Slingshots

Chapters 21-25: Slingshots

A slingshot, also known as a shanghai, hand catapult, or a ging, are normally high-powered, lightweight hand-powered projectile weapons in which a projectile is loaded into a band and fired by pulling on said band. (Slingshot). Slingshots became popular when

Sicore Stephanie. “Slingshots”. 30 April 2009. Flickr. Digital Image. 28 April 2016.

humans would have to hunt for their food as they needed a lightweight but deadly weapon in order to kill prey. (Jon Yoder). Slingshots were used by Native Americans primarily for
hunting but could also be used to injure or as a weapon. (AlchInPrivacy). “It is normally fired by holding the frame in the non-dominant hand, extended at arms length.” (Operandi). Slingshots nowadays are used as toys but can also be used professionally for hunting and recreation purposes. (Slingshot).

I chose to research this topic because slingshots fascinate me as I have never used one but have seen them used. I have always thought of them impractical but when I read about what Sohrab did to Assef with a slingshot, I was impressed. They look less lethal than one would expect. We see an example of slingshots in a lot of modern and older literature from the likes of David and Goliath to more modern stories such as The Kite Runner, which connects us to the story as sling-shotting is something anyone can do.

Works Cited

“Jon Yoder.” n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2016.
“Slingshot.” Wikipedia. N.p.: Wikimedia Foundation, 25 Apr. 2016. Web. 27 Apr. 2016.
AlchinPrivacy, Linda. Sling shots ***. n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2016.
Operandi, La Mode. Now that’s nifty. 18 Dec. 2011. Web. 27 Apr. 2016.

 

Tandoor

Chapters 14-20: Tandoor

Collins, Erin. “Chapati!” Flickr. 24 February 2007. Digital Image. 20 April 2016.

Tandoor refers to a variety of ovens, the most common is made of clay and used for baking and cooking. (Tandoor). “They can be large, permanent structures ensconced in a kitchen or outdoor area, or they can be smaller, portable ovens that can be carried from place to place.” (Christensen). The heat for a tandoor is commonly generated by a charcoal fire or wood fire, burning inside of the Tandoor, giving the food an original smoky taste. (Administrator). “The tandoor is used for cooking in Southern, Central, and Western Asia.” (Tandoor). The most famous and widely made dish produced from a Tandoor is known as Tandoori, which is a chicken prepared with spices and yogurt. (Sanghvi and Food). Tandoori usually takes around a day to prepare since it has to marinate in it’s respective spices and yogurt. (Recipe).

I chose to research this topic because the word caught my eye and is used multiple times on page 205 in The Kite Runner and when I found out it was involved with food, I had to research more. I found this topic worthy of investigation because in the novel it never states exactly what a tandoor is and finding out that they are ovens of a sort, it connects to all the food mentioned in the book. Mentioned in the book, Hassan as a grown man is seen cooking in a Tandoor outside, which startled me because I was not aware they were outside cooking appliances but I soon found out that their involvement with fire, and I found it interesting that people cook in them.

Potato Bolani

Chapters 10-13: Potato Bolani

Rain Rabbit. “Afghan Potato Bolani in Surrey Street”. Flickr. 28 July 2012. Digital Image. 14 April 2016.

“Bolani is a traditional Afghani flatbread stuffed and baked with either spinach, pumpkin, red potato, or green lentil filling.” (Afghan Recipes). It is usually served warm as a side dish but can be turned into a main entree. (Afghan Recipes). “It is the perfect diet food because not only are they low in carbohydrates, calories, and fat, they are high in nutrition such as protein, fiber, and vitamins.” (Afghan Recipes). Bolani is also referred to Borekai, and originates from Afghanistan culture. They can be stuffed with a wide range of ingredients and they can be served with a yogurt dip, much like naan. It is made for special occasions such as birthdays, holidays, or special engagements. (Wikipedia).

I chose to research Potato Bolani, mentioned in The Kite Runner on page 138 because I’ve always wanted to try new foods from other cultures and this one stuck out to me. After researching, I found that Bolani is usually eaten at celebrations which strikes me as odd since the Afghans consume it as the Flea Market when they go.

For recipes, look at any of the following links:

http://www.afghankitchenrecipes.com/recipe/potato-bolani-fried-afghan-flatbread/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ar6NZFKRsw

http://titlisbusykitchen.com/recipe/bolani-recipe

Works Cited

“Bolani.” Wikipedia. N.p.: Wikimedia Foundation, 19 Nov. 2015. Web. 14 Apr. 2016.

nash. Nash. 21 Feb. 2013. Web. 14 Apr. 2016.

