Quotations Chapter 21-25

"A man who has no conscience, no goodness, does not suffer." p. 301

• Amir reads the letter Rahim Khan wrote to him explaining important information.
• Rahim Khan is relating this quote to the experience that hasn't left Amir's mind since it occurred. He is basically saying that if Amir hadn't been feeling terrible about not sticking up for Hassan years before, then Amir wouldn't be a good person. Amir has suffered all these years but it means he knows he can do better and has a conscience. 

"Perspective was (is) a luxury when your head was (is) constantly buzzing with a swarm of demons." p. 356

• Amir talks about Sohrab's struggle to bring himself back to the real world.
• Sohrab is always reminded of what he is been through and cannot get it off his mind. He can't answer questions or give his perspective because he always has it on his mind. 

References 21-25

Les Miserables; p. 328

• "A Les Miserables poster was nailed to the wall behind Andrews next to a topographical map of the U.S." p. 328
• Les Miserables was a french novel and later made into a musical.

September 11, 2001; p. 36(could not find in book)

•  Terrorist training camps were built and stationed in Afghanistan. September 11th 2001, the day two planes were flown into the World Trade Center in New York City, and a plane crashed into the pentagon. This caused lots of destruction and deaths. After 9/11, the taliban refused to hand over Osama Bin Laden which lead to a United States led coalition military campaign.

Chapter 21-25 Questions

1. In chapters 21-22 the cruelty of the Taliban is clearly in evidence by the look of the destroyed villages and broken-down soviet tanks.

2. Amir finally sees Sohrab and realizes that Assef is the Taliban official. My reaction to Assef's reappearance as a Talib was I was very surprised. He justifies his transformation by using an epiphany he had in jail. No, I don't think this is a transformation because just because he is in a different setting doesn't mean he actually changed.

3. Three turning points of the plot are: Assef and Amir meeting up again which was awkward and still hadn't settled the past, Amir and Assef fight, and Amir and Sohrab run off together.

4. I was very shocked when I read what Rahim Khan had sent to Amir. I didn't see it coming, and I think it was perfect timing for Amir to get this letter. I think Baba is a good man, just because he makes a mistake doesn't mean he is a bad person.

5. In a way, I think there are parallels between the concept of my parents and Amir and Baba's. Amir tried so hard to impress or please Baba, but never felt like it was enough. I can relate to this.

6. Amir and Sohrab travel to Islamabad to get away from the violence and get to safety. Amir means by, "there are a lot of children in Afghanistan, but little childhood," that kids don't get to have much of a childhood in Afghanistan due to the unsafe conditions and violence. Hassan's childhood ended early due to getting raped and Sohrab was in an orphanage and then was sexually abused by Assef.

7.  A mullah is a muslim who is educated in islamic theology.

8. Raymond Andrews is the U.S. Embassy and in the book he is the one who proposed an idea to Amir on how he could get Sohrab to America.

9. Soraya agrees to adobt Sohrab.

10. Soraya's uncle Sharif helps Sohrab by getting him into America.

11. Amir promises to Sohrab that he will never go to the orphanage again, but he finds out he might have to in order to get him to America.

12. Sohrab tries to kill himself in the bathroom, this is significant because Amir is really trying to pay Hassan back for the sin he made and he is trying to make Sohrab's life better.

13. For the first seven months Sohrab is in Chicago he is very quiet, he hardly ever talks.

14. General Taheri is worried about a Hazara living with Amir. Amir tells him that he is not to refer to Sohrab as a Hazari boy.

15. They gather at Lake Elizabeth Park for Afghan's New year.

16. Sohrab sneaks a smile when Amir runs the kite for him.

17. This is another full circle because Amir runs the kite for Sohrab, just like Hassan did for Amir.

Questions: Chapters 15-20

1. In Chapter 15, Amir meets with dying Rahim Kahn in Peshawar.

2. Amir thinks that cliches are always correct, and Amir uses the cliche "an elephant in the room" to describe his meeting with Rahim Khan because he knows he isn't telling him everything and he's hiding something.

3. Afghanistan has been seized by the Taliban in Chapter 15.

4. Hassan was living in a small village, where he had married and had a kid whom died. He has another kid, but Hassan died, then his son becomes an orphan.

5. Farzana is Hassan's wife and Sohrab is his son.

6. In 1996, the Taliban massacred the Hazara's.

7. In the letter Hassan wrote to Amir, Hassan is friendly and nice, and it's obvious he misses Amir. Amir is shocked and notices he died a few days after he had written it. He was very sad.

8. Amir is overwhelmed and confused with his assigned task. He doesn't agree with it at first. I do not think that Rahim Khan's dying wish is unfair because Amir owes it to Hassan to make up for his mistake years ago.

9. The cliche, "like father, like son," relates to Baba and Amir because they have experienced similar things. In particular, they have both hurt or betrayed the people who would bend over backward just to save them.

10. The clues that hint at the secret revealed in chapters 17-18 are like how Hassan and Amir interacted with each other and their relationship.

11. Farid means that he never noticed that he had been there, with all of his money he was distracted by these details. Farid's impression of emigrant Afghans who return to visit Afghanistan is that they usually come back happy and with lots of money.

12. The realizations that come to Amir are that he is a new, uncomfortable person in his own home country, and he was sheltered.

13. When Amir sees Kabul for the first time since he left he focuses on the beggars.

14. Zaman defends his actions by saying they are getting money from it, and that he only takes a few of them.

Quotations: Chapters 15-20

"A boy who won't stand up for himself becomes a man who can't stand up for anything." p. 221

• Rahim Khan referred back to what Baba had said prior to Rahim and Amir's conversation. 
• This made Amir debate back in forth in his head about what the right thing to do was, listen to Rahim Khan or listen to his dying father. This is what Amir is slowly becoming, a boy who couldn't stand up for himself, is now a man who can't stand up for anything as an adult.

