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.

Singapore feature article

Last week's task was to create a feature article about Singapore and its culture. So here I let you mine, and I hope you enjoy it.


Singapore's National Day Celebration

Last Friday August 5th, we had the chance to be part of a magnificent celebration, in which as many cultures as you can think of, were present to give honours to Singapore's independence. 

This country was first created as a port, and was part of the United Kingdom. Given its nature and geographical position in the South East Asia, it was highly populated by immigrants and also, it is known for being a "melting pot", as some authors refer to it, because of their racial diversity: 75% of the population is Chinese, while the other percentages are mainly Malay, Indian and British. The British empire separated the population in neighbourhoods, that we can still appreciate nowadays. But this is not an obligation, as it was in the past. Now people is free to live wherever they want, but of course, the tradition still remains. And one of the most important things that Singaporeans have learned, is that everyone, no matter their race, their colour or religion, has the same possibilities than the other ones: they practise the meritocracy at its best. Not for nothing, their motto is "Onward, Singapore", and they are called the "Lion City". It is a really small country, but don't look at it as bad, as they are the World's 4th leading financial centre.

We have to imagine that there's no only racial differences, but also from religion. Buddhism, Taoism, Shenism, Christianism, Catholics, Hiunduism and Muslim religions predominate. So it's not rare for tourists to watch a huge different kind of buildings for practising religion. 

Race and religion...Is there something else? Of course, that's why the "melting pot" is important: diversity of languages, and perhaps the most important thing, different types of food! Yeah, that's right. Because here you can find as many as different dishes as you wish to, and you ask for them either talking in Chinese, English, Malay or Tamil. Isn't that great? You can have for breakfast Asian food, then for lunch European, and don't forget for the evening, a mixture of those plates: Singaporean food!

So, if you want to travel somewhere, and you don't know how to choose, then Singapore's the perfect place, as you'll find aspects from many cultures, mixed up in this marvelous "pot". But watch out, as if you think that they accept everyone to come and stay more than what their visa lets them, that's not correct. Let me tell you that if you overstay your permission for 90 days, then, according to the law, you might receive a canning punishment...And that won't be something very nice. So, I'd recommend you to visit this place, learn about the World's diversity, and if you can choose when to travel, the best moment is at beggining of August, as you'll be able to see all this I've been talking to, celebrating their independence!

UNAB Debate Tournament

During this year, we have been participating in the UNAB Debate Tournament in Santiago. Motions as different as if marches are or not something legitimate in Chile, if private schools should or should not have a minimum number of scholarships for people who can't afford it, if discipline or talent is the key for success in sports and if police should be able to use paintballs during riots. All these motions were debated by The Mackay School's Debate Team, against Carampangue, Lincoln, Everest and Grange, respectively, resulting in half of the debates being won by us. Even though we were eliminated in quarter finals, I can say that it was a great experience, were we had the chance to learn and improve our English and persuasive skills, and also I'd like to welcome the new members of the Debate Team, from Iº Medio, that had been fundamental for us in this tournament. 
I hope we can practise a lot during the next months, so that we can have better results in the ESU Debate Tournament, by the end of the year.

ExpoEstudios 2013!

If you asked me what are the things I like the most, definitely traveling would be one of those. And that's why when some teachers of the English Department asked me if I wanted to participate in the "ExpoEstudios", I answered that definitely I'd go. I had some troubles between, because it was the same day that I was asked to play football for the school, but in the end I went to this exchanges-fair, where I could inform myself about how did exchanges worked. And I have to say that the possibility of traveling to the US, Canada or UK to learn English, has really excited me. Hopefully, for the end of the year, I could travel to any of those places and have a great experience. And if not, it doesn't matter, because I hope some day I'll be able to do it.
Also I want to thank the teachers that went with us, Mr. Calderón and Mr. Carey. It was really fun to travel to Santiago for this event.

Talk: non-recognition of the real world?

