Chapter 11 Flashcards
Where are Amir and Baba living in this chapter set in the 1980’s?
California
Where is Baba working in California 1980’s?
at a gas station
Amir claims to use America to do what?
“to bury my memories”
For Baba, America is a place for what?
“to mourn his” (dreams)
Why does Amir embrace America and all it has to offer?
as a means to escape the host of Hassan that was haunting his life in Afghanistan
What momentarily chokes Amir after his graduation
When Baba mentioned that he wished “Hassan had been with us today”
How did Amir react to Baba mentioning that he wished “Hassan had been with us today”?
“A pear of steel hands closed around my windpipe at the sound of Hassan’s name”
What does the Afghanistan section of the flea market include?
people who used to be doctors, professors, and ambassadors
Who is one of Baba’s acquaintances at the flea market?
General Sahib, Taheri
How does Baba introduce Amir to General Sahib, Taheri?
that Amir is “going to be a great writer”
what is Reaganomics?
the economic policies of the former US president Ronald Reagan,
Hosseini gives an early commentary about Reaganomics which indicates the author’s what?
political leanings and concern for blue collar workers
Although the early commentary of Reaganomics may seem like unnecessary detail, what connection does this make?
a connection between the US and Afghanistan, that there is a disregard from the ruling parties to the general populace of their nations
Although Baba’s life juxtaposes between life in US and life in Afghanistan, what does it indicate/show?
that those who do not have privilege, will never have it. Later in the novel when eating Farid, it is clear that Baba and Amir’s life in Afghanistan was not representative of the general populace who suffered outside of the wealth of Kabul.
What does Baba say when Amir suggests returning to Peshawar?
“Peshawar was good for me. Not good for you”
Why can it be suggested that in this chapter Baba is going through his own redemption to be a good father?
As when Amir suggests to move to Peshawar, Baba said that “Peshawar was good for me. Not good for you”
Even though Baba had a tough time in US, ironically he is having an easier time being a father
The motifs of gifts and giving are revisited in this chapter, how?
Amir describes America as Baba’s gift to him
When Amir receives a car as a graduation present
What intangible gift means more to Amir than any car or money could?
the pride that Baba says he has during Amir’s graduation
What is an interesting line in this chapter from Amir?
That he would not “sacrifice for Baba,” claiming the last time he did “I had damned myself”
How can it be perceived that Amir said he would no longer “sacrifice for Baba,” claiming the last time he did “I had damned myself”
Either that he has realised his juvenile jealously or that he abdicates some of his responsibility to the fault of his father
Why can it be viewed that when Amir states he would no longer “sacrifice for Baba,” claiming the last time he did “I had damned myself”, he is only trying to abdicate his responsibility?
as while he suggests that he sacrificed for Baba, what he did was in an attempt to earn Baba’s respect, which was for his own desires, his own desire to be loved and noticed and appreciated by Baba.
How does Baba feel in America?
he feels disconnected from everything he knows
How did Baba pay for bread in Kabul?
he would send Amir and Hassan to the bakers with a stick, the baker would make a notch in the stick with how many loaves he made. At the end of the month, Baba paid the baker.
Why does Baba overreact to the manager at the convenience store when he asks for ID?
as Baba hates the rules and takes it as a sign of distrust
“Afghan’s cherish customs but hate rules” (chapter 7)
How does Amir describe their home in Kabul to houses in America?
homes that made Baba’s house in Kabul “look like a servant’s hut”
The differences between Baba’s life in Kabul and California leave him what?
perpetually frustrated
How does Baba try to reclaim his life in Kabul in chapter r11?
by buying everyone drinks on the night of Amir’s graduation
“America was a river, roaring along, unmindful of the past.”
A river always moves forward, Amir desires to move on from the winter of 1975. Rivers are also common symbols of cleansing, and the washing away of sin; such as baptism in christianity which symbolises purification and regeneration. Similarly Amir wants a new birth, free of the sins he committed in chapter 7, and forcing Ali and Hassan to move to Hazarajat
What makes Baba ill?
the air, water pollution and lack of fresh foods
What suggests that Amir has fit in with America culture more so than Baba?
he was able to placate the grocery clerk and graduate form high school
Where is the flea market where Baba and Amir sell garage items?
San Jose
the car Baba bought Amir reminded him of his Ford Mustang from which movie?
Bullitt
What was General Taheri’s job?
Ministry of Defence
What is evidence of Baba’s natural ability to garner the respect of others?
as he befriends the customer of the bar they go to to celebrate Amir’s graduation
What does Baba’s trading of the small items in San Jose market parallel?
his success as a merchant against the odds; reflective of the continuation of the same spirit and Amir’s narrative of the events that demonstrate how he still holds his father to the sae regard as he did as a boy in Afghanistan
What is the significance of the San Jose flea market?
it is a way for Baba to hold onto his heritage though trading with other Afghans in the community who had been transplanted into America
Who does Soraya Taheri share her name with?
the former queen of Afghansitan who was an early and powerful champion of women’s rights in Afghanistan
