The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini #4 45-60

In the next 15 pages, Hassan lip surgery is completed. He continues to smile after the surgery, but we learn that something made him stop smiling that winter. Winter in Kabul is every child’s favorite season for schools shutting down, snow, and the annual kite-fighting tournament. Hassan and Amir have a passion for running and flying kites. They relate fighting kites to war because of the serious atmosphere. The two boys usually make there own kites, but this winter is different. Baba takes them to the best kite maker in Kabul. At the shop, Hassan can purchase any kite he Amir can. This offends Amir, making him think his not the favorite of Baba. According to Amir, the real fun doesn’t start when the kites are flown; it starts when the kites are cut. People crowd the streets and everyone chases after the elusive kites. The most fought after prize for kite runners is the last fallen kite. It brings honor and glory to who ever captures it. Amir believes that Hassan is the greatest kite runner he has ever seen. It ends with Hassan catching the kite in his out stretched arms.
““You know… I like where I live.” He was doing that, reading my mind.” This quote can draw many things. I believe that Amir doesn’t realize that Hassan knows him well and knows what Hassan really thinks of him. I can also infer that they are alike and think the same. “Baba was fattening his pipe and I was asking him to tell the story about the winter a pack of wolves had descended from the mountains in Heart and forced everyone to stay indoors for a week, when he lit a match and said, casually, “ I think maybe you’ll win the tournament this year. What do you think?” I think this is an important exchange between Baba and Amir because it shows that Baba somewhat ignores whatever Amir says. It further more shows that Baba and Amir aren’t very close. It’s not all negative though. It shows that Baba still cares about Amir, addressing that he will win the tournament tomorrow.
I found a few words that I was unfamiliar with in these 15 pages. Epilepsy is any of various neurological disorders characterized by sudden recurring attacks of motor, sensory, or psychic malfunction with or without loss of consciousness or convulsive seizures. Eerie means uncanny, so as to inspire superstitious fear; weird. The last word is indignant which means feeling, characterized by, or expressing strong displeasure at something considered unjust, offensive, insulting, or base.

SII, Graded Post #1: Story Starter

If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you’ll probably want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don’t feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth. In the first place, that stuff bores me, and in the second place, my parents would have about two hemorrhages apiece if I told anything pretty personal about them. They’re quite touchy about anything like that, especially my father. They’re nice and all—I’m not saying that—but they’re also touchy as hell. Besides, I’m not going to tell you my whole goddam autobiography or anything. I’ll just tell you about this madman stuff that happened to me around last Christmas just before I got pretty run-down and had to come out here and take it easy.
Last Christmas, a tragedy, a catastrophe, and an apocalyptic event. Many people see Christmas as a joyful event and can’t wait to celebrate it. The chaos that consumed that Christmas insured to ruin yet another holiday. As it may seem, people think it’s my fault what happened to me, all I can say is that my parents had a hand in the downfall of my disaster. There isn’t enough I can say about my parents, but they just wreck my life. I can only wish and hope that my parents process it in their minds what I can go through with their torcher. They are so self centered and only care about them selves, but what about me? Their priorities are not in order, I should be on the very top of the list, but it seems like I’m in their dumps. Enough about them, the Christmas that should have, could have, would have been the greatest, and took a turn for the worst.
Winter break rang in confidence for me. I gave all my boys handshakes and we shared a few laughs. I was excited and anxious. The cold wind couldn’t brace my upbeat mood. I would finally get to spend quality days with my girlfriend. She gave me reason to escape the torment of my parents. She gave me the best gifts anyone could give me. I felt bad I couldn’t get her a present worthy of her; I would if I could, but my parents never gave me an allowance or funding. They were to busy spending the money on them selves buying designer bags or the newest set of golf clubs. Another thing my “wonderful” parents did for me.
A few days before Christmas, the night was cold, and I was home alone. It was a somewhat perfect night to stay home and watch a comforting movie with her, the only person I really cared about. We came close and were snug, protected from the cold under a thick blanket. The front door opens with a burst of cold air. My parents arrived home from their pre-Christmas party as they say. Drunk and unaware, they wrongfully accuse my girlfriend of being a whore and a slut. She busts out the door with tears falling down her face.
The next morning I tried to explain but she had nothing to say. It was over between her and me. I couldn’t believe my parents. Of course my parents awoke with no knowledge of the prior nights events. I began to think this is just a silly excuse they use every time they know they’ve screwed up big time to hide the real truth. Soon they’ll realize the truth, that they ruin the life of their only child. I want to believe that it’s them that have a problem, but sometimes I wonder if it’s really mine. Only time will tell what I don’t understand.