Great Expectations Chapter 19-20

The beginning of chapter nineteen is laden with extreme symbolism. The first instance is that of morning representing a fresh start; a new beginning. "Morning made a considerable difference in my general prospect of life, and brightened it so much that it scarcely seemed the same." page 147. This shows that the light of morning helped to bring a new outlook on life for Pip. Another important symbol is that of fire. That very same day, Joe brought Pip's indentures and placed them in the fire. Pip notes that he felt as if he were free at that moment. The fire is symbolic because not only is Pip literally free, in that he is under no legal obligation to remain as Joe's apprentice, but he is also metaphorically free. Free in the sense that he is no longer bound to his old life and is free to move up in life. Joe once again shows his love and compassion for Pip by sitting at his bedside waiting for him to wake up. However, it is at this point that a noticeable change in Pip begins to take place.

Pip because semi-obsessed with making sure that Joe gains more knowledge so that he will be "worthy" of moving up in status when people is finally able to make that happen. However when Pip hints to Joe that he should try learning more, Joe basically states that he is content exactly how and where he is. So, Pip shifts his attention to Biddy, and seeing if she will be able to impart some of her knowledge onto Joe. However, Biddy proves once again to be the voice of reason and poses the question to Pip of "Have you never considered that he may be proud?" page 149. Pip finds this to be a concept that he is unable to grasp; instead he accuses Biddy of being jealous. "You are envious, Biddy, I did not expect to see this in you...If you have the heart to be so, you mean, Biddy," said I, in a virtuous and superior tone;"don't put it off upon me." page 150. This is when the change in Pip becomes even more evident. His rise in status is causing him to be cocky and take a superior air with those around him.

Pip ends up apologizing to Biddy later on but it is still clear that his opinion on the situation has not changed. In this part of the novel it can be seen just how money can change those around you. For instance Mr. Pumblechook, whom has been nothing but cruel to Pip, suddenly begins treating him as if Pip is his best friend.Before leaving for London, Pip goes to see Miss Havisham. Miss Sarah Pocket answers the door and accompanies Pip up to see Miss Havisham. Miss Havisham tells Miss Pocket not to leave and seems to relish in her reaction of hearing about Pip's rise in society. Also, it is hinted at that Miss Havisham is the benefactor that aided in Pip's opportunity to be taught as a gentlemen. Upon arriving in London, it seems as if maybe London is not going to be want he expected. This initial reaction that Pip has to London, may be foreshadowing some event that will come later on in the novel.

Great Expectations Chapter 17-18

Chapter seventeen begins with Pip talking about the path his life has taken. It appears as if Pip life has taken on a monotonous routine. He mentions that the only break in his routine is his visit to go see Miss Havisham on his birthday and even that venture seems to have taken on a monotonous turn. "I found Miss Sarah Pocket still on duty at the gate, I found Miss Havisham just as I had left her, and she spoke of Estella in the very same way, if not in the very same words." page 125. From this quote it can be seen that Pip does not even enjoy his trips to Miss Havisham, even though in the previous chapter the very thought of going to see Miss Havisham had filled him with joy. Due to the unchanging consistency of Pip's routine, he continued to secretly loath his life and the profession of blacksmith.

It is at this point of his life that Pip begins to take notice of Biddy. He notes that "I observed to myself  one evening that she had curiously thoughtful and attentive eyes; eyes that were very pretty and very good." page 126.After accidentally making Biddy cry, Pip suggests that they take a walk together on the marshes so that they can have "a long chat." page 127. At this point of the novel it seems as if Pip might be growing as a person, this is due to the fact that he is putting someone needs before his own and trying to actively make things right between him and Biddy. During his walk with Biddy, Pip reveals his desire to rise above his current station and even mentions that the true reason for his desire it Estella. Biddy shows that she is the voice of reason in the novel by asking Pip, "Do you want to be a gentlemen to spite her or to gain her over?" page 129. It shows that Biddy is very insightful and forces Pip to truly look at himself and reflect upon the motives that are driving his life.

At the start of chapter eighteen Mr. Wopsle is reading from the paper about a murder that is popular at the moment. Upon completion of his reading, Mr. Wopsle is confronted by a strange man about his readiness to jump to conclusion about the guilt of the current suspect. Mr. Wopsle tries to defend himself, but it is to no avail, the strange man is very adamant about his views. Finally the man stops his attack on Mr. Wopsle and asks for the company of Joe and Pip. Pip recognizes that the man is the same one that he met on the stairs at Miss Havisham's house, so long ago. This reintroduction of a character that was predicted to have some sort of impact on a main characters life proves to have been an accurate prediction. This man's name is Jaggers and he offers Pip the chance to be brought up as a gentlemen. The fact that Pip's life is about to change in the exact way that he always wanted might prove to have disastrous effects later on in the novel.

Great Expectations Chapter 15-16

It chapter fifteen Pip yearns to gain as much knowledge as possible. Unfortunately he feels as if he has outgrown Mr. Wopsle's great-aunt. However, he waits until Biddy has taught him everything she knows, before he asks Mr. Wopsle if he would teach Pip personally. However, this does not end of working out well at all. Eventually Pip decides to decline this form of education. Pip informs the reader that he has made it his mission to teach Joe everything he has learned. However, Pip states that his intentions are not entirely pure. "This statement sounds so well that I cannot let in my conscience let it pass unexplained. I wanted to make Joe less ignorant and common, that he might be worthier of my society and less open to Estella's reproach." page 109. From this quote a lot is revealed about Pip's character. It shows that while he does indeed care about Joe he is also embarrassed by him as well. However, it is good that Pip is able to be honest with himself. Awareness of one's flaws is the first step in eventually working to changing them. It also becomes quite evident that Pip is slightly obsessed with Miss Havisham and Estella. Whenever he has a moment for his mind to wonder, it always drifts to Estella and Miss Havisham.

Pip runs the idea across Joe that he plans to go visit Miss Havisham. Joe tries to hint at the fact that he believes that this is not the best idea. He tells Pip that he goes to Miss Havisham, she might believe that has come because he wants something. Pip gets somewhat defensive because he had the same thought. He says "I had thought of that too, and it was very far from comforting to me to find that he had thought of it, for it seemed to render it more probable." page 111. Basically this means that Pip feels as if  Joe, someone he is not exactly highly intelligent, was able to come to this conclusion, it is possible that others will feel this way as well. However, despite his reservations Joe agrees to give Pip a half-day holiday in order to go Miss Havisham. Orlick, who works for Joe as well, demands that he should have a half-day holiday as well. Joe agrees that Orlick can have a holiday as well and his wife is not very happy about this. Orlick puts Pip's sister in her place and she throws an extreme tantrum about how Orlick treats her. In order to resolve everything, Joe fights Orlick to pacify his wife. Fortunately Orlick understands and everything between them is alright.

Pip heads off to Miss Havisham's house, where he is greeted at the front door by Miss Sarah Pocket. As predicted Miss Havisham does initially believe that Pip wants something. Once that is cleared up she inquires to whether or not he is looking for Estella. It becomes clear that he is and that is when she informs him that Estella is abroad getting an education. Miss Havisham seems to draw great pleasure from Pip's loss and eventually orders him to go. On his way back home Pip encounters Mr. Pumblechook and ends up spending a great deal of the evening at his home participating in a murder mystery. After this Pip heads home with Mr. Wopsle and Orlick, whom they encounter along the way. Upon arriving home Pip discovers that his sister has been attacked. Some of Pip's old guilt returns because he feels as if the iron used to hit his sister belonged to the convict he had helped all that while ago. However, out of tragic rising a spark of hope. Pip's sister changes her whole nature after the attack. "her temper was greatly improved, and she was patient." page 122. Another change is that Biddy comes to stay with Pip and his family to help out and this greatly improves the dynamics of the family.

Great Expectations Chapter 13-14

Chapter 13 starts off the day after Miss Havisham requests a meeting with Joe. Joe is getting all dressed up in his Sunday best, and Pip is reluctant to tell him that he looks better in his work clothes and in order not to hurt his feelings, Pip keeps his opinion to himself. At breakfast Pip's sister informed him that she would be going to town with them and would wait at Uncle Pumblechook's. Once everyone was ready, they headed off to town. When Joe and Pip arrived at Miss Havisham's house Estella lets them in. It becomes immediately clear that Joe is extremely nervous. This can be seen by the fact that whenever Miss Havisham asks him a question he would address Pip. Pip goes on to describe Joe as "like some extraordinary bird, standing, as he did, speechless, with his tuft of feathers ruffled, and his mouth open as if he wanted a worm." page 99. This shows exactly how uncomfortable Joe is in this new situation.

Pip is completely embarrassed by Joe's behavior, especially when he notices Estella smirking at Joe's answers to Miss Havisham's questions. However, Miss Havisham seems to understand Joe's true nature. "Miss Havisham glanced at him as if she understood what [that] he really was better than I had thought possible, seeing what he was there," page 100. This shows that she is able to see that Joe is truly and kind person and that he is simply nervous. When Miss Havisham is done asking questions, she tells Pip and Joe that they may leave. She informs Pip that he does not need to come over any longer since is officially apprenticed to Joe now. Miss Havisham requests to speak to Joe for a moment alone. Pip wonders how Joe was able to make it alone with Miss Havisham but Joe manages to survive.  Pip and Joe return to Mr. Pumblechook's house.

At first Mr. Pumblechook and Joe's sister ridicule Miss Havisham, that is until they find out that Miss Havisham gave them some money. Pip notices just how hypocritical Mr. Pumblechook is by stating "That abject hypocrite, Pumblechook, nodded again, and said with a patronizing laugh...." page 103. At this point in the story Mr. Pumblechook and Pip's sister were guessing how much money Miss Havisham gave them. Pip had previously mentioned his strong dislike for Mr. Pumblechook, however, now he has actually put a name to one of Mr. Pumblechook's character flaws. After they go to the court to officially apprentice Pip to Joe, everyone goes out to celebrate. Pip is unable to enjoy his self and it is because he has come to the realization that he no longer looks forward to learning Joe's trade. Time goes on and Joe never reveals to Joe how much he actually hates the profession of blacksmith. The reason he never tells Joe is because of how much Pip cares about him and the fact that he would never want to hurt Joe.