Shahnameh Stories

Chapters 6-9: Shahnameh

Shahnameh, mentioned in The Kite Runner as a book that both Hassan and Amir enjoy, is a Persian epic much like the Odyssey or the Iliad. It is considered a long poem and was written by the poet, Ferdowsi between 977 and 1010 CE (Common Era). The Shahnameh is considered the world’s longest epic poem written by a single poet. It tells the mythical and historical past of the Persian Empire up until the Islamic conquest of Persia in the 7th century. (Wikipedia). Ferdowsi collected a millennium’s worth of mythology and traditions of Iran and composed them into one piece, the Shahnameh, also known as the “Book of Kings”. (“Shahnameh”). The work is not precisely chronological but a general passage of time is included. It is divided into three parts: the mythical, heroic, and historical ages. (Wikipedia).

Ferdowsi. “Shahnamah”.  Unknown Date. Wikimedia Commons. Digital Image. 10 April 2016.

Paintings accompany Ferdowsi’s text making the reading much more enjoyable and easier to comprehend. (“Shahnameh”). You see an example of a painting to the left. I chose to research Shahnameh because they reference it multiple times in The Kite Runner and this stuck out to me even more when Amir received it as a birthday present in Chapter 9. I also chose to research it because I had absolutely no clue how to even say or pronounce the word, let alone what it meant. For those wishing to read the text, you can purchase the book itself on Amazon or find a digital copy online. There is also an illustrated re-created version printed which they sell in stores.

 

Works Cited

Lyden, Jacki. “Heart” of Iranian identity Reimagined for A new generation. NPR.org, 25       Aug. 2013. Web. 10 Apr. 2016.

“Persian language & literature: Shahnameh (the epic of kings).” n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2016.

“Shahnameh.” n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2016.

“Shahnameh.” Wikipedia. N.p.: Wikimedia Foundation, 2 Apr. 2016. Web. 10 Apr. 2016.

“THE END IS NEAR”

Chapters 1-5: Qiyamat

Qiyamat is where one day, the entire world (humans, animals, Jinns*, Angels, the skies and everything in them, and anything else) will perish. The only thing left will be Allah Ta’ala*. (The Coming of Qiyamat and Some Signs) Qiyamat is rumored to be happening once the signs mentioned below occur, which can be seen through even

Always Shooting. “Bloody Sunrise”. 20 April 2014. Flickr. Digital Image. 5 April 2016.

ts currently such as the high alcohol use and acts of adultery being committed as well as the 2016 presidential election. While some events are already possible occurring, others have not, such as the “Sun will rise from the west” which is seen in the picture to the right.
This event, mentioned in the Kite Runner, is being asked of Baba by Amir as Baba is consuming alcohol which spurs Amir to ask him of alcoholism and the Islamic society’s beliefs. We see evidence of this event occurring in the Quran, the central Islamic text, “Those who have disbelieved and died in disbelief, the earth full of gold would not be accepted from any of them if it were offered as a ransom.  They will have a painful punishment, and they will have no helpers.” (Quran)

Signs that Qiyamat is Coming:  (The Coming of Qiyamat and Some Signs)

• Knowledge of Other Religions will disappear
• Large exploitation of illiteracy
• Higher use of alcohol and adultery
• People will scream and shout in mosques
• Wrongdoers and the non-capable will be made leaders.
• The sun will rise from the west.
  • The doors of repentance will close after this, meaning no one who is not already Muslim, will perish.

 

I decided to investigate this topic because the word Qiyamat interested me and caught my eye and when I saw it followed by the words Judgement Day on page 16 of The Kite Runner, I had to learn more. All that is stated in the novel is, “He told us one day that Islam considered drinking a terrible sin; those who drank would answer for their sin on the day of Qiyamat, Judgement Day.” (Hosseini).  So, considering that alcoholism is still a problem in modern times, I decided to investigate further into Qiyamat because religious beliefs such as this have always interested me and I wanted to know more about our potential impending doom. This connects to today because many people mock other’s religions and state that their religion is “better” than others when every religion has it’s own flaws and beliefs.

Definitions:

Jinns: Djinn or Genies. Supernatural creatures in Arabian Mythology

Allah Ta’ala: Another way of saying Allah.

