Life Goes On?
As you get through chapter 16, what are
your thoughts on Amir's struggle with his own guilt at this point in the novel?
Has America changed Amir? How? How has your opinion changed about him since he
was a boy in Kabul? Do you think he can go and "be good again?"
Regarding Amir’s feeling of guilt, I believe he should’ve told Soraya about witnessing Hassan’s rape. It would only be fair considering she had told him her dark secret about being with a man before Amir. I believe it would have reduced his constant feeling of guilt and anxiety whenever reminders of the situation were brought up. America has been great to Amir up to this point. He achieved his dream of being a published author and has a wife. The time he spent away from the Middle East also helped Amir forget about his past almost completely. He had matured a lot after having to take care of Baba and having to be independent after his passing. He is a much different person compared to when he was a boy in Kabul for the better. I believe if he completes Rahim Khan’s wish, Amir will have the chance to “be good again,” because it will almost act as a repayment to Hassan for all he did for Amir.
ReplyDeleteI believe that if Amir would have told Soraya about Hassans rape and about what he did and didnt do about it. That this would have helped how he acts on day to day basis. Amir to let it go and the only way to let it go, is to tell someone you trust. These are my thoughts of Amir’s current guilt. I don’t think that America has changed Amir, I think Soraya changed him. When Amir first saw Soraya, he fell in love instantly,but he was too shy to talk to her. I think that Amir can be “good again”. If he really tries and wants to be, he can. He justs needs to put his mind to it.
ReplyDeleteI think if Amir would’ve told Soraya about what happened to Hassan and the things he did after it, I think it would’ve somewhat help with his guilt. He also should’ve told her about it because she shared a secret with him. I think America has been good to Amir and that if it has changed him, it has been for better not worse. Amir is a different person than he was as a kid in Kabul, which is good because he’s changed for the better. My opinion has changed because I think he’s a better person than when he was a kid. Yes, I do think Amir can be good again because Baba raised him to be a good kid.
ReplyDeleteHugh Molony
I believe that Amir does feel guilty about keeping Hassans rape a secret for so many years and he should have let his wife know so she could help him with that feeling. Once he talked to Rahim Khan he was sure he had known for all those years but wanted to wait till Amir was ready to tell him. i do believe Amir can be "good again" but only if he wants to be.
ReplyDelete~Denise Brady
i believe that Amir should have told Soraya about what happened to to Hassan in the Middle East but his guilt holds it back from telling her. I believe tell her about what happened would help Amir not feel as guilty for what he did. Right now I believe America is doing pretty well for Amir because he has a wife and he met his goal of becoming a published author.
ReplyDeleteBen Miller
Amir is starting to learn that he has to let go of the past and move on. He should stop worrying and start living his life. America has changed Amir. It has brought his father and him closer and they start doing things together and getting along. I believe that there is still some bad in him but he is getting better at good. He is starting to care for people and be less shellfish. He is still nervous about things like does his father know the truth. I believe that he can be good, but no matter how good you are, there is still evil inside you that you don't always show.
ReplyDeleteCharles Bruns
I think Amir should have told Soraya that he saw Hassan get raped because it would have helped him get rid of a little guilt. I also think he should have told her because she told him a secret. America has changed Amir but in a good way. I think he can "be good again" but he has to want it and he has to give effort.
ReplyDelete- Izzy S.
My thoughts on Amir’s struggle with his own guilt is that it is his own fault for letting that happen in his life. Some of Amir’s struggles are them are not all of him. For example, when him and his wife can’t have a baby the get really stressed out and sad. I think America has changed him a little more because he pursues his dream job, has a wife, and a house. Amir is definitely living a better life than he was over in the middle east. My opinion has not changed about Amir since he was in Kabul because I still think he is a coward. Personally, I think he can be good again if he really tried and if he was not such a coward.
