Chapter 21-22
Quotes
Record at least 5 quotes from your assigned reading. Include page numbers in the next column.
Respond, using a variety of reflection types. Use the codes above to label your responses and try to include a variety of different reflections.
- Question: Pose a question or record something that confuses you so far.
- Understand: Explain how a previous question or uncertainty has been answered for you.
- Evaluate: Make a judgment on the character's actions, the author's message, or another facet of the text.
- Reflect: Apply the quote to a broader theme or universal conflict. What does it tell you about the human condition?
- Your World: Make a connection between the text and your life or experiences.
| Quote | Response |
|---|---|
| "There is a way to be good again." | Your World: This quote resonates with anyone who has ever sought redemption or a second chance. It's a reminder that it's never too late to make amends and correct our wrongs, reflecting the ongoing journey of self-improvement and forgiveness in our lives. |
| "A man who has no conscience, no goodness, does not suffer." | Question: Does this suggest that suffering is intrinsic to having a moral compass? It raises questions about the nature of guilt and conscience, and whether the ability to feel pain over our actions is what truly makes us human. |
| "War doesn't negate decency. It demands it, even more than in times of peace." | Evaluate: This quote challenges the notion that war justifies moral lapses. It asserts that in times of conflict, maintaining our humanity and decency is even more critical, serving as a critique of how individuals and societies justify their actions in war. |
| "When spring comes, it melts the snow one flake at a time." | Reflect: This metaphor for healing and change suggests that recovery from trauma or hardship is a gradual process. It's a hopeful reminder that time and patience are necessary for wounds to heal and for growth to occur. |
| "People say that eyes are windows to the soul." | Reflect: This quote delves into the belief that one's true emotions and essence can be seen through their eyes. It speaks to the depth of human connection and understanding, highlighting the power of empathy and the ability to see beyond the surface to the true nature of individuals. This idea is a reminder of the importance of looking deeper into people's hearts and minds to understand their experiences and emotions fully. |
Symbols
The Kite Runner contains several items that can be studied as symbols. Consider the following symbols and explain how at least three of them function as symbols in The Kite Runner. Support each answer with specific textual evidence.
When you finish, share your answers with a classmate. How did their answers differ from yours?
Potential Symbol
- The Pomegranate Tree
- Lambs
- Blood
- Kites
- Hassan's Harelip
- The Monster in the Lake
Evidence and Commentary
The Pomegranate Tree
The pomegranate tree represents Amir and Hassan's broken friendship. It goes from a symbol of their bond to a reminder of betrayal when Amir considers, and then acts upon, hurting Hassan with a pomegranate. This tree, once a symbol of their unity, becomes tainted with the act of violence, showing how their relationship has deteriorated, much like the overripe fruit on the ground.
Lambs
Lambs symbolize sacrifice and lost innocence, especially in relation to Hassan. Amir sees Hassan as a sacrifice he has to make to gain Baba's approval, likening him to a lamb that needs to be slaughtered. This idea ties to the concept of sacrificing something pure for personal gain, reflecting Amir's moral failure and the cost of his actions on their friendship.
Blood
Blood represents violence, guilt, and social division. In one scene, Amir's act of throwing pomegranates at Hassan, causing him to bleed, symbolizes not just physical violence but the deeper wounds of betrayal and societal prejudice. Blood is a recurring reminder of the pain and division caused by both personal betrayals and wider societal conflicts.