Works Cited

“Islam guide: What does Islam say about the day of judgment?” n.d. Web. 5 Apr. 2016.

Quran. The Noble Qur’an – القرآن الكريم. 2015. Web. 5 Apr. 2016.

“The coming of Qiyamat and some signs.” n.d. Web. 5 Apr. 2016.

Saulat. Belief in judgement day. WhyIslam, 13 Aug. 2014. Web. 5 Apr. 2016.

 

Domestic Violence

Adolescent Depression

Fahrenheit 451 Quote: “There was a silly damn bird called a phoenix back before Christ, every few hundred years he built a pyre and burnt himself up… But every time he burnt himself up he sprang out of the ashes, he got himself born all over again. And it looks like we’re doing the same thing, over and over.” Said by Granger. Page 165.

Nonfiction Connection:

No Author Given. “Depression in Teens” Mental Health America. Mental Health America Association. No Date Published.Web. 21 January 2016.

One out of every five teenagers suffers from clinical depression, defined as a mood disorder caused by a loss of interest and persistent sadness, which creates a sense of deep rejection in a young person. This makes me think of a Fahrenheit 451 society, where you not only have a character who attempted suicide, but also, a ruined society that needs to rebuild itself again. In an article posted to Mental Health America, the author speaks about the warning signs of depression, suicide, and adolescent pressure, and how to get through or to help someone with them. The author bases their claim through the use of statistics and professional therapeutical advice on how to treat depression with examples of Psychotherapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Theory, and Medication. The author acknowledges that “Each year, almost 5,000 young people, ages 15 to 24, kill themselves. The rate of suicide for this age group has nearly tripled since 1960, making it the third leading cause of death in adolescents and the second leading cause of death among college-age youth.” (Mental Health America). Depression is one of the main causes of suicide, which can be helped by recognizing the warning signs and through a variety of therapies, or just simply listening to the person speak about their troubles.

Baker131313. “Depression- loss of loved ones.” 15 April 2009 via Wikimedia Commons. Creative Commons Released into the Public Domain.

Throughout the article, the author offers a multitude of advice on how to seek help or how to help a depressed person, which draws my mind to questions of: “What happens after depression? and How do I get through depression?” This makes me think of how Granger speaks of the Phoenix at the end of the novel, and it draws my mind to how a person can rebuild themself after depression or attempted suicide. The wood for the fire, in this case, the depression, gives fuel for a person to burn themself up with, but hopefully, they rise out of the ashes anew. With rebirth comes a rejuvenated sense of self worth, confidence, and esteem and hopefully helps the depression fade away until it no longer affects the person.

One resource for those contemplating suicide is the telephone number, 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). You can also recognize the Warning Signs of Suicide:

• Suicide threats, direct and indirect
• Obsession with death
• Poems, essays and drawings that refer to death
• Giving away belongings
• Dramatic change in personality or appearance
• Irrational, bizarre behavior
• Overwhelming sense of guilt, shame or rejection
• Changed eating or sleeping patterns
• Severe drop in school performance

Searching for the Stars

Fahrenheit 451 Quote:  “For the first time in a dozen years the stars were coming out above him, in great processions of wheeling fire. He saw a great juggernaut of stars form in the sky and threaten to roll over and crush him.” Quote by Montag. Page 142.

Nonfiction Connection:

International Dark Sky Association. “Losing the Dark.” Online video clip. Lochness Productions. Lochness Productions, 2013. Web. 15 January 2016. Creative Commons Attribution- NonCommercial- No Derivs 3.0 Unported License.

How many of you could go outside right now and name off all the stars you see? But what if you live in the two thirds of the United States that cannot see the galaxy? Or the half of Europe that cannot? A Public Service Announcement (PSA) produced by Lochness Productions, talks about how humanity is destroying “dark skies” and how we can take steps to further prevent that.  Carolyn Collins Petersen, narrator of “Losing the Dark” states “We are losing the dark of night, at the speed of light.” which goes on to speak about the dangers of light pollution, such as vehicle accidents, health issues, and sleep cycle ruptures. This reminds me of a Fahrenheit 451 society where Montag, has become so detached from nature that he has not seen the stars in twelve years. She also goes on to state possible solutions that can help combat “light skies” with something as simple as flipping a switch. Light pollution, often more prominent in urban cities, poses a threat to not only humans, but wildlife as well. Petersen gives an example of a newborn sea turtle confusing the lights of the city with those of the ocean floor, which results in the turtle’s untimely death. If humanity has become so de-synthesized to the effect lights have, what happens when we face a more serious issue?