Great Expectations Chapter 11-12

Chapter eleven begins with Pip paying another visit to Miss Havisham's house. However, this time he is taken into another part of the house than he had previously been in. Pip notes that there is yet another clock that has stopped at twenty minutes to nine. There is a possible symbolism that all of the clocks have stopped at exactly the same time. It could represent that everything in the house, including the people are stuck in time. Estella takes Pip into a room where there are already four other people. Pip stands there uncomfortable until Estella summons him away. The introduction of these four new characters might prove to be significant later on in the novel. On the way to Miss Havisham's room Estella questions Pip on whether or not he finds her pretty. When Pip says that he does, Estella reacts violently, yelling at him and even slapping him. Pip is rightfully confused by her reaction. Also while on the way to Miss Havisham's room Pip and Estella encounter "a burly man of an exceedingly large head and a corresponding large hand." page 81. Pip alludes to the fact that this man might prove to be significant in the future and not necessarily in a good way.

Pip finally arrives to Miss Havisham's room and he ends up walking her around the room across from hers. Eventually the four people from the other room join Pip and Miss Havisham and a conversation ensues. Eventually Miss Havisham's tires of her company, especially the fact that they keep mentioning that Matthew has not come, and asks everyone except Pip to leave. Miss Havisham reveals that it was her birthday, but that she does not want anyone to mention. Also she reveals that is the reason that the others had come to visit. Miss Havisham makes Pip and Estella play cards together and then when she tired of this Pip was let downstairs for his meal. Pip is left to wonder around on his own. It is at this time that Pip encounters the pale gentlemen. Pip and the pale gentlemen engage in a fight and Pip ends up winning. After the fight the two politely part ways. As Pip is leaving Estella tells Pip that he may kiss her if he would like and so Pip kisses her on the cheek. However Pip has a deep feeling that she might just be toying with him.

Pip continues to be plagued by guilt from the fight he had with the pale gentlemen. He believes that he will eventually be reprimanded for it although technically he has done nothing wrong. The time comes again for him to meet with Miss Havisham and nothing happens, so for the time being his conscious is cleared. It becomes a routine between him and Miss Havisham that he will walk her around two rooms and when she gets tired he will wheel her around. Also Pip and Estella are made to play cards and Miss Havisham seems to encourage all of Estella's violent mood swings.After every one of her outbursts Miss Havisham "would embrace her with lavish fondness, murmuring something in her ear that sounded like, 'Break their hearts, my pride and hope, break their hearts and have no mercy!" page 94. From this quote it can be assumed that Miss Havisham has possible been hurt in the matters of love and that this has shaped who she is. It is also quite possible that Biddy likes Pip, this is alluded to on page 95 when Pip mentions how much Biddy enjoys listening to everything he tells him. Time passes and finally Miss Havisham realizes that Pip has grown. It is at this time that she asks for a meeting with him and Joe. When Pip's sister finds out about this she takes it as a personal attack against her and this further shows her personality flaws.

Great Expectations Chapter 9-10

In chapter nine Pip returns home from from Miss Havisham's house and is bombarded by questions from his sister and Mr. Pumblechook. If his sister was not satisfied by Pip's answer than she would shove him. This incident shows Pip's sister's true nature once again. That she is indeed not a very nice woman; that in fact she can be quite cruel and only thinks of herself. Pip's sister is not the only one badgering him, Mr. Pumblechook is guilty of this crime as well. Pip states that "The worst of it was that bullying old Pumblechook, preyed up by a devouring curiosity to be informed of all I had ever seen and heard..." page 64. When the two are still not satisfied by Pip's answers Mr. Pumblechook goes on to ask Pip a mathematical question. At first Pip is confused but then he manages to answer the question correctly. This rattles Mr. Pumblechook and it take him a minute to recollect himself. However when he does gather his wits, he goes on to question Pip about Miss Havisham again. This is when Pip tells his first lie concerning his time at Miss Havisham's.

When Pip's sister asks Mr. Pumblechook to confirm Pip's physical description of Miss Havisham and he agrees with the lie, Pip comes to a realization. His realization is that Mr. Pumblechook has never met Miss Havisham in person. This gives Pip a sort of go head to continue his lies and they only get more extravagant has he goes along. Pip does not feel guilt at anytime until Joe comes in from the forge and Pip's sister informs him of all the lies Pip has told her. Pip begins to feel progressively more guilty until finally he goes out to the forge and tells Joe all about his lies. He also informs Joe that Estella called him a commoner. Joe does not get angry at Pip, instead he comforts him. However, he does make Pip promise to stop telling lies and Pip quickly agrees. At the end of this chapter the author uses a different technique. In this technique he directly addresses the reader. He posses a rhetorical question that makes the reader think deeply.

Pip decides that for him to be "uncommon" is to become more educated. So he goes to Biddy and asks her to teach him. Biddy readily agrees to help. He states that Biddy "...was one of the most obliging of girls, ... and indeed began to carry out her promise within five minutes." page 71. This shows that Pip really thinks highly of Biddy. One day after school, Pip's sister asked him to go fetch Joe from the public-house. So Pip goes to retrieve Joe and this is when he spots a strange man. Pip takes a seat next to Joe and the strange man insists on buying Joe a drink. Joe reluctantly agrees and they partake in some casual conversation. However, the entire time the stranger keeps staring at Pip. Finally Pip notices that the stranger is stirring his drink with the file that Pip had stolen and given to the convict. Upon leaving the stranger gives Pip two pounds. All that night Pip is plagued by nightmares. This is evidence of Pip's guilty conscious.

Great Expectations Chapter 7-8

In chapter seven the reader learns that Pip is being educated  by Mr. Wopsle's great aunt. It can be seen that Pip draws a sort of connection with Biddy, the granddaughter of Mr. Wopsle's great aunt.. This is due to the fact that Biddy is an orphan just like him and that she was brought up by hand like his sister is doing to him. He goes on to talk about her physical description by mentioning that she was always well kept and dressed up nicely and that it only got better on Sundays "On Sundays sh e went to church elaborated." page 43. This shows that Biddy was able to dress up even fancier that what was her average wear. Pip explains that he struggled greatly with the learning of his alphabet and that Mr. Wopsle's great aunt was not much help, that in fact Biddy was more help then she ever was. The use of a simile is employed to explain his struggles, "I struggled through the alphabet as if it had been a bramble-bush, getting considerably worried and scratched by every letter." page 43. This simile helps provide the reader with a visual image of Pip's hardship.

The story goes on to discuss that one night Pip had been practicing his writing by writing a note to Joe. Joe exclaimed emphatically when he received this letter. Joe points out everywhere that there is a J or an O. Pip realizes that he has never seen Joe read to any greater degree than this. Even he goes on to remember that at church last Sunday when he had his prayer book upside down, Joe did not seem to notice. Pip decided to press the issued and inquires on whether or not Joe knows how to read. Joe informs him that he does not know how to read. He goes on to explain that the reason for this was that Joe's father was abusive. So, Joe never really had the opportunity to learn because he was busy running away with his mother and then eventually Joe just began working as a blacksmith and began perfecting his art. As this conversation continues even more about Joe is revealed.The reader learns how he and Pip's sister met and the whole situation that surrounded him agreeing to let Pip and his sister come and live with him.Upon hearing Joe's explanation of how he invited Pip and his sister to come and stay with him, Pip breaks down from an overflow of emotion. "I broke out crying and begging pardon, and hugged Joe around the neck: who dropped the poker to hug me, and to say, 'Ever the best of friends; ain't us, Pip? Don't cry, old chap!'" page 47. From this quote it can be seen just how close and tight the bond Pip and Joe have.

Soon after the completion of this conversation Pip's sister returns from her outing with Uncle Pumblechook. Pip's sister informs Pip that Miss Havisham has requested Pip's company for the next day. Pip's sister spends the rest of the night preparing Pip for this meeting.On the next morning Pip goes with Uncle Pumblechook, whom is going to deliver him to Miss Havisham's home. Uncle Pumblechook spends the entire morning quizzing Joe on multiplication problems, so much so that Pip did not even get a chance to eat breakfast. The first description of Miss Havisham describes her as being dressed all in white. This is symbolic in that white usually signifies purity, however, in this case it appears that it is being used ironically. The introduction of Miss Havisham's character seems to signify that there will be some sort of shift in what is important in the novel. This is due to the fact that she is the first high-class rich character to be seen within the novel. Also the introduction of Estella's character might prove to have some consequence on the outcome of the novel.

Great Expectations Chapter 5-6

Chapter four ended with Pip discovering soldiers at his front door. He believed that they had come for him, that they were going to arrest him because he had helped the convict. However, the sergeant announces his true business for being there. Announcing that "I am on a chase in the name of the King, and I want the blacksmith." page 29. The sergeant needs Joe to fix his handcuffs for him and Joe agrees to help. Slowly Pip begins to calm himself down. "...I collected a little more of my scattered wits." page 30. This quote shows that Pip was really shaken by the appearance of the soldiers and believed that he was truly going to be caught. Joe informs the sergeant that it will take about an hour or so for him to fix the handcuffs. The sergeant says that this is fine and that it should still give him and his men enough time to close in on the convicts.

Having heard the sergeant mention convicts the dinner party convergences around him and he explains the situation to them. Mr. Pumblechook offers the sergeant a glass of wine and that seems to lighten the mood somewhat of everyone in attendance. Once the drinking stops everyone gathers around Joe's forge and watches him work on repairing the handcuffs. Repetition of the phrase "for the fugitives" or "for them" page 31/32 draws a sense of urgency to the whole situation. The sergeant agrees to let Pip, Joe and Mr. Wopsle join in on the manhunt. At one point during the manhunt Pip comes to a realization. He thinks about the fact of whether or not "his convict" will think that he purposefully joined the manhunt against him or that he is being treacherous.

