Vocab
ingrain (42)- firmly fixed
trepidation (43) - tremulous fear, alarm, or agitation; perturbation
wary (45) - watchful; being on one's guard against danger
Figurative Language
..."and I saw with a sinking heart what he had fished out of his pocket. Of course. His stainless-steel brass knuckles...."(41)
I think that Assef and his brass knuckles are a metaphor for all intolerant, ignorant, hitler loving A Holes who love to single different people out. This is also very fitting for the time and place we are in.
"He was smiling. Just as he had, emerging from his mothers womb. The swelling subsided, and the wound healed with time. Soon, it was just a pink jagged line running up from his lip. By the following winter, it was only a faint scar, Which is ironic. Because thats the winter Hassan stopped smiling (47)."
Its just self-explanitory
"I find the driveway, my fathers car, the walls, the trees, the foortops, and the hills burried under a foot of snow(48)."
This is imagery, because it paints a picture of a snowy neighborhood in my head, and of course I hate my life because winter is hell for me.
Quote
"But hes not my friends! I almost blurted. Hes my servant! Had I really thought that? Of course I hadnt. I hadnt. I treated Hassan well, just like a friend, better even, more like a brother (41)."
This quote is significant, because it really tests Amir's loyalty to Hassan, even when in the face of danger.
Theme
An emerging theme is change. Everything, from the government to Amir childhood is changing. The King is dead, and Afghanistan is a republic now. Also, his relationship with Hassan is constantly being tested by haters and nay-sayers...
Dear Khaled,
As I continue to read the Kite Runner I think about my friendships, and what they mean to me. It sounds like Amir growing up wasnt surrounded by a group of friends, just his and Hassan. While Hassan is different, and may cause some problems, Amir sticks with his buddy even when he faces the dreaded "stainless-steel" brass knuckles. I respect his decision to stay strong, even though he friend pulled a quick one, and practically made Assef blind.