Hello everyone.
As you know, I'm here to talk to you about video games and their effect on society. I've often heard that video games alienate people, make them weird, anti-social.
I often like to question myself about life. And one of those questions is "what does real mean?" And I have reached the conclusion that reality is simply anything we perceive. Even if it's not there for other people, if it makes me sad, angry or happy, it's real for me. But then, how could something, like video games, "alienate" me? I think the problem is more from society's vision of the world, than of video games per se. 
Have you noticed that society often tries to blame an invisible "ghost" for their problems? And one of those ghosts is nothing less than society... Isn't that completely absurd? We blame society, but we are society... Can we stop and think about it?

Video games were, of course, created to entertain. No matter if they are action, adventure or to test skills, they have the same function. I think that the problem of "alienation" which is blamed on video games, is not really that. Perhaps real life is too boring for those that pass their entire weekends playing! And, in the end, the question should be: how can someone alienate himself if everything he does or feels is part of his reality? I repeat, it's completely absurd... Video games entertain. Period. There's nothing more that we should worry ourselves with.

Let me corroborate my theory with some data: 
-66% of people who play computer or video games do so with their friends, either sat with them advising, or actually with a second handset competing in the same game. 
-30% of gamers play with their brothers or sisters.
-25% play with either their father or mother.

I'd assure you that most of the videogamers have strengthened their bonds of friendship through playing games. And if you can tell me some people that you might know that are completely anti-social and, even weird, they are just exceptions.

Another thing that anti-videogaming people may mention, is about playing with unknown people and that it might be dangerous. That's not true! I don't think there's a better way to know people you might never have seen in your entire life, and with no real danger at all!

As I've already proved, videogames can't alienate people. But, apart from not being bad, have video games got something that makes you feel better? Of course!
And I can give plenty examples of how videogaming helps you to be happier:
-It helps relieve stress. 
-When you succeed in the game, you are happier than before.
-Considerable improvement of hand-eye coordination.

Why is it that it's so important for us to be blaming others, and criticizing them if the play too many video games, if they do not practise sports, if they do not have a girlfriend/boyfriend? Let's worry about ourselves, and let people live their lives as they wish to. Remember that, as the expression says "when you point at someone, three fingers point back at you". 

Just to finish, don't blame something that doesn't harm anybody. Just sit, turn on your device, and start playing!
As the great Mahatma once said, "Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony." And what activity fulfills all those requirements more than playing videogames?

Life is too short to take it seriously...Be happy!

ESU National Public Speaking Competition: "Ideas are our greatest weapons"

It was my first time delivering a speech, and it was for the ESU competition! I have to admit that I was really nervous, as I supposed I would have to face really great speakers, and actually that's what happened. In this fantastic opportunity that the English Department gave to me, I was accompanied by my friend Rodrigo Jeria, and by the teacher Mr. Sam Carey. The overall topic of the competition was "Ideas are our greatest weapons", and I decided to focus it on educational problems, while Mr. Jeria spoke about Gandhi's peaceful revolution. This event was held in the Universidad de los Andes, which by the way, has got a really great infrastructure and really nice and kind people. I think that, even if we didn't classified as one of the 2 best of our heat, it was a great opportunity to practise and improve verbal skills. As a matter of fact, I'd say that both of our speeches had a huge improvement since the moment we started writing and practising them. 

So, just to finish, I'm simply grateful of the opportunity that the English Department gave me for having a really great day with Mr. Carey and Mr. Jeria and all the other contestants, specially the V Region ones, who we traveled with. 
I hope the best for the students that will go next year!

Video Games... Are they good or bad for us?

Hey again, I've come back with a task that is really interesting, as it lets us to think more than regularly: I have to prepare a text in which I analyse a subtopic of the movie Play. Below, you can find the video and, of course, make your own idea of it, and perhaps even help me with my task.

Till now, I have thought of the following idea to base my work:

Subtopic: The non-recognition of the real world

Text type: Talk

Other sources of information:

-6 ways games can encourage happiness

-How might video games be good for us

-Video games as an isolating activity

Also, to make a better work, I'll also make an  online poster, in edu.glogster.com, so just for you to know, my nickname is SebastianBarriga.

Hope you like it when it's finished!

And don't forget to give ideas!