End of Kite Runner 5/30

I have just finished The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. As horrible and as graceful as the story progresses, the ending makes the reader realize the incredible irony. Amir, who was practically cast away emotionally from his father due to his father's guilt must try gain emotion from Sohrab. He must run down a kite in order to gain something from Hassan's son that only Hassan receieved from his father. The story has many tragic moments yet at every turn the idea of Karma is shown as Sohrab is the one who knocks out Assef's eye. Still, the story is told in a background that represents a common struggle that faces the children of Afghanistan. As stated in the story, "Afghanistan has many children, but no childhood"(339). Another major theme that plays its role is guilt. Guilt provides the motivation for Amir to do what he did and also creates the emotionally distant Baba who Amir grows up with. It then forces Amir to go to Afghanistan where the demons from his childhood remain. Finally, the last major theme is determination. Baba appears to be the most determined character in the story because of his guilt. He becomes a great humanitarian as he builds an orphanage and helps many unfortunate people. Amir, in the beginning, is not determined and this creates the situation that the book is based on. Later on though, he becomes stronger and determined in his actions leading to the inevitable end where he saves Hassan's son and helps to connect with him.

Shibumi 4/9/10

Shibumi is a story about an anything but simple person trying to achieve "effortless perfection". In the beginning, the story centers around a story of CIA supervisors who are running covert operations. However, this segues into a story of young Nikolai Hel. As an intelligent young man, Nikolai discovers mysticism. In order to achieve perfection which he knows as "shibumi" he must control this ability and use it accordingly. Still, the story centers around an old Nikolai who is thrown back into the world of danger and violence. The most interesting thing about the story is about how Nikolai has viewed and continues to view his mystic abilities. When he was young his teacher had asked if his transcend into the mystic world brought pleasure? Nikolai responds articurately with claiming that "'[He] never thought of it that way. It is...necesary'" (84). He feels that he needs this ability or he may go crazy. His teacher warns him that many people who have mystic beliefs when they are young lose it later in life. Nikolai tells him that he would punish whomever or whatever caused him to lose his powers. Nikolai's mental status and his physical traits conflict in that his mind cannot handle his powers. This conflict will lead to an immense clash in violence between him and those who seek to destroy him.

Don Quixote 4/18/10

Don Quixote ends as it began. As an astonishingly dramatic and comedic story that seems to enthrall the reader right to the last sentence. By having Don Quixote die, Miguel de Cervantes has chosen to end the story on a note of finality. Instead of leaving the end open for more grim adventures, Cervantes scares the reader by having Quixote die in his home town. The very town from which he had began his perilous journey to spread, enforce, and practice chivalry is the same town his life ends in. Ironically, Quixote does not seem beaten or defeated but rather simply at peace. The character is so ironic and mystifyng that the author uses his book to clarify that it is untrue. Cervantes claimed that "for [him] alone was Don Quixote born, and [he] produced him" (891). He then goes on describing the true nature of Don Quixote and his inspirations which seem to be the people who would never let go of their teachings of chivalry. Quxote is meant to resemble a whole group of people; those who live in the past. Instead of moving forward with culture and society, this group decided to keep to their old practices and ways. However, Quixote exagerates the stupidity of ths group as he ends up fighting random people, attacking windmills, and harassing innocent people. While Quixote believes he is helping to save the world, he is only causing despair. This is what Cervantes was saying about the people who were practically addicted to chivalry. Finally, with the death of Quixote, Cervantes concludes that the old group died or withered into history. Don Quixote has always been Cervantes's way of adressing those who wished to live in the past.