Vocabulary Chapters 15-20

Nonchalantly: cooly unconcerned

• "My driver, a chain-smoking, sweaty little man who introduced himself as Gholam, drove nonchalantly and recklessly, averting collisions by the thinnest of margins, all without so much as a pause..." p. 195
• The boys nonchalantly looked at the crowd of girls running toward them.
• Synonyms: casually, indifferently
• Antonyms: -

Incessant: continuing without interruption

"My driver, a chain-smoking, sweaty little man who introduced himself as Gholam, drove nonchalantly and recklessly, averting collisions by the thinnest of margins, all without so much as a pause in the incessant stream of words spewing from his mouth:..." p. 195

The gymnast took several incessant runs to prepare for her competition this weekend.

Synonyms: nonstop, continuing, constant

Antonyms: occasional, interrupted, stopping

Garrulous: excessively talkative

• "A little past the redbrick buildings of Peshawar University, we entered an area my garrulous driver referred to as 'Afghan Town.'"
• When I am nervous, I become very garrulous.
• Synonyms: mouthy, effusive
• Antonyms: mum, still, silent, reserved

Collateral: security pledged for the payment of a loan 

• "'Collateral damage,' Rahim Khan said." p. 200
• A lot of businesses go through collateral damage.
• Synonyms: accessory, incident,
• Antonyms: different, dissimilar

Melancholic: gloomy

• "We're melancholic people, we Afghans, aren't we?" p. 201
• When someone goes through a divorce they usually become very melancholic.
• Synonyms: gloomy, wistful
• Antonyms: cheerful, happy

Wallow: to roll about or lie in water

• "Often, we wallow too much in ghamkhori and self-pity." p. 201
• When something bad happens in your life, you can either wallow or move on quickly.
• Synonyms: lurch, totter
• Antonyms: steady, 

Pragmatic: of or pertaining to a practical point of view

• "But I am not surrendering to fate here, I am being pragmatic." p. 201
• The pragmatic solution isn't always the easiest one. 
• Synonyms: logical, realistic
• Antonyms: irrational, inefficient

Presumptuous: full of it

• "It was presumptuous of me to just show up and ask you to drop everything." p. 207
• The presumptuous athlete walked down the halls of the high school with his head up high.
• Synonyms: arrogant, overconfident
• Antonyms: modest, humble

Proverbial: characteristics of a proverb; traditional

• "Kabul in those days, Amir jan, was as close as you could get to proverbial hell on earth." p. 212
• Most cultures have proverbial way of doing things, others don't.
• Synonyms: customary, legendary, accepted
• Antonyms: abnormal, different

Oblivion: the state of being completely forgotten or unknown

• "I wished he had let me live on in my oblivion." p. 226
• The new girl in school was sitting in oblivion, wishing she could go back home.
• Synonyms: disregard, neglect
• Antonyms: respect, awareness, understanding

Empathy: vicarious experiencing of the feelings, thoughts, and attitudes of another

• "There was no empathy in his eyes." p. 228
• The teacher gave no empathy to the student who wasn't ready to present.
• Synonyms: pity, sympathy
• Antonyms: hatred, apathy

Animosity: a feeling of strong dislike

• "Farid gave me another dismissive look, this one with a hint of barely suppressed animosity, and went back to smoking his cigarette." p. 228
• Some people, especially Democrats, have animosity toward Gay Rights.
• Synonyms: resentment, displeasure
• Antonyms: like, support

Surly: bad tempered; unfriendly, hostile

• "His tone bordered on the surly." p. 229
• By the end of the winter in Maine, most people are very surly. 
• Synonyms: irritable, rude
• Antonyms: cheerful, happy, nice

Rueful: causing sorrow or pity

• (COULDNT FIND)
• The death of her grandmother made her very rueful.
• Synonyms: mournful, sad
• Antonyms: happy

Deliberate: carefully considered

• "I was afraid I'd deliberate, ruminate, agonize, rationalize, and talk myself into not going." p. 231
• In high school, I deliberate each decision I make, because they are so vital to my future.
• Synonyms: careful, cautious
• Antonyms: careless, unmindful

Ruminate: to think about seriously

•  "I was afraid I'd deliberate, ruminate, agonize, rationalize, and talk myself into not going." p. 231
• By next year, I need to sit down and ruminate with my parents about college.
• Synonyms: brainstorm, ponder
• Antonyms: ignore, neglect

Contemptuous: arrogant, iscolent

• "Farid said, speaking to Wahid but fixing me with a contemptuous gaze." p. 236
• I wasn't paying attention in class when the teacher called on me, she gave me a contemptuous glare.
• Synonyms: snobbish, sneerful
• Antonyms: flattering, praising

Furtive: sneaky, secretive

• "...stealing furtive glances at my digital wristwatch." p. 238
• There was one cookie left, and I used furtive skills to snatch it from the kitchen
• Synonyms: creepy, crafty
• Antonyms: open, honest, truthful

Morosely: unhappily

• "'Welcome back,' he said morosely." p. 244
• The girl sat at home with her family morosely, while her friends had fun at the mall.
• Synonyms: gloomily, joylessly
• Antonyms: happily

Benevolence: charity

• "'A word of thanks for your benevolence, Agha sahib.'" p. 248
• It feels so good to contribute to benevolence.
• Synonyms: kindness, compassion
• Antonyms: cruelty, harshness

Profoundly: deeply

• "...'Because I'm so profoundly happy, Dr. Rasul..." p. 250
• I have a profound love for sports.
• Synonyms: greatly, extremely
• Antonyms: incompletely, partially

Chapters 21-25 VOCAB

Gingerly: with great caution or care

• "Gingerly, I walked up the drive way where the tufts of weed now grew between the sun-faded bricks." p. 261
• I walked up and down the path gingerly, looking for the earring I lost.
• Synonyms: cautious, hesitant
• Antonyms: rash, careless

Succulent: rich in desirable qualities

• "The kabob was as succulent and delicious as I remembered." p. 265
• The cake looked much more succulent than the brussel sprouts.
• Synonyms: luscious, tasty, yummy
• Antonyms: unappetizing, dry

Morbidly: affected by, caused by, or characteristic of disease

• "I found it morbidly fascinating that he hadn't changed clothes after the executions earlier that day." p. 275
• The little girl was morbidly affected by her mother's addiction of smoking cigarettes.
• Synonyms: gruesomely, insanely
• Antonyms: -