ReplyDeleteJesus Barrios
I think he wouldn’t have felt as guilty if he told Soraya about Hassan getting raped. Getting that off his chest would’ve helped him and just talking about it with someone may relief some of the stress he is going through. America has been good to Amir so far; he can do what ever he wants and is a free man in America. He can now go to college to study a major in English and pursue his writing career. America allowed him to write his first novel and become a published artist. He also now has an agent from the New York agency. This little trip away from home allowed him to forget about his past a little bit and move in the direction he wanted to. I think he has grown up a little bit and made some good changes towards his life since he was a boy. I think he will be able to grant Rahim Khans wish of coming back to visit him and talk to him about what happen in the Hassan incident. Since Rahim found out about the incident, I think it will be good for him to talk about the situation with him. He has everything in his power to “be good again” now that he has made some moves to better his life.
ReplyDeleteColby Holmes
I feel that Amir should of told Soraya about Hassan and all that happened because on the phone Soraya told Amir a secret about another man and everything that happened. It would be better for Amir to tell someone what happened that day with Hassan. America has changed Amir a lot because it has affected his life in a good way. First off, he has become a published author, which was a dream of his. Secondly, he has found a wife. And while being in America, it has helped Amir forgot about the Middle East. Since Kabul, Amir has matured a lot because now in America, he has so much more responsibility. He had to take care of Baba, he now has a wife and he is a published author. I do think Amir can be good again if he is able to right his wrongs.
ReplyDeleteLuke M
If Amir told Soraya what happen back in Afghanistan when Hassan got raped, I feel like Amir would be feel a little better about his past because his wife would know and if he had any bad flashbacks Soraya would know and could help Amir out. Amir is still trying to avoid his guilt. I do believe that America has changed Amir, he has matured, got his dream job of becoming a writer, he bought his own house, and got married to Soraya. However, when Amir was a little kid living in Kabul, he wasn't the greatest kid. I do believe that America has become a better place for Amir and has changed my perspective of his life. I do believe that Amir can be "good again" because everyone deserves second changes in this world and Amir is on a good path to becoming "good again."
ReplyDeleteWill Potter
Amir had the chance to relieve some of his guilt, and it came when Soraya told Amir a secret about herself. It would have been the perfect time to tell her because she just told her a secret. I believe Amir would feel better about himself if he got it off his chest because it would allow him to live a little more freely. I believe America has changed Amir because he is achieving a dream of his. I believe he will have more readers in America than he would have if he stayed in Kabul. My opinion on Amir has changed a little, but not much. I am happy he is doing good in life and providing for himself. But I am still disappointed that he hasn’t told anyone about Hassan and his rape. If he could get that off his chest, I would respect him a lot more because it would show how mature he has gotten since leaving Kabul. I do believe Amir can be good again because of his father and the way he helped people. Amir will someday learn how to be like his father, and I believe that time will come soon.
ReplyDeleteMike Trumm
I believe that Amir struggles with his own guilt because he keeps all his feelings to himself. I think Amir should’ve came out and told Soraya about being there and seeing Hassan get raped by Assef. When Amir was talking to Soraya, she came out and told him one of her biggest secret about being with a man before Amir. I think if Hassan would talk with Soraya about his feelings and what all happened in his life it would reduce his feelings of guilt. I think America changed Amir in a good way because he reached his dream of being a published author. He also got married to his wife. From spending time away from the Middle East, it helped Amir forget about all what happened in the past. Amir have matured a lot after he had to take care of Baba before he passes away. Amir has changed in many ways since he was a little boy in Kabul, and it is for the better. The only way it would “be good again” if he completes Rahim Khan’s wish. Amir thinks doing this would almost act like a repayment to Hassan for what he all did for Amir.
ReplyDeleteMichael Droeszler
Amir is dealing with the guilt of Hassan’s rape. He should’ve told Soraya about what happen to Hassan because Soraya shared a secret with Amir. I think America changed Amir because he finished high school and his dad is proud of him. When he was in Kabul, he didn’t have a chance to impress his dad, besides winning in the competition. Baba is proud of him and wants him to keep chasing his dream. I think Amir can be good again because he changed and made some good progress throughout his life. Jose Nava
ReplyDeletei think Amir should've told Soraya that he saw Hassan get beat up by three guys and raped by Assef but his guilt wont let him. If he told her He would've get rid of the guilt like and like he wouldn't be nervous about things. In my opinion i think he can do better but like i said he still nervous but if he didn't wanted to jump in for him i mean its not his fault. Amir can do better with time and spent more time with Soraya.
