba has a lot of dignity, and his son showing weakness is embarrassing.

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  6. "He said this gravely, like he had disclosed to me that she had breast cancer." I saw this as kind of foreshadowing a little. Since Baba ended up getting lung cancer, I figure the breast cancer was a little of a push towards that.

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  7. pg 117 "We rode in silence for about fifteen minutes before the young woman's husband suddenly stood and did something I'd seen many other times before him: He kissed Baba's hand."
    In Afghanistan, is this a sign of respect? To show that you honnor them or appreciate what they did?

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    Replies
    1. I think that it would be a sign of thankfulness instead of respect.

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    2. Yes it shows respect and honor. You are showing admiration because someone is doing you a kindness and standing up basically against a bully. That's what happened in pg 116 because the Russian soldier wanted extra money that a lot of people didn't have.

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  8. I think Baba attacked Karim because Amir and Baba needed to get over the border quick. They went such a long way and felt cheated out of their money.

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  9. pg 111 'Baba was apoligizing to other passengers. As if car sickness was a crime. As if you weren't supposed to get sick when you were eighteen.'

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  10. Why doesn't Baba want anyone to know about his lung cancer, and why won't he take the chemotherapy? Is he ashamed of being sick?

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    1. I think it's his pride. He may think that people would cater to him and he has lived so long without being catered to and he is so independent that the thought of it may be just ruin his pride and ego that he built up for himself.

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    2. He doesn't want it to affect his friendships and respect level

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    3. I agree with Katrina about Baba and his pride. He didn't want to tell anyone because he didn't want people to look below him or have pity on him. He wanted to be treated the same and he might have felt embarrassed even though he can't do anything about it.

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    4. I think he just wants to try to pretend that he is ok because he wants to enjoy the rest of his life instead of being cared for night and day

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  11. I don't think Baba was right to attack the truck driver. It wasn't his fault that the truck broke down. No one could have guessed that was going to happen. I understand that he felt cheated but he has to understand the position that the driver is in.

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    1. The truck driver said earlier in the book that it had been broken down for 1 week then when Baba attacked him he let out the truth and said it had been broken down for over 2 weeks so the bus driver lied and only wanted the peoples money. Wouldn't you be a little angry. I think Baba has the right to attack him. After all He stole his right to the truth

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  12. Why does Baba suddenly have more care for Amir

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    1. I think Baba feels bad for Amir. This is how he shows his compasion for him.

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    2. I think Baba suddenly cares more fore Amir because Amir is all he has left. When you look at what happened to Baba he lost everything; he lost his house, his friends his reputation, his best friend for 40 years, his career, everything. If you really think about it he lost everything he owned except a few possessions, his son, and his life, so he wants to hold on to that.

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    3. I think Baba cares more about Amir because Amir is now about 18 ,and that is when the son leaves to live on his own. I think Baba knows that Amir is going to be his only son. Amir being his only son will be the only one to pass on the family name.

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  13. "I envied her, Her secret was out spoken dealt with. I opened my mouth and almost told her how I'd betrayed Hassan" Pg165

    Is it just me or does it look like Soroya wears the pants in this relationship?

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    1. I wouldn't say she wears the pants but she does fell more comfortable in her own skin, and he feels ashmed about what he has done.

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  14. On page 111, when Amir gets sick, do you think he actually had car sickness, or was he scared/worried?

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    1. He could have been scared or worried because he was basically being smuggled from place to place to get somewhere safe and i bet that made him super worried of what can happen next?

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    2. I think it's a mixer of both because he is trying to get out of Russian ruling so that is just scary on it's own, but also the person driving could just suck at it and make the car swerve alot so he would get sick.

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  15. "it needs painting, and ill have one of the guys at the station put in new shocks, but it runs." did Baba give Amir this car because he knew his time was coming soon?

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    1. I think Baba has accepted that he is getting older and wants Amir to enjoy life because Baba can't anymore.

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  16. I think that Baba had such a hard time adjusting to the U.S. because it was not like Afghanistan at all. An example is when the cashier asked for an I.D. of Baba and this made Baba angry. In Afghanistan it was all out of trust.

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    1. Baba went from being one of the richest most powerful men in the United States to working at a gas station, so the luxuries went away. They also no longer have servants so that is a tough adjustment.

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  17. He wasn't used to it because it is a totally different world in the US. Different people. different food, so many differences between the two countries

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  18. I don't know why Baba won't let Amir try to be a writer. There is clearly a good chance that he will become famous or at least make some money.

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    1. Baba wants Amir to follow in his footsteps, so if Amir wants a different path, that's a bit like dishonour to Baba.

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  19. What happened to all of Baba's money when Amir and him moved to the U.S.? He was really wealthy and well known in Afghanistan but when they moved to the U.S. this all changed.

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    1. He may have left a lot of money behind due to the rush of getting out of Afghanistan. The currency change could have been a big one also. He also no longer had a big job.

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    2. They had to leave quietly without anyone knowing, so they left all their wealth behind so no one would be suspicious.

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    3. Well in Chapter 10 page 113, Amir says that they had to pack up their most valuable things and get out of Kabal as quick as possible. They said you couldn't trust anyone, not even you family.So they had to leave as if nothing had happened and that they were still there.

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  20. Why did they choose to move to California?

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    Replies
    1. California is a popular well known state among foreigners and tourist. California is famous in a way and that could be due to the reason they chose California.

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  21. Having to go garage sale shopping and then have to sell all of it at the flea markets is pretty different than all the luxury they had before.

