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.