On page 33 Pip uses a simile to explain his feelings a states "With my heart thumping like a blacksmith at Joe's broad shoulder, I looked all about for any sign of the convicts." page 33. From this quote it can be seen that Pip draws a connect with Joe and that he relates to him. This is just evidence for how important Joe is to Pip.  Eventually the soldiers catch up with the two convicts and capture them. Pip's convict saves Pip from getting into trouble by stating that it was him that broke into Pip's house and stole the food. He did this so Pip would not get in trouble for helping him. At the end of the chapter symbolism is used when it discuses the torches being thrown over board and extinguishing. "Then, the ends of the torches were flung hissing into the water, and went out , as if it were all over with him." page 39. This is symbolic in that it directly relates to the fate of the convicts. In chapter six Pip contemplates on his guilty conscious and the fact that he has not told Joe the truth. He fears that if he were to reveal the truth to Joe, that he would look at him differently from then on. Pip states that "But I loved Joe - perhaps for no better reason in those early days than because the dear fellow let me love him - and as to him my inner self was not so easily composed." page 40. Pip is scared that if he reveals the truth he will be in danger of losing the love of the only person that cares about him.

Great Expectations Chapter 3-4

Chapter three starts off with an extended simile. This simile is used to describe the how moist it is outside on the following morning after Pip's horrifying experience. "I had seen the damp lying on the outside of my little window, as if some goblin had been crying there all night, and using the widow for a pocket-handkerchief." page 15. Pip comments that as he runs to deliver the file and food to the old man, he feels as if "...instead of my running at everything, everything seemed to run at me." page 15. This comment is evidence of Pip's guilty conscious; he feels bad that he has stolen the food from his sister, but he felt as if he had no other choice. The story takes a slightly humorous turn when Pip relates that he feels as if the gates, dikes, and banks are accusing him of being of thief as well as the cows later on. Pip finally makes his way to the river bank and happens upon who he believes to be the old man. Instead it is another convict who tries to violently attack Pip. However, the convict is weak and stumbles when he tries to attack Pip. So once the convict recovers from his stumble he flees. Pip comes to the conclusion that this convict is the young man that the old man had said was with him.

Pip finally reaches the old man from the night before. However, he is in really bad shape. He notices how cold the old man appears to be. The old man hungrily attacks the food that Pip has brought him. Meanwhile Pip expresses his concern for the old man's well being. The man dismisses Pip's concerns and keeps eating. Suddenly the man thinks he hears a noise and questions Pip on rather on not he brought someone else with him. Pip says no and goes on to tell the man that he is glad that he enjoyed the food and the man thanks Pip. Pip goes on observing the man a draws the comparison between the man and dog concerning the way in which he was eating. "I now noticed a decided similarity between the dog's way of eating and the man's." page 18. Pip inquires on whether or not the man has left any food for the young man. The old man laughs and states that the young man does not want any food. This reaction implies that they young man never existed and that the old man had just said that to frighten Pip. The theory is even further validated by the old man's angered reaction to Pip's news that there was actually another convict. The man frantically begins filing on his shackles and Pip takes this opportunity to slip back to his house.

Once back home Pip has to get ready to go to church. Since it is Christmas day Pip sister does not actually go to church but stays home and finishes the preparation for the evening. There is even more evidence of Joe and Pip's closeness shown in chapter four. This can be seen through the fact that Joe and Pip share secret hand gestures in order to warn one another about his sister's mood. Another example was that at dinner Joe kept slipping Pip gravy; this was his way of helping Pip out the only way he possibly could. All throughout dinner Pip felt as if he were trapped. He states that he would have been alright if it were not for the fact that everyone felt driven to keep acknowledging him. None of the acknowledgments were pleasant either. Not only did Pip feel metaphorically trapped, by his guilt and whatnot, but also physically trapped at the corner of the table next to his Uncle Pumblechook. Finally Pip is unable to take it any longer a flees the table, however, he only makes it to the front door where he is confronted by soldiers who are holding out a pair of handcuffs.

Great Expectations Chapter 1-2

The novel starts off with a very vivid description of the main character, Pip's mother and father. Pip explains that he parents passed away and he states that he has never seen any likeness of them "for their days were long before days of photographs." page 1. So instead Pip draws his conclusion of their appearance from their tombstones. Even he notes that this is an "unreasonable" way to determine their images but  he does so anyway. For his father he believes that the shape of the letters gave him the idea that his father was a "square, stout, dark man, with curly black hair." For his mother her inscription made him think that she was "freckled and sickly." After Pip finishes up this description of his parents and then describes the country which he has grown up in, the setting shifts to the churchyard which is where he is currently at. Pip is suddenly confronted by a strange old man. The author employs the use of anaphora in order to describe the old man, constantly repeating the beginning of the phrase "A man....." page 2. By doing this the author puts emphasis on each of the characteristics that he is describing in relation to the old man.

From the beginning it is clear that there is something that is not quite right about the old man. He starts off by threatening Pip, when he was completely unprovoked. Also the old man keeps referring to himself as we, which either further suggests that he might not be alright or that there really is someone else with him. After making several inquires about Pip's personal life, he demands that Pip brings him a file and wittles the next morning. The old man's threat is that Pip better do what he wants "Or I'll your heart and liver out." page 3. While the old man's inquires were very odd they did provide the reader with more information about Pip such as the fact that he lives with his sister, Mrs. Joe Gargery, and her husband Joe Gargery, the blacksmith. After threatening Pip again the old man warns him that there his a young man with him that his much worse than he is. So, this serves as an added threat in forcing Pip to do what he wants; it is unclear whether or not this other young man actually exists at this time. Eventually the old man lets Pip go, and Pip runs all the way home.

Before the next action takes place, Pip explains the physical appearance of his sister and her husband. First he tells the reader that she is twenty years older that he is and that everyone was always complementing her for raising Pip "by hand." page 6. He goes on to say that not only does she raise him by hand but that he believes that she raises her husband by hand as well. "I supposed that Joe Gargery and I were both brought up by hand." page 6. He blatantly states the his sister is unattractive and that he thinks she made Joe marry her by hand. Pip states that Joe was a fair man ".... a sort of Hercules in strength, and also in weakness." page 6. The author uses this mythological allusion to Hercules in order to draw a recognizable comparison and give another view of Joe. When Pip arrived home he found Joe sitting in the kitchen. Pip and Joe have a camaraderie because they are "fellow-suffers." page 7. This reveals that their relationship is deep and has many layers to it. The chapter ends with Pip gathering up all the items he promised the old man and running of to meet him.

The Kite Runner Chapter 25

The chapter starts of with the statement "They won't let me in." page 344. This single statement shows the desperation that Amir is feeling concerning Sohrab's well being. Amir is unable to see Sohrab and this drives him crazy. It is at this point that Amir has a religious revelation. He states "....Baba was wrong, there is a God, there always had been..... This is the real house of God, this is where those who have lost God will find him," page 346. After stating this Amir begins praying; he does not remember all of the official prayer but he keeps repeating the verses that he knows. Amir's certain turn to faith shows that he truly does care about Sohrab and that he fears that he is finally being punished for the sins he committed so long ago. He  feels as if his punishment might be that he will have to lose Sohrab. That happiness will be snatched away from him just when it's finally in his reach.

The doctor finally informs Amir that Sohrab will be alright. Amir completely breaks down in the doctors  arms. When he is able to compose himself, the doctor takes him to see Sohrab. Instead of breaking down when he sees Sohrab, Amir goes numb. Amir sits with Sohrab until he drifts off and a nurse moves him to the lounge so that he can get some rest. During his fitful sleep, Amir dreams about Raymond Andrews. This is ironic due to the fact that Raymond Andrews child actually did commit suicide and die. After spending three days in the ICU, Amir returns to the hotel to try and get some rest. However, all he keeps thinking about is what occurred in the bathroom when Sohrab tried to kill himself.  He just keeps replaying the image over and over again in his head.

When Amir goes back to visit Sohrab, Sohrab will not talk to him at first. Eventually Sohrab does talk to him and he tells him that he is just tired and that he wants his old life back. Amir asks "I ask for your bakhshesh, your forgiveness. Can you do that ? Can you forgive me? Can you believe me?...."Will you come with me?" page 355. Sohrab's only response is that he repeats that he is so tired. Amir remarks that this experience remind him of when he had tried to test Hassan's loyalty by asking if he would eat dirt if Amir had asked him to. He states that he feels as if this time the roles have been reversed, except this time Amir actually deserves the inquiry of his honor, when Hassan had not all those years ago. In the end Sohrab comes with Amir to America, however, he does not speak for the better part of a year. It was not until a festival when Amir engages Sohrab in a mini kite tournament that he gets some sort of reaction from Amir. When Amir and Sohrab are playing in the tournament, Amir notices life coming into Sohrab's eyes. Then when Amir cuts the kite Sohrab even smiles a little bit. Amir asks him if he wants him to run it for him and Sohrab nods. Amir's comment to him is "For you, a thousand times over," page 371. There is parallelism in this statement since this is exactly what Hassan had told Amir all those years ago.

The End

The Kite Runner Chapter 23-24

Chapter twenty-three starts off with Amir drifting in and out of consciousness. Finally after two days Amir is able to remain alert and awake. The doctor explains all of Amir's injuries to him and the were extremely extensive. He is extremely lucky just to be alive. However, after the doctor finishes explaining everything to Amir the only thing he can focus on is that "The impact had cut your upper lip in two, clean down the middle." page 297. This reminded Amir of a harelip. This is ironic because that is what Hassan suffered from before Amir's Baba had it fixed with plastic surgery. Even at a time of great peril Amir is able to make connections between his current life and with memories of Hassan. While in the hospital Farid would bring Sohrab to visit Amir, and then one day he brought Amir a letter from Rahim Khan. The letter was basically an apology from Rahim Khan, stating that he was sorry that he and Amir's Baba were sorry for lying to him and Hassan all those years. Also Rahim Khan confirms that he did in fact know about the situation that occurred with Hassan. Hassan had told him about it shortly after it had occurred. He goes on to state that "Your father, like you, was a tortured soul, Amir jan." page 301. From this statement Rahim Khan is revealing that Amir and his Baba were more alike than Amir had ever expected.

