Imperial Federation Map
How Britian Once Viewed the World
Monday, November 16, 2009
You've Always Been a Tourist
After successfully escaping Afghanistan and building a new life for himself in America, Amir is forced to confront his past and the truth about himself, his father, and Hassan. When Rahim Kahn telephones asking for his help, Amir has no choice but to get on a plane to Pakistan. Once he arrives, he learns the truth about the ties that bind he and Hassan together. Of course, now he has no choice. He must agree to Rahim Kahn's request that he return to Afghanistan, find Hassan's son Sohrab, and smuggle him out of the country. Although he realizes the danger involved, Amir soon finds himself sitting in the back of an old car wearing a carefully woven beard and some traditional Afghan clothing. His driver Farid is taking him through the Khyber Pass and into Afghanistan. Amir is sick and Farid treats him with contempt. He resents Amir and soon exclaims, "You've alwaysbeen a tourist here, you just didn't know it." What distinction does Farid draw between the life Amir lived in Afghanistan and the life most Afghans lived? Based on what you know and what you're reading about life for the typical Afghan, do you agree with Farid's accusation? (Please support your response with some textual evidence and even extend it with a connection to real life.)
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The issue that made the greatest impression on me as a viewer was change. There had never been a woman as a chief before and the grandfather could accept the fact that his grand-daughter may have been the next chief. He didn’t allow her to train with the boys to become a chief but she trained in secrecy. It took Pieka riding a whale for him to realize and accept the fact that a girl was meant to lead there tribe. The grandfather was so against his grand-daughter becoming chief that when she had beaten the most promising boy in training, he kicked him out.
ReplyDeleteA novel we read that also deals with change is Things Fall Apart. In this novel, Okonkwo had to deal with to types of changes. The first was moving back to his motherland during his exile and then having to deal with the Christians coming into his community. In the move back to his motherland, Okonkwo had to get use to the traditions of his mother’s tribe. Also when the Christians came into the picture Okonkwo had to abide by their rules and religion.
A change I had to deal with in my own life was becoming a mother. Being a mom is a very life changing situation, especially a teen mom. You have to learn to juggle school, home life, work, friends, a baby, and time for yourself.