Surreal: characteristics of a dream

• "The moment felt  surreal- no, not surreal, absurd- it had knocked the breath out of me, brought the world around me to a standstill." p. 281
• The first time a mother sees her child is so surreal, a moment to remember forever. 
• Synonyms: hypnagogic
• Antonyms: real

Epiphany: moment of insight

• "But one day I had an epiphany." p. 281
•  After a long day of trying to figure things out in my life, I had an epiphany.
• Synonyms: realization, inspiration
• Antonyms: confusion, secret

Impunity: exemption from punishment

• "....-Amir, the socially legitimate half, the half that represented the riches that he had inherited and the sin-with-inpunity privileges that came with them." p. 301
• The very well behaved student was in impunity while the teacher wrote others up for detention.
• Synonyms: exemption, exception
• Antonyms: veto, denial

Remorse: deep and painful regret for wrongdoing

• "And this is what I want you to understand, that good, real good, was born out of your father's remorse." 
• I felt remorse after talking bad about one of my friends.
• Synonyms: pity, shame, 
• Antonyms: happiness, joy

Shrewd: sharp in practical manners

• "'My boys are young, but they are very shrewd.'" p. 304
• Jules is a very shrewd in manners when it comes to eating dinner with her boyfriend's family.
• Synonyms: wise, slick, 
• Antonyms: slow, stupid, dull

Pondered: to consider something deeply

• "I stole looks at him while he pondered his cards." p. 306
• I held my phone in my hand as I pondered the reply I would send to my mother.
• Synonyms: debate, consider, weigh
• Antonyms: ignore, disregard
  
  

Paunchy: having a large potbelly

• "The manager, a paunchy man with sweat patches under his arms, kept flashing smiles and telling me that no one in the bank had touched his money." p. 308
• I remember my grandfather as the paunchy man he was; he always had his arms rested on his stomach.
• Synonyms: plump, potbellied
• Antonyms: thin, little, lean
  
  

Reproachful: insulting

• "...them under Fayyaz's reproachful glare." p. 316
• The players gave the coach a reproachful glare after hearing they had to keep running.
• Synonyms: rude, offensive
• Antonyms: respectful, complimentary
  
  

Obligatory: required as a matter of obligation

• "I heard the officer, his voice tired and uninterested, asking his obligatory questions."
• Teachers give obligatory tests given to them by the state, for example the PSATs.
• Synonyms: mandatory, unavoidable
• Antonyms: optional, unnecessary
  
  

Irrevocably: not to be revoked or recalled

• "What had happened in that room with Assef had irrevocably bound us." p. 320
• The aftershock of the accident will remain irrevocably in my memory forever.
• Synonyms: definitely, permanently
• Antonyms: doubtfully, questionably
  
  

Squalid: foul and repulsive

• "I had found the boy in squalid conditions, wasting away in an orphanage."
• The squalid weather conditions made me want to stay inside and watch netflix.
• Synonyms: filthy, muddy, poor
• Antonyms: clean, clear, good
  
  

Fabricated: to make by art

• "'Let's assume the story you gave me is true, though I'd bet my pension a good deal of it is either fabricated or omitted." p. 330
• The couple had their home fabricated to make it easier for the builders.
• Synonyms: brainstorm, put together
• Antonyms: demolish, destroy
  
  

Reputable: held in good repute

• "'I'm saying that if you want to help, send money to a reputable relief organization.'" p. 331
• I want to stay fairly reputable throughout my years in high school.
• Synonyms: prominent, trustworthy, well-known
• Antonyms: common, notorious, unknown
  
  

Turmoil: a state of great commotion

• "...and I brought Hassan's son from Afghanistan to America, lifting him from the certainty of turmoil and dropping him in a turmoil of uncertainty." p. 356
• The man was in a state of turmoil, he finalized his divorce and his father passed away, all in a weeks time.
• Synonyms: disorder, distress
• Antonyms: calm, peaceful
  
  

Profusely: given freely and in large amount

• "...and if you do, you will be scorned and made to apologize profusely for having committed the sin of Spoiling the End." p. 357
• The heavy man sweat profusely as he ran a lap around the track.
• Synonyms: lavishly, abundantly
• Antonyms:-

Questions-Chapters 10-14

1. The "weakness" that Amir has is car sickness, and Baba has to apologize to people for it.

2. Karim is the person who helps Baba and Amir make their way across Pakistan.

3. Amir and Baba are fleeing Afghanistan because of the violence going on.

4. Baba challenges the Russian officer because it wasn't okay for him to have sex with a woman who doesn't want to.

5. Ironic or Foreshadowing?

• The only way Amir can survive the long ride in the fume-filled tank is by remembering flying kites with Hassan.- Ironic. Usually Hassan brings Amir thoughts of regret.
• Baba gathers up the dirt of his homeland and places it next to his heart.- Foreshadowing. He will miss home.
• Kamal's father commits suicide after Kamal dies from breathing the fumes of the tank. - Ironic. They died shortly after one another.
• Kamal, one of Hassan's rapists, has been raped himself and hasn't spoken since.- Ironic. He raped someone but has been raped himself.

6. Freemont, California is the new setting in chapter eleven.

7. The quote is said by Amir, and it reveals that now that Amir is in America, there is no going back and his sins are in the past.

8. Baba gives Amir a Gran Torino for his graduation present. Amir is so happy and touched, Baba is happy but he also mentions missing Hassan.

9. Soraya is General Taheri's daughter, and Amir is interested in her.

10. Baba and Amir go to yard sales and buy things, then sell them later for a profit on the weekends.

11. General Taheri is a man who brought his family to America, and also is a friend of Baba's.

12. Amir wants to major in English, Baba's reaction to this is that it is a job that doesn't involve success and that he will just be waiting to be discovered.

13. Baba is speaking about Soraya, about a bad relationship, it's significant because Baba can relate.

14. Amir observes that because him and Soraya were talking, people will talk about them talking.

15. The pulmonologist is from Michigan, but his family is Russian.

16. Baba is diagnosed with Oat Cell Carcinoma, he decides to treat it by letting whatever happens happen.

17. Baba asks Amir to meet with General Taheri because he wants to marry Soraya.

18. The bears that Baba has wrestled for example are: losing his wife and raising his son without his wife.

19. In Chapter 13, Amir hears the good news that he is going to be an author.

20. Amir and Soraya go through the disappointment of not having any kids. I think in order to have a healthy marriage there needs to be no secrets. Amir should have told Soraya. This makes their relationship not as true.