Farid informs Amir that it probably is no longer safe for him to remain in the hospital much longer, because Assef will soon be sending his officials to look for him. Amir decides to leave the hospital the next day but he sends Farid to look for Betty and John Caldwell. While they are packing up to leave the next day Farid tells Amir that there never was a Betty and John Caldwell. This fact suggests that Rahim Khan had possibly expected Amir to take Sohrab home with him to America all along. This gives his statement "There's a way to be good again." page 310 yet another meaning. After Farid helps Amir and Sohrab escape to Islamabad he takes his leave and returns back to his home. Amir remarks that this is the last time he ever sees Farid.

The author employs the use of parallelism when Amir finally tells Soraya the whole truth about his past. Although Amir had always dreaded the day when he would have to tell Soraya about his past he remarks that he feels as if a giant weight has been lifted off of his chest. He goes on to say "I imagine Soraya had experienced something very similar the night of our khastegari, when she'd told me about her past." page 325. There is the repetition of the action of characters admitting to their past sins over the phone. As Amir states, Soraya had already done this at the start of their marriage and now he was repeating the same action. Amir takes Sohrab to the embassy to discuss adopting Sohrab. The news is not positive and they inform him that it will be extremely difficult for him to accomplish this. However, the man in charge gives him the name of a lawyer that may can help him. However the lawyer gives him the same basic information. The only option the lawyer offers him is to place Sohrab back into an orphanage and then go through different legal channels to adopt him. Amir tells Sohrab about this plan and Sohrab is distraught. Amir calls Soraya and explains the situation to her and she tells him that she has another way for them to bring Sohrab to America, they believe that they should be able to get him a humanitarian visa. Amir is thrilled and runs to tell Sohrab the good news. He opens that bathroom door and begins screaming. This ending to the chapter leads the reader to believe that Sohrab has harmed himself in some way.

The Kite Runner Chapter 21-22

At the beginning of chapter twenty-one Amir and Farid are traveling to the Wazir Akbar Khan district in order to reach the Ghazi Stadium where they can meet with the Taliban officer that has Sohrab. While driving through Pashtunistan Square, Amir and Farid see two men. One man is cradling an artificial leg and is haggling over the price with another man. This man is having to sale his artificial leg in order to get money to feed his family. This is yet another example of how much things have changed in Kabul since Amir has last been there. Amir remarks that he is surprised that the Wazir Akbar Khan district does not look as bad as he thought it would. Farid tells him that this is because followers of the Taliban and some Taliban officers live there. They end up passing by Amir's childhood home and they stop so that he can look at it. The author goes into extensive detail in describing the state of the house. These details show just how different the house is than it was before. Amir states that "Like so much else in Kabul, my father's house was the picture of fallen splendor." page 262. This statement sums up Amir's emotions about returning to his home. Farid tries to get Amir to hurry up but Amir tells him that he just wants to see one more thing. Farid tries to help him by telling him that it is easier to simply forget everything. Amir's response is that "I don't want to forget anymore," page 263. Amir's statement has a double meaning, in that not only does he not want to forget what he's seeing, but also that he does not want to suppress the memories of what happened with Hassan any longer either.

The next day Amir and Farid go to the Ghazi Stadium so that they can arrange a meeting with the Talib officer that has Sohrab. Amir once again reminisces about how the stadium use to look and when his father use to take him there to see soccer games. The field does not even begin to resemble its former glory, it is covered in holes and craters. The purpose for two of the holes becomes clear during half-time. A man and women are brought onto the field and are accused of adultery. they are placed into two of the holes which are deeper than the others. A cleric starts reading a prayer from the Koran and then goes on to condemn the man and woman to death by stoning. A man dressed in all white administers the stoning; this is the man Amir must meet with in order to get Sohrab. After the brutality of the stoning the game resumes. This situation shows that acts of violence have become a commonplace in these peoples lives and does not affect them in the same way that it would others. Farid is able to arrange a meeting surprisingly easily. The meeting was set for three o'clock that same evening. When Amir and Farid arrive at the home where the meeting is to take place Amir tells Farid that he does not have to come in with him and Farid is relieved.

Amir is understandably horrified at having to face a man that has just stoned two people to death. The Talib officer starts the meeting off by ripping off Amir's fake beard stating that "One of the better ones I've seen in a while. But it really is so much better this way. I think. Don't you?" page 276. This first incident sets the whole town for the rest of the meeting, a tone that shows that things are not going to go well. The Talib officers retells some of accounts of massacring Hazaras. He retells these event with a disturbing sense of enjoyment. Finally he brings Sohrab out and then makes him do a dance in front of the other Taliban officers. Eventually the truth comes out that the Talib officer is in fact Assef. Amir is shocked and appalled by this realization. He remarks that "What was the old saying about the bad penny? My past was like that, always turning up." page 281. This statement shows just how disorienting this revelation has made Amir. Assef goes on to tell Amir how he came to be a Talib officer. Finally Assef agrees to give Amir Sohrab, however there is a condition. Assef and Amir have to fight and if Amir wins then he can have Sohrab. Assef makes everyone but Sohrab leave and the fight begins. Amir is losing badly but there is a moment during the beating when he starts laughing hysterically. This angers Assef and he asks Amir why is he laughing. Amir's answers was "What was so funny was that, for the first time since the winter of 1975, I felt at peace." page 289. From this statement it can be seen that Amir feels as if he is finally being punished for what he let happen to Hassan all those years ago and then the events after the fact. Sohrab ends up saving Amir's life by using his sling shot to put out Assef's eye. This action is extremely ironic since Hassan threatened to put Assef's eye out years ago and that is the action that started this whole chain of events. It is ironic since it is Hassan's son who finally ends it all by actually carrying out Hassan's long ago threat.

The Kite Runner Chapter 19-20

In chapter nineteen Amir begins his journey to Kabul in hopes of rescuing Sohrab. Amir notes that it was important for him to leave quickly because he feared that he would change his mind and run back to America. This is yet another example of Amir's cowardice behavior. It can also still be seen that Amir does not want to upset anyone so when his driver Farid offered to give him a lemon for his car sickness. Even though he knew that it would not help Amir takes the lemon and tells states that "You were right. I feel better," I lied. As an Afghan, I knew it was better to be miserable than rude. I forced a weak smile." page 229. Another reason Amir says this is because he wants to make some sort of connection with Farid since it is clear that Farid is not very fond of him. When Amir sees how much Afghanistan has changed since he was last there he remarks that he feels like a tourist in his own country. Farid snickers at this comment and Amir asks him to explain why. Farid goes on to speculate about the childhood that Amir had in Afghanistan. Basically stating that he lead a pampered life and was sheltered from seeing the real Afghanistan. He goes on to say "That's the real Afghanistan, Agha sahib. That's the Afghanistan I know. You? You've always been a tourist here, you just didn't know it." page 232. This comment really brings to light the fact that Amir lead a completely different life from majority of the other people in his homeland.

Amir and Farid make it to Farid's brother, Wahid's house where they spend the night. Farid does not hide his discontent concerning Amir and his brother scolds him because of it. It is at this point that Amir reveals his reason for returning to Kabul. Farid's whole demeanor toward Amir changes and he his brother Wahid states that "You are an honorable man, Amir agha. A true Afghan." page 238. This praise makes Amir cringe inside because he knows that is the last thing he should be described as. Later on that night Farid "apologizes" for being rude to Amir earlier and even offers to help him look for Sohrab once they reach Kabul. Farid says "It was wrong of me to assume." page 239. Amir tells him "Don't worry. You were more right than you know." page 239. Through this exchange it can be seen that Amir agrees with the assumptions that Farid came to concerning him. Later on that night Amir takes a walk out near the house and over hears Wahid and his wife talking. It turns out that they had went hungry in order to feed Amir since he was their guest. This revelation leads him to understand that earlier the children had not been staring at his watch like he had first suspected, but instead they had been looking at his food. Before Amir and Farid Amir leaves a wad of crumpled bills under the mattress. This repeated action is symbolic since he did this same thing years ago concerning Hassan. However this time there is no malice behind his actions, there is simply care.

Everyone warns Amir about the state that Kabul is in. However, it is still shocking to him when he sees it with his own eyes. Farid tries to comfort Amir and even goes as far to pat him the shoulder. What strikes Amir the hardest is the number of beggars and how much rubble there is. The thing about the beggars that is the most upsetting is that they are mostly children with their mothers. Amir is overcome by an intense sadness. "Returning to Kabul was like running into an old, forgotten friend and seeing that life hadn't been good to him, that he'd become homeless and destitute." page 246. This quote sums up Amir's feelings towards coming home to Kabul. Upon arriving in Kabul Amir sees the Taliban for the first time. He is horrified by this experience. Once they drive past Farid asks "What's the matter with you?" page 247. This is because Amir had made eye contact with them. Farid informs him that it is best not to make eye contact because they are just looking for an excuse to cause trouble and hurt someone. An old beggar on the street confirms what Farid is saying. It turns out this old beggar use to know Amir's mother and gives him some information about her. This is a ray of hope amongst all the hardship that Amir has had to face recently. Once they reach the orphanage they learn that once or twice a month Talib officer comes takes one of the children but leaves money behind. The director informs them that last month he took Sohrab. The director tells Amir and Farid where they can go to find the officer in hopes that they can rescue Sohrab.

The Kite Runner Chapter 17-18

After declaring that the Taliban had murdered the Hazaras in Mazar-i-Sharif in the previous chapter, Rahim Khan took a break from telling his story. It is during the break in the story that Amir has time to think about all that Rahim Khan has told him. "It hit me again, the enormity of what I had done that winter and that following summer." page 214. From this quote it can be seen that this visit with Rahim Khan is forcing Amir to face demons that he had tired to bury long ago. Trying to drag himself out of his self reflection, Amir inquires on whether or not Hassan is still living in their old house. Rahim Khan's  response is to hand Amir a letter. Rahim Khan's failure to answer Amir's question suggests that something bad may have happened to Hassan. Amir does not press Rahim Khan any further and instead goes on to read Hassan's letter. Contained within it is a picture of  Hassan and his son Sohrab. Amir comments on how Rahim Khan was right ant that he "... would have recognized him if I had bumped into him on the street." page 215.

