Play List

**NOTE: In different sections there are [Song xx END]. please end the song there**
**also the pictures are very limited in the webs, so I used pictures from the movie**
**The web site is after "Link:", please press the title to access the link**

Song List:

1. Sacrifice by Elton John
• In the blog, "Sacrifice Brother", is all about sacrificing Hassan for the greater good, Amir growth. The message is well expressed through the lyrics. The mood and tone of the song matches the mood and tone of the blog. Therefore it's chosen. 
2. Sorry by Buck Cherry
• In the blog, "Die to Face the Truth", Kham made some really irrational choice, telling Hassan to leave the house at Baba's back, the feeling, tone and message from the song can really bring out Kham's feeling. In the lyrics, "I am sorry I am blue", really imply the physical different between them which causes the irrational choice made by Kham. Therefore "sorry" is chosen. Also, at this time Kham finally have to courage to call Amir because of the death of Hassan and realize his guilt. 
3. The Time has Come, Let us be brave
• In the first half of the blog, "There is a way to be good again", he finally call Amir and tell him to take action to regain his honour. The time has come for them to be brave enough to face their ugly past. The lyrics is really encouraging and bright. The messages, tone and mood sending to the listener fit really well with the blog.  
4. Rescue
• In the second half of the blog, "There is a way to be good again", Kham is really affected by all the news and things happening over there, like kidnapping to make human bombers and for prostitutes. Since Kham is desperate for help, really worried and kind of praying, songs used during prayer is chosen as to express his feeling and help with his prayer.
5. Make It Right by Jonas Brothers
• Finally in the end, he feels that all the burdens are lifted and mistakes they made are fixed. Everything is out of his hand at this moment, therefore he leaves this song us to encourage all the people, who think that it's too late to try to fix their mistake, to fix their own mistakes. There maybe many things you can do before to prevent mistakes from happening and you may think you don't care any more like he did over the years. But really deep inside, you know that you care much more than you think, and it's never too late to make it right. : )

There is a way to be good again

           I, Rahman Khan, phoned Amir two days ago, and I tried to convince him to return home to fix his grief and both our guilt over the past.  I know he is still feeling guilty over Hassan; I told him he has a chance to be ‘good again’.  I want him to come home so that he can rescue Sohrab and I will feel as though I have lifted one of my many heavy burdens from my heart. Although, I really want to go with him my physical body is too weak right now; hopefully Amir will successfully help me to lift up this final burden from my back. I know that Amir’s father, may he rest in peace, would want his grandchild to be safe.  I think I will tell Amir the truth about his father when he comes. I think he has a right to know; and this is yet another burden from my heart too. However, I will not tell Amir all of the truth; I will let him find it out piece by piece; what I mean is I will tell him about Sohrab and that there is a willing family waiting to adopt him, if only Amir can find him in Afghanistan.  I am taking a chance on Amir’s own guilt and responsibility that he will act, and if he finds the child then maybe he will want to keep him.  Amir is married, settled, and he has no children of his own. It is natural that he assume the responsibility for his nephew. I know that Hassan would want this very much if he could only speak.

           Amir has come and I have told him the problem over Sohrab, and now he also knows the truth about Hassan being his half-brother. He has agreed to go to Afghanistan and find him in order to bring him back to the ‘fantasy couple’ I told him about.  He did not once suspect I was withholding information regarding where Sohrab was going when he is found.  We discussed his actions when he was a child and how he feels they have burdened him all his life. Afterwards he said he accepts his role in rescuing Sohrab, as it will help alleviate his guilt and he can redeem himself by doing this deed.  I pray that it's not too late. I only hope he finds him alive after all the kidnapping and killing that occurs there because of the physical difference among the races in Afghanistan. How is this fair while we are all created in God's image? Although we are physically different, our true self and what inside us is the same, we are all HUMAN! How would these wicked people feel if they are in the position of all those innocent people being killed randomly? Didn't they ever hear of "treat others the way you want to be treated"? These people are really cold blooded killers.Oh God, please rescue Sohrab!

