Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Fishbowl #4: Chapters 17 and 18





Hello, fishbowlers!


If you have questions about Afghanistan you'd like our long-distance friend, Rob, to answer, feel free to post them here, and he will respond to them this week.


Also, I've posted a picture that Rob sent to us two years ago from Afghanistan.


You have the same two goals today, my friends:
(A) Bring at least one quotation into your responses.
(B) Challenge yourself to get into the hotseats today (you're doing a GREAT job so far!).


Enjoy, and keep up your strong work!

124 comments:

  1. Rob,
    I have a question what is the difference between the Taliban and Al-queda?

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    Replies
    1. Sam.

      The Taliban are Afghan, AQ is more global in nature, but they are originally Arab.

      Rob

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  2. Why do the Taliban Kill Hasaan and his wife but not Sohrab

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    1. Because the Taliban has child soldiers and sohrab is only an infant and can still be molded into a soldier to take care of business.

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    2. Rahim told Air about all the orphans running around and because all the Hazara adults were killed. They maybe were letting these kids suffer and killing them would put them away and keep them from the pain of suffering.

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    3. They killed Hassan and his wife because Hassan was resisting and his wife tried to help and protest against the Taliban taking the house. Sohrab wasn't doing anything.

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    4. @Zac P. Sohrab Probably did resist because why would he not try to run away from the people that killed his parents.

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  3. would finding out that your best friend was your half brother be considered like dishonor on the hole family or just the child or what

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    1. I think in the of Hassan and Amirs case it was a dishonor because your half brother is a Hazara and then that was a bad thing.

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    2. @Jordan Denham
      I think that there would be no dishonor, but more shock from the relatives because they're just discovering they have a new family member many years after his/hers birth.
      -Matt Myers.

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    3. I think that it depends on what you think i think that it would be dishonor to Hasaan Because Amir did let him get raped

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  4. Why does the Taliban not shoot their son?

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  5. Do you think that Amir would have helped Hassan in chapter 7 if he had known that he and Hassan were half brothers?

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    1. Yes i do. I also think If Amir knew that Hassan was his half brother before he never would have let him leave.

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    2. I think he would have acted the same only because the same thing would would have occurred if he did like he could have gotten the same thing done to him i think so he was thinking about what could have happened to him i think

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    3. @Zac P.
      I think he would put a lot more effort into helping Hassan escape that experience if Amir had known it was his sibling pretty much. Just think if you or someone you personally new was in this situation, what would there reaction/response be to it?
      -Matt Myers.

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    4. I think if they knew that they were half brothers Amir would have had more motive to step in and help Hassan.

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  6. Do you think Amir feels responsible for Hassan's death?

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    1. Amir couldn't do anything because the Taliban was going to kill all of the Hazaras

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    2. I think Amir does not feels responsible for Hassans death but i do think that he feels a little guilty for the way that he has treated him in the past.

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    3. I think that Amir did feel guilty for Hasaan death but if he was their and tried to helpthey would of killed him to.

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    4. I think Amir does feel responsible for Hassan death because Amir had left and fled to the united states to get away from war. Amir also put some of the blame on Rahim because he was the one that brought Hassan back.

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    5. no because "it says that "They told Hassan they would be moving in to supposedly keep it safe until I return"(khaled Hosseini, 219) So it would make Amir feel like Hassan did it for his family.

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  7. After finding out Hassan is Amir's half brother, if you were Amir would you feel worse about what happened since he didn't stick up for his brother?

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    1. Hassan was already like a brother to Amir. The reason he didn't help him wasn't because he didn't like Hassan because Amir loved him. He didn't because he was scared of what would happen to him. So I do not think that this would effect the way that Amir acted in the situation.

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    2. So your saying that if this happened to you, would Connor not come try to help you?

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    3. @Adam Brandse
      I think that if i was Amir i would have taken action in the first place to help anyone in that situation. But seeing how you're asking about after the situation then yes i'd feel horrible about it. It would turn me into the most depressed person ever to know that was my own relative.
      -Matt Myers.

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    4. Amir would still be a coward and jealous of Hassan because Hassan is always standing up for Amir and that make Baba more proud of Hassan then Amir. So I think that Amir would hate him as a brother.

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  9. If Hassan Had knew that Amir was his half brother earlier do you think that thinks would of changed between their relationship?

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    1. I don't think it would change that much because they were basically brothers already. But I do think that Amir would have tried harder to be better than Hassan.

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    2. yes because he would have had to live with that being his own blood being taken advantage of and would have stood up cause when he didn't know he was he felt horrible but now that he knows he is blood and if he knew there past would have been completely different.

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    3. I don't think so because Amir is more a person that only cares about him self

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    4. @Richardl
      I think that Amir has always wanted a brother or sibling but seeing how he never had one he was turned into a spoiled jerk. So i'm thinking it all depends on when he found out about Hassan being his half brother. Because the later it is, then the less attached they'll be, where as the sooner it is, the easier they'll get along all together.
      -Matt Myers.