21. Rahim asks Amir to come home to see him, Rahim is getting old.

References- Chapters 10-14

Jimmy Carter: "He loathed Jimmy Carter, whom he called a 'big-toothed cretin'. In 1980, when we were still in Kabul, the U.S. announced it would be boycotting the Olympic Games in Moscow." p. 126

• Jimmy Carter is an American politician, and was the 39th president of the United States. He also received the Noble Peace Prize in 2002. 
• Baba obviously is not a fan of Jimmy Carter, mostly because it was his decision to have the U.S. boycott the Olympic Games.

Russian History: "

Quotations Chapters 10-14

"Not a word passes between us, not because we have nothing to say, but because we don't have to say anything- that's how it is between people who are each other's first memories..." p. 122

• Baba tells Amir to think of something happy, so Amir daydreams about his childhood with Hassan.
• This quote shows how close Amir and Hassan are (or were). They went through brotherhood together, they have known each other since birth. Hassan and Amir were just enjoying that moment together, they didn't need to say anything.

"Baba loved the idea of America. It was living in America that gave him an ulcer." p. 125

• Amir explains that Baba only loved the idea of America, not the reality.
• Amir explains this by using a paradox. He explains that Baba only liked the initial idea of America. When thinking of things first off, you only think about the positives and almost never the negatives. Once reality sets in, you realize what you got yourself into. Like Baba, when he got in America and worked at the gas station to support his family, he realizes it's not as good as he once thought it was going to be. He didn't think of all of the stress and obstacles that came along with it all.

"For me America was a place to bury memories. For Baba, a place to mourn his." p. 129

• Amir speaks about him and Baba's feelings toward moving to America.
• For Amir, America was a place to bury his memories, in particular, Amir wanted to get away from his home attempting to forget about Hassan and the memory that involved him. Baba is mournful because he is homesick. Baba was rich, and very happy back at home, but he knew he couldn't go back.

"People need stories to divert them at difficult times." p. 139

• General Taheri spoke to Baba and Amir about his writing.
• The significance of this quote is that sometimes, people could use stories to divert their focus during bad times. It's good to have a little bit of a distraction.

"Life is a train. Get on board." p. 185

• Amir read the sign on Dr. Rosen's desk.
• This quote means that life has so many opportunities and exciting events, so don't miss any of them.

Vocabulary Chapters 10-14

Lucrative:  profitable, moneymaking

• "-it was a pretty lucrative business then, driving people out of Shorawi- occupied Kabul to the relative safety of Pakistan." p. 111
• The little girl's lemonade stand was actually pretty lucrative, the thirsty construction workers couldn't resist.
• Synonyms: profitable, gainful, paying
• Antonyms: poorly paid, unprofitable

Inevitable: unable to be avoided

• "Then the inevitable." p. 113
• The inevitable happened, nobody was prepared for this situation so we dealt with it the best we can. 
• Synonyms: imminent, impending, inescapable
• Antonyms: distant, escapable, avoidable

Acrid: sharp or biting to the taste or smell

• "The place was dim, and the acrid smell of beer I'd always disliked permeated the walls." p. 132
• To me, the smell of cigarette smoke is acrid, I've always hated it.
• Synonyms: pungent, stinging, burning, harsh
• Antonyms: delicious, sweet, savory

Pungent: sharply affecting the organs of taste or smell

• "I smelled tobacco on him, and alcohol, sweet and pungent." p. 132
• I walked into the town's famous candy store, the pungent smells filled my nose.
• Synonyms: bitter, strong, tart, rich
• Antonyms: bland, dull, pleasant

Sauntered: to walk with a leisurely gait; stroll

• "I ran the stand sometimes as Baba sauntered down the aisle, hands respectfully pressed to the chest, greeting people he knew from Kabul:..." p. 138
• When I go shopping, I saunter up and down the aisles looking for the items I want.
• Synonyms: amble, loiter, mosey, dally
• Antonyms: go direct, stay, rush

Legacy: anything handed down from the past 

• "'Boys and girls must know the legacy of their fathers.'" p. 140
• His dying wish was for his grandson to live on his legacy. 
• Synonyms: tradition, estate, heirloom
• Antonyms: -

Arrogant: making claims or pretensions to superior importance or rights 

• "'Then congratulations, you are already halfway to being a man,' he said with no trace of humor, no irony, the compliment of the casually arrogant." p, 140
• The way he talked about himself playing sports was very arrogant.
• Synonyms: cocky, vain
• Antonyms: humble, modest

Perpetually: continuing or enduring forever; everlasting

• "I would wave at the general, perpetually dressed in his shiny over-pressed gray suit, and he would wave back." p. 144
• This winter in many people's opinion has been very perpetual. 
• Synonyms: endlessly, continuously, 
• Antonyms: never

Fickle: likely to change

• "Afghan men, especially those from reputable families, were fickle  creatures." p. 148
• This fickle weather made it hard for me to pick out an outfit to wear.
• Synonyms: changeable, temperamental, unpredictable
• Antonyms: stable, steady, reliable

Sallow: sickly, yellowish color

• " The sallow, puffy-eyed doctor who saw us introduced himself as a second-year resident." p. 153
• His face became sallow as the nervous thoughts became flooding through his brain.
• Synonyms: pasty, colorless
• Antonyms: bright, flushed, healthy

Ominous: portending evil or harm

• "...'mass,' an even more ominous word than 'suspicious.'" p. 155
• An ominous  clump of clouds came over head while we were waiting for the funeral to begin.
• Synonyms: dark, gloomy
• Antonyms: hopeful, happy

Palliative: serving to palliate

• "'There is chemotherapy, of course,' he said. 'But it would only be palliative.'" p. 156
•  Using a palliative, as you know, will not cure your disease.
• Synonyms: booze, drink, liquor
• Antonyms: -

Reticence: state of being reserved

• "But there was a new reticence to Khanum Taheri's demeanor." p. 157
• The man's reticence disappeared once his wife brought up a sensative topic.
• Synonyms: reserve, restraint
• Antonyms: -

