Thousand Splendid Suns: Sections 1 & 2 (discussion questions)

Nana treats Mariam the way she does because Mariam is the manifestation of all of Nana's mistakes and the reason she was deprived of her lifestyle. She is resentful and harsh towards Mariam possibly to prepare her for the harsh world she will encounter, and be forced to deal with like she did.

Nana gives many warnings to Mariam including men always accuse women, women must learn to endure and women "like" to suffer.

Like compass needle that points north, a man's accusing finger always finds a woman.


Only one skill. And it's this: tahamul. Endure.


As a reminder of how women like us suffer, she'd said. How quietly we endure all that falls upon us.


These quotes relate to Mariam's marriage to Rasheed because she quietly endures the suffering and pain of her marriage and all that Rasheed is constantly wrongly accusing her of.

Jalil's relationship with Mariam seems very fake and forced. Although one must take into consideration how easily he could've abandoned her altogether, it shows he's at least making some sort of effort. (so he must've loved her). It also shows his cowardice, by sacrificing her well-being for his reputation.

The writer connects Jalil and Rasheed by Mariam's want for a stronger relationship with both the men but they never reciprocate the relationship. Both men also care strongly about people's opinions of them and their societal obligations.

Mariam, Fariba and Laila are all connected by Mariam and Fariba can communicate in Mariam's relationship and Fariba is the only person Mariam really talks to outside of her home.

Mariam and Laila and their family relationships.
Mariam - bastard child, father barely pays her any attention and mother is harsh
Laila - father adores her and she is his everything

Nana says, "What's the sense in schooling a girl like you? This is only one, only on skill a woman like you and me needs in life, and they don't teach it in school... Only one sill. And it's this: tahamul. Endurance."


Nana must endure: social ridicule, silence and isolation making her crazy, single parent and outcast raising a child, daughter doesn't find faults in Jalil (no healing because he's constantly present)
Mariam must endure: Rasheed's physical and verbal abuse, not being able to have a child, tensions with Mom over Jalil, harsh treatment from Nana, rejection from Mom, Jalil and Rasheed!
Laila must insure: Tariq leaving her, her parents dying, having Tariq's child without him, having Rasheed's child, thinking she's lost everyone that's important in her life

Hosseini's "A Thousand Splendid Suns"

Characters: Laila, Hakin (Babi of Laila), Fariba (Mom of Laila), Tariq (Laila's BF), Hasina and Giti (Lailas childhood friends), Rasheed (Laila's husband), Mariam (Rasheed's first wife)

One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roods, or the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls
- can't see the natural beauty (and the hidden beauty) of Kabul behind all of the terrible things occurring that are trampling over it
- so much to offer
- Hakin is sad to leave his motherland when the hidden beauties provide a glimmer of hope

Laila's wedding dreams were completely normal because if she had married Tariq she would have been able to fulfill those dreams.

Themes for Chapters 21-30
- Shame
- Hope vs. Hopelessness (& hope in children)
- Loss - home, country, Tariq, parents, freedom etc.

Buddha trip represents Hakin's aspirations for a better future, the importance of education and goals to have for a young Afghani woman.

Mariam is mad that Rasheed is to marry Laila after she is recovered from the rubble because after dealing with Rasheed she is now being replaced by something younger and prettier. She also has issues with abandonment and that is what Rasheed is doing to her now. BUt this is also the time where she finally stands up for herself.

Laila won't run away and marry Tariq because it would break her father's heart because she is the only thing that he has left.

Burqa Imagery - protection, allows them to do their own thing without anyone knowing or judging them
SAFE SPACE

Kite Runner

How does the filmmaker “frame” the story? What words, images, events appear in the beginning and at the end?

The filmmaker uses the images of kite flying to frame the story in both the beginning and the end. In the beginning, he shows the kites majestically flying over the beautiful landscape of Afghanistan, where people are happily cheering each other on and participating in this fun activity. By the end of the story, viewers have seen the destruction of Afghanistan so the author uses the American landscape to summarize the kite flying of the movie, showing a greater opportunity.

Why include the terrible rape of a child? Is rape used in metaphorical sense in the film as well?

The terrible rape was an important element to include in the movie because it shows the extreme levels of loyalty that Hassan has towards Amir, that he would do anything for him. It also draws upon Assef’s insecurities and Amir’s cowardice. This scene is important to include because it sets up the viewers emotions towards Amir and Hassan’s relationship and helps to put in perspective the extreme levels Hassan is willing to go to in order to remain a good friend to Amir.

