Comic!

I've decided to make a comic strip about one reality that apparently no one can change...Hope you like it!

Mind Map and Song!

All I Can Do Is Write About It

Lynyrd Skynyrd

Well this life that I've lead has took me everywhere 

There ain't no place I ain't never gone 

But it's kind of like the saying that you heard so many times 

Well there just ain't no place like home 

Did you ever see a she-gator protect her young 

Or a fish in a river swimming free 

Did you ever see the beauty of the hills of Carolina 

Or the sweetness of the grass in Tennessee 

And Lord I can't make any changes 

All I can do is write 'em in a song 

I can see the concrete slowly creepin' 

Lord take me and mine before that comes 

Do you like to see a mountain stream a-flowin' 

Do you like to see a youngun with his dog 

Did you ever stop to think about, well, the air your breathin' 

Well you better listen to my song 

And Lord I can't make any changes 

All I can do is write 'em in a song 

I can see the concrete slowly creepin' 

Lord take me and mine before that comes 

I'm not tryin' to put down no big cities 

But the things they write about us is just a bore 

Well you can take a boy out of ol' Dixieland 

But you'll never take ol' Dixie from a boy 

And Lord I can't make any changes 

All I can do is write 'em in a song 

I can see the concrete slowly creepin' 

Lord take me and mine before that comes 

'Cause I can see the concrete slowly creepin' 

Lord take me and mine before that comes

Globalization

• Globalization uses up finite resources more quickly.
• Globalization increases world carbon dioxide emissions.
• Globalization encourages dependence on other countries for essential goods and services.

For me, this song represents the cities' growth, and how this is affecting the country, the children and their dreams... This makes me feel really upset, as people have more power than what they even believe they have, so sometimes they abuse of it and start destroying everything, without caring about the future generations. I think that this song represents magnificently what globalization is producing, and this is easily relationed with Third Culture Kids (TCK)'s issue. 
In Grosso Modo, this song makes me think about the future, about the past, but most importantly, about the present. How can we be living in a place that's destroying where our offspring will have to live in some years. We claim that we love them and all that stuff, but we are not really taking care of something that's so important that, without it, life wouldn't be possible. 
The biggest problem now is that, despite the fact that this problem indignates me, I'm not doing anything to support the Earth's nature, and with that, protect us from globalization. And probably there are thousands or millions of people that think as I do, but don't do anything, because they believe it's impossible to fight against an enemy like globalization. 
We have to start this change now, or otherwise it will soon be too late. Lets stand up and battle against what harms the Earth, and most importantly, harms our offspring (and us!).

Connecting a text with a film!!

Today's task was to connect the text we have read ("Punk for a Month") with a movie that has a similar characteristic. I chose "I am Sam", as its protagonist, Sam Dawson, tries to become a "normal" father, while he is discriminated for having mental problems. But, during the plot, he puts all his effort to demonstrate that he can be as good father as anyone else, and probably even better. He loves his daughter, and that is what should really matter. In the other hand, "Punk for a Month" illustrates a teenager's boring life, whose main problem is popularity and rejection. And transforming to a punk makes her change physically and psychologically. Both characters are first rejected for being different and their objective is acceptation.

Here I let you the trailer of the movie.
Enjoy!

Punk for a Month: Connecting with Cultural Values and Students' Lives

This week, we had to answer some questions about Cultural Diversity while reading a text called "Punk for a Month". These are my answers:

1. Is Julie fair to her old friends in the change she makes? How might she have handled the change differently so as not to alienate her friends?

Yes, I think she acted correctly, as she gave her friends the opportunity to accept her as a punk. But also she had some sort of fear of rejection, but didn't want it to be noticed by everyone. In the end, her friends were the ones who "betrayed" her.


2. Julie makes new friends once she changes her appearance. What problems can you predict with these new friends?

We usually have the prejudice of punks as being aggressive and violent, but I don't think that Julie's new friends will lead her to troubles. The only problem she might have would be with her "old" friends, perhaps accusing her of "betraying" them.