[Song Rescue END]

            Anyway, Amir has just left for Afghanistan and he is determined to set himself, me, and Hassan free from all of our collective guilt and responsibility.  Amir would no longer be crippled by his guilt; Hassan can rest easy that Sohrab has a safe and bright future in the United States; and I can go to my grave a happy man that I have tried to set everything right.
[Song Make it Right <-- Hope you enjoy it]

Link:     Taliban kidnap 30 Pakistani children
Link:     Taliban kidnap children for suicide bombings
Link:     Pakistani Taliban kidnap 25 boys in northwest


To understand the rush Rhamn Kham is feeling, we must see how cold blooded is the Tailban. During that time period, Taliban can do any thing and no one will say a word. Sometime they even announce kidnapping children and killing some people as if it's some sort of victory.
Through understanding and feels how Rhamn Kham is feeling, we can see why he is cursing the Tailban and why he is so afraid that Amir maybe too late to rescue Sohrab, and keep asking God to help him.

(Since we are Catholic and no God other than our God is God. Therefore I changed their "God" to Jesus so I didn't break the ten commandments.  : D )

Question: How is the resilience of the human spirit developed in the novel? How do thecharacters show their determination to break through the barrier of reality andset themselves or others free from all that burdens them?

Die to Face the Truth

           It is with a full and sorrow filled heart that I leave the house where I have spent so many happy years.  This is the house where Baba and I sat up all night in the summer looking at the stars and hoping for a better and happier life in our homeland.  I saw Baba set up an orphanage for children in Kabul and I have seen Amir win the kite contest and place the kite on the wall as a trophy. Right now I have happy memories and sad ones as well.  It has been several years since Baba and Amir escaped to the United States and I know they live a very different kind of life there.  The only reason I am leaving their house is to go to Pakistan for medical treatment; I am sick and I think I will not regain my health; therefore, my heart is heavy because I think I will never see my homeland again.  I am leaving the house and all the responsibilities of it to Hassan and his wife.  I know it is in reliable hands and they will guard and keep things safe for Baba and Amir if they should ever return.  I am going to Pakistan and will stay with friends and cousins there.

           In the past few days, I have just received some horrific news and can only pray that it has all been a terrible mistake.  Friends from Kabul have phoned me here, in Pakistan, and have said that they heard Hassan and his wife have been executed in the street outside of Baba’s house.  I can hardly write this for the tears are streaming down my face.  This is such a tragic crime and such a sad end to a life that was dedicated to helping and serving others.  Hassan and his wife did not deserve their fate.  Baba, his true father was perhaps the only one who gave him unconditional love in his lifetime.  I remember Hassan’s joy when he had his lip fixed in hospital; this was a gift from his father and Ali never suspected the truth of Hassan’s parentage.  How will I ever tell Amir what has happened to Hassan; I know Amir is carrying so much guilt over Hassan already.  Now he can never tell him face to face how sorry and remorseful he truly is, and I can never tell him that I am sorry because my own decision making is affected by Hassan's race. I should have never discriminated against him, indirectly kicking him away from his homeland, given all the good things in life to Amir and favouring Amir. If I hadn't done those things and simply told the truth, Hassan and Amir maybe brothers already and living together in America happily ever after. O...... This is all my fault. 
[Song Sorry END]

           I know I am coming to the end of my journey on Earth and I feel I do not have much time left. I must act and makes decisions that I have been ignoring for years.  I remember the night Hassan’s mother left the house; Baba was convinced that contact with her would not be good for Amir.  Baba just wanted to protect his son, and I could understand that, but he did not think about the consequences for Hassan.  She was a wild woman though and would never have settled down.  Then there was the terrible time when Amir won the kite contest and lost his best and most loving friend.  Amir’s betrayal hurt Hassan and it hurt Amir as he has had to deal with the guilt of his betrayal since that day.  I must face up to these facts, at last, as I am just as guilty for going along with all of these terrible decisions.  I am going to tell Amir the truth; it is time he knew who Hassan really is.  I am doing this not to put more burden on Amir, but to face the truth at last, at the end of my life it is the right thing to do, and Amir is man enough now to accept these truths.  Sharing the truth and not keeping the secret any longer is better for both of us, and I know Baba would finally approve in his dream. (The Dream of Baba after he rescued Sohrab healing in hosiptal).
[Song Let us be brave END]