From reading Hassan's letter it can be seen that harbors not ill will toward Amir for the things he had done. Hassan had ended the letter by stating that "And I dream that someday you will return to Kabul to revisit the land of our childhood. If you do, you will find an old faithful friend waiting for you." page 218.  This statement shows that Hassan is still just as faithful as he always was and still feels for Amir that same way he did when they were kids, before that horrific incident ever took place. After reading the letter Amir once again asks Rahim Khan about Hassan; this time he asks how he is doing. It is at this point that Rahim Khan reveals that Hassan is dead. Hassan was killed because he refused to leave the house when the Talibs accused him of trespassing. Hassan argued that he was living with Rahim Khan and that he was just away, but the Talibs would hear nothing of it and shot Hassan in the back of the head. When his wife, Farzana heard the commotion she ran outside and they shot her too, claiming that it was self defense.

Amir is devastated by the news of Hassan's death. When he is able to collect himself he asks what happened to Hassan's son, Sohrab. Rahim Khan informs him that he was placed in an orphanage. This is when Rahim Khan reveals the other reason he asked Amir to come and visit him and it is that he wants him to go find Sohrab and bring him back to Peshawar where there is a safe place for him to go. Amir slips back into his old nature of being self absorbed and thinking of no one other than himself and refuses to go and asks why does it have to be him. Rahim Khan says, "And why you? I think we both know why it has to be you, don't we?" page 221.  This statement alludes back to the fact that Rahim Khan is aware of the situation that occurred between Hassan and Amir when they were boys. Rahim tries to guilt Amir into doing it, but when that does not work he reveals a big secret. The secret is that Hassan is in fact Amir's brother. Shocked by this revelation, Amir storms out of Rahim Khan's apartment.

Once out of Rahim Khan's apartment, Amir goes to a samovar house where he reflects upon all the events of his life. He realizes that there have been signs all along that indicated that Hassan was his brother. Some of which were that his Baba had fixed Hassan's harelip or that he never missed Hassan's birthday. Also the conversation that they had when Amir had asked his Baba if they could hire new servants. "Hassan's not going anywhere, he'd barked. He's staying right here with us, where he belongs. This is his home and we're his family." page 225. Then he also remembered how his father had wept when Ali and Hassan had left. However, one could not have come to the conclusion with these examples alone that Hassan was Amir's brother, but they can be used as evidence to support that fact. Amir goes on to realize that him and his father were more alike than he ever thought, "We had both betrayed the people who would have given their lives for us." page 226. It is at this point that Amir decides that he will go and find Sohrab, believing that "...Rahim Khan had summoned me here to atone not just for my sins but for Baba's too." page 226.

The Kite Runner Chapter 15-16

In chapter fifteen Amir arrives in Peshawar he says that he still remembers the city from the time he and his Baba spent there when they were waiting to go to America. When Amir sees Rahim Khan for the first time he remarks that "Then, a thing mad of skin and bones pretending to be Rahim Khan opened the door." page 197. This statement goes to show that Rahim Khan is in a very bad state. Amir regards this situation as the "elephant in the room" and avoids mentioning it at first. So instead they have general conversation, Amir tells Rahim about his marriage and Rahim tells about how the situation in Kabul has deteriorated even further since he and his Baba left and also about what he has been doing since they left as well. Rahim tells all about the hardships and horror the citizens of Kabul had to face daily during the 1992 to 1996 when the Northern Alliance took over. Gunfire and rocket explosions were a common place. He even informs him that they destroyed his Baba's orphanage. Then the Taliban came and liberated them and people were hopeful for the first time in a long time.

It is at this point in the story that Amir and Rahim finally address the fact that he is seriously ill. It is implied that Rahim has cancer and he informs Amir that he does not believe that he will live out the summer. It is extremely ironic that Rahim is suffering from cancer when this is the aliment that eventually killed Amir's Baba as well. Amir offers to take him back to America with him so that he can find Rahim a doctor. Rahim replies that "I see America Has infused you with the optimism that has mad her so great. That's very good." page 201. Then Rahim goes on to respectfully decline Amir's offer stating that he believes that it is "God's will." Amir clearly disagrees but does not argue with Rahim any further. Rahim tells Amir that he wants him to do one thing for him but first he wants him to listen to what he has to tell him about Hassan. Amir agrees and Rahim begins relating his story.

Rahim had been living in Amir's old house; Amir's Baba had arranged it so that he technically sold the house to Rahim when they fled Kabul and then was planning on getting it back when things settled down. However, things never settled down and that dream never became a reality. Rahim admits that he went looking for Hassan for a number of reasons, one of which being that he was lonely. Another was that he was getting older and was finding it more and more difficult to take care of the house. Rahim found Hassan living in a small village outside of  Bamiyan. It turns out that Hassan has made a new life for himself and is even married to a soft spoken Hazara woman, Farzana. It appears as if Hassan is very happy with his life and is extremely content, he's even expecting his first child. The reader learns that Ali has passed away in a very tragic situation. Ali and his cousin had been killed by a land mine two years prior to Rahim coming to find them. Rahim notes that it was about halfway through the visit before Hassan asked about Amir. Rahim tells Amir that "Hassan had so many questions about you." page 207. This statement implies that Hassan forgave Amir long ago and simply wishes to have some sort of relationship with him. Initially when Rahim asks Hassan to come back with him and help him to take care of the house he declines, but when he learns about Amir's Baba's death he changes his mind and comes back with Rahim. It can be seen that Hassan is still very insightful at this point in the novel. At the time that the Taliban take over and liberate Afghanistan, Hassan states "God help the Hazaras now, Rahim Khan sahib." page 213. It says something that Hassan was able to see that the Taliban spelled trouble when others could not.

The Kite Runner Chapter 13-14

In chapter thirteen more about the Afghan culture is revealed; that is due to the fact that this is the chapter in which Amir marries Soraya. The chapter starts off with Amir and his Baba arriving at the Taheris' house for the lafz, which is the ceremony of "giving word." Amir's father comments that "It's the happiest day of my life, Amir," page 166. This is the type of praise that Amir has been waiting his entire life to hear. However, considering the circumstances it is still somewhat bitter sweet. Amir and Soraya decided to forgo the Shirini-khori ceremony and the engagement period which would usually last several months. They do this because they know Amir's Baba is not going to last for much longer. It is somewhat ironic that during the wedding Amir relates relates the singing of the wedding song with the Russian soldier singing it all those years ago when he and his Baba had left Kabul. Also the fact that he thinks of Hassan at this moment is extremely revealing as well. He begins to speculate about Hassan's life and states "And I remember wondering if Hassan too had married. And if so, whose face he had seen in the mirror under the veil? Whose henna-painted hands had he held?" page 171. It appears as if Amir is unable to allow himself a moment of pure happiness. Whenever he is close his mind will drift to Hassan or all of the bad things he has done.

During the first month of marriage Amir and Soraya live together with Amir's Baba. Soraya dedicates all of her time to taking care of Amir's Baba. About a month after the wedding some of Soraya's family came to have dinner with her, Amir, and his Baba. Amir states that on that night "I could see his internal smile, as wide as the skies of Kabul on nights when the poplars shivered and the sound of crickets swelled in the gardens." page 173. It is on this night that Amir's father passes away. From that last statement it can be inferred that Amir's Baba died content, that he was in fact proud of his son and had finally accepted him. During the funeral Amir reflects on his father's life and states that "Baba had wrestled bears his whole life...In the end, a bear had come that he couldn't best." page 174. This relates back to the story told previously in the novel about how it was thought that Amir's Baba had wrestled a bear. From these statements it is even clear just how much Amir respected an looked up to his father, but in his death Amir realized that his father was still in fact human.

In this chapter Amir publishes his first novel and becomes earns some celebrity within the Afghan community. On the night that Amir learns of this good news his thoughts drift to Hassan. Particularly to when he said "Some day, Inshallah, you will be a great writer, he had said once, and people all over the world will read your stories." page 183. This is another example of how whenever Amir is happy his thoughts will turn to Hassan. Even he speculates on the fact of whether or not he actually deserves to be happy. It is also during this time that Amir and Soraya begin to try and have children. However they are unable to, so they seek medical help. After a plethora of tests it is discovered that they are unable to conceive children due to "Unexplained Infertility." The doctor suggests adoption as an alternative for them. After some discussion they decline this as an option. Amir states that they both had their reasons for being against adoption and he felt as if his was that "...perhaps something, someone, somewhere, had decided to deny me fatherhood for the things I had done. Maybe this was my punishment , and perhaps justly so." page 188. Chapter fourteen is relatively short however it reveals the fact that Rahim Khan is severely ill and Amir must travel to Pakistan to visit him. Also it is revealed from the following statement that Rahim Khan always had known about what Amir had done "Come. There is a way to be good again." page 192. This shows that Rahim Khan still represents the voice of reason and is extremely insightful.

The Kite Runner Chapter 11-12

In these chapters Amir and his Baba undergo two major changes. The first being the adjustment to living in America and the second being his Baba's lung cancer. The very first statement of chapter eleven is "Baba loved the idea of America." which is then followed by "It was living in America that gave him an ulcer." page 125. The fact that "idea" is italicized is very revealing, it shows that in theory America sounded good to Baba, but in actuality it was not what he expected. This idea is strengthened by the the follow-up statement that life in America gave Baba a ulcer. The incident concerning the Nguyen's provides even more evidence that Amir's Baba is not adjusting well to his life in America. Baba writes a check to pay for his purchases and they ask to see his ID and Baba is highly offended by this. He believes that after two years of service the Nguyen's should trust him and not have asked to see his ID. Amir ends up having to apologize for his father and smooth over the situation. The following quote sums up Baba's  attitude toward his current situation "Baba was like the widower who remarries but can't let go of his dead wife. He missed the sugarcane fields of Jalalabad and the gardens of Paghman...." page 129. Everything Amir's Baba had worked so hard for, everything he had done to prove people wrong about him is now gone and he is mourning that lose.