Compare/Contrast Amir and Hassan. What is Amir’s problem? What are Hassan’s strengths? Are they friends?

Amir and Hassan’s relationship is a very interesting story line throughout the film. As it is later revealed, the two boys are brothers, bore from the same father. But throughout their childhood, Hassan remains Amir’s servant, constantly defending Amir whom is his best friend. After being told the two are brothers, it makes sense the types of affection Baba gives Hassan. Being the gentler of the two, Amir has problems with standing up for himself and speaking his mind. On the other hand, Hassan is quick to speak his mind and defend himself and Amir. Hassan is also a very good kite runner, who doesn’t even need to watch the skies. They seem to be friends but Amir’s cowardice towards the terrible rape he is aware of leads him to tear their friendship apart which is not later restored until their adult lives, after Hassan has been killed.

What are Assef’s issues? Did you expect him to return at the end of the film?

Assef has serious self-image issues. He is a bully as a child and continues to be one as an adult. Since he is so uncomfortable with himself, he finds the need to make others feel lesser of them to boost his self-moral. I did not expect him to return at the end of the film, and honestly hoped he would not after seeing the terrible things he did to Hassan. But I was glad that in the end he got what he deserved when Sohrab shot him with the slingshot.

What do you make of the relationship between Baba and Amir? Rahim Khan and Amir?

At first, I could not figure out why Baba seemed to hate Amir so much. It seemed he was always putting him down and choosing to acknowledge Hassan. Once it became known that Hassan was also his son, the thought crossed my mind that he wished he had chosen Hassan as his son instead of Amir. As the story went on, it seemed that Baba only wanted to show off Amir in his childhood when he had an event or some sort of contest that he could show off about. But when the Soviets invade Afghanistan, it becomes apparent that Baba really does care about Amir.

Rahim Khan, Baba’s business partner, is Amir’s greatest supporter throughout the movie. In his childhood, Amir looks to Rahim Khan for encouragement with his stories and even as an adult, Rahim Khan is extremely supportive of Amir and is writing unlike his father. I think that at least as a child, Amir looks to Rahim Khan as a father figure.

According to Baba, there is only one sin. What is it? What is ironic about this?

The one and only sin, according to Baba, is theft. He claims that even when you kill someone, you are stealing his or her life. This is ironic because in the beginning of the film, Amir claims that his father (baba) hates him because he killed his mother so it’s ironic that he tells Amir, his son, that this is the greatest sin.

What do Amir and Soraya have in common?

Amir and Soraya both have very controlling and traditional fathers who only want what is best for them and the appearance of their families. They also both hold secrets that would shame their families. Soraya ran off with an Afghan when she was younger until her father separated them and Amir witnessed the rape of his best friend and did not do anything about it.

List the steps in Amir’s redemption. What does he do to “be good again”?

Amir’s redemption begins when he comes to America and realizes the struggles of not being wealthy, just as Hassan was. He attends community college while his father works at a gas station and sells small goods on the side for money. Both his father and Soraya’s father constantly put him down when it comes to his writing. At the end, when he is beaten up by Assef, that is the final step of his redemption, where he must take the pain he should’ve gotten had he stood up for Hassan in their childhood. By taking in Hassan’s son, he is finally forgiven, doing a great deed for his best friend, who would have done anything for him.

What is the point of the scene with Amir, Assef, and Sohrab toward the end of the film?

The scene at the end of the film with Amir, Assef and Sohrab was a very critical point in the movie in my opinion. In this scene, Amir has come to retrieve Sohrab, Hassan’s son, in order to take him to America to have better opportunities. He goes to a house in order to talk to the head of the Taliban but instead another man is there who turns out to be Assef (!!). When Sohrab is brought into the room, Assef begins to beat up Amir claiming he must pay a price if he wants to take him. After Amir has been brutally beaten, Sohrab grabs a sling shot, similar to those his father had used to protect Amir in their childhood. He shoots the object at Assef, blinding him, and giving them the opportunity to flee. This shows the great loyalty between Hassan (and his child) to Amir.

How do the following function symbolically?

Kite Flying – Kite flying was a huge symbol throughout the movie. I found it interesting that to be a good kite flyer, it was necessary to cut others down, slightly aggressive aspect of the sport. Kite flying also symbolized a happy and healthy community. After the Taliban took over Kabul, there were no more kites flying making the town look dead and empty.

Fighting – There were many things worth fighting for throughout the movie, including Hassan and Amir’s friendship and Sohrab’s safety from the Taliban and Afghanistan.

