"Letter 1 To Mrs. Saville, England St. Petersburgh Dec. 11th" Page 15
The beginning of the novel is told to us through Walton's letters to his sister. Later he also writes in his journal. This is a very informative structure for the reader and lets them learn alot about the characters right away. First of all the very first line tells us the setting, the date, and one of the valued characters in the story. Further more, this structure allows the reader to understand the narrators inner feelings and experiences. In the case of Walton we learn of his past events that have lead him up to this point. This is slightly unrealistic because he is writing to his sister who would already know his past. The important details are included in these letters because they are short summaries of what the character has been doing, just like a real letter would be. However this does help the reader understand the story more thoroughly.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Frame Strory
"..listen to my history and you will understand how irrevocably it is determined." page 29
In the first six chapters we learn of Walton and his quest to the North Pole. HE begins the book as the sole narrator. However, this changes when Victor Frankenstein is taken aboard. For awhile we learn about Frankenstein through Walton's narrations but later Frankenstein desires to tell Walton his story. While we are learning Walton's story, we are then learning Frankensteins story and later in the book we will learn the monster's story. This frame story structure allows the narration of the book to be switched from character to character. It also allows for direct characterization. We learn the way that Walton thinks and who/what he values most. When Frankenstein is the narrator we learn the same things about him. I think this is an interesting way to tell a story because we can learn the plot from all view points and there are different events happening at the same time.
In the first six chapters we learn of Walton and his quest to the North Pole. HE begins the book as the sole narrator. However, this changes when Victor Frankenstein is taken aboard. For awhile we learn about Frankenstein through Walton's narrations but later Frankenstein desires to tell Walton his story. While we are learning Walton's story, we are then learning Frankensteins story and later in the book we will learn the monster's story. This frame story structure allows the narration of the book to be switched from character to character. It also allows for direct characterization. We learn the way that Walton thinks and who/what he values most. When Frankenstein is the narrator we learn the same things about him. I think this is an interesting way to tell a story because we can learn the plot from all view points and there are different events happening at the same time.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
THEND
As I began reading this novel, I was a little worried because I had been told that the ending was not well written and was disapointing. However, I found the ending to leave the reading feeling like the story wasn't really over but it was hopeful. I think this make the story seem more realistic. In reality, problems are never totally resolved but we hope that in the end it will be more positive with a brighter future. I especially found it interesting that Amir has humbled himself from the boy we betrays his servant to the man who servs the servants son in America. I think this was a good use of irony that demonstrates how Amir was redeeming himself and his father for their betrayal. The ending was stylized in a way that left the reader wondering what would happen next and kept them thinking about it for days. It also reflected on the major themes.
DYNAMIC CHARACTER
DYNAMIC CHARACTER is one who changes in some important way as a result of the story’s action.
pg. 371 " for you a thousand times over"
Amir is a dynamic character that finally, after more than 30 years, learns his lesson and has almost changed completely in dynamics. Amir begins the story as a child seeking only his father's acknowledgment. He is selfish and cowardly and will never fight his own battles. This is something that Amir struggles with for most of his life. He slowly begins to out grow this when he is living in American and has to take care of his father. Latter when he goes to Afghanistan he realizes there is no one to fight his battles for him any more and he has to redeem himself. Amir makes up for his past selfishness and fights for sohrab. He treats Sorab like a son and serves him however he can. Hassan said the quote above to Amir when they were children. This quote is repeated by Amir to Hassan's son at the end of the story. Just as Hassan loved Amir and would serve him forever, so would Amir serve and love Sohrab. This is a complete change of Amir's characterization as a child and earlier in the book.
pg. 371 " for you a thousand times over"
Amir is a dynamic character that finally, after more than 30 years, learns his lesson and has almost changed completely in dynamics. Amir begins the story as a child seeking only his father's acknowledgment. He is selfish and cowardly and will never fight his own battles. This is something that Amir struggles with for most of his life. He slowly begins to out grow this when he is living in American and has to take care of his father. Latter when he goes to Afghanistan he realizes there is no one to fight his battles for him any more and he has to redeem himself. Amir makes up for his past selfishness and fights for sohrab. He treats Sorab like a son and serves him however he can. Hassan said the quote above to Amir when they were children. This quote is repeated by Amir to Hassan's son at the end of the story. Just as Hassan loved Amir and would serve him forever, so would Amir serve and love Sohrab. This is a complete change of Amir's characterization as a child and earlier in the book.
Theme
THEME the insight about human life that is revealed in a literary work.
pg. 359 " I wondered if that was how forgivness budded, not with the fanfare of epiphany, but with pain gathering its things, packing up, and slipping away unannounced in the middle of the night."
pg. 226 " Baba and I were more alike than I ever would have thought we had both betrayed the people who would have given thier lives for us."
