Katherine, Torie, Laney, Ginny

[ginny...@gmail.com]

One overlapping theme of the novel is that only through destruction and realization of destruction can society begin to change. Why do you believe the author chose to make this one of the points in the novel? Think about the relationships you see in the book such as race, religion, the introduction of the Soviets and Taliban, and how they all contribute to the state of the different societies presented as a whole. Use specific evidence from the novel and history. 

[Alize Holt]

I believe the author chose to make this one of the points in the novel is because it focuses a lot on the redemption theme which can kind of go along with destruction because in order for redemption to take place something must be "destructed" in a way, and then be realized by the individual so that they may redeem themselves for what they have done or destructed and then will things begin to change for that person. For example when Soraya ran away from home to live with an Afghan man she destructed the way she is perceived to others and possibly her chances of finding a husband. However once she realized the mistake she had made and admitted it to Amir she was able to relax after the feeling of guilt was gone and was able to change her life.

[Sarah Kloesel]

I believe the author made the point because through the novel you can notice that through destruction and pain, can real change and cause happen. You need destruction in order to make a change, just like you need guilt in order to have redemption. Without things falling apart a novel would not be able to take place, it needs it in order to move the story along. With Amir framing Hassan that is what aused him to go get redemption for his actions, with Baba having an affair with Alis wife caused him to need to cover that guilt with Hassan.

[Katherine Z]

I absolutely love this example specifically because it shows that more than just the main characters seek redemption and wish to find improvement. I think looking further than the novel, you can easily see that because this is seen in EVERY character in the novel rather it is greatly emphasized or not, each and every single person finds flaws or mistakes from themselves that they wish to escape or face in order to improve their living standards. This explains why the shift in who has political control and was fighting for political control throughout the novel is constantly shifting as a society wishes to better itself for its own good the same way Amir wishes to better himself for the selfish reason of his own good. Escaping guilt and seeking power (rather it is power of his emotions, of the situation he let happen though he could have had control, etc.)  I think a great implication throughout this novel is that everyone and every peoples will experience destruction and have a need for redemption, one of the easiest ways to start that change as being identifying the destruction that already existed or that you have created. Change only comes from the desire to change.