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  10. On page 225, "There is only one sin. And that is theft... When you tell a lie, you steal someone's right to the truth." Why had Baba been teaching Amir this lesson his whole life when Baba had been lying to Amir his whole life?

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    1. I think that he has been lying to Amir this whole time because Amir might feel hurt and and he did it for Amirs own good because he is trying to prevent Amir from being like him because what Babba is, is a bad role module.

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    2. Maybe Baba is regreting something and doesn't want Amir to do the same as he once did.

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    3. @AustinB2015
      I think he wanted to bestow better values in Amir because aren't our parents always trying to have their children do better than they did and not make the same mistakes or choices they did.
      -Matt Myers.

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    4. It wasn't really a lie, it more like a secret. But also would of made Baba embarrassed to have an hazard child and one that has a harelip.

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  11. In what ways was Amir "responsable" for Haasan's death?

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  12. Did Hassan ever figure out that Baba was his dad?

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    1. @Easton Gililand
      I think that Hassan knew about it because he was so sad and crushed when he found out Baba died. He acted like Baba was his father and wept like it was his father.
      -Matt Myers.

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  13. What were some early signs that Baba was Haasan's father?

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    1. Amir always felt that Baba was always "nicer" to Hassan rather than Amir and also treated him different.

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    2. One major sign is that he treated Hassan like a fatherly figure and provided for him.

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  14. Why was Ali not mad at Baba for cheating on him with his wife?

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    Replies
    1. Ali could not have kids so maby ali asked baba to.

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  15. Would the boy not be killed to be kept as a slave or would it be just because the person did not want to kill a child or what do you think the reasoning behind that in the book.

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    1. I think them not killing Sorab isn't a matter of them not wanting to kill them because they have to kill people everyday and they are use to taking peoples lives. I think they didn't kill Sorab for another reason.

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  16. Rob
    Is there still mass killings in Afghanistan, like when the Taliban killed all of those Hazaras?

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    1. Kody,

      No, although innocent civilians are killed by suicide bombings. The mass killings seen under the Taliban have not occurred lately.

      Rob

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  18. Why did they just sent Sohrab to an orphanage?
    And why did they move into Baba's house?

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    1. Rahim told baba that he would take care of the house when they were gone. Rahim could not do it for himself so he asked Hassan for help.

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    2. I meant why did the Taliban move into baba's house

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  19. Do you think that Amir will adopt Sohrab?

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    1. I think he will because Amir's wife cannot have a child.

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    2. "I found Rahim Khan praying namaz in a corner of the room. He was just a dark silhouette bowing eastward against a bloodred sky. I waited for him to finish.
      Then I told him I was going to Kabul. Told him to call the Caldwells in the morning." (227)

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    3. @ Zac but the Caldwell's is a ophanage do you think that Amir will take Sohrab home with him.

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    4. I think that they will adopt Sohrab because they cannot have a kid of there own.

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    5. To add to mine his pride factor will stay the same because Hassan is technically blood they are half brothers.

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  20. Did Ali know that Hassan wasn't his kid?

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    Replies
    1. Ali knew that Hassan wasn't his kid because Ali is sterile and therefore unable to have a kid.

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  22. On page 206 it says, "A land mine. Is there any more Afghan way of dying, Amir Jan?" why is it the most Afghan way of dying?

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    1. I think that since there are alot of shootings and bombs going off an accidental bomb killing Ali is the "afgahn way of dying"

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    2. It is just going off stereotypes against Afghans.

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    3. Because there was war going on in Afghanistan so there were missiles and bombs and landmines everywhere and there were not a lot of other countries that had that going on so that's why he said "Is there any more Afghan way of dying, Amir Jan?"

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  24. What will happen to Sohrab?

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    Replies
    1. I think he will get adopted by Amir because Hassan is Amir's half brother so I think Amir will feel like he is responsible to take care of Sorab.

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  25. On Page (219) Amir is watching Hasaan and his wife get executed and he kept saying no why do you think he let them get executed

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    1. No he wasn't. He and his wife got killed in like the late 80's or early 90's. He learns about them dying in 2001.

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    2. He couldn't help or else he would get shot too.

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  26. What is going to Sohrab?

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  27. Why does Amir feel that he stole Baba from Hassan?

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    1. Because Hassan never knew that they were blood related. He was always jealous of Hassan but when he learns about this truth, he realizes that Hassan was as much Baba's son as he was Amir's.

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  28. Would Hassan still have gone to babas house if baba had not died? Did hassan move just to honor baba?

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  29. How will Sohrab be with both his parents dead

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    1. I think that he is going to be fine because when Hassan's mom died at first he was wondering where she was, but then she got over it.

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  30. Why are the Hazara so mistreated they are still apart of the Muslim race.

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    1. I think they are mistreated because of the fact so many of them live in huts and are servants

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    2. I think they are mistreated because of what Dillan said and that they are of a different race or a mixed race

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    3. All,

      They are Muslim however they look Mongol, which they are and they belong to the Shia Sect of Islam so they are looked down upon by the Sunni and because they do look different from everyone else in Afghanistan.