Running – Running was prevalent when the Soviets invaded and when kite running.

Sohrab’s Name – The name of the martyr in Hassan’s favorite story that was read to him by Amir.

Pomegranates – Pomegranates were significant when Amir was trying to destroy the relationship between him and Hassan. He threw several pomegranates at Hassan hoping that he would hit him back; to help his guilt go away from witnessing the rape, but instead Hassan smashed a pomegranate on himself.

Pomegranate Trees – The pomegranate trees were where Hassan and Amir read stories and carved their names as the great men of Kabul. These trees were very significant in their childhood friendship.

Lahiri's "The Namesake"

Compare/contrast Gogol’s “The Overcoat” with Lahiri’s The Namesake. How is a name like an overcoat?

            Gogol’s “The Overcoat” runs parallel to Lahiri’s The Namesake. In both pieces, the main characters hide behind something. In The Namesake, Nikil/Gogol hides behind his name, as a sort of security blanket, something he can blame his shortcomings on. In “The Overcoat”, Akakiy uses his new material possession to hide behind in social situations. This coat gives him the confidence and social standing he needs to fit in with his peers, as Gogol’s name change seems to do for him. Similarly, the coat and the name both act security blankets, helping the characters be something they are or aren’t on a day-to-day basis.

Trace Gogol/Nikil’s struggle with his name and his identity. Do you think he ever makes peace with his name?

In his early childhood, Gogol did not understand the background behind his name or the fact that it was not a proper Indian name, leading him to declare it as his “good” name for school. Upon this declaration, Gogol became his official name and continued to play a role in his life. It set him apart from his peers, giving them reasons to poke fun at him and create funny nicknames. When studying Nikolai Gogol, he is dragged deeper into the jeering of fellow students. Upon learning several discouraging aspects of Nikolai Gogol’s background, he is upset his parents would name him after such a volatile, unpopular and odd man.

            He eventually decides that the only way to put an end to this miserable name is to change it, to his parents’ original choice of a good name, Nikil. But even after he legally changes his name, the nickname Gogol is still with him, for it is all his family and friends know him as. Over time, he surrounds himself with new people throughout college and graduate school but on rare occasions his parents will accidentally refer to him as his childhood pet name, leading him back into the downwards spiral of the never ending story of Gogol.

            Soon before the death of his father, the one who loved [Nikolai] Gogol’s work the most, he comes to terms with the importance of his name. For it was this author who saved Ashoke’s mangled and buried body from being forgotten and passed in the wreckage of the train he had been riding in Calcutta. These pages had been the pages that saved his life. Gogol finally comes to terms with the great emotion behind his name and importance it played in his father’s life.

Consider the blossoming of Ashima in the course of the novel. In what ways does she grow and develop?

            At the very beginning of the novel, Ashima is a traditional Bengali woman, set in her beliefs and hesitant to move to America, a place where she does not know a soul. She continues to cringe at American behaviors and customs, sticking to her Indian cuisines and attire. As her children begin to grow up, she notices their American tendencies, talking back, asking for American food and even declaring their own name, as Gogol did as a four-year-old. As Sonia and Gogol reach their teenage years, the differences are even more pronounced, forcing Ashima to hold her tongue when it comes to their behaviors.

            Once the two are old enough to date, she slowly becomes accustomed to their relationships with non-Bengalis. Although hesitant to accept Gogol’s first American girlfriend Maxine, Ashima eventually begins to accept the fact that her children were born and raised in this country and they are very likely to follow these traditions. By the very end of the novel, Ashima is independent and ready to travel and live on her own, experiencing life in the ways she wants to.

Discuss Gogol/Nikil’s relationships with women. What do the relationships have in common? Why does each break down at some point?

            When it comes to women, Gogol seems to be too trusting and naïve. Since as an adolescent he had little to no luck even approaching girls because of his name, it seems he now is just shocked that women even want to give him the time of day. With Maxine, he nearly drops everything in his life in order to form his life around hers. He basically moves in with her and her parents, taking up their hobbies and meshing into their family rather quickly. Until he realizes how many extreme differences the two of them have, Gogol is in a blissful and unaware state. Similarly, in his marriage to Moushumi, he forgets all he has learned from his previous relationship and falls madly in love with this obviously unhappy woman. Because of Gogol’s naivety, he falls into the same situation for a second time. As Gogol continues in this pattern, his relationships continue to fall apart.

Many episodes in the novel occur on the train. What is the significance of this?