When Amir graduates in the summer of 1983 at the age of twenty, his Baba tells him "I am moftakhir, Amir." page 131. This means that he is proud of Amir and he gives Amir a look.  Amir comments on how he "liked being on the receiving end of that look." page 131. To celebrate Amir's Baba takes him to an Afghan kabob house and then to a bar. While at the bar his Baba makes friends with everyone buying rounds and whatnot and for that night a spark of his old personality comes back. For Amir's present his Baba buys him a Ford Grand Torino and while they sat together in the car his Baba remarks that he wished Hassan could have been with them on that day. Amir says that "A pair of steel hands closed around my windpipe at the sound of Hassan's name." page 134. This shows that he still feels an tremendous amount of guilt concerning the situation with Hassan. However, it is seen that Amir is maturing somewhat when he refuses to sacrifice anything else for his Baba's approval and insists on majoring in English. Amir goes on to tell of the practice him and his father have of going to yard sales on Saturdays and then reselling all of the stuff on Sunday's at the flea market to make a profit. It was at the flea market that Amir met Soraya, the daughter of General Taheri.

At the beginning of chapter twelve Amir begins to build a relationship with Soraya. Mostly he talks with her in the company of her mother so that rumors will not start. However, there are instances when he gets to talk with her alone as well. It is also in this chapter that Amir learns that his Baba has lung cancer, Oat Cell Carinoma and it was advanced and inoperable. Amir's Baba refuses to do chemotherapy and forbids Amir to tell anyone about the cancer. Even Amir marvels at his father's resistance and comments that "For a while, even cancer couldn't keep Baba from the flea market." page 157. However, his health began to quickly deteriorate until his collapsed one day at the flea market and had to be hospitalized. When is his released after yet again refusing treatment, Amir ask him to ask General Taheri if he can marry Soraya. General Taheri agrees but Soraya first wants to tell him her secret. Which is that at age of eighteen she ran off with a boy and they lived together for about a month. The boy was into drugs and her father had to come find her and make her come back home. Amir says that does not matter and that he still wants to marry her. However, it is hard to ignore that fact that Amir misses this opportunity to also reveal his secret about the situation with Hassan so that he and Soraya will not have any secrets in their relationship.

The Kite Runner Chapter 9-10

Chapter nine starts off on the day after Amir's birthday party. Amir is going through all of his presents but is disinterested in them. He states that "I didn't want any of it - it was all blood money; Baba would have never thrown me a party like that if I hadn't won the tournament." page 101. Through this statement Amir is letting his guilt show. However he is still unable to admit to anyone the horrific event that he allowed to take place. Finally he comes to a conclusion which is, "Either way, this much had become clear: One of us had to go." page 102. Amir's only concern in easing his own suffering. He tries to pretend that he is also concerned with Hassan's well being and that his leaving will be beneficial to both of them. However the truth of the matter is that if he really wanted to help Hassan he would have told someone about what he had seen. Deep down inside Amir realizes what he truly is though. This can be told from this statement, "I wanted to tell Ali it was not the book, but I who was unworthy." page 103.

Amir's plan to get rid of Hassan was to hid his watch and some of the money he received for his birthday under Hassan's mattress. Then he told his father about it, who in turn went and talked to Ali. Amir's father returns to the house and tells Amir that everyone is going to sit down and discuss the situation together. It was almost thirty minutes before Ali and Hassan join Amir and his Baba in the study and when they enter it can be seen that they had both been crying. Amir's Baba asks Hassan if he had stolen the money and he lies and says yes. Amir believes that Hassan lies in order to protect him one last time because Amir knows that if Hassan had said no then his father would have believed him. Amir's Baba shocks him by stating that he forgives Hassan. Ali announces however that he and Hassan are leaving anyway. Amir's Baba begs them to stay but they refuse. Amir knows that this means that Hassan told Ali what happened and that he indeed did know that he had been in the alley the whole time. Amir's Baba begs them to at least tell them why they have to leave and again they say nothing. Finally Amir's Baba agrees to drive Ali and Hassan to where they want to go, but he starts to cry. The fact that Amir's Baba is crying is very reveling; it shows that he truly loves Ali and Hassan and definitely thinks of them as more than just servants. 

Chapter 10 starts out five years later and Amir and his Baba are traveling in a truck with other refugees. It can be inferred that there has been a Russian take over in their home town and the only chance at survival was for them to leave. There is a point in which on of the Russian soldiers tries to take advantage of one of the women refugees. Amir's Baba stands up for her and refuses to allow such an action to take place. He does not stand down even when the guard threatens to shoot him. Amir thinks to himself "Do you have to always be the hero? Can't you just let it go for once?" page 115. From this statement it can be seen that he wants his father to do the same thing he did concerning Hassan's situation; turn and run away and let what ever is going to happen, to happen. Fortunately Amir's Baba does not back down and another Russian soldier comes and intervenes before anything drastic takes place.

The Kite Runner Chapter 7-8

Chapter seven starts off on the morning of the kite tournament. Hassan explains to Amir a dream he had about there being a monster at Ghargha Lake. In the end there turns out that there was not a monster at all and Hassan and Amir are praised for discovering this fact. It appears as if this dream might be foreshadowing some event that is coming in the near future. Once again Hassan intelligence is displayed when he comforts Amir, who is having second thoughts about participating in the kite tournament. Hassan tells him"Remember, Amir agha. There's no monster, just a beautiful day." page 61. Amir marvels at the fact that Hassan is able to read him so well. He states that "That was a little unsettling, but also sort of comforting to have someone who always knew what you needed." page 61-62.This just goes to show that Hassan is always thinking of Amir, although Amir rarely thinks about what he could do nice for Hassan.

Amir and Hassan end up winning the kite tournament and Hassan runs for Amir's winning kite. When Hassan does not return, Amir goes looking for him. After talking to several people Amir finds Hassan, but he has been cornered by Assef and his two followers. Assef tells Hassan that he will let him go if he gives him the blue kite. Hassan argues that "Amir agha won the tournament and I ran this kite for him. I ran it fairly. This is his kite." page 72. Assef tells him that he is loyal to a fault and does he really think that Amir would do the same thing for him. It means something when even the neighborhood bully realizes that Amir treats Hassan unfairly. However, Hassan insists that Amir is his friend. Before the situation takes a turn for the worse Amir has the chance to say something however he chooses to remain silent. Hassan ends up being raped by Assef and Amir runs away instead of trying to help Hassan.

Amir meets up with Hassan and pretends that he had not seen anything. Amir feels extremely guilty so he is unable to determine whether or not Hassan knows that he could have helped him. Hassan and Amir end up returning home and Hassan never mentions what happened. When they get home Amir's Baba embraces him and congratulates him on winning the tournament. Amir states that "In his arms, I forgot what I'd done. And that was good." page 79. This shows that Amir is trying to slip into a state of denial. Amir is offered another chance to do the right thing when Hassan's father Ali asks him is he knows what is wrong with Hassan. However, once again Amir takes the cowards way out and omits any knowledge. Amir is unable to enjoy his new found relationship with his father because he is ridden with guilt. Also he takes to lashing out at Hassan whenever he suggest that they do something together. Amir even ruins his new relationship with his father when he asks if they can get new servants. Amir's Baba is highly angered by this suggest and forbids Amir from ever saying anything of the sort again.  Amir succeeds in alienating Hassan when he pelts him with pomegranate urging him to fight back, instead Hassan takes one final pomegranate and hits himself in the face asking "Are you satisfied? Do you feel better?" page 93. Then he turns and leaves. This statement alludes to the fact that Hassan might know that Amir was there when the incident took place.

The Kite Runner Chapter 5-6

In these chapters the event that caused Afghanistan to change forever is described. On July 17, 1973 Daoud Khan ended monarchy and  took over Afghanistan from his cousin Zahir Shah. Zahir Shah was vacationing in Italy at the time of the coup. On the night of the coup Amir, Hassan, and Ali stayed huddled together until morning and even at a time of great peril Amir is jealous of the relationship Hassan has with Ali, his father. Amir states, "Later, I would tell myself I hadn't felt envious of Hassan. Not at all." page 35. This shows that Amir is slightly in denial; he knows what the truth is but does not want to truly admit it to himself. However, in this time of fear it appears that the family is thrown closer together. When Amir's father returns the next morning Amir notes that this is the first time he has seen fear on his father's face. He father gathers him and Hassan into a warm embrace and tells them how worried he was about them. Amir says that "... for a brief insane moment, I was glad about whatever had happened that night." page 36. This just goes to show how starved for attention Amir is. It also seems as if this new found affection Amir's father is showing him will be short lived.

These chapters also show that Hassan is very insightful. For someone that most people consider to be unintelligent, Hassan is able to quickly read a situation and interpret whether or not something good or bad is ready to occur. For instance on the morning after the coup Hassan and Amir are listening to the news outside of Amir's father's study and they keep hearing the word "republic." Hassan asks Amir what the word means and whether or not he and his father will be sent away. Amir reassures him that everything will be alright. However, this shows that Hassan has very good insight, he realizes that this new leader might be bad for him and his father and any other Hazaras. This could also be foreshadowing and event to come later in the novel. Also the fact that Amir's Baba's birthday present to Hassan is plastic surgery to fix his harelip, could be another sign that things are going to be bad for the Hazaras. It could be that Amir's Baba is trying to draw as much attention away fro Hassan as possible so that there is less chance of him being persecuted later on.   Another instance of Hassan's foresight is his ability to be able to tell what Amir is thinking and know exactly what he needs. This also shows that he is a really good friend.

The events that take place with Assef show that there is some warrant to Hassan's fear that things are going to get bad for the Hazaras. Assef states his feelings that he believes that "Afghanistan is for Pashtuns," and that it's "Too late for Hitler. But now for us." page 40. This parallel between Hitler and his persecution of the Jewish people and Assef wish for Daoud Khan to persecute gives a reference point for just how bad things might get for the Shi'a. Then when Assef turns his anger toward Amir and berates him for being friends with Hassan his first thought is "But he's not my friend!.....He's my servant!" page 41. Although Amir does not state this out loud this thought is one of  the first time he realizes that he views his friendship with Hassan differently than his friendship with other people. This also reveals yet another layer of Hassan and Amir's friendship. Another aspect is revealed when Amir decides to "toy" with Hassan when he asks him whether or not Amir would he ever he ever lie to him. Amir asks him "Would you?" and Hassan responds he would rather eat dirt. Amir asks him whether or not he would eat dirt if he told him to. There is a moment when Amir and Hassan just look at each other. It is at this moment that Amir says that " Hassan's face changed.... I was looking at two faces, the one I knew, the one that was my first memory, and another, a second face, this one lurking just beneath the surface." page 54.  This "second face" that Amir sees, shows him that Hassan is not as simple as he thinks he is but that he is capable of deeper thought and knows when he is not treating him right.