3. Does Julie change internally as a result of changing externally? Can simply dressing differently influence a person's character? Why, or why not?

Of course she changed internally. as being a punk includes both physical and psychological aspects. By dressing different, she understood life from other perspective, as she began to love more herself as a unique person, and that she shouldn't be affected by the others' prejudices. Changing the way you dress won't change anything, unless you do want to change internally.


4. What does appearance indicate about a person? In why ways may appearances be misleading? When is it appropriate to judge people based on appearances? When is it inappropriate?

Appearance doesn't indicate anything for me.  A person can easily dress as other one, but the psychological and interior way he is, doesn't change easily. I think in most of the cases prejudices about appearance can be misleading, as clothes don't mean anything. 

Personal Response

“The Akanksha clinic is at the forefront of India’s booming trade in so-called reproductive tourism — foreigners coming to the country for infertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization. The clinic’s main draw, however, is its success using local women to have foreigners’ babies. Surrogacy costs about $12,000 in India, including all medical expenses and the surrogate’s fee. In the U.S., the same procedure can cost up to $70,000.”


The text above implies a lot of issues. Many of them may be seen like real developments for society, but there's one that I'm afraid of: apparently, mankind has a very peculiar way of "solving" its problems: slavery. Because that's just what this "reproductive tourism" is. Since the early days of the "new humans", it has always relied on slaves whenever it has found any obstacle or problem. Of course, if we talk about ethics, then it is completely reprehensible; however, it's just the "law of the jungle": the stronger ones will rule.

Nowadays, infertility and sterility rates are higher than ever. And that's why, after the common desire of everyone of having a child, mothers have to look for "wombs for rent". And even if they pay them very well, I think it's an abuse. They are using somebody's uterus for a certain amount of money. And this is, as to my perspective, a clear case of slavery in the XXI Century. 

The question that everyone should be asking themselves should be why do this "surrogate mothers" accept this treatment. But, the problem is now even bigger, and probably will take an eternity to change it: the system in which we live. Yes, because capitalism is the main problem we have now. It is the reason that makes women in India to accept this abuses. It is what lets governments and rich people to create real dictatorships, in which their "values" and interests are the only ones that matter.

Ethics in Technology: Womb for Rent

After reading and interesting article (http://www.marieclaire.com/world-reports/news/international/surrogate-mothers-india), I'll answer some questions about it, to make some sort of summary, due to the importance of topics like this one.


1. What does “reproductive tourism” mean? 

It refers to people that travel to other places in search of a "womb to rent".


2. What issues might cause an American woman to seek an Indian surrogate?

American women apparently look for Indian "wombs to rent" because of their lower cost, and the fame that Dr. Patel has.


3. What risks and benefits exist for the surrogate mothers in India? 

The main risk I see in this issue, is that the surrogate mother may become attached to her baby, making her to deny to give it. Another problem that this may bring, is related to the acceptance of this "work" in the community, as some people might not like it at all. 
The first and main benefit, is the money they receive.



4. What risks and benefits exist for the women who hire a surrogate?

Of course, the benefit is to receive her child. But the risks she takes, include the uncertainty of the hiring-mother about how does the hired-mother takes care of her pregnancy.


5. Do you agree with the people who believe that the Indian women are being 
exploited? Why or why not? 


I think that this is just like if they were selling their body for money: I don't find it something correct, but in the end it's her choice to do it or not. In that case, she wouldn't be exploited, unless she's bound to do it.

Image analysis: Science and Technology

This week we are going to present about the topic Science and Technology by analysing an image. Here are the points that helped my presentation, apart from the recorder presentation file.

While medical robots are designed to be sterile and efficient, others can exhibit a more human touch

• Description of the image. Colour, facial expressions.
• Robot with a more "human touch". Friendly? Warm?
• Could the robot eventually become "more human" than a person itself?
• Could this kind of robot substitute humans in a near future? How would this affect the family relations?
• Does the occidental perspective of life admits this type of innovations? (US, UK, etc.).
• And does the ancient oriental lifestyle would accept this in their lives? (Tibetan monks, for example).