4/1/10 Genre Plans

Through out my independent reading this school year, I have encompassed a variety of genres. I have read non-fiction, fiction, historical-fiction, comedy, and classic books. I read The World is Flat which may have had multiple opinions in it but contained facts and stories about things that actually happened. For fiction, Catch22 and Hocus Pocus were books that included made up stories. I believe that Don Quixote counts as historical fiction as although it is a made up character, it is based on characteristics of people at the time. For comedy, Hocus Pocus, is clearly a comedic book as most of it is based on jokes and an ironic plot meant to make the reader laugh. Finally, Don Quixote classifies as a classic book/novel as it has been around for a long time and has been seen and read as a great work of literature. For the 4th quarter, I would like to read a mystery and possibly a horror book. Those are two genres I have yet to read. For this quarter, Don Quixote has been my favorite read. It is such a thrilling comedy and ironic storyline that it captured my imagination quickly.

Don Quixote 3/21/10

Don Quixote character is the exact opposite of Yossarian's in Catch 22. While Quixote continuously humiliates himself and loses at whatever contests he choses to enter, Yossarian proves to be a subtle person. Yossarian is considered a hero by many soldiers in his unit for returning to bomb a heavily guarded bridge a second time and he is praised for refusing to fly any more missions. Quixote, however embarrasses himself but still considers himself a hero. Quixote believes he should enter in a "solemn tournament on the festival of St. George" for it may "raise his reputation above that of all the champions upon earth" (465). While the reader must show no respect towards Quixote and his ridiculous ideas, the reader must respect Yossarian for trying to save himself after proving himself to be a courageous figure. Yossarian never describes himself as a hero or a noble person for he wants simply to not fly any more missions. Quixote is claimed to be an idiot by many other characters but he still seems determined in his belief that he is a valiant knight. Quixote will never become a noble person or a courageous one because his personality prevents him from caring. He cares more about what others think of him than what he thinks of himself. Yossarian thinks only of himself and wants to survive the war. That is the only reason he does what he does and that is why the other pilots look up to him. They sympathize with him and so does the reader. No one can sympathize with Don Quixote though as no sane man would ever sell land for books or attack a windmill. His character is too comedic to be similar to any reader but Yossarian is apparently the only sane man in his story making him the only character similar to the reader. Yossarian is a noble and courageous person while Quixote is a selfish and insane annoyance. They are complete opposites.

Don Quixote 3/7/10

Miguel de Cervantes proved himself to be a great comedian and master of irony. He wrote the story at the time in order for the irony to be easily absorbed. First, he depicts Don Quixote as a poor man seeking adventure in order for him to gain recognition. He was given a poor farm and small piece of land to live on. The real irony however is that he continuously makes himself poorer because he likes to buy books about chivalry. Although now the idea does not seem that ridiculous, it was seen as ludicrous back in the 1600's. To sell one's land for books seemed like the most idiotic decision possible. Still, that is only the beginning. Don Quixote seeks to live out his life as a knight of chivalry, even when the use of knights is almost gone. Too add more comedy, Don Quixote (a very skinny and tall man) has a short and pudhy sidekick named Pancho. Don Quixote is simply insane. He later believes a group of people to be unjustly accused prisoners and tries to "free" them. Instead, he ends up harassing a group of people that were just out on a walk. Don Quixote is an insane man who is the essence of idiodicy.

2/28/10 Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes

Don Quixote has proved itself to be a classical comedy and drama. As a fan of classical novels, from Crime and Punishment to A Tale of Two Cities, I like stories that attack the norm of society or rational reasoning. Don Quixote is such a story that captures the essence of seeking the life of a hero or for adventure in the 1600's in Europe. People were still infatuated with the life of a knight while society was being turned on its side by the Renaissance. It is here, where Don Quixote gives up his life to be, in his mind, a wandering hero that fights the wicked and rescues the good. The only problem is that he has no sense of what he is doing. He is insane, bored, and obviously incapable of ever thinking with the least bit of rationale. He even believes a windmill is an evil and wicked creature so much that he "put his Rocinante to full speed, and assaulting the nearest windmill, thrust into one of the sails" (57). The comedy grows as he travels with his loyal squire, Sancho Panza, who seems to not do anything. What makes the story even more interesting is the speed at which it is told. While most books focus on a single event for at least 10 pages, DOn Quixote's battle with the windmill is over in one page. This surprise me especially since the book is almost 900 pages long. However, I am determined to read every page.