The Kite Runner Chapter 3-4

In chapter three the reader learns more about Amir's father. It is clear that Amir is starved for attention from his father. Amir relates the story of his father building an orphanage and tells of the day before the opening when his father takes him to Ghargha Lake. Amir's father told him to bring Hassan along too, but Amir lied and said that he could not come. This shows just how desperate Amir is to spend time with his father and it also shows that he is a little jealous of Hassan. He tells of the time when Hassan had accompanied them on an outing before and had managed to gain his father's approval. It can be seen that there is a twinge of jealousy there because Hassan was able to accomplish something that he has been striving for his whole life. However, Amir's attempt to have quality time with his father fails and Amir's father basically spends he whole time they are at the lake ignoring him and preparing for his speech the following day.

The reasoning behind why Amir's father is the way is he is revealed in this chapter as well. It is stated that "...despite Bab's successes, people were always doubting him." page 15. His father was told that he could not run a business but he became "one of the riches merchants in Kabul." It was also said that he would never marry well but he married one of the most educated and well-off women who also was a royal descendant. Amir feels as if his father has the ability to "mold the world around him to his liking." and that he only saw the world as black and white. This quote shows Amir's feelings about that aspect of his father, "You can't love a person who lives that way without fearing him too. Maybe even hating him a little." page 15. In short this means that Amir's feelings about his father are extremely complicated. It also can be seen that Rahim Khan represents the voice of reason within the novel. He comes to logical conclusions about situations and tries to keep the peace.

Chapter four reveals more about Hassan and Amir's friendships. Amir admits that he never really thought of Hassan as his friend. This is due to the fact that they belong to two separate social classes. Amir is of a higher rank and Hassan is his servant. Also there is the fact of their religions. Amir states that "In the end, I was Pashtun and he was a Hazara, I was Sunni and he was Shi'a, and nothing was ever going to change that. Nothing." page 25. However, as kids they are inseparable. They spend all of their summer days together and work out a routine for the school year where they can still spend all of their free time together. More about Amir's character is revealed through his interactions with Hassan. For instance the fact that he stopped reading riddles to him when he found out that he was better at them than him, shows that Amir has an extreme jealous streak. Also the fact that Amir makes fun of Hassan when he does not know certain words show's that he has a cruel side. However, the fact that he feels guilty afterward and tries to make up for it by giving him his old stuff shows that he does have conscious. Another instance of Amir showing tenderness toward Hassan is when Hassan complemented him on the story he had made up and Amir told him that "You're a prince, Hassan. You're a prince and I love you." page 30. This shows that in his own way Amir truly does care for Hassan. Chapter four ends with a cliffhanger, making the reader wonder what will happen next. "Because suddenly Afghanistan changed forever." page 34.

The Kite Runner Chapter 1-2

Thus far the first two chapter has given background information about the main character Amir. In the first chapter the reader is introduced to the main character who is reminiscing about his past. He states that ".... it's wrong what they say about the past, I've learned, about how you can bury it. Because the past claws its way out." page 1. This one quote sets the mood for the remaining of the chapter and alludes to the fact there is some dark secret in Amir's past. Amir relates the encounter he had with his friend Rahim Khan that had called him the previous summer. This situation provides another clue that there is possibly something dark and dangerous hidden in Amir's past.The fact that Amir decides to sit underneath a willow in order to reflect about  his past is extremely symbolic.

Chapter two goes back to Amir's childhood. He discusses how he use to spend his days with his friend Hassan. Amir uses a multitude of similes in order to describe Hassan's physical appearance. For example "...on his almost perfectly round face, a face like a a Chinese doll chiseled from hardwood: his flat , broad nose and slanting , narrow eyes like bamboo leaves." page 3. It can be seen that Hassan is a loyal friend, this is due to the fact that when Amir and Hassan got caught shining mirrors on the neighbors or shooting walnuts at the neighbors dog, he would always take the blame. He would never mention that it was in fact Amir's idea. Amir is very well off this can be seen from where he lives. On page 4 it states "Everyone agreed that my father, my Baba, had built the most beautiful house in the Wazir Akbar Khan district," this shows that Amir had a lot of money and was very affluent. Hassan and his father Ali live in the servants house behind Amir's house. So this shows that Amir and Hassan belong to two different social classes but are still friends.

The relationship between Amir and his father is strained. Whenever Amir would ask if he could sit with his father and his friends in his study, his father would tell him that it was "grown-ups' time."It can be seen that Amir is sadden by this because he states "He'd close the door, leaving me to wonder why it was always grown-ups' time with him." page 5. This shows that Amir's dad rarely, if at all, spends time with him. Amir tells of a picture of his father holding him as a baby "looking tired and grim" but although Amir's Baba is the one holding him, Amir is holding on to Rahim Khan's ( his father's best friend) finger. This shows that the distancing between father and son began at birth. This chapter also goes into a detailed account of how the Hazaras are treated and have been treated. This might possibly mean that at some point during the novel this conflict might come to an unfortunate ending.

The Picture of Dorian Gray Chapter 19-20

In chapter nineteen it seems as if Dorian is seeking some for of redemption. Dorian tells Lord Henry that he believes that he has done too many horribly things in his life and wants to make a change for the better. Lord Henry argues that Dorian is perfect as he is and does not need to change at all. Dorian insists that this is not the case and that tells Lord Henry of his first good deed. Dorian had been in the country and had fallen in love with a girl there. However, instead of pursuing her Dorian decided to "leave her as flowerlike as [he] had found her." page 230. Henry completely dismisses this action and says that by leaving her Dorian has also caused her harm by saying that now she will never be happy with anyone of her own class and that when she does get married she will grow to resent her husband. He even makes a reference to Hamlet by stating "....how do you know that Hetty isn't floating at the present moment in some starlit mill pond, with lovely water lilies round her, like Ophelia?"

Fed up with Lord Henry dismissing everything he says Dorian tries to change the subject but Lord Henry ends up talking about Basil's disappearance. Not only that but he revels that Alan Campbell has committed suicide and that he is getting a divorce from his wife. Dorian surprising  himself with the ease of which he is able to talk about Basil. Dorian even goes as far to ask Lord Henry what he would think if he told him that it was him that killed Basil. Once again Basil completely dismisses this notion stating "Crime belongs exclusively to the lower orders." page 233. So the topic of conversation is changed once more and eventually Dorian grows tired of going back and forth with Lord Henry and announces that he is tired and takes his leave.

In chapter twenty Dorian reflects upon his good deed and why it is that he fell in love with Hetty in the first place. His conclusion can be seen in this quote, "She knew noting, but she had everything that he had lost."page 240. Basically she had everything that he wished he still possessed. The more he thinks about his good deed, the more Dorian begins to question whether or not it truly a good deed to begin with. He finally realizes that he still acted selfishly and that it was no good deed at all to leave Hetty. It can be seen in this chapter the Dorian has grown tired. This sense of defeat is probably what causes him to act irrationally and stab the portrait of himself thus ending his own life. All he truly wanted was a chance at a new life, instead he only succeeded in ending it; answering for all of the sins he had committed.

The End

The Picture of Dorian Gray Chapter 17-18

Chapter seventeen takes place a week after Dorian's encounter with James Vane, Sybil's brother. He is sitting in the conservatory at Selby Rose, having a conversation with Lord Henry and the Duchess of Monmouth. On the surface, this chapter seems somewhat irrelevant to the flow of the novel. However the witty dialogue within this chapter goes toward exhibiting the style of the author. The somewhat light-hearted banter going on between the characters is similar to that which was in displayed in "The Importance of Being Ernest." The end of the chapter is extremely important because it is at this point that Dorian faints because he sees James Vane watching him from the window.

Chapter eighteen shows the struggle that Dorian goes through with is own conscious. He comes to a realization and states that "It was the imagination that set remorse to dog the feet of sin." page 218. This basically means that he thinks there is no order within actual life, but that the imagination holds all the order by which the world must function. It takes Dorian three days in order to pull himself together enough to leave the house. When he does leave the house he goes to take a walk with the Duchess and it is at this point that his mood shifts. "He was dominated by the carelessness of happiness, by the high indifference of joy." page 220.

As usual though, this mood does not last long. When a rabbit hops past he tells Sir Geoffry not to shot it. Instead Sir Geoffry ends of shooting a random man, this man ends up dying. After the shooting Dorian reveals to Lord Henry that he feels as if "It is a bad omen, Harry. I feel as if something horrible were going to happen to some of us." page 222. This statement is foreshadowing some tragic even that is going to occur before the conclusion of the novel. Toward the end of the chapter Dorian finds out that the man that was shoot earlier that day was in fact James Vane. Dorian cries tears of relief and happiness believing that he is now safe. However there is still a sense of foreboding as if something awful is still going to occur.

The Picture of Dorian Gray Chapter 15-16

In chapter fifteen Dorian heads to a party hosted by Lady Narborough. It speaks volumes that he is able to go out and socialize after the crime he has committed. Dorian even marvels as this fact, at first it concerns him then he is states that he "felt keenly the terrible pleasure of a double life." page 191. Dorian slowly begins to regret coming to the party and considers leaving. That is until he learns that Lord Henry arrives. However, even Lord Henry's presence is not enough to completely shake the mode he is in. He scarcely eats and when Lord Henry asks him what is the matter, Lady Narborough suggests that he is in love. This gets the whole party on the subject of marriage and distracts from Dorian's strange behavior.

Later during the party Lord Henry causally inquires about Dorian's whereabouts the night before. Dorian's guilty conscious clearly shines through when he answers defensively and gets angered by the question. Dorian apologizes for getting angry but still insists on leaving the party early. Dorian goes home and destroys Basil's belongings by burning them in the fire. Feeling restless after having destroyed the evidence Dorian leaves his home and heads to an opium den stating "To cure the soul by means of the senses, and the senses by means of the soul." page 201. This basically means that if he can not deal with is guilty conscious, the only other option is to forget his sins. And at the opium dens "one could buy oblivion." page 201.