And here is the file of my presentation:

Presentation Audio File

Planning a Robot: The Vaccinator 3000

This week's task is to plan a robot, that would help to solve a problem. My group is also formed by Mr. Reynolds and Mr. Oporto.

Here are some questions that will help to guide our planning:

What problem or challenge does the robot solve?

The robot tries to solve the main problem which is observed in hospitals: many doctors and nurses are taking care of people that don't require their help so much. So this robot would help to relief some of the work of the nurses and doctors, as it would vaccinate in winter (when the rooms are full of people with a cold or something worse), and also it would derive patients from emergency room, so that they receive specialized attention according to what they need (and without using time of other doctors).

What are some of the functions you will program your robot to carry out?

There are mainly two programs: the first, used in winters, when many people has the flu, and this robot would vaccinate them faster than a human being.
The second program of the robot, is to derive people, and for that, it would have a huge database of every symptoms and their respective possible illnesses. 

What materials will it be made out of? Why?

It will be made of metal and the corresponding circuits to assure its functioning, because it's the easiest way to create and program a robot.

How will the robot sense its surroundings? 

It will have thermal sensors, to perceive if it's in front of a person or of an object. It will also be able to communicate, and "understand" (through a variety of computational programs). 

How will it move and respond to the environment?
It will have wheels, to guarantee an easy movement through the room, where it will go from bed to bed, and from patient to patient, also helped by its thermal sensors. 

How or why is a robot better equipped to handle this challenge than a human? 

A robot would be faster than a human, and also it would make doctors only occupate on other issues in which they might be more required.

What specific functions will the robot carry out? What components will the robot include that help it carry out these tasks?

The robot will have the two programs mentioned above, one of them would help him to complete the task of vaccinating people, and the other one, to "understand" and link symptoms to their respective illness, and then derive the patient to a specialized doctor.

What will the robot look like? Will it look human-like? Why or why not?

It will be the cheapest possible. Probably a "box" (cube) with an arm.

How will the robot’s appearance influence how people interact with it?

At first people may be scared, but then they'll get used to it and it will be the same as being vaccinated by a person or a human-like robot.

What limitations does the robot have?

One of the most important limitations of the robot, is its inability to understand emotions,  and as it derives patients in urgency room, it might be wrong in some cases, as emotiveness can affect the patients' trustability and even his/her sickness. 
Another problem it could have, is to fail in its mechanical structure.

Stem Cells Breakthrough & Seeds of Hope

As in the last weeks, I'll answer more questions about stem cells, to have a better idea of what the topic is about.

Stem Cells Breakthrough

Stem Cells: Seeds of Hope?

• Why are stem cells considered so valuable for medical research?

Because stem cells are pluripotent (they can transform into many different specialized cells).

• Why did the researchers have to narrow the spectrum of genes within stem cells? (video 1)

Because doing that, they could reproduce them from skin cells, having a much wider spectrum afterwards.

• What are the sources of stem cells and the advantages and disadvantages associated with using each?

Stem cells used for this kind of investigations are the one that embryos have. The advantages could be that you could eventually regenerate any kind of cell, and potentially heal an organ. Disadvantages could include that, apparently to produce one of those cells and organs, you have to create life, use what you and then need and destroy it.

• What are the three cases presented at the beginning of the second video?

A hockey player whose spinal cord was damaged. Diabetes in a young man. Two girls who were cousins had a genetic disorder (Tay- Sachs disease)

• How might a stem cell be used to treat spinal cord injuries?

They have to insert the stem cell in the damaged spinal cord, and then wait for it to make the "bridge".

• Explain the outcome of the experiment with injured rats presented in the second video?

Rats whose spinal cord was damaged, were treated and then they could almost walk normally.

• What issues surround the debate over of stem cell research?

Ethic issues. The importance of preserving life.

• What issue do you think needs to be debated as we make decisions about stem cell research?

