Novel Flashcards
What is Bildungsroman?
A genre of the novel that focuses on the psychological and moral growth of the protagonist from youth to adulthood
What is Kunstlerroman?
A specific sub-genre of Bildungsroman meaning that it is a novel about an artist’s growth to maturity (ex. Amir as a writer)
What is a flashback?
An interjected scene that takes the narrative back in time from the current point (recounts events). Can be crucial to understand the background of a story
What is the Pashtun group in the novel?
-largest ethnic group in Afghanistan
-Follow and live by Pashtunwali beliefs which tells them how to behave in society
-Have Middle eastern features
-Ruling class
-Have attempted Hazara genocide
Which characters in the novel are Pashtun?
Amir, Baba, Assef
What is the Hazara group in the novel?
-Minority group in Afghanistan
-Asian features
-Outsiders
-Believed in superstitions (evil eyes and ghosts)
-Enjoyed story telling
-Nomadic (travel around)
-Denied educational opportunities and are likely to be servants and slaves
Which character in the novel are Hazara?
Hassan and Ali
What is the Sunni group in the novel?
A group that believed a leader must gain the trust of it’s people and must be appointed. Leaders are not selected by birthrights or hereditary privilege class. Conquests are prized
what is the Shi’a group in the novel?
A group that believed that leaders are sinless and that becoming a leader is inherited and not appointed. Leaders must be saintly and martyrdom and sacrifice is prized.
What are the 8 Pashtunwali values?
- Protection of the weak (Nanawati)
- Injuries have a price (Badal)
- Hospitality (Melmastia)
- Honour until death (Namus)
- Solidarity (Nang)
- Courage (Tureh)
- Protecting one’s honour (Ghayrat)
- Providing for the poor or needy (Zakat)
What is a scapegoat?
Someone who is blamed or held responsible for something he/she holds no responsibility.
What does Macaronic mean?
A term to refer to a piece of text that is spoken or written using a mixture of language
What is Chekhov’s Gun?
A concept that described how every element of a story should contribute to the whole (A promise the author makes the reader)
What is the myth of Rostam and Sohrab?
A myth/story about legendary heroes that symbolize the similarities and differences between Shi’a and Sunni muslims . This story shows that heroic attitudes and actions are not determined by socioeconomic conditions or literacy levels
What is kite fighting?
An event where boys usually group into teams where one of the individuals flies a kite that has an abrasive string (manja) and attempts to cut the strings of other peoples kites. Once the string is cut the second individual (the kite runner) runs to catch the kite and claims it.
In the novel what is Hassan’s dream?
His dream was about the day at the lake with him and Amir and how everyone is convinced that there are monsters in the water but Amir goes in to prove there aren’t any and then Hassan follows him in. His dream uses first person point of view and shows unity and sees Amir as his protector and how brave he is
In the novel what was Amir’s dream?
Amir’s dream was about the snow storm and how he feels lost during the storm. His dream uses 1st person point of view but exposes independence. His dream also takes place during the winter which connects to Hassan’s rape event.
What are the gifts that Amir receive for his birthday?
- Biography of hitler book (From Assef); Reminds Amir is just like him as they are the both Pashtun
-Leather-bound notebook (From Rahim); Shows that Rahim supports his journey as a writer and provides him the materials to achieve his dream - A new copy of Shahnamah (From Ali and Hassan); one of his favourite books and connects to the “brotherhood” of the two boys
- A wristwatch and Bicycle (From Baba)
