Guilt

Question 1

P1 - Opening

Answer 1

While guilt can be an important personal or emotional warning that a person has acted against one’s values or another person in a way that needs correction, unresolved guilt has many harmful effects.

Question 2

P1 - mapping and thesis

Answer 2

In particular, unaddressed guilt produces denial, depression, and disconnection. The characters, and a number of situations within Hamlet and The Kite Runner definitely exemplify this truth.

Question 3

P2 - KR - depression

Intro

Answer 3

Depression with all its negative thoughts and feelings towards self and others is a profound dynamic in both the lives of Hamlet and Amir.
In The Kite Runner, Amir is constantly affected by complicated guilt, which makes him self-loathing and miserable. This particularly true in terms of his relationship with, and memory of, his friend Hassan.

Question 4

P2 - KR - depression

Example 1

Answer 4

For example,
- Amir struggles with long-standing guilt for not protecting his friend, Hassan, who was beaten up. He displays this as a boy – when visiting relatives – and also several times as an adult through the story.

Question 5

P2 - KR - depression

Example 2

Answer 5

• Moreover, Amir, in recalling his move to America, remembers his hope that the move to a new country will erase all memory, so that he does not have to feel so miserable and guilty about Hassan.

Question 6

P2 - KR - depression

Conclusion

Answer 6

NONEXISTENT

Question 7

P3 - H - depression

Intro

Answer 7

Hamlet, too, struggles with depression and negative thoughts about himself caused by his complicated and unresolved guilt.

Question 8

P3 - H - depression

Example 1

Answer 8

• In his second soliloquy, Hamlet berates himself with various insults for being a coward and weak for not avenging his father’s death.

Question 9

P3 - H - depression

Example 2

Answer 9

• In the last soliloquy, Hamlet also expresses shame and a growing despair and hopelessness, as he questions himself over why he has not yet acted to avenge his father. Indeed, within his guilt he obsesses over his inadequacies and inability to enact revenge, which then leads to suicidal thoughts later in the play.

Question 10

P3 - H - depression

Conclusion

Answer 10

NONEXISTENT

Question 11

P4 - KR - disconnection

Intro

Answer 11

Unresolved guilt also creates disconnection in relationships.

Question 12

P4 - KR - disconnection

Example 1

Answer 12

For example,
- Amir’s guilt causes him to feel uncomfortable around Hassan. As a result of his guilt, the boy Amir begins to avoid Hassan and eventually frames Hassan for theft as a way of trying to create further distance.

Question 13

P4 - KR - disconnection

Example 2

Answer 13

In addition, Amir’s guilt motivates him to suggest to his father that they get new servants, so that Hassan will be removed from his home environment. Sadly, in his effort to get distance from Hassan, Amir’s suggestion breaks the fragile bond that he had formed with his father.

Question 14

P4 - KR - disconnection

Conclusion

Answer 14

NONEXISTENT

Question 15

P5 - H - disconnection

Intro

Answer 15

Unresolved guilt also produces disconnection in Hamlet’s relationships.

Question 16

P5 - H - disconnection

Example 1

Answer 16

For example,
- Hamlet’s preoccupied guilty thoughts and resulting depression also ruins any chance of restoring a relationship with, Ophelia, the woman he cares for because his guilt increases his suspicion of the motives of others.

Question 17

P5 - H - disconnection

Example 2

Answer 17

• Hamlet’s uncle, Claudius, also struggles with complicated guilt that produces disconnection. In particular, Claudius speaks to his guilt for the murder of Hamlet’s father as creating a barrier in his relationship with God and as a result he cannot know forgiveness.

Question 18

P5 - H - disconnection

Conclusion

Answer 18

NONEXISTENT

Question 19

P6 - Conclusion
Intro & mapping & thesis
add thesis

Answer 19

Both stories, representing different eras and different genres of literature, are strong testaments to the impact of unresolved guilt, especially in producing denial, depression and disconnection – from oneself or with others.

Question 20

P6 - Conclusion

Final statement

Answer 20

However, while the tragic story of Hamlet results in a resolution from guilt only in death, Amir at least is able, belatedly, to make some amends by giving Hassan’s son a new life.