Link:     The Taliban and the Hazaras

The Taliban and the Hazaras is the main focus in the book Kite Runner, and are those who are discriminating against each other. At that time, Taliban is the strong and majority and Hazaras is the minority. After understanding their background and look back at their conflicts, we can easily understand why are the Hazaras so afraid of the Taliban. During that period of time, which is because Taliban pretty much rules the city, the society and who ever they hate became the Victims.
Through understanding these reasons behind their conflicts, we can clearly see the effects of discrimination on Kham and how it affects his decisions and lead to a tragic ending for Hassan. In this blog, we can see how Kham feels guilty because of his decisions made in the past and realize that they are discrimination. If he didn't pick those, Hassan may not die.

Question : Reflecton how the concept of a physical, outer journey; and an emotional andintellectual inner journey unfold in novel.

Brother

           For several days, I have observed the awkwardness between Hassan and Amir as I have been told of the incident about the rape. They are both trying to avoid each other and have even tried to look away when they see each other. Therefore I secretly fire him behind Babas back and tell him to leave. Today when Hassan came back into the house from shopping at the bazaar, I heard he had been accused of having stolen Amir’s birthday watch and money. However, it is the same as always, Hassan admits to the crime that Amir accuses him of and takes the blame for all the wrong doing, just like when they were kids committing many childish pranks, like shining a mirror to annoy people in the neighbourhood, or shooting walnuts at the neighbourhood dogs. Without a single word, Hassan admits that he did all the things that Amir has accused him of, I guess that make it easier for both of us so we don't have to find excuses. I am probably just as guilty, standing beside Baba knowing the truth of these events or suspecting the truth of these events; I just stood beside Baba and stayed silent letting all these lies unfold. During that moment I was thinking that I did the right thing. Hassan is in Kabul anyway, it’s better for him to leave this place where it will soon be occupied by the rebels. This is to ensure both Ali and Hassan’s safety since they are Hazara, a race looked down upon by everyone. Amir would not have to face Hassan and his sin and guilt anymore if he goes. I thought that by moving these issues away, Amir will be able to grow to be a better man, like when I moved Hassan’s mother away from Baba to restore honour to the family, Baba grew and became a good man. I thought that since this trick has worked once, it will also work for a second or the third time. But now I realize it is not perhaps a wise choice or a good time for that; maybe total honesty was what was needed then. I think my judgement was clouded by Amir’s overpowering desire for this father’s love and respect, and I did not want to put that into jeopardy. 

           I do not think talking to Hassan about the insult from Assef will do him any good now. If he can stand up like a man, then he should be able to swallow all of this from Amir like a man. I should just let the past pass, digging up the dirt will just make things worse. Not only that, it may cause a complete separation between Hassan and Amir; it will also damage the relationship between Baba and Amir. Amir and Baba’s relationship right now is too weak to face any more of these tragedies. I can see that in Baba eyes that he hasn’t forgiven Amir for “stealing” his mother’s life. Hopefully time will clear the past and likewise remove these betrayals in my heart. 

           But now is just not a good time to put things right; Amir is just too weak as I have said. Maybe I will just call Amir to come back to set thing right when Baba and Amir go to America and when Amir has fully grown and matured. Hopefully, when Amir’s mind has matured enough it will also have strengthened his mind and soul in order for both boys to face each other again. Now I have no choice but to sacrifice Hassan. I am sorry, Hassan, but I must. Hope that you will for give me and Amir, After all you two are ........

[Song Sacrifices END] 


Link:      Hazara People
To understand the whole theme of discrimination, we must first understand how are the Hazara people different from the others, and what is the reasons they are being discriminated and killed. After understanding the background information, we can have a better understanding of the situation; and understand why, at that time Rhamn Kham, would sends the Hazaras, Hassan and Hassan's mother, away instead of Amir.
This blog is written before Hassan died, and therefore Rhamn Kham still didn't realize his decision is all just discrimination which lead to a tragic ending.

Question: Discussthe issue of ethics and the concept of free will in relation to the charactersand the events in the novel.