 

Sarunas Burdulis. “Cancun lights across the strait.” 8 January 2010 via Wikimedia Commons. Creative Commons Attribution- Share Alike 2.0 Generic. 

Have you ever been out on a deserted road on a cloudless night? Or on a beach where you cannot even see the skyline? What did you feel when you looked up? Awe? Wonder? Curiosity? or rather Anger? Hopelessness? All of those emotions coursed through Montag while he ventured out of the city and into nature. A nature untainted by light that was allowed to be free.  If society has gotten to the point where we no longer care about the beauty that is nature and care more about seeing a “Milky Way” chocolate bar rather than the actual thing, than we are indeed on the verge of becoming a F451 society.

 

 

Perfect Imperfection

Fahrenheit 451 Quote: “So now do you see why books are hated and feared? They show the pores in the face of life. The comfortable people want only wax moon faces, poreless, hairless, expressionless.” Said by Faber. Page 85.

Nonfiction Connection:

Burkeman. Oliver. “This column will change your life: the beauty in imperfection.” The Guardian. The Guardian Company. 23 April 2010. Web. 12 January 2016.

 

Oliver Burkeman’s article about making imperfection look perfect instantly draws my mind to a Fahrenheit 451 society, where the men and women are so alike that any uniqueness is squandered by society itself. Burkeman uses his article to prove his point that having flaws is what makes us human and allows us to grow over time. He also goes on to say that beauty is only truly beautiful if there are minor flaws in one’s appearance. He bases this claim with specific examples from history such as Marcus Aurelius’ bread eating habits (if the bread is cracked it gives it an almost unique difference than others).  Marcus Aurelius and every other so called “hipster” learn to find the beauty in flaws and to see that everyone is unique in their own way.

Imeinklang. “Gesichtsbehandlung.” 9 September 2013 via Wikimedia Commons. Creative Commons Attribution- Share Alike 3.0 Unported.

In his opinion editorial piece posted to The Guardian, Burkeman uses an example of finding a perfect marble countertop that looks exactly the right kind of imperfect, that specifically draws my mind to one character and her friends: Mildred. Mildred who symbolizes not only shallowness but also mediocrity emphasizes Burkeman’s viewpoint on finding perfect imperfection except the Fahrenheit 451 society cares not about being imperfect but rather perfect.  Mildred and her friends will do anything to be considered part of the “family” and to fit in with society, which is why when Montag steps out of line, they quite literally freak out. Society should not shape who you are or how you see others, but it should shape your definition of uniqueness.

 

Books and Bullying

Fahrenheit 451 Quote: “I saw the way things were going, a long time back. I said nothing. I’m one of the innocents who could have spoken up and out when no one would listen to the ‘guilty,’ but I did not speak and became guilty myself.” Said by Faber. Page 84.

Nonfiction Connection:

McManamy, Rob. “Be More Than a Bystander: Speak Up Against Bullying and Violence” What’s Happening in Character Education?. Character.org, 16 April 2013.Web. 12 January 2016. 

Rob McManamy’s quote about how students need to step up for each other when bullying happens, draws my mind to a quote said by Faber from Fahrenheit 451 talking about how by not helping the “guilty” he in turn, became “guilty” himself. In his article posted to Character.org, McManamy uses statistics of bullying drawn from Emily Bazelon’s book, Sticks and Stones, to provide evidence about how students often times do not stand up for one another unless the situation calls for it. He also goes on to vocalize that violence is also a key factor in bullying and tells the reader a story of a bullied child who was shot simply for being themselves. The innocent person who told McManamy this story became guilty by not telling an official the event occurred and hence, became guilty of bullying themselves.

Zalouk. Webdesign. “Two young girls laughing behind another girls back.” 19 July 2007 via Wikimedia Commons. Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic. 

McManamy’s quote “So speaking up takes courage and character, putting one’s self at risk to challenge the common but misguided notion that there is honor in silence.” reminds me of one character, Faber, in the sense that he teaches Montag to ask questions and to think about life’s bigger challenges and to install a sense of fear in him as the Fahrenheit 451 society no longer feels pain or remorse for their actions as shown in Part 1 when Clarisse speaks about the dangerous tendencies of the young adults. Faber teaches Montag how to not only feel, but he also teaches him what it is like to care about things. Speaking up when bullying occurs often times stops the bullying… for good, if this is the case, why do students not speak up more often?