The Kite Runner chapters 11-19

After this week's reading I'd like for you to focus on several things when you blog:
1) Comment on the structure of this novel. How is it organized and how does the organization aid or guide the reader?
2) Comment on Amir. How do you feel about him now as opposed to earlier in the novel?
3) Comment on Hosseni's style of writing. What are elements of his word choice, sentence structure, tone that make his writing style unique? Perhaps choose a short passage that illustrates what you notice.
4) If you didn't in the last post, write a thematic statement that indicates what Hosseni is trying to say about one of the subjects I listed. Remember that themes are universal statements that comment on the human condition. For instance, you wouldn't want to write on the AP exam that the theme of a passage is guilt. That is a subject, not a theme. A theme could be that guilt has the power to consume and destroy. That is a universal idea that relays what the author is trying to say about guilt.
Or how about love?? That is a subject, but what is the author trying to say about love?
Love is a double-edged sword; with the joy of love comes an equal amount of pain.
People exhibit love in many ways; some through kindness and tenderness, some through jealousy, some through obsession.
See how these are complete sentences that actually pinpoint what the author is trying to say about a particular subject????
Writing thematic statements will be a focus for us in class because you will be expected to identify them and compose them on the AP exam. Do the best you can.

The Kite Runner

Sorry I'm a little late posting this week, but I'm at the beach and my phone won't allow me to create a new post for some reason. Anyway, this week I have asked that you read chapters 1-10 of The Kite Runner. I think you will find this book challenging in terms of content and engaging as well. As you read, think about the following subjects and comment about themes that are being developed as they relate to these subjects. Remember that a theme is a declarative statement that indicates what the author is trying to say about the particular subject.
-Role of books, literacy
-Friendship, guilt, redemption
-Father and son relationship
-Coming of Age
-Discrimination, prejudice, class structure
-Master/Slave relationships; loyalty, devotion and duty

Please choose one of the subjects listed, then suggest a thematic statement related to that subject, then explain how that theme is relayed in the chapters you have read.
I would also like you to comment on some emerging symbols and motifs as related to Foster's book. There are several ironies that occur in these chapters, and there should be some things that jump out at you as symbols. Explore those in your responses as well. You did a great job with this in Hurston's novel. I think you'll find that Hosseini's novel is just as rich. I look forward to reading your responses.

Their Eyes Chapters 12-20

For the final chapters, I would like for you to choose a specific symbol or motif present in these chapters and take a paragraph or so to discuss its significance to the larger meaning of the novel. I would also like for you to continue thinking about Foster's ideas and how they connect to this book. And if everyone would please note a line or passage of significance that you discover during the reading in your post and comment on it, that would be great. The line could be significant because it portrays theme, develops character, illustrates a technique of figurative language beautifully, or strikes you as odd or funny. I'd like to continue delving into the text more specifically as some of you did last week in your discussion of the pear tree.

I appreciate you all sticking with this book. I really enjoy it and I know that it is a novel that appeals more to females, so I appreciate everyone appreciating the novel for all that it has to offer!! Keep up the GREAT work.

Their Eyes Were Watching God

The schedule for the reading of this novel is as follows:
July 6-10: Chapters 1-11 with posts due on or before Sunday, July12
13-17: Chapters 12-20 of Their Eyes with posts due on or before Sunday, July 17
When reading the first set of chapters, I'd like you to focus on three ideas:
1) React personally to the novel - you could discuss characters, style, conflict, etc - you could talk about personal connections, make connections with works you've read before, evaluate characters, style, plot events, ask questions about things, speculate on a symbol or motif that is repeated....this is really wide open.
2) Connect an idea from Foster's book to the reading in these chapters and discuss its significance in terms of meaning.
3) Engage in a dialogue with me and/or other students on the blog; you did a really excellent job with this in the last week of the Foster text.