Chapter 4

Chapter 4:

1.       Ali’s parents were killed by two drunk drivers. Baba’s father takes the young Ali in and adopts him.

2.       Amir and Hassan are best friends, never apart, and are very loyal to one another. They are the best of friends. In contrast, Baba and Ali were playmates, but Baba never called Ali a friend. Hassan tells us that Hassan is not his friend, but in truth we see that he really is a great friend to Ali.

3.       This quotation is all that society teaches Amir coming into play. He knows Hassan is probably the best friend he will ever have but that doesn’t matter because of the diversity between the Hazara and the Pashtun. Hassan really can’t be his friend because of social differences.

4.       Amir and Hassan experience many adventures together. Every day, they play, read and imagine up many fantasies. They really in many senses of the word are friends. Alli and Baba, however, were never “friends”, just playmates. They played together but for them the social barrier was so large that they could not be friends.

5.       Amir is a literate Pashtun boy and Hassan is an illiterate Hazara boy. The author uses the concept of literacy and illiteracy to show the social class differences in the boy’s lives. Hassan wakes up, prepares Amir’s breakfast and does his chores. Amir, on the other hand, wakes up, eats breakfast and goes to school. Also, Amir uses Hassan’s illiteracy to make fun of him in a way. This is shown in the word usage imbecile.

6.       The significance of the word imbecile is that Amir told Hassan the wrong definition of the word. In fact, he used the complete opposite usage of the word.  He then proceeds to use it in a sentence. The sentence used (p.29) “When it comes to words, Hassan is an imbecile.”  The sentence is correct, but instead of meaning that Hassan is good with words, it means that he is an idiot about words. Amir knows this, but Hassan is oblivious and will never question Amir whether or not if he is being truthful.

7.       Amir’s first story gives him an idea of what becoming a writer would be like. When he tells Baba, he does not pay much attention. Amir then gives Rahim Khan the story to read. Later, Rahim tells him the story is excellent and encourages his future stories. This shows us two different personalities between Baba and Rahim Khan. Baba is busy, a bit distant, and gruff. Rahim is kind, loving, and a second father figure. Amir feels that Rahim Khan really cares.

8.       Hassan reacts to Amir’s story by posing a question. He asks why the man had to kill his wife to cry, because he simply could have used onions instead.