Introductory Materials
Afghanistan History PowerPoint:
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Reconstruction in Kabul (May 2016)
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Socratic Seminar
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The Kite Runner PDF:
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Assignments and Activities
Literary Data Sheet (due at the end of the unit):
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Panjpar (Chapter 6):
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Kite Fighting (Chapter 7): www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-37103668
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Chapter 7 Rape Symbolism Discussion:
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Page 202 Taliban Activity:
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Redemption Stories (New York Times):
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Topics We'll Turn into Themes
- Guilt
- Redemption
- The Past
- Forgiveness
Discussion Questions |
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Close Readings
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Ancillary Readings
Sonita Alizadeh - Afghan rapper and child bride
Sonita Alizadeh begins her song "Brides for Sale" in a whisper. "Women must remain silent" she says before her voice gains resonance and she slams child marriage, relating it to raising animals for slaughter."Let me scream," she raps, "I am tired of the silence. Lift your hands off me. I feel suffocated."
Alizadeh is just one of a few female rappers from Afghanistan. She expressed her feelings by writing lyrics when her parents attempted to force her to marry a stranger at the age of 16. Despite her protests, the marriage nearly went through. According to the WHO, more than 14 million girls a year are married before they reach the age of 18. That's about 39,000 a day. Patriarchal traditions and lack of alternatives for women perpetuates the phenomenon in places like Afghanistan. |
Her musical talents helped to save the Afghan teenager from the fate that so many of her peers have suffered — but it almost wasn't enough. Luckily for Alizadeh, her song catapulted her to fame in Afghanistan, and caught the attention of international media. Her success helped her parents to come to terms with the fact that their daughter has a lot to offer the world before she gets married.
"It means so much to me that my family went against our tradition for me," she said. "Now I’m somewhere that I never imagined I could be." Alizadeh is currently attending boarding school in America where she’s focusing on developing her musical abilities. |
Spôjmaï Zariâb - Afghani short story writer (b. 1949)
She was born in Kabul and was educated at Kabul University, at the École des Beaux-Arts in Kabul and at Besançon in France. She married Rahnaward Zaryab, also a writer. During the Russian occupation of her country, she worked as a translator at the French embassy. In 1991, she left Afghanistan for exile at Montpellier in France.
Original Indian Story:
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Literary Connections
Felix Dennis: "I am listening now..."
I am listening, now. The past is past,
I’m here. I’m sitting beside your bed. Speak to me now. It’s time at last To make amends. The past is dead. I am listening, now. I’m here, my dear. Your spotted hands are soft as fur. Speak to me, now. I’ve ears to hear, They are not so deaf as once they were. I am listening, now. I’m done with fuss; Babble of treachery, love or pain, Speak of yourself, of them, of us-- Speak of the ghosts that fill the rain. I am listening, now. I left it late, Later than ever we thought or knew. Speak to me. Please. Unbar the gate. Turn back, my dear. I’m here for you. 1. What seems to be the literal situation of this poem?
2. What figurative meanings does the poem hold? Especially consider the final stanza. 3. How does this poem relate to the novel? |
Letitia Elizabeth Landon: "Change"
And this is what is left of youth! . . .
There were two boys, who were bred up together, Shared the same bed, and fed at the same board; Each tried the other’s sport, from their first chase, Young hunters of the butterfly and bee, To when they followed the fleet hare, and tried The swiftness of the bird. They lay beside The silver trout stream, watching as the sun Played on the bubbles: shared each in the store Of either’s garden: and together read Of him, the master of the desert isle, Till a low hut, a gun, and a canoe, Bounded their wishes. Or if ever came A thought of future days, ’twas but to say That they would share each other’s lot, and do Wonders, no doubt. But this was vain: they parted With promises of long remembrance, words Whose kindness was the heart’s, and those warm tears, Hidden like shame by the young eyes which shed them, But which are thought upon in after-years As what we would give worlds to shed once more. They met again, — but different from themselves, At least what each remembered of themselves: The one proud as a soldier of his rank, And of his many battles: and the other Proud of his Indian wealth, and of the skill And toil which gathered it; each with a brow And heart alike darkened by years and care. They met with cold words, and yet colder looks: Each was changed in himself, and yet each thought The other only changed, himself the same. And coldness bred dislike, and rivalry Came like the pestilence o’er some sweet thoughts That lingered yet, healthy and beautiful, Amid dark and unkindly ones. And they, Whose boyhood had not known one jarring word, Were strangers in their age: if their eyes met, ’Twas but to look contempt, and when they spoke, Their speech was wormwood! . . . . . . And this, this is life! 1. What statement(s) does this poem make about life?
2. Do you agree with the poem? 3. How does this relate to Hassan and Amir? |
William Blake: "The Poison Tree"
I was angry with my friend;
I told my wrath, my wrath did end. I was angry with my foe: I told it not, my wrath did grow. And I waterd it in fears, Night & morning with my tears: And I sunned it with smiles, And with soft deceitful wiles. And it grew both day and night. Till it bore an apple bright. And my foe beheld it shine, And he knew that it was mine. And into my garden stole, When the night had veild the pole; In the morning glad I see; My foe outstretched beneath the tree. 1. Explain the meaning of the first four lines.
2. What does the speaker compare his wrath to? How does this metaphor work? 3. What happens at the end of the poem? 4. What statement is the speaker making? 5. How does this relate to the novel? |