Demeanor: conduct, behavior

• "But there was a new reticence to Khanum Taheri's demeanor." p. 157 
• The girl's demeanor changed once she became involved with the wrong group of people.
• Synonyms: attitude, presence, poise
• Antonyms: -

Furtive: taken, done, used

• "A reticence broken only by her secret, droopy smiles and the furtive, apologetic looks she cast my way when the general's attention was engaged elsewhere." p. 157
• She shot me a furtive look, which let me know I wasn't supposed to see what I just saw.
• Synonyms: underhanded, scheming, hush-hush
• Antonyms: truthful, honest

Daunting: to overcome with fear

• "I found it frightening, invigorating, daunting, and exhilarating all at the same time." p. 184
• After contemplating, I finally completed the daunting, yet exciting move I had been working on for weeks.
• Synonyms: scare, terrify
• Antonyms: calm

Meticulous: showing extreme care for minute details

• "IVF proved lengthy, meticulous, frustrating, and ultimately unsuccessful." p. 186
• Most teachers are very meticulous when it comes to grading projects.
• Synonyms: cautious, exact
• Antonyms: careless, false

Ambivalent: having mixed feelings

• "Soraya was ambivalent at best." p. 186-187
• I myself am very ambivalent, I can never make up my mind.
• Synonyms: hesitant, uncertain
• Antonyms: clear, decided

Oblivious:  unmindful, unaware

• "...she thought Soraya needed all the love and support she could get-oblivious to the fact that her well-intended but overbearing sympathy was precisely what was driving Soraya to move." p. 188-189
• She made a joke toward the girl, oblivious to the fact that it would offend her.
• Synonyms: inattentive, unaware
• Antonyms: attentive, aware

Quotations Chapter 6-9

"Afghans abhor customs but cherish rules." p. 52

•  Amir speaks about the Afghans customs and what they find important. This means that Afghan people will custom before anything else, for example religion. Their cultural tradition is vital.

"But better to get hurt by the truth than comforted with a lie." p. 58

• Baba says something that may not be the truth, but refers politically to Afghanistan but could also silently be connected with his life as well. The significance of this quote is that Amir wants to get that he saw Hassan get raped off his chest, and he would be at a better state if he told someone, even though he would probably be shunned, it's better than living a lie. 

"In the end, the world always wins. That's just the way of things." p. 99

• Rahim Khan talks to Amir on the day of his birthday party about life. What Rahim Khan is trying to say is, is that sometimes life throws you curves, and you have to deal with them, it's that simple. Life is what it is. You can't do anything about it, just deal with things. This relates to Amir's problems with dealing with his history with Hassan.

Questions - Chapters 6-9

1. The boys of Afghanistan have gashes on their fingers because of the kite racing tournament that is held in the winter, because the kite cuts their hands. Tar is the string for the kite that they make on their own.
2. Amir feels as if he is looking at two faces when he looks at Hassan, one he is familiar with and has grown up beside, the other who was lurking beneath the surface. But also, looks up to him. When Amir says "my life as a ghost," he means the thinks if he wins the tournament, he won't be invisible to his father anymore, he will feel like he matters.
3. The proudest moment of Amir's life so far was being the last kite standing, and winning the kite fighting tournament.
4. After the race, Hassan runs away with the blue kite and ends up getting cornered by Assef, Wali, and Kamal and they rape him.
5. Amir says, "I opened my mouth and almost said something...The rest of my life might of turned out differently if I had." This is important because he was being a coward, and he should've been more loyal to Hassan. Amir's behavior show that he is a coward and he is not loyal to Hassan. He could have prevented it, instead of watching it happen.
6. The memories significance is that Hassan and Amir were raised by the same nurse, they went through brotherhood together, they have known each other for ever. Also, they show how scared Hassan was.
7. The family takes a trip to Jalalabad.
8. Amir asks Baba if they could get new servants, and Baba gets angry because he likes Ali and Hassan a lot as a part of their family and would never want to get rid of them.
9. At the pomegranate tree, Amir and Hassan start to fight and their friendship starts to fall apart, they were supposed to be friends forever. Amir throws pomegranates at Hassan, Hassan squishes one on his forehead.
10. Assef gives Amir a book on Hitler, this is important because it makes Amir uncomfortable and makes him think of Hassan.
11. Amir puts the watch that Baba gave him plus money under Hassan's mattress, he did this to get Ali and Hassan out of his house. I couldn't believe Amir would betray Hassan that badly.
12. Hassan falsely admitted to stealing Amir's things.
13. Baba completely forgives Hassan, this shocks Amir because his motto is theft is basically the worst of the worst.
14. Hassan and Ali leave and move away.
15. It's a turning point at the end of chapter nine because Amir and Hassan are separated.

Vocabulary - Chapters 6-9

Abhor: to regard with extreme adversion

• "Afghans cherish custom but abhor rules." p. 52
• The man had a very abhor talk with his wife; they were getting a divorce.
• Synonyms: despise, hate
• Antonyms: loathe, love, admire

Indignation: strong displeasure at something considered insulting or offensive

• "'I'd sooner eat dirt,' he said with a look of indignation." p. 54
• The lady's face was in shock and indignation, she couldn't believe that man would embarrass her the way he just had.
• Synonyms: displeasure, resentment, wrath, scorn
• Antonyms: calm, cheer, delight

Integrity: soundness of moral character

• " If I was going to toy with him and challenge his loyalty, then he'd toy with me, test my integrity." p. 54
• He did the right thing by turning himself in, at least he still had his integrity. 
• Synonyms: honesty, principle, sincerity
• Antonyms: dishonesty, disgrace

  Curtly: rudely brief in speech

• "'Why don't you ask him, then? He's so smart,' I said, more curtly than intended." p. 60
• She answered the teacher very curtly, because her grandfather had passed away the night before.
• Synonyms: bluntly, harshly, crudely
• Antonyms: politely

Shirked: to evade

• "...on stage or at parties, he shirked the austere and nearly morose stance of older singers and actually smiled when he sang-sometimes even at women." p. 61
• He shirked the responsibility of baby sitting his sister, saying he had to be somewhere important.
• Synonyms: cheat, dodge, elude
• Antonyms: confront, encounter

