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.