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  22. Another reason I think Baba had a hard time adjusting because he was really wealthy and high class in his hometown but he works at a gas station in the US. That is a pretty difficult transition, especially because the US is so different, Baba doesn't really know how everything works it the US.

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    Replies
    1. Especially so quickly. Just all the sudden everything they had is gone and it's like they had to start over.
      New country, new life, new job, new everything.
      Maybe later a new relationship between Baba and Amir?

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  23. Why is it taking such a long time for Baba to adapt to America? Will Baba ever adapt? Is that why Baba is so angry and sad all the time?

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    1. I believe the U.S. is just really different from Afghanistan. I feel that Baba will adapt, it will just take time. That is a reason Baba is angry and sad but Baba is also sad that he has lung cancer.

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  24. In chapter 11 when Baba introduces Amir to General Taheri, why did Baba tell him that Amir was going to be a great writer one day? I thought he was ashamed that Amir liked to write.

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    1. I think Baba is really trying to accept Amir's talents and that Amir will never be the athletic son he wanted. He just wants to accept his son and show that he really appreciates him.

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  25. Why is it so wrong for Amir now to decide on getting a degree in writing?

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    1. I just think that it's all because of Baba. Baba wants him to be athletic and play soccer, but Amir just isn't like Baba.

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    2. Maybe because authors really don't get popular really fast like movie stars or something like that. So Amir may not be able to get a lot of money or a stable job.

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  26. I think that Hasssan and Amir aren't going to be friends any more for a couple reasons. One reason i think they won't be friends any more is because Amir is a coward, but Hassan is courages. Amir also can't even forgive himself for what happened.

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    1. Just a thought I don't think they'll be friends anymore because they will more than likely never see each other again.

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  27. "It was living in America that gave him an ulcer." Was it the stress of moving to a very foreign country or another factor?

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    1. What quote is that from? I would say the stress, because everyone can experience of having their problems of moving to another location that they are not used to, so in a way it's just a lot work to get used to a situation.

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  28. Why was Amir scared of General Sahib?

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    1. I think Amir is scared of the General because he likes his daughter. Wouldn't you be scared if the father of the girl you like might not approve of you? And besides that he's a General

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  29. Why wont Baba let Amir pursue his own education of writing? What does Baba want him to go to college for?

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    1. Baba probably wants Amir to follow his own career path.

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    2. I think Baba wants Amir to get a good stable job with a good amount of money like a doctor or a lawyer. The General also wants his daughter, Soraya, to go to college to be a doctor or lawyer, not a teacher. I think they are just being good parents and wants the best for their children.

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  30. Is Amir going to be honest about his past with Jamila?

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    1. I don't think so. Amir wants to keep his unique past concealed.

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    2. I don't think so because I think he is truly ashamed of what he did and I think he doesn't want her to hate him or leave him.

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  31. Why does Amir's father feel that writing is a useless subject to major in?

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    1. There aren't a ton of high paying jobs in writing. Unless obviously you make it big as an author but that isn't very likely.

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    2. I personally think that Baba thinks writing is useless because it isnt how he saw his son growing up. Babe believes that Amir should be athletic and strong, always stick up for what you believe in. He sees writing as more of something a girl would do. Not his son

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  32. "Amir is going to be a great writer," -Baba (pg. 139) why do you think that Baba has all of the sudden change his view on Amir's writing? What changed his opinion?

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    1. He going to pass away soon so he might as well encourage amirs wishes for study in college.

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  33. On page 159 the doctor said "As you can see, the caner's metastasized" Does anyone think that in that moment of time Amir's going to have no parents and be lonely for the rest of his life?

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    1. I don't think that he will ever end up being alone. I think that if Baba does die, Amir will end up going back and looking for Hassan and Ali since Ali was like a second father and Hassan was like a little brother/servant/friend.

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    2. I don't think Amir will be lonely his entire life. Since he started a new life in America, he has changed and been respectful and I think people really appreciate that about him. He obviously has some interest in that women Soraya.

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  34. Is the gas station the only place that would accept Baba for work?

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  35. How did baba feel coming from his home to a foreign place to be low on the social class as working at a gas station? Did it give him more respect for amir because he didn't think so big of himself anymore?

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    1. I think that Baba felt "small," he doesn't have power over everyone now and he doesn't like this. I personally feel that this gave Amir more respect for his father though, Amir doesn't think that Baba always need to have power or be a ruling person.

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  36. I think Baba wants to take advantage of Amirs talent. That is why he is 'accepting" Amir's talents. He wants to use Amir to benefit himself in some way.

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  37. "Baba loved the idea of America."

    Why did Baba like the idea of moving to America, when it required so many lifestyle changes?

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    1. I don't think that he really thought about the life changes, he just looked at the great things about America. He didn't know that he would be such an outsider in America. It's not like he would know what it was like there before he moved.

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  38. Do you think that because Amir hasn't forgave himself for betraying his best friend Amir that his relationship between him and Soroya will be a little rough?

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  39. How will Amir go on in life now that Baba is sick. How will Amir push through his hard time?

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    1. I think he would focus on his career

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  40. Baba loves the idea of America because he likes people taking their own path. Also, its good for Amir because is Afghanistan he wouldn't be able to have a career in writing.

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  41. Why did Baba loathe Jimmy Carter? On page 126 it states ," He loathed Jimmy Carter, who he called a big toothed cretin."

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  42. How can Amir become a better man in the future?

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  43. In chapter 12 page 155, why wont't Baba let the doctor touch him? Is he racist against Russians now that they have invaded Afghanistan?

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