The importance of having the power to create life carries a huge responsibility, and how can we be sure than this knowledge will be used only for the good of the people.

Genetic Tool Kit

I'll continue with the same method of answering questions about a video, so that the complete process of development is understood. 

Genetic Tool Kit

• What do homeobox genes code for in animals?

They are the "master" control genes, and they produce the basic body parts in every single animal (wings, arms, legs, head)

• Why are homeobox (also called homeotic) genes called the master control genes, or master switches?

Homeobox genes are, apparently, common genes of every animal, and that can only be explained by saying that we all have a common ancestor.

• What other organisms besides fruit flies have homeobox genes?

Every animal must have homeobox genes, as its basic body parts are produced by those kind of genes.

• What did the experiment with fruit flies and mice show?

Their genes are the same, because they had a common ancestor, but in every single animal there are also other factors that make the gene to produce a specific kind of eye, arm or head.

• What does the presence of packages of information suggest about evolution?

That they have some homeobox genes that are the same, but the other external factors determine what they finally produce. All the evolution process started with a common ancestor, but afterwards factors like weather, food and environment determined which path one specific animal followed.

• How has evolution tinkered with genes of animals?

In evolution, there's always new combination of genes, that produce different species.

• What role has embryos played in the study of evolution?

In this stage it's easier to watch the specie in study during its development, as it's faster and also very notorious every single change that happens.

100th Post!

Finally, after a year and a half of hard work, I've reached my hundredth post. Thanks to you all for the +4400 views.

I hope that you have enjoyed as much as me this lovely process.

Gene Control

As in the last post, I'll answer some questions to understand better the stem cell's issue.

Gene Control

• Why did the German scientist decide to study the fruit flies at the larval stage?

Most of the scientists choose to study this type of flies because they are fast-breeding insects, so it would be easier to investigate when something in their development goes wrong. But this German scientist thought that it would be better to study the same fly, but in its larval stage, so that, even if sometimes it would be more difficult to study them, the result would be better, as it would be the same insect during it growth, so if any problem appeared, they'd know where the problem was.

• How does the mother fly activate the control genes?

She leaves chemical messages, and depending if they are in the end or in the beginning of the egg, they will develop into the tail or head of the fly. 

• What is the role of control genes?

Control genes switch on dozens of other genes in the cell, and then they control the activity of other genes in time and space, and they control where  and at what time some specific gene is expressed. 

• Which of the two species are closer to humans?

If we compare them in terms of control genes and body plans, zebrafish would be closer to humans.

The Embryo takes shape

In this post, I'll answer some questions about the following video, that will then help me to understand better the stem cell's debate.

The Embryo Takes Shape

• What directs the sequence of events that turn a blob of cells into an embryo with specialized tissues and organs?

The events that turn a blob of cells into a "specialized" embryo is called gastrulation, and is caused mainly by the action of DNA and genes

• The narrator says that “cells talk to each other.” What does that mean?

This means that cells can "communicate" with each other, through chemical messages. Chemicals in one cell can trigger a reaction in the cell next door that can spread into the cell nucleus, and turn genes on or off.

• How do cells in different parts of the embryo become different kinds of cells and organs?

In each type of cell, a different group of genes are turned on, and it makes the cell to construct a particular protein.

• What kinds of proteins are found in different cells and organs?

Collagen: skin, tendons and bones.

Keratin: hair.

Crystalin: makes the lens of the eyes clear.

Actin & Myosin: move muscles fibers.

Hemoglobin: carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body through the blood to the rest of the body.

• What tells the cells which kinds of proteins to make?

Location seems to be the answer, as apparently cells "know where they are" and where they have to intervene. Chemical messages through cells are extremely useful for this part.

• What is the relationship between DNA, genes, and the proteins that are produced in cells?

The cell "machinery", after a short process, can read the DNA and turn on the correct gene, so that in the end they can finally build up a protein.