Austere: severe in manner or appearance

• "...on stage or at parties, he shirked the austere and nearly morose stance of older singers and actually smiled when he sang-sometimes even at women." p. 61 
•  The boy's austere manner made it hard for him to make friends at his new school.
• Synonyms: exacting, forbidding, formal
• Antonyms: flexible, calm

Morose: expressing gloom

• "...on stage or at parties, he shirked the austere and nearly morose stance of older singers and actually smiled when he sang-sometimes even at women." p. 61 
• The faces at the funeral were all very morose.
• Synonyms: cranky, gloomy, glum, sullen
• Antonyms: bright, cheerful, content

Havoc: great destruction or devastation

• "A havoc of scrap and rubble littered the alley." p. 75
• The little girl's parents had left her in such havoc after telling her they were getting a divorce.
• Synonyms: chaos, devastation, confusion, distruction
• Antonyms: blessing, miracle, calm

Imminent: likely to occur at any moment

• "I imagine the animal sees that its imminent demise is for a higher purpose." p. 77
• It's imminent for someone to read a book in the library.
• Synonyms: immediate, likely, probable
• Antonyms: avoidable, escapable

Guileless: sincere, honest

• "Or, God forbid, what I feared most: guileless devotion?" p. 78
• Abraham Lincoln is known for his guileless. 
• Synonyms: unsophisticated, candid, genuine
• Antonyms: clever, dishonest

Insomniac: difficulty falling or staying asleep

• "That was the night I become an insomniac." p. 86
• After the divorce which scarred him emotionally, he became an insomniac.
• Synonyms: alive, attentive, sleeplessness
• Antonyms: sleepy, unaware

Harried: to attack or annoy

• "He was hanging clothes to dry in the yard I saw his eagerness in the harried way he finished the job." p. 91
• The teenager was harried by the constant thought of his grades. 
• Synonyms: agitated, bothered, stressed
• Antonyms: calm, collected, untroubled

Anonymity: the state of being anonymous 

• "I turned thirteen that summer of 1976, Afghanistan's next to last summer of peace and anonymity." p. 93
• The boy told the principal that he wanted to stay in anonymity so the class didn't know it was him who told.
• Synonyms: anonymous, invisibility, nameless
• Antonyms: -

Interlude: an intervening episode, period, etc

• "I regretted saying it- I really did-but I think even if I hadn't, our happy little interlude would have come to an end." p. 93
• I didn't want this interlude to end, it was perfect.
• Synonyms: lull, recess
• Antonyms: continuation, continuation

Embodiment: the act of embodying

• "On the surface, he was the embodiment of every parent's dream, a strong, tall, well-dressed well-mannered with talent and striking looks, not to mention the wit to joke with an adult." p. 96
• The new girl was the embodiment of every subject, she was going to have a successful school year.
• Synonyms: exemplar, apothesis
• Antonyms: exclusion, disorganization

Facade: illusion of something

• "When I looked into them, the facade faltered, revealed a glimpse of the madness hiding behind them." p. 97
• The facade on the big screen started to make me dizzy.
• Synonyms: false front, fake
• Antonyms: reality, truth

Alter ego: a second-self

• "I've always thought of him as Baba's quiet alter ego, my writing mentor, my pal, the one who never forgot to bring me a souvenir, a saughat, when he returned from a trip abroad." p. 98
• I think of my best friends as my alter egos.
• Synonyms: second-self
• Antonyms: -

Blood money: a fee paid to a hired murderer

• "That was the only one that didn't feel like blood money." p. 102
• Blood money is paid by people who don't want to murder that person by themselves.
• Synonyms: -
• Antonyms: -

Grimace: an ugly or contorted facial expression

• "His mouth twitched and, for a moment, I thought I saw a grimace." p. 107
• By the grimace on his face, I could tell he was uncomfortable with the situation.
• Synonyms: scowl, sneer, smirk
• Antonyms: grin 

Quotes Chapters 1-5

"There is only one sin, only one. And that is theft. Every other sin is a variation of theft." (p. 17)

•  Baba speaks to Amir to try to bring to his attention the reality of the situation and how his actions affected other people.
• Amir took so much from Hassan. Especially his self-respect. Amir watched Hassan get raped yet didn't say anything about it, he couldn't really have prevented it from happening, but he could have helped Hassan out in the situation.

"A boy who won't stand up for himself becomes a man who can't stand up for anything." (p. 22)

• Baba frustratedly spoke about Amir to Rahim Khan to explain Amir's coward like behavior.
• Baba is frustrated with Amir's lack to stand up for himself. Amir is afraid and a coward. Amir exemplified being a coward when he let Assef rape Hassan.

"...a person who wastes his God-given talents is a donkey." (p. 32)

• Amir reads his letter that Rahim wrote him regarding his story he wrote.
• Rahim doesn't want Amir wasting his great talent in writing stories by not pursuing them. Amir has great potential and Rahim doesn't want his talent to go over looked, he wants him to take what he has and bring it to the world.

References - Chapters 1-5

Henry Kissinger;

• "'Oh,' I said. I didn't know who Henry Kissinger was, and I might have asked. But at the moment, I watched with horror as one of the chapandaz fall off his saddle and was trampled under a score of hooves. His body was tossed and hurled in the stampede like a rag doll, finally rolling to a stop when the melee moved on. He twitched once and lay motionless, his legs bent at unnatural angles, a pool of blood soaking through the sand." p. 21
• Henry served as the 56th Secretary of State, assisted the president, recipient of a noble prize, and many other things. While he was in office he was accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity and offenses against law.

Steve McQueen;

• "Then, Baba and I drove off in his black Ford mustang- a car that drew envious looks everywhere because it was the same car Steve McQueen had driven in Bullit, a film that played in one theater for six months." p. 27
• Steve was an American actor, most popular in the 60's&70's, received an academy award,

Bullit;

•  "Then, Baba and I drove off in his black Ford mustang- a car that drew envious looks everywhere because it was the same car Steve McQueen had driven in Bullit, a film that played in one theater for six months." p. 27
• Bullit is a 1968 dramatic thriller film, was made by McQueen's Solar Production Company, the film was a critical and box office smash, won the academy award for best film editing, and is remembered for its car chase scene through the streets of San Francisco, "one of the most influential in movie history."