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  31. At the beginning and end of their letters do they have to address Allah(their god)? Letter starts on 215 and ends on 218.

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  32. Why does Amir tell Rahim that he can't go back to Kabul?

    When he ends up going back, why does he tell Rahim to keep praying? and does Amir think it will be hard for him find Sohrab?

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    1. I think that Amir doesn't want to go to Kabul because it will remind him of all the memories their and he will see the spot Hassan was killed. His memories are what are making him not want to go.

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  33. Did Ali ask Baba to have his kid or did Baba cheat with Alis wife?

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    1. I feel that Babba cheated with Ali's wife,

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    2. Ali never had a wife, Baba just made a child with Hassans mother.

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  34. Would Baba be the complete hipacrit of what he tells Amir because he has been lying all of his life to him and also is that most likely the reason that Baba gives Hassan all if the presents and love

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  35. Rob,
    would the Taliban not kill baby hazaras or did the Taliban just kill everyone

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    Replies
    1. Adam,

      They killed those who they thought were not true Muslims. This inlcuded females. The Hazara were targeted because the Taliban do not think they are true Muslims, they are a different race than the Taliban.

      Rob

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  36. On the top of page 215, "He fished an envelope from the breast pocket of his vest and handed it to me." Why did Rahim hold on to these messages and never forward them on to Amir?

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  37. On page 220 Rahim Khan says "Sohrab is a gifted little boy. We can give him a new life here, new hope, with people who would love him." It seems like Rahim Khan needed to talk to Amir to get him to adopt Sohrab. I personally think Amir will adopt Sohrab since him and his wife were already considering adoption, now that he is being pressured into it seems unavoidable. I can also see why Amir would go out of his way to avoid adopting Sohrab. Amir's past may be too twisted that Sohrab would just be a constant reminder of what happened to Hassan in 1976.

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    1. I think he might adopt Sohrab because he wants to repay Hassan for not stopping him from being raped.

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    2. I think that because of what happened to Hasaan would effect flash backs, and Sohrab may have been pushed away by Amir. but if he forgot the past he could adopt Sohrab and mold him into what he thinks is good take him back to America and teach him tha way of being a good kite runner like his father.

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    3. I think that he wouldn't have adopted Sohrab until he thought about Baba and what he would say to him.

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    4. Alex, that makes sense because when Rahim Khan is first talking to Amir, on page 192 he says it is "A way to be good again."

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  38. How will Amir knowing he is Sohrab's Uncle change Amir and Sohrab's relationship?

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    1. I think i will affect it in a positive way. If Amir was not his uncle i don't think that Amir would go looking for Sohrad.

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    2. He would treat him like his son instead having a burden that his friend died

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  39. Why was Hassan more impacted than Amir about Baba'a death?

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    1. I do not think Hassan was more impacted than Amir I just think they both had a different way of expressing their feelings.

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    2. I don't think he was more affected but he just reacted more dramatically when he heard the news. Baba was a very good person for Hassan.

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  40. Baba's quote "A boy that cannot stand up for himself becomes a man who can't stand up for anything." how does this relate to Haasan and the Assef problem and Amir throwing apples at him and then to the Taliban all grown up he just accepts the death.

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  42. On page 226, "But it was true, wasn't it? As it turned out, Baba and I were more alike than I'd ever known . We had both betrayed the people who would have given their lives for us." Do you think Amir now regrets trying to fight for Baba's affection his entire life??

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  43. What started the hatred the Taliban has towards hazaras?

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    1. I think its just like Hitler were they needed someone to blame for the downfall and bad things so they blamed the Hazara's.

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  44. Will Amir feel like he will have to take of Sorab and adopt him because Hassan was his half brother? Will he feel like Sorab is his responsibility?

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    1. I think Sohrab will be adopted by Amir because he will find a connection to him and because he has to repay Hassan for all the trouble he has caused him. He has to bring Sohrab back to Pakistan so he has to take responsibility for him.

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  45. is one of the reasons Amir didn't want to go back to because he is afraid he will get killed?

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  46. Why did Baba not tell Amir that Hassan was his half brother when Baba died?

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    1. i think he would have fell guilty for have done what he did since he already had a wife

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    2. It would have been an dishonor for baba and his family.

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  47. On page 226 the book says "..I have a wife in America, a home, a career, and a family. But how could I pack up and go back home when my actions may have cost Hassan a chance at those very same things?" Do you think that Hassan would have been able to make it to America if he and Ali feel like they had to leave?

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    1. I think so because Baba loved Hassan almost more than he loved Amir. He would have done anything to get him out alive.

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  48. Why does Amir and Baba's relationship improve after they move? How does it change?

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  49. When the taliban leave Kabul will Amir move back to his house that Baba made?

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  50. Did Hassan protest against the Talibans because he wanted to keep the house for himself or he wanted to keep it in good hands for Baba?

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  51. In Afghanistan is being a weak person looked down upon and if you are do more people try to control you or do you have the same life as a strong person or would you be considered like a hassara with like wanting to be killed and just no one respects and is just considered a lesser human being

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