Early on in the novel, we learn Baba feels there is only one true sin – theft. He described lying as the theft of someone's right to the truth. Throughout the novel, we see Baba as a man who champions through obstacle after obstacle. However, in the case of Hassan and his true identity, Baba did not exhibit the courage needed to reveal that Hassan was his son. Rahim Khan says Baba had to protect his nang and namoos, his name.
Write a detailed response (10-15 sentences) to the questions below, focusing your thoughts on the sense of shame that accompanied Hassan's true identity.
Was it wrong of Baba, Ali, and Rahim to keep Hassan’