There are two themes of the book that really stand out. First is that of betrayal. Amir betrays Hassan when he does not help him when he is being raped. This betrayal is an underlying motive for Amir's actions through out the rest of the book. Later in the story we learn that Baba had betrayed Ali and lied to Amir and Hassan his entire life. This lie was the reason why Ali and Hassan were treated differently around the house and why Baba was so attached to Hassan. This theme of Betrayal is accompanied by a theme of forgiveness and seeking redemption. Amir's guilt is always present. It is constantly driving him to make certain choices such as going back to afghanistan and adopting Sohrab. These themes connect the plot of the story together and teach a lesson to the reader.
pg. 359 " I wondered if that was how forgivness budded, not with the fanfare of epiphany, but with pain gathering its things, packing up, and slipping away unannounced in the middle of the night."
pg. 226 " Baba and I were more alike than I ever would have thought we had both betrayed the people who would have given thier lives for us."
There are two themes of the book that really stand out. First is that of betrayal. Amir betrays Hassan when he does not help him when he is being raped. This betrayal is an underlying motive for Amir's actions through out the rest of the book. Later in the story we learn that Baba had betrayed Ali and lied to Amir and Hassan his entire life. This lie was the reason why Ali and Hassan were treated differently around the house and why Baba was so attached to Hassan. This theme of Betrayal is accompanied by a theme of forgiveness and seeking redemption. Amir's guilt is always present. It is constantly driving him to make certain choices such as going back to afghanistan and adopting Sohrab. These themes connect the plot of the story together and teach a lesson to the reader.
FOIL
FOIL A character who acts as contrast to another character. Often a funny side kick to the dashing hero, or a villain contrasting the hero.
pg. 221 "A boy who won't stand up for himself becomes a man who won't stand up for anything."
It is a reoccuring theme, the desire Amir has for his father to be proud of him. It is what causes Amir to make the decision not to help Hassan and it is what makes Amir believe that he is a weak man. Baba has stories of fighting a bear and he is admired by the entire afghan community for his donations and strong will. One event that really shows Baba's character is when he stands up to the Russian soldier who wants to rape the Afghan woman in order for the travelers to pass. Amir, on the other hand, won't fight for himself when the other boys pick on him. He is not athletic and would rather stay inside and read a book. Baba is disapointed with Amir constantly and becomes frustrated with Amir's emotions. This direct contrast is what drives the plot of the story. Amir would have helped Hassan if it woudn't have put his father's pride in jepordy. Hassan may have continued to live with Amir and would have gone to America. Amir wouldn't have felt like he needed to prove himself to be couragous when he travels back to affghanistan, if Baba hadn't been always shutting him down.
pg. 221 "A boy who won't stand up for himself becomes a man who won't stand up for anything."
It is a reoccuring theme, the desire Amir has for his father to be proud of him. It is what causes Amir to make the decision not to help Hassan and it is what makes Amir believe that he is a weak man. Baba has stories of fighting a bear and he is admired by the entire afghan community for his donations and strong will. One event that really shows Baba's character is when he stands up to the Russian soldier who wants to rape the Afghan woman in order for the travelers to pass. Amir, on the other hand, won't fight for himself when the other boys pick on him. He is not athletic and would rather stay inside and read a book. Baba is disapointed with Amir constantly and becomes frustrated with Amir's emotions. This direct contrast is what drives the plot of the story. Amir would have helped Hassan if it woudn't have put his father's pride in jepordy. Hassan may have continued to live with Amir and would have gone to America. Amir wouldn't have felt like he needed to prove himself to be couragous when he travels back to affghanistan, if Baba hadn't been always shutting him down.
ALLEGORY
ALLEGORY story or poem in which characters, settings, and events stand for other people or events or for abstract ideas or qualities.
pg. 239, 261, 295 (Dreams)
Through out the story the narrator has many dreams that symbolize other characters and events. These often point out an underlying theme, forshadow an event, or symbolize the true feelings of the characters. These dreams have symbols through out. for example, on page 239 Amir sees a man getting shot, realizes that it is Hassan, and then later realizes that he is the man shotting the gun. This is symbolic of Hassan being trapped in his race, social status, and country. It also demonstrates how AMir feels he betrayed Hassan by not fighting for him and leaving him in Afghanistan where he was killed. This dream shows Amir's emmense guilt. This allegory clues the reader into themes with an event that they can connect to the story.
pg. 239, 261, 295 (Dreams)
Through out the story the narrator has many dreams that symbolize other characters and events. These often point out an underlying theme, forshadow an event, or symbolize the true feelings of the characters. These dreams have symbols through out. for example, on page 239 Amir sees a man getting shot, realizes that it is Hassan, and then later realizes that he is the man shotting the gun. This is symbolic of Hassan being trapped in his race, social status, and country. It also demonstrates how AMir feels he betrayed Hassan by not fighting for him and leaving him in Afghanistan where he was killed. This dream shows Amir's emmense guilt. This allegory clues the reader into themes with an event that they can connect to the story.
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