Biofuel presentations: Peers assessment

I can't say that it isn't tough for me to state if my partners presentations were perfect or awful, because I don't even know much of this language. But, what I can say, are the aspects that called my attention in their presentations.

For example, in Mr. Núñez and Mr. Ugarte, I could see that their topic was quite more difficult than mine, because of the technical words they needed to use, as they were presenting about the process of producing biofuels. However this important fact, I think they managed to carry on with the presentation quite smoothly, and the video they used was a great audiovisual help. Perhaps sometimes their voice wasn't as loud as it should, but it's completely understandable if they are talking about a topic they don't (and shouldn't!) really know much about.

Then it came Mr. Oporto and Mr. Gastó to present about the biofuels' economical effects. This topic was easier than the last one, and they did a pretty good job presenting both sides of the coin. On one hand, the benefits for the economy to have a biofuel production. And on the other hand, why biofuels were harming society through its own economy basis. It was quite interesting this topic, and they did a good job at presenting it.

Biofuels and ethics

Apparently, there's no precise answer when it comes to the ethics of biofuels. At least in my case, before studying this topic, I still had the idea that biofuels were going to be the "salvation" of the world. But now I know that there are many studies against this idea. 


What's the problem then? They are basically two: first, there's no complete and wide investigation, that covers all the topic's implicances and second, most of the "studies" that exist are completely biased by the own investigator's ideas.

It used to be the way of saving the world's unequal distribution of food, but it looks like it has just opened a new business. Now, instead of fighting for the right of the people to live and eat, many of them are using agricultural lands (instead of other lands they could be using), just to produce biofuels, that are quite more profitable than food. This is completely unacceptable and should be regulated. 

But there's also the other side of the coin. Apparently this "studies" that state horrorful things about the biofuels, like that they are contaminating even more that fossil fuels, are not much reliable. And, according to other investigations, biofuels are actually quite good to the environment, and do serve to their first purpose: to stop pollution and carry on with the globalization.


As I said in the beginning, apparently there isn't one truth in this topic. I hope that someone makes a complete investigation, and massifies this to the public, or otherwise it wouldn't matter all the results he concluded. So now, the question goes for you: what do you think about biofuels? Are they actually making any bad to the environment, or is that just a political attack?

What is the effect of producing biofuels on land used for food or cattle?

Biofuel production has increased in recent years. Some commodities like maize (corn), sugar cane or vegetable oil can be used either as food, feed, or to make biofuels. For example, since 2006, a portion of land that was also formerly used to grow other crops in the United States is now used to grow corn for biofuels, and a larger share of corn is destined to ethanol production, reaching 25% in 2007.

A recent study for the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development shows that market-driven expansion of ethanol in the US increased maize prices by 21 percent in 2009, in comparison with what prices would have been had ethanol production been frozen at 2004 levels.

Second generation biofuels could hence potentially combine farming for food and fuel and moreover, electricity could be generated simultaneously, which could be beneficial for developing countries and rural areas in developed countries. With global demand for biofuels on the increase due to the oil price increases taking place since 2003 and the desire to reduce oil dependency as well as reduce GHG emissions from transportation, there is also fear of the potential destruction of natural habitats by being converted into farmland.

In February 2010 Lapola estimated that planned expansion of Brazilian sugarcane and soybean biofuel plantations through 2020 would replace rangeland, with small direct land-use impact on carbon emissions. However, the expansion of the rangeland frontier into Amazonian forests, driven by cattle ranching would indirectly offset the savings. "Sugarcane ethanol and soybean biodiesel each contribute to nearly half of the projected indirect deforestation of 121,970 km2 by 2020, creating a carbon debt that would take about 250 years to be repaid....

However, a 2010 study also by the World Bank concluded that their previous study may have overestimated the contribution of biofuel production, as "the effect of biofuels on food prices has not been as large as originally thought, but that the use of commodities by financial investors (the so-called "financialisation of commodities") may have been partly responsible for the 2007/08 spike." A 2008 independent study by OECD also found that the impact of biofuels on food prices are much smaller.

