1 (a)
Paul, an individual of Hutu descent, is married to Tatiana, a Tutsi. This union is a source of tension with the Hutu radicals, especially George Rutaganda. Hutus are not to associate with Tutsis in any way. As violence escalated, and the Hutus’ genocide against the Tutsis began. Foreigners working at the hotel are moved out of their country. Thus, Paul is left as the head of the hotel. However, his principles cannot allow him to observe as the blameless are massacred. It does not take long before the hotel is transformed into a makeshift refugee camp. At this juncture, some view Paul’s actions as treacherous. This contributes t putting his life in danger while the issue is compounded by the fact that the quandary of his "guests" grows more insecure every day.
1b (a)
Family divide is evident the day before the orphanage opened. Baba took Amir to Ghargha Lake, a few miles north of Kabul. Baba asked him to call Hassan so that they could all go, but Amir lied to his father that Hassan had to run some errands, and he could not go. He wanted to be with Baba all by himself. He seemed to be insecure with Baba because his father once put his arm around Hassan’s shoulder once he managed to make his stone skip eight times. Since Baba is Amir’s father and family, Amir does not want to associate with people who are not family.
(b)
Towards the south of the garden, there is a little hut made of mud. This is where Hassan and Ali lived while on the opposite side was a mansion where Amir and his father Baba lived. Part of the reason, why Pashtuns had oppressed the Hazaras, was that Pashtuns were Sunni Muslims; whereas, Hazaras were Shi’a. The Hazaras were called all kinds of bad names such as mice-eating, flat nosed, load carrying donkeys. As Hassan and Amir pass through the barracks, the soldiers decide to insult Hassan since he is a Hazara. They do not abuse Amir since he is a Pashtun.
2. (a).
Men who were important in Afghanistan like General Taheri and Baba are kept connected by the flea market socially. Baba meets General Taheri and talk about their lives, and Baba is able to tell him that Amir will be a writer. Their political affiliation to a common party back in Afghanistan helps them relate to each other well.
(b)
Most of the men like Baba continued to view Afghanistan as home as it is shown when Baba gets infuriated when asked to produce his identity card. He claims that in Afghan people trusted each other and they could buy and pay later. This illustrates that Baba longs to return to Afghan.
3 (a)
Amir has a very intricate relationship with Baba. Despite the fact Amire loves Baba, he feels that his love is not reciprocated. On the other hand, Baba faces immense difficulties trying to connect wit Amir. At most, he feels a twinge of guilt derived from the fact that he treats Amir well while he fails to acknowledge Hassan as his own son. On this front, he ends up being harsh on Amir and tries to indirectly show his love for Hassan. This is shown where he takes both Amir and Hassan out. Additionally, he ends up paying Hassan’s lip surgery.
3 (b)
Ali and his son Hassan have a relation that is full of love and care. Ali takes care of his son even after the death of his wife. He does not abandon him. When Amir and Hassan are up to mischief, Ali warns his son against being involved in such acts. This is an indication that he loves his son and would not want him to grow up into a person with bad character. The Ali-Hassan-Baba relationship is that between a master and worker. Baba is brought out as a master who is caring towards his workers. Baba gives Ali a present when he gets back from one of his trips, a piece of art to hang on his wall. Baba is concerned with the health of Hassan and even offers to pay Hassan’s surgery. On the other hand, Ali and Hassan are loyal servants to Baba who work diligently .
3 (c)
The Afghan society is made up very secretive people who prefer to keep things hidden know that any information about the Hazara people was usually brief in the books that they used to study history. Amir found out the truth about the social injustices that the Hazaras went through, through a book that he found in his father’s office. If such heinous acts came to light, the Hazaras would not have been sidelined or for that matter poor.
4
The general took the bribes excessively whenever he could get an opportunity. The general is able to get away with it because he is influential in the country and when the bribes no longer worked, Paul blackmails him with threats of being tried as a war criminal.
Works Cited
Hosseini, Khaled. Kite Runner. London: Bloomsbury Publishing, 2008.
Hotel Rwanda. Dir. Terry George. 2004.
