Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Book Groups: Blog Post #2

Blog Post #2: First, please answer the question(s) below that are specific to your book in a paragraph or more for each question. Then, in closing, write a reflective paragraph in which you comment on something that seemed surprising or caused you to wonder or question in the reading that you’ve done so far. Feel free to ponder connections between yourself and the characters/events.


The Kite Runner: How does the relationship Amir has with Hassan reflect the climate of the city of Kabul and, perhaps, of the country as a whole? Explain the parallels you’re able to develop from what you’ve read so far. Second, how do the stresses of having lived in war-torn Afghanistan for many years appear in Amir’s life with Baba once they’ve settled in Fremont, CA?  Explain why these elements of life in the U.S. feel so difficult.


Where Men Win Glory:  First, contemplate the principles of Pashtun-wali (see the bottom of page 21). Why/how is this concept relevant to the book on multiple levels, based on what you’ve read so far? Second, why do you suppose that Krakauer alternates chapters/passages about the growth/development of Tillman as a scholar and athlete with the growth/development of Osama bin Laden as a leader of militant extremists?


To Hell and Back:  Based on what you have read so far, what elements of the war bother Murphy the most?  Why do you think these are the things that really get to him?  Second, in his interactions with Italian citizens, what does Murphy realize about their perceptions of American soldiers and about himself?

All Quiet on the Western Front: On page 56, the narrator, Paul, says: “We march up, moody or good-tempered soldiers--we reach the zone where the front begins and become on the instant human animals.” What does he mean, and what elements of the scene on the front reinforce his message here?  Second, remember that this is a novel. What function does the character Himmelstoss serve?  In other words, why is his character part of this story?

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