ReplyDeleterogelio nunez
Jarett Connolly
ReplyDeleteI think Amir should have told his wife Soraya about the incident with Hassan being raped and everything else that happened. I think if Amir would of told her he wouldn’t have as much stress on himself and with talking to someone about he might not feel as guilty about it. Since Amir moved to America everything has been great for him and he went to college to study a major in English. Amir was then able to pursue his dream of being a writer and getting married. Amir is changing for the good now since he’s moved to America and is not like the kid he was in the Middle East. I think Amir isn’t as selfish and mean anymore since he has grown up and having to take care of Baba and being independent. I think if Amir keeps going in his same tracks, I think he will “be good again”.
I think that how Amirs life has turned out so far is due to him. I think that he should have told Soraya about what had happened between Hassan and him. I think that when he gets to America he just forgets about everything that has happened and just moves, but should tell someone about Hassan, I then think he would be able to live a better life. I think that he has gotta worse at this point of the book and hope he turns around and knows what he needs to do.
ReplyDeleteJessica Kremer
Amir’s struggle with his past is deserved. I disliked him. Amir has not changed a bit he thinks about him self before others. My opinion hasn’t changed about Amir I still think he is a brat that deserves retribution. He can be good again, if he confronts Hassan and apologizes. Amir is a detestable protagonist but an amazing antagonist. Amir is the one character I dislike just as much as Assef.
ReplyDeleteTrevor Thein
I think moving to America was a way of getting away from his own guilts. I think Amir is a good person who just needed time to mature and I think he has matured now. He did a good job taking care of his father and their relationship became a lot closer after moving to America. Deep down I think he still misses Hassan and holds that guilt in him but doesn't show it. In chapter 16, Rahim Khan is visiting with Amir back in the Middle East and Hassan gets brought up a lot and I am hoping they meet again and can work out their differences. My opinion has changed about him since he was a kid. He used to be a coward but I do believe he has changed and we will see in the upcoming chapters if he has changed or not. From his life back in California, it seems that he has definitely matured since when he lived in Kabul. Whether that means he will put his differences aside and be friends with Hassan again is unknown but I believe he can.
ReplyDelete-Sam Noonan
I believe that the guilt that Amir is experiencing is brutally realistic. Most people like to think that guilt comes and goes, but certain situations, the worst kind of guilt produced from extremely bad decisions, can stick with a person their entire life. Even after Amir moved away, left his past behind in a sense, he couldn’t quite let go. His mistakes and wrongdoings eventually caught up with him, even after all of those years of ignorance. Even if he were to tell his wife about what he didn’t do, I don’t think that would resolve his guilt. It’d make it easier to bare now that he has nothing to hide, but it would still haunt him. Even his move to America didn’t change Amir that much. What truly changed the main character was growing up and becoming an adult. After all he had experienced and been through, he has finally matured and grown into a man, working hard for money and respect. Amir is no longer that whiny kid who plays tricks on others. He is no longer the spoiled brat that he once was, he’s had to work hard to get where is he at in America. In all honesty, I never hated Amir, I understood why he ran instead of helping Hassan, I just wish that wasn’t what he did. I truly don’t think he’s ever been bad person, but he wasn’t a pure person like Hassan. A bad person would be someone like Assef, who physically and mentally abuses others for his own sick vendettas. When Rahim Kahn says, “There is a way to be good again” I don’t think he meant that Amir is a bad person. I think he was trying to say that there is a way for Amir to resolve his past conflicts, to make amends for his bad decisions that have been haunting him his entire life. So, when it is in this sense, I do think that Amir can be good again. I think he can make up for what he did/didn’t do, and then I think he will finally be able to move. He’ll finally be able to let go of the past and focus on the present.
ReplyDeleteColson Cruciani
I think Amir should’ve told Soraya about watching Hassan get raped and not doing anything. Soraya tells Amir some of her dark secrets so Amir should’ve shared his. It would have lifted some of the guilt off Amir’s shoulder and I am sure Soraya would’ve still loved him. America has been very good to Amir thus far, even though he lost his father. Amir achieved his dream of being a published author and also gets married. When he was a boy in kubal I didn’t really like him because he was causing a lot of pain to people he loved, but America has really changed him. Taking care of Baba on his deathbed really matured Amir and has made him a better man. I believe Amir has a chance of being good again if he can fulfill Rahim Khan’s wish.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the past couple chapters, my thoughts on Amir’s struggle with his guilt has changed. While Baba and Amir are fleeing Afghanistan, I think Amir’s struggle with his guilt was intense. Once Baba and Amir make it to America, I think Amir’s struggle with his guilt become more of a thing of the past. Very rarely will Amir think about Hassan and think to himself, how he is doing. I Think America has changed Amir. Amir learns to take care of his father instead of avoiding each other when they lived in Kabul. In America, Amir also met Soraya and he experienced a different feeling when he was around her. My opinion on Amir has changed since he lived in Kabul because I think now Amir is less selfish and can stand up for himself. I also think Amir can become good, but only if he truly apologizes and to Hassan.
ReplyDeleteWyatt Lynch
As i read chapter 16 i realized my thoughts on Amir has changed from the beginning of the book. Amir is struggling with his guilt because of him witnessing the rape of Hassan. I think that he should have told Soraya about the rape so she can see the real him. America has changed Amir's life substantially because when they move he tried to be a bigger person and bond more with his father. My opinion has changed from when he was in Kabul because he was innocent and didn't know any different there and now he isn't telling anyone the truth and is just worried about himself. I believe that he can "be good" again because he was good once when he would tell the truth, so he just needs to start telling the truth to everyone to become himself and good.
ReplyDeleteChloe Geerts
I personally don't think America has changed Amir it's just that America is a better environment for him personally in which he can thrive. America is a country where one with Academic interests like Amir can better pursue those interests. My opinion of Amir has slightly changed I think Amir is basically a good person he just has a terrible sin which he has yet to atone for. I think he dosen't have to be good again as he is basically already good. I think he can partially atone for his guilt by going back and doing something for Hassan but I dont think he can ever fully atone. I personally believe the only things that can truly be forgiven are minor things and grevious wrong doings can only be partially atoned for at best and that one will always carry a bit of that stain.
ReplyDeleteAmir should have told Soraya about Hassan. After all, Soraya told Amir a secret of hers about another man and everything that happened with him. It would be beneficial for Amir to tell someone what happened that day with Hassan. America has definitely changed Amir because it has affected his daily life in a good way. He’s become a published author, which means a lot to him. Amir has also found his wife in America. Since living in America, Amir doesn’t think about the Middle East. Since leaving Kabul Amir has matured a lot. He’s starting to make his own life and take responsibility for a lot more. I do think Amir can be good again if he can do right with his life.
ReplyDeleteI believe Amir's struggle with his guilt is deserved, as there is nothing else he could really feel about his past considering what he's done, or moreso, what he hasn't done. Amir matured alot since moving to America, and it likely pushed him to try harder than ever to forget his guilt and to move on. I do believe he can be good again, if he makes the effort to do so.
ReplyDeleteSo far in the book Amir is having some problems with what he has done in the past. Yes I think America has changed Amir because it showed him that you have to work for money it dose not get handed to you. So he had to get a job and work and with in working he found him self who he was meant to be, a writer. I believe that in the long run that Amir could become a good person again but he needs do something a little more then what he is doing.
ReplyDelete~Rylan Crowley
DeleteI think that Amir chose the perfect time to tell his wife Soraya because I feel he was not ready to confess to something that big he just wasn’t ready so I'm glad he chose the time he did to tell her. I also feel that was the right time because if he would have told her earlier that could have made her have strong feelings about leaving him since they didn’t even know each other that well. I think America changed Amir in a great way because back in Kabul it was just chaotic and a very bad environment to grow up in where horrible things happened. My opinion about Amir has totally changed I think Amir has totally became a better person a stronger person at that. I think he finally overcame his fears and guilt to be a better person.
ReplyDelete