Zahir Shah;

• "The king, Zahir Shah, was away in Italy." p. 36
• Zahir Shah was the last king of Afghanistan, reigned for 4 years, was given the title 'Father of the Nation' until he died.

fall of Afghan monarchy July 1973;

• "As it turned out, they hadn't shot much of anything that night of July 17, 1973." p. 36
• While the king was on vacation, Khan seized power. There was rioting and shooting.

Chapter 1-5 Vocabulary

Affluent: having an abundance of wealth, property, or other material goods.

• "Everyone agreed that my father, my Baba, had built the most beautiful house in the Wazir Akbar Khan district, a new and affluent neighborhood in the northern part of Kabul." p. 4
• The business man was very affluent, his family was financially set for life.
• Synonyms: rich, teeming, upscale, upper class,
• Antonyms: poor, lacking, suffering, needy, unsuccessful 

Intricate: having many interrelated parts

• "Intricate mosaic tiles, handpicked by Baba in Isfahan, covered the floors of the four bathrooms." p. 4
• The corn maze had lots of intricate paths, which made it hard to make it to the other side. 
• Synonyms: complex, tangled, tricky, difficult
• Antonyms: easy, clear, direct, obvious, simple

Notoriously: publicly or generally known for a specific trait

• "People had raised their eyebrows when Ali, a man who had memorized the Koran, married Sanaubar, a women nineteen years younger, a beautiful but notoriously unscrupulous woman who lived up to her dishonorable reputation." p. 8
• Justin Bieber has been notoriously in the tabloids for his not so great actions.
• Synonyms: infamously, notably, especially
• Antonyms: -

Unscrupulous: unrestrained by scruples, unprincipled

•  "People had raised their eyebrows when Ali, a man who had memorized the Koran, married Sanaubar, a women nineteen years younger, a beautiful but notoriously unscrupulous woman who lived up to her dishonorable reputation." p. 8
• The students were acting unscrupulous, because there was substitute teacher. 
• Synonyms: unprincipled, scandalous, sly, unfair
• Antonyms: good, honest, fair, moral, trustworthy  

Congenital: of or pertaining to a condition at birth, whether inherited or caused by the enviornment

• "While Sanaubar's brilliant green eyes and impish face had, rumor has it, tempted countless men into sin, Ali had a congenital paralysis of his lower facial muscles, a condition that rendered him unable to smile and left him perpetually grim-faced." p. 8
• The baby was diagnosed with the congenital disease autism. 
• Synonyms: inherited, natural, ingrained, 
• Antonyms: contracted

Rendered: to cause to be or become

• "While Sanaubar's brilliant green eyes and impish face had, rumor has it, tempted countless men into sin, Ali had a congenital paralysis of his lower facial muscles, a condition that rendered him unable to smile and left him perpetually grim-faced." p. 8
• The loss of his job rendered his family to poverty. 
• Synonyms: accomplished, carried out, done
• Antonyms: -

Oscillating: to swing or move to and fro

• "I have heard Sanaubar's suggestive stride and oscillating hips sent men to reveries of infidelity." p. 8
• In the summer, my oscillating fan keeps me cool.
• Synonyms: fluctuate, sway, swing
• Antonyms: stabilize, stay, be still

Reveries: a fantastic, visionary, or impractical idea; daydream

•  "I have heard Sanaubar's suggestive stride and oscillating hips sent men to reveries of infidelity." p. 8
• The little girl had reveries running through her mind about her future. 
• Synonyms: dreaming, fantasy, trance
• Antonym: nightmare

Garrulous: excessively talkative in a rambling manner

• "As confided to a neighbor's servant by the garrulous midwife, who had then in turn told anyone who would listen, Sanaubar had taken one glance at the baby in Ali's arms, seen the cleft lip, and barked a bitter laughter." p. 10
• When someone gets nervous they might start to become garrulous.
• Synonyms: chatty, babbling, loose-lipped
• Antonyms: quiet, silent, reserved

Veracity: conformity to truth or fact

•  The man confessed he had to improve his own veracity, before insulting someone else's.
• Synonyms: accuracy, honesty, fairness
• Antonyms: dishonesty, lying, unfairness

 
 Obstinate: firmly or stubbornly adhering to one's purpose or opinion

• "Of course, Baba refused, and everyone shook their heads in dismay at his obstinate ways." p. 13
• The leader was very stressed and annoyed at the children and their obstinate attitudes.
• Synonyms: convinced, headstrong, hardened, firm
• Antonyms: flexible, obedient

Havoc: great destruction or devastation

• The little girl's parents had left her in such havoc after telling her they were getting a divorce.
• Synonyms: chaos, devastation, confusion, distruction
• Antonyms: blessing, miracle, calm

Virtuous: conforming to moral and ethical principals

• I hope to lead a virtuous life.
• Synonyms: honest, honorable, principled
• Antonyms: bad, dishonest, sinful

Chortle: to chuckle gleefully

• "But a chortle escaped through my nose and made a snorting sound." p. 17
• I chortle most of the time that I'm with my friends, we always have fun.
• Synonyms: cackle, giggle, snicker
• Antonyms: -

Aloofness: the state of being distant, cold, or uninterested

• "That was how I escaped my father's aloofness, in my dead mother's books." p. 19
• After her parent's died, her friends questioned her aloofness. 
• Synonyms: remoteness, indifference, standoffishness
• Antonyms: -

Melee: a confused hand to hand fight or struggle among several people

• "A chapandaz, a highly skilled horsemen usually patronized by rich aficionados, has to snatch a goat or cattle carcass from the midst of a melee, carry that carcass with him around the stadium at full gallop, and drop it in a scoring circle while a team of other chapandaz chases him and does everything in its power- kick, claw, whip, punch- to snatch the carcass from him." p. 20
• On Christmas eve, there were parents involved in a melee over the last toy in stock that they wanted to get their child.
• Synonyms: brawl, ruckus, tussle
• Antonyms: calm, peace, agreement