The train scene Ashoke experiences early on his life, remains an important and significant event throughout his life and the lives of his family members. Since he chooses to name his son after the author whom he acknowledges for his survival, simply seeing the name Gogol brings back the memories of the incident on the train. Since this one event carries so much significance, every scene on the train has a somewhat tense feeling of importance. In my opinion, the images and events that take place on the train after the train crash allow the reader/watcher to compare the severity and importance of each of the events in comparison to the crash. These scenes keep the reader thinking about trains and the significance of Gogol’s name.

In an interview with the author, Lahiri said she wanted India to function as a ghost in the background of the story. Does India function as a ghost or as something else?

Throughout the novel, the idea of India and the Ganguli’s family visits there, seem to function as more of a hassle then a positive influence upon the family. The children dread the trips and are forced to put their lives on hold in order to travel there. The way India haunts Gogol in the back of his mind, as something from his past but not necessarily involving his present, makes it seem like a ghost of sorts. He never really makes a true connection to the place his family is from, seeing it has somewhat of an obligation forced upon him by his parents. In that sense, India acts as a ghost to this new generation of Bengalis.





DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This story is about both Gogol and Ashima. It serves as Gogol's identity plot because the questions his identity throughout the story and is a minority int he greater society, both as an Indian in America and an Americanized Indian in India. Ashima is also trying to find herself throughout the story.
Contrasts between Bengali and American customs.
- the way they dress
-food and celebrations - wedding and funeral rituals
-rule about public affection - no touching or "i love you"
- names - pet names and good names - plus Ashima never uses Ashokes name
Central Events
Ch.1 - Ashoke's train accident
ch. 2 - googol's birth and naming
ch 3 - gogol makes his pet name his good name
Emerging Themes
1. identity
2. importance of traditions/names
3. transitions
Ashoke waits so long to tell Gogol about the origin of his name because it's a terrifying story and ashore wanted to wait until gogol was ready to hear and appreciate the truth. Plus, ashore may not have been ready to share such a personal and scarring story.
The end of the Namesake Moushimi's infidelity was SHOCKING because of the hight standards associated with the rituals of marriage.
Cross-cultural rituals and around death and dying Brings the family closer together but causes problems with oust side relationship because gogol hasn't let others in on the intense relationship between him and his family. hadn't let marine in on it plus ritual sso she couldn't really bethere for him. *Bengali traditions seems to comfort him

***Used Nikhil "Nick" to Americanize himself
Harder for the immigrant of the children of the immigrant? Immigrant because they not only struggle with the new culture but have a hard time dealing with the appeal of the American culture upon their children.

Gogol's "The Overcoat"

Summary
Omniscient Narration - all-knowing, God-like narration
Akakiy Bashmatchkin
   - copier for unnamed department
   - poverty stricken
   - quiet and reserved -> people treated him poorly
The Cloak
   - reflects Akakiy's social standing
   - tattered and mocked by officials
Petrovich
   - one-eyed tailor
   - heavy drinker -> discounted tailoring (unless his possibly abusive wife had anything to do with it)
The Party
  - wears new cloak (warmth and beauty) - begins to be treated completely differently
  - uncomfortable (social status)
  - robbed after leaving
Northern Cold (weather parallels the atmosphere)
   - tries to report his stolen coat but the police don't believe he would even have a nice cloak
   - forced to wear his old cloak
   - gets sick and dies (hallucinates - the cloak)
The Ghost on Kalinkin Bridge
   - Prominent personage was the only one who cared about Akakiy's absence
   - image = revenge on the man from his department for his lack of action (defending him)

Theories
- Fantastic Ending - magical and ghostly
- Poetic Justice - trying to fight for himself on the social scale
- Reabsorbed into literary free play after his foolhardy excursion into the material world
   - he was treated differently based on his material possessions and the second he lost them he was back
     to being treated the same as before
- Mere convention keeps us from reality
- Questions kind of justice and why the ghost removes the cloaks of random victims
    - both struggle for everyone to be equal!!
- Conventions are at odds with freedom and humanity (Petrovich)

- It is a tale both simple and philosophical; thought with a difference. The story has, in Gogol's words, a fantastic ending and one of spectral retribution and redemption.
- Revenge
- Literary life to "little man"