While at the opium den Dorian runs across Sybil's brother James; however he is not aware of this fact. He is busy reflecting on whether or not it was truly his fault for how Adrian Singleton ended up but then comes to the conclusion that he can not be responsible for others sins. Instead decides that "Destiny never [closes] her accounts." page 207. This statement is extremely ironic coming from Dorian, since destiny seems to be ready to catch up with him. James confronts Dorian but Dorian is able to talk his way out of the confrontation by stating there is no way he could be the person he's looking for since it has been eighteen years and he still looks youthful. James lets Dorian go and is immediately confronted by a woman he informs him that Dorian has been coming there for eighteen years and his appearance has changed in all of that time. James goes in search of Dorian but he has disappeared.

The Picture of Dorian Gray Chapter 13-14

Chapter thirteen starts with Dorian leading Basil up to the room where the portrait is. Before opening the door Dorian states "You are the one man in the world who is entitled to know everything about me. You have more to do with my life than you think." page 169. This is a clever way for Dorian to "tell" Basil about the painting without actually revealing anything. Dorian reveals the painting to Basil and Basil is extremely taken aback. It takes a while for Basil to actually come to terms with the truth of the matter. Which is that the painting is indeed the one that he had made years ago. When Basil asks how it can be possible, Dorian reminds him of the wish he made years ago when he was first introduced to Lord Henry.

Basil takes the blame how Dorian's situation turned out he states, "I worshiped you too much. I am punished for it. You worshiped yourself too much. We are both punished."page 172. With this statement you can see that Basil feels guilty for how Dorian turned out. He believes that if he had not put so much importance on Dorian's beauty, then none of this would have happened. Dorian is suddenly seized by an extreme hatred toward Basil and stabs him to death. At this point Dorian seems to disconnect from reality. His attitude toward the whole crime is similar to the one he had toward Sybil's suicide. "The secret of the whole thing was not to realize the situation." page 174. Basically he plans to ignore the whole situation in hopes that it all goes away.

The next morning Dorian awakes perfectly calm and happy, that is until the realization of the events of the previous night comes back to him. He sends for Alan Campbell to come to his aid. While he awaits him, he tries to distract himself by reading and then he reflects on his former friendship with Alan. It is unclear as to why they no longer associate with one another, but it is safe to assume that Dorian is the cause. There was a time when they were inseparable then there came a time when Alan wanted nothing to do with him. Alan reluctantly comes to Dorian's aid and when Dorian reveals the true nature of his crime Alan wants nothing to do with it. Dorian ends up blackmailing Alan forcing him to dispose of the body. It is unknown what Dorian has on Alan, but it must be something extremely bad to convince Alan to dispose of the body. Also, when Dorian went to cover up the portrait it is seem that it has once again changed. There is blood on the hands, showing that it reflects his most recent crime.

The Picture of Dorian Gray Chapter 11-12

Chapter eleven focuses on the different endeavors that Dorian indulges in. Years have gone by since the novel originally began and the change within Dorian is extremely evident. Dorian also, has become extremely obsessed with that novel that Lord Henry gave him. This novel is just another tool for which Lord Henry can use to indirectly control Dorian, even more than he already does. The dream that Dorian has on page 143 seems to be foreshadowing some horrible even that he will soon have to face. It seems as if Dorian is becoming bored with his lifestyle; he is jumping from one hobby to the next, surrounding himself with beautiful things.

On page 153 it becomes clear that Dorian is driven by fear. He is unable to stay away from London for long periods of time, because he thinks someone might discover his portrait. He even went as far as to have bars placed on the door to the room where the portrait was hidden. Even though he was the only one who possessed a key to enter the room. Those that he associates with are being to notice this change within Dorian and start to regard him with suspicion. They "look at him with cold, searching eyes, as though they were determined to discover his secret."

In chapter twelve it has been eighteen years since the start of the novel and Dorian is being confronted by Basil. Basil comes to talk to him about the rumors that have been circulating around the community about him. It seems as if Dorian has become poisonous to everyone around him. He takes those that are pure and innocent and tarnish their reputation because of his negative influence. There is a bit of irony when Basil states "Mind you, I don't believe these rumors at all. At least I can't believe them when I see you. Sin is a thing that writes itself across a man's face." page 164. The reason this is ironic is due to the fact that Basil is basing his judgment on Dorian's outward appearance when if he could see the portrait, which is the true mirror to his soul, he would have a completely different opinion. The chapter ends with Dorian agreeing to show Basil the portrait; this action could possibly cause tremendous problems in the near future for Dorian.

The Picture of Dorian Gray Chapter 9-10

The dramatic change which Dorian's personality has undergone is much clearer in chapter nine. He even goes as far as to start quoting Lord Henry.  He states that "If one doesn't talk about a thing, it has never happened. It is simply expression, as Harry says, that gives reality to things." page 118. The fact that this is the response of which Dorian gives when Basil is simply trying to comfort him speaks volumes. It shows that he has a sort of detachment from the whole situation. Dorian comes across as being cold and somewhat callous. He tries to justify his behavior but his reasoning is severely flawed. The fact that he was able to go to the Opera and have a good time shows that his innocent nature has completely seeped away.

Chapter nine also shows that Dorian is not disillusioned about Lord Henry, that in fact he sees him quite clearly. Basil is berating him, saying that something has changed within him and that it is because of Lord Henry's influence. Dorian goes on to tell him that "Of course I am very fond of Harry. But I know that you are better than he is. You are not stronger - you are too much afraid of life - but you are better." In this scene Dorian acknowledges that Basil is the better person and that Lord Henry can not be trusted. However, it is also clear that Dorian has no intention to stop associating with Lord Henry.

Another instance of Dorian's cruelty is when Basil confesses his true feelings to him and Dorian's only response is "It was a very disappointing confession." That was an extremely rude statement for Dorian to say. Then once Basil leaves Dorian revels in the fact that he was able to manipulate him into revealing his secret while managing to keep his own. This shows that Dorian is turning into a manipulator just like Lord Henry. Chapter ten basically just describes Dorian struggle to move the portrait of himself to a location where no one may happen upon it. Then toward the end of the chapter Lord Henry sends Dorian two things, a newspaper story about Sybil's suicide and a book. Dorian is enraptured by this novel and the chapter ends with him meeting up with Lord Henry to discuss the book. It seems as if this book may have a deeper meaning throughout the development of the rest of the novel.

The Picture of Dorian Gray Chapter 7-8

In chapter seven, Dorian brings Basil and Lord Henry to the theater so that they can see Sybil in action for themselves. There is a brief moment when it appears as if Dorian might being seeing Lord Henry for what he truly is. This can be seen in the quote that states "Harry is so cynical, he terrifies me." However, then he goes on to comment on the orchestra so it is as if he dismisses this revelation as soon as he has it. Sybil's performance does not live up to what Dorian built it up to be and he is horribly disappointed. So much that he asks both Basil and Lord Henry to leave.

After the show Dorian goes to talk to with Sybil and she explains that the reason she acted so horribly was because now that she loves him so knows what real emotion feels like. That she does not want to fake emotion any longer and that they should run away together. Dorian's response to this is less than pleasant. He is horribly cruel to her and basically tells her that she wants nothing to do with her. When he gets back home he realizes that the portrait of himself has changed. The portrait is going to reflect the changes of of his soul. Dorian states that "... the face appeared to him to be a little changed. The expression looked different. One would have said that there was a touch of cruelty in the mouth." page 99. This first change shows the cruelty that he displayed to Sybil.

Dorian comes to the realization that he no longer what to have anything to do with Lord Henry; that he has in fact poisoned his life. That is until he finds out about Sybil's suicide. Dorian's response the news is not what he expected it would be and even comments on this fact. He says "Why is it that I cannot feel this tragedy as much as I want to? I don't think I am heartless. Do you?" Lord Henry is able to convince Dorian that there is nothing wrong with the way he is feeling. Dorian even goes as far as to say "You have explained me to myself, Harry... But we will not talk again of what has happened. It has been a marvelous experience. That is all." page 113. This quote reveals that Dorian has had a complete change of character. Lord Henry has been able to completely convince him to think as he wants him to. From this change of attitude Dorian even comes to see the portrait in a new light. He believes that it is a good thing rather than fearing it as he previously had.

The Picture of Dorian Gray Chapter 5-6

Chapter 5 introduces the reader to the character of Sybil. It can be seen that her mother is a skeptic of love. At the beginning of the chapter Sybil repeatedly proclaims her love for Dorian and her mother's responses reveal exactly what she thinks of love. Her mother is solely focused on Sybil's acting career and ensuring that their debt to Mr. Isaac is paid off. She states that "My child, you are far too young to think of falling in love. Besides, what do you know of this young man? You don't even know his name." page 68. Her mother makes a very valid point about not knowing Dorian's name. In her own way she is suggesting that things between Dorian and Sybil might be moving to fast.

Also in this chapter the reader meets James, Sybil's brother. James appears to represent the voice of reason. He genuinely cares about about his sister's well being and has absolutely no patience for his mother's dramatics. James sees his mother for who she truly is, which is a superficial older woman who is trying to recapture her youth by living through her daughter. James is determined that nothing bad will happen to his sister and makes their mother promise to watch over her. However, even when she makes this promise James is not satisfied because he believes that she has allowed this romance between Dorian and Sybil to go on for too long. However, toward the end of the chapter the James and his mother come to somewhat better understand each other. Whether or not this understanding will last is yet to be seen.

Chapter six reveals further examples of Lord Henry's manipulative ways. He brashly informs Basil of Dorian's engagement to Sybil, just so that he may watch his reaction. Then when Basil asks his opinion about the wedding his response is "I never approve, or disapprove, of anything now..... We are not sent into the world to air our moral prejudices. I never take any notice of what common people say, and I never interfere with what charming people do." page 81. This whole statement is simply absurd. All Lord Henry ever does is air his moral prejudices and interfere with what "charming people" do. Lord Henry is nothing more than a walking contradiction. At the end of the chapter Basil comes to a realization, which is that the Dorian he once knew is lost to him forever. Due to the actions of Lord Henry Dorian changed and has lost the boy-like innocence he once possessed.