Valiant:  boldly courageous

• "Mostly, I will never forget Baba's valiant efforts to conceal the disgusted look on his face as he drove in silence." p. 21
• The character Ralph was very valiant throughout the whole book, "The Lord of the Flies."
• Synonyms: courageous, fearless, gutsy
• Antonyms: afraid, cowardly, timid, weak

Contrite: caused by or showing extreme remorse

• "The police brought the somewhat contrite young men and the dead couple's five-year-old orphan boy before my grandfather, who was a highly regarded judge and a man of impeccable reputation." p. 24
• The contrite group of people went to the funeral to show their respect to the family.
• Synonyms: humble, apologetic, sorry, remorseful
• Antonyms: hurtful, indifferent, mean

Impeccable: faultless; flawless

• "The police brought the somewhat contrite young men and the dead couple's five-year-old orphan boy before my grandfather, who was a highly regarded judge and a man of impeccable reputation." p. 24
• In my opinion, country music concerts are impeccable.
• Synonyms: immaculate, faultless, unblemished
• Antonyms: flawed, imperfect, blemished

Vehemently: strongly emotional or passionate, characterized by anger

• "Their father argued, but not too vehemently, and in the end, everyone agreed that the punishment had been perhaps harsh but fair." p. 24
• The couple fought rather vehemently, but in the end agreed to disagree.
• Synonyms: angrily, boldly, forcibly, wildly
• Antonyms: calmly, kindly, gently

Imbecile: a dunce; blockhead

• "Imbecile." p. 28
• The boy stood there like an imbecile while he watched people trample over all his stuff.
• Synonyms: idiotic, slow, deranged, dull
• Antonym: intelligent, brainy, smart

Nemesis: something/someone that a person cannot conquer or achieve

• "Rostham mortally wounds his valiant nemesis, Sohrab, in battle, only to discover that Sohrab is his long-lost son." p. 29
• You never want to come in contact with your nemesis, it wouldn't end well.
• Synonyms: rival, opponent, adversary
• Antonyms: advantage, happiness

Oblivious:  unaware

• "Hassan, of course, was oblivious to this." p. 30
• The man she was talking to looked familiar, she was oblivious to the fact that it was her cousin.
• Synonyms: inattentive, unconcerned, unfamiliar, unobservent
• Antonyms: attentive, concerned, aware

Feigned: pretended

• "Baba nodded and gave a thin smile that conveyed little more than feigned interest." p. 31
• Her friend got the job over her, so she portrayed feigned enthusiasm.
• Synonyms: fake, pretended, sham, fictitous
• Antonyms: genuine, true, real 

Irony: the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literate meaning

• "But the most impressive thing about your story is that it has irony." p. 32
• The woman was killed by her favorite car, the irony in the situation was uncanny.
• Synonyms: humor, paradox, twist, satire
• Antonyms: seriousness, approval, praise

Subtle: fine or delicate in a meaning

• "But Hassan's face was my earliest memory and I knew all of its subtle nuances, knew each and every twitch and flicker that ever rippled across it." p. 42
• The new girl was wearing a very subtle smile.
• Synonyms: indirect, slight, profound,
• Antonyms: ignorant, stupid, harsh

Nuances: a subtle difference or distinction in expression, meaning or response

• "But Hassan's face was my earliest memory and I knew all of its subtle nuances, knew each and every twitch and flicker that ever rippled across it." p. 42
• The nuances of her appearance is what made her beautiful. 
• Synonyms: distinction, refinement, hint
• Antonyms: brightness, information

Trepidation: tremulous fear, alarm, or agitation

• "Neither one of us said much of anything as we walked home in trepidation, certain that Assef and his friends would ambush us we turned a corner." p. 43
• My heart beat in trepidation as I saw a stranger at the doorstep of my home.
• Synonyms: alarm, terror, fright, shock
• Antonyms: calmness, composure, ease

Chapters 1-5 Questions

Chapters 1-5 Questions

1. I think the novel begins with a flashback so it eases into the book. It gives a little background of the narrators life and we learn a little about his family's past. 

2. Hassan is Amir's servant, and is very strong. Hassan has a cleft lip, which is a genetic disorder where tissues fail to meet at the top of the lip under his nose, where the tissue should be, there is a gap which causes the cleft. Hassan always knows what's going on with Amir and is stubborn in the way he holds grudges over people. 

3. To be Hazara means to be low in society and poor. The Hazara were oppressed by the pashtuns and tried to revolt, which got very violent. Thus far, Hassan, his parents, and Ali are Hazara.

4. To be Pashtun, is high society and wealthy. Thus far, Amir, Assef, Wali, Kamal, Baba, and Rahim Kahn are Pashtun.

5. Amir describes his home as the most beautiful place of all of Kabul. He elaborates when describing it so the readers understand how his father's accomplishments get him nice things like his home. The details in the pictures of Amir's family reveal that his family is so important to history and how elegant they are.

6. Sanaubar was Ali's wife, Hassan's mother, who left shortly after he was born. Sanaubar tested men and was very unscrupulous.

7. Ali is Hassan's father. The children of the neighborhood call him "Babalu", which means boogeyman. They call him this because the kids are made fun of him. 

8. Amir feels as if his father doesn't take care of him nor pay attention. He also feels like he disappoints him and doesn't live up to his expectations. He also shows more love for Hassan.

9. The kings cousin is Daoud Khan, who made it a republic and gave himself power.

10. Baba is Amir's father, who is strong, values family and religion. He relates to religious leaders by his generosity and never talking back.

11. Baba gives Hassan the opportunity to fix his lip for his birthday. This gesture suggests that Baba is caring and treats him like a son. Amir doesn't like this because he thinks Hassan doesn't deserve it. The present is ironic because Hassan doesn't smile again for awhile.

12. Assef is the son of an Afgani man and a german woman, and is known as a bully. He doesn't believe in minorities.

13. Kamal and Wali follow Assef around all day.

14. Assef, Kamal and Wali try to beat up Hassan and Amir, but Hassan threatens them with his slingshot. 

15. Amir thinks it's ironic because he has a life changing winter.

16. Amir wants to tell Assef that Hassan and him aren't friends, he is just is servant.