Discussion Questions
The settings changed as Akakiy made his way to the party (paralleling the social statuses of society) when clear differences were noticed as you enter the wealthier society.
- Lighted, safe, store front shopping -> outgoing and populated
- Compared to the dark neighborhoods where A. is from
The climax of the story could be when A. finally gets his new coat because everything goes downhill afterwards (and beforehand it builds up to that moment).
The symbolism behind the cloak is social status, accomplishment and happiness. Since A. put so much work into coming up with the money and sacrificing things in order to get it, he places much value upon it since he earned it himself.
Themes
- Power vs. Powerlessness - gain power through the cloak (money=power) but once he loses it, those in power view him as low class and powerless
   - powerless - he didn't even want the coat in the first place but someone he got swindled into still getting
                        one

Motorcycle Diaries

Background
- Diary of "Che" Guevara
- Che was well read - esp. when it came to politically charged pieces
- visited Machu Pichu - important time of reflection for him
- Embraced communism alongside Fidel Castro
- "an inspiration for every human being who loves freedom"

Characters
Alberto - pilot (Mial)
Ernesto Guevara de la Serna - co-pilot (Fuser)
    - medical student, heavy asthma
    - Wants to help everyone they come across
    - always honest even if it's not what people want to hear
"The Mighty One" - their motorcycle
Chichina - Fuser's girlfriend who later leaves him
    - her parents don't approve but they "love" each other
    - gives Fuser $15 to buy her a swimsuit in the US (he later gives it to the poor communist couple)
Don Nestor - guide in Peru
Dr. Hugo Pesce - leper specialized doctor in Lima who writes a novel

Journey
- Wanted to finish the entire trip before Alberto turns 30
- Seeing all of the lower class people and hearing their stories
- Sees the injustice and separation in society
- Amazon river divides the healthy society from the ill (Leper Colony)

You gotta fight for every breath and you have to tell death to go to hell
- Guevara speaking to Silvia (leper) comparing his asthma to her condition
- She says you're wasting your time because life is pain
- He claims you must fight for everything you get (and appreciate it) - Bildungsroman

Ernesto's Birthday
- Get a raft to continue their travels
- Grateful for the hospitality they received in Peru
- Spokesmen for the division of the countries, now that they have experienced it first hand they want a United America
** Swims across the Amazon to celebrate his 22nd birthday on the "other" side with the Leper Colony

Guevara's Story as a Bildungsroman 
Throughout their journey, Che experiences things he never would have experienced as a med student in Argentina. He sees the injustice and inequalities across South America and gets to experience first hand what is going on around him. He hears personal stories and has faces to put to these injustices. By seeing and experiencing these new situations, he is forced to make a choice between keeping to himself or using his skills to help those he sees in need. Through these experiences, he obtains many new ideas and emotions towards those who are lesser then him.

Guevara's impact as a revolutionary vs. a med student
Although Che was obviously very experienced and talented when it came to his medical practices, the types of injustices that he experienced and fought for were much more important. By experiencing first hand what was occurring around him, he was able to come up with a revolutionary movement he knew first hand was needed and necessary to those he had met and become close with.

Marquez's "A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings"

Marquez refers to the visitor as a "very old man with enormous wings" because it create a more real image of the man instead of a magical or mystical angel. This helps the reader view the angel as a little less angelic and more of a real human.
Different people's reactions reflect human nature as narrow-minded and untrusting. Since they cannot communicate it creates a barrier. They take the benefit that he allows them (money) but give him nothing in return.
Spidergirl caused the people to stop paying attention to the man with enormous wings because she has an explanation and intriguing story. This is also an example of a new shiny thing that the people can play and interact with. (similar to a zoo, things that move around catch the eye of the audience, while sleeping animals are boring and cause people to continue walking)
- She also tells a different story then the truth.
Truth: snuck out of her house and her parents turned her into a spider as a punishment
Story: She tells people that lightning struck her from the heavens, "god thing" gets peoples attention.
Elisenda was glad to have the man fly away finally because he was a constant agitator in her life.
Elisenda and Pelayo didn't end up sending the man out to sea because they ended up turning him into a sort of prophet and profit.
Father Gonzaga is hesitant about the old man, not sure if he believes him to be an angel.
The old neighbor woman claims the angel has come to "take" the sick child, therefore they should kill him.
The couple didn't really ever have compassion for the man because they were mean and locked him in a chicken coop.

Themes
- Different/Unique from Society - you are picked on
- Human Nature and Initial Reactions/Judgements
- People's tendencies to obsess over something until it's boring and leave it to move on to something new

Symbolism of the Wings = Freedom
- As an angel, freeing the town of their problems
- Freeing him from the chicken coop when he eventually flies away