Biofuels are the best way of reducing our emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases responsible for global climate change. As with fossil fuels, burning biodiesel or ethanol to drive an engine or generate electricity releases carbon into the atmosphere. Unlike with fossil fuels, however, growing the plants from which biofuels are made takes carbon from the air, so overall the process is carbon neutral. This means policies to increase the use of biofuels could greatly reduce overall levels of carbon emissions, and so be a major part of tackling global climate change. Since the international community has made reducing climate change a priority, with different climate conferences like Copenhagen, seeking energy alternatives should be at the forefront of their efforts. Biofuels can also help improve local air quality as mixing ethanol with fossil fuels helps meet clean air standards, and overall be one of the tools used to reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere.

Extra-Material:

http://www.eeg.tuwien.ac.at/eeg.tuwien.ac.at_pages/publications/pdf/AJA_PAP_2010_3.pdf

Biofuels seemed to be the solution to the environment issues. However, now we can see that some studies have stated that they aren't that good, as they may increase food prices and can eventually contaminate as much as petrol. On the other side, they are considered to be the solution as they are supposed to be eco-friendly and can clean the air, as well as they reduce the petrol price. Unfortunately, it is hard to decide which position is correct as there are no official researches about the real effect of biofuels in land and food production. Moreover, it will be very hard to do such investigation as many other factors influence the food price, apart from the land availability.

But now, we also want to make you part of this debate: do you think that the control of the food prices is more important than the preservation of the environment, considering that food is actually enough for the world's population if it's correctly distributed? In other words, is it acceptable that a human creation (Prices) prevent the correct distribution of food, forcing us to contaminate more in order to allow this distribution to be done? Aren't we, as humanity, suffering a self-made and virtual problem?

Graphic Novel Visual Interpretation

This week, I had to present in front of the class about a specific page of The Kite Runner's Graphic Novel. In my case, it was page 101, and this is the PowerPoint I used to base on. It's really simple, and I didn't add anything important at it, but also I'll let you the link for the Graphic Novel, in case you want to read it.

• PowerPoint Presentation

• Graphic Novel

The Kite Runner

As I'am reading this novel, I want to answer some questions about it, so that it remains much better in my memory. I hope that they have an utility for you too.

Chapters 1-4

1)       Compare and contrast Amir and Hassan, noting their backgrounds, how each boy interacts with his father, and the circumstances surrounding their birth.

Amir and Hassan had both lost their mothers when they were young, and they were both raised together, as their fathers, Baba and Ali respectively, were also raised together as brothers. The difference is that Amir is Pashtun and rich, while Hassan is Hazara and poor.

2)       Discuss the origins of the ongoing conflict between Pashtuns and Hazaras. What effect might this have on Amir and Hassan’s relationship?

The origin of the conflict is religion, and also their origin, as Hazaras are descendants of Mongolians, and not exactly of the people that were controlling the lands in which they are nowadays. As Pashtuns control the government, the relationship between Amir and Hassan is more like a "master-servant" relationship, than of a real-symmetric friendship.

3)       How does Amir feel about Baba? Examine information about Baba, and discuss how Amir and Baba’s differences affect their relationship.

They love each other. But mostly just because of the blood relationship, as Baba thinks of Amir as a weak person that doesn't stand for himself.

4)       What does Baba say is the only sin? Explain his theory and whether Amir is able to understand it.

For Baba, the only sin is to steal. Because any other crime is a theft's variation. Killing someone is stealing his right to live, his wife's right to have a husband, his children's right to have a father...

5)       Examine Baba and Ali’s relationship. How is Amir’s relationship similar to theirs? What impact do their ethnic backgrounds have on these relationships?

They grew as brothers, just like Amir-Hassan, but Baba (and Amir) don't think of their mates as friends, just like servants or something similar, and also, just like Pashtuns controlled Hazaras.

6)       Discuss the significance of Hassan’s favourite book, the Shahnamah?

Its importance lies in that it is the only activity where, by one side, Amir can help and read to Hassan some stories, so that Hassan is entertained, and by the other side, that Amir feels as if he was better than Hassan. Hassan liked this book, because of one of the stories, a story in which Rostam, a belic hero, cries for his archenemy (that he didn't know until that moment that was his son), Sohrab, who lays in the floor, dying. Perhaps Hassan gets touched by the story, in which, even if they were enemies, both faced the truth as men, and loved each other no matter the circumstances that happened before.

7)       Assess the role Rahim Khan plays in Amir’s early life.

It was like a father for him. Even Amir says that he would like Rahim to replace Baba, as he was much more interested in Amir's activities than his own father.

Chapters 5-7

1)       Explain why winter is Amir’s favourite season.

It's the perfect moment to play with kites, as the tournament is held in this season. And holidays of course. Who doesn't like holidays?

2)       What emotions does Amir experience before the kite tournament? What is Hassan’s response? Refer to the simile “I felt like a soldier trying to sleep in the trenches the night before a major battle” (50)

Amir is really nervous before the tournament, and he says that he felt just like a soldier before an important battle. It was a moment in which he could demonstrate everybody that he was good at something. Hassan, of course, tries to calm him down, telling him that he doesn't need to demonstrate this to anybody.

3)       Discuss the aftermath of the kite-fighting tournament, and assess Amir’s initial reaction to Assef’s attack on Hassan. Why does Amir decide not to help Hassan?

Because, just as Baba said a couple of chapters before, Amir is not a person that stands for his rights (or his friend's rights). So, in one hand, he might be afraid of helping Hassan, and in the other one, he wanted to listen what Assef was telling Hassan about their relationship.

4)       Do you think Hassn knows that Amir witnessed the rape? Explain. What does Amir’s behaviour in the aftermath of the rape indicate about him?

Hassan certainly suspected that Amir was present at the moment of the attack, as from that moment, he began acting differently.

5)       Analyze the metaphor comparing Amir and Hassan’s interaction to the game of  “insect torture.” What is the “other face” Amir sees when he asks Hassan if he would eat dirt for him?

Amir realizes that, even if he envies Hassan, and is always trying to make him look stupid, his friend would do anything so that he isn't harmed. In the metaphor, Hassan is the insect that's being tortured by Amir, but not noticing it. In this episode, he understands the real meaning of friendship.

6)        List several instances in this section in which Amir envies Hassan. In each case, is Amir’s jealous justified or not?

There are many cases in which Amir envies Hassan. And one of the episodes that I thought more important, was when Baba gifted a plastic surgery to Hassan, and Amir said that he'd like to have a facial imperfection, so that Baba would have sympathy for him. Another case is when Amir and Hassan were both scared about the sounds they heard, and Ali hugged Hassan, to make him feel secure, or when Baba bought the exact same kite to Amir than to Hassan, even if Amir asked for a bigger one, or even when they ran, and Amir was by far slower than Hassan. I don't think that envy is ever justified.

Chapters 8-10

1)       Discuss the symbolism of the scene in which Amir throws pomegranates at Hassan. Why does Amir want Hassan to hit him, and why do you think Hassan refuses?

Amir wants Hassan to be able to defend from any Pashtun, as he didn't do it with Assef. Hassan couldn't attack Amir, as he respects him, and, as he said before, he would even eat dirt for him. 

2)       Examine the implications of Rahim Khan’s conversation with Amir at his birthday party? Why is Rahim’s gift important to him?

Rahim is like a father for Amir. He supports him in everything he wants to achieve. And that's why he wants Amir to be happy, to celebrate his party with his guests, and he also gave him a notebook so that he could continue writing, as he loved to.

3)       How does Baba react to Ali and Hassan’s decision to leave? What do you think Baba thinks is their reason for leaving? Why do you think Amir is not moved enough to tell the truth or try to stop them from leaving?

Baba doesn't want Ali and Hassan to leave. That's why he didn't kicked them out when he heard that Hassan was a "thief". Perhaps Baba thinks Ali is ashamed and sad because of what his son supposedly did, so that he wants to leave, because he can't stand to live there anymore with that guilt. I think Amir, as he was distanced with Hassan, didn't want to tell the truth because he really wanted Hassan to leave, because Baba always paid more attention to Hassan than to him.

4) What do Ali and Hassan give Amir for his birthday? How does Amir react to this gift?

Ali gives Amir a new version of Shahnamah, as he had only an old story. Amir feels really grateful, but thinks that he doesn't deserve it, as he wasn't good with Hassan anymore. And it wasn't a cheap gift, so it was worse, as he knew they didn't have money.

Chapters 11-25

1. Chapter 11 has a new setting. What is it?

The story is now settled in America.

2.. What does Baba give Amir as a graduation present? What is Amir feeling at this moment? What is Baba feeling?

Baba gives Amir a car, a Gran Torino, as he was proud of his son. In that moment, Amir felt really happy and glad, as at least for once, Baba would be nice with him.

3. What does Amir tell his father he wants to study in college? What is Baba’s
reaction?

Amir's only desire was to write stories. And that's what he wants to study: to become a writer. Baba was a little disappointed, as he wanted his son to study medicine. But, despite what he studied. he had to be a good person.

4. In 1989, what is going on in Afghanistan? Who are the Mujahedin? Who is in charge?

In 1989, Soviets withdrew from Afghanistan and a civil war started. The Mujahedin are Muslim fighters. Najbullah was in charge of Afghanistan, and he was supported by the Soviet Union, and he fought against the Mujahedin, supported by the US.

5. Chapter 14 brings us back to the opening of the book: the telephone call from
Rahim Khan. What is Rahim asking Amir to do?

Rahim was really sick, and he wanted to tell something really important to Amir. Rahim wanted Amir to visit him, as that information couldn't be given by phone. 

6. In Chapter 16, Rahim tells us what happened to Hassan. What has happened?

Hassan died, because of the Talibans. They thought he was stealing in Baba's house.

7.. Who is Farzana? Sohrab?

Farzana is Hassan's wife, and Sohrab is Farzana and Hassan's son.

8. In Chapter 17, Rahim gives Amir a letter from Hassan, who wrote it six months before. What is the tone of this letter? How does Amir react?

He has a mixture of feelings. In one hand, sadness, as he had recently heard the new that Hassan was dead. In the other hand, a mixture of happiness and confusion: he had never thought about the idea that Hassan could be his brother, and also, he was glad that, at least when Hassan wrote the letter, he was thinking in him, and was having a good time. 

9. In Chapter 19, Farid is engaged to drive Amir from Peshawar to Afghanistan.
Describe his first impression of Amir. When Farid said, “You’ve always been a
tourist here, you just didn’t know it,” (p. 232), what did he mean? What is
Farid’s impression of emigrant Afghans who return to visit Afghanistan?

He means that Amir was never living in the "real" Afghanistan. He was always in a good house, with everything he wanted. An emigrant that comes back, should have never leaved. They should have helped their country to succeed. 

10. In Chapter 20, the director of the orphanage, Zaman, tells Amir that Sohrab
was taken by a Taliban official, who takes children, usually girls, about once a
month, for his “sexual pleasure.” The official gives Zaman a great deal of cash.
How does Zaman defend his actions?

Zaman prefers to lose one boy, than to lose everybody. And that money he receives, he uses it in helping everybody else.

11. What is your reaction to Rahim Khan’s letter to Amir? Should the letter have
been presented to him earlier? Do you feel that Baba was a good man?

I don't think I'm able to judge if an action is good or bad. Perhaps Amir should have know from the very beginning that he had a brother. I think that Baba was a great person, as he just wanted to protect his family, always taking care of his weaker son: Hassan.

12. What happens as Amir runs the kite for Sohrab?

He said what he always remembered from Hassan: "For you a thousand times".

13. How is this another full circle?

Amir and Sohrab will have a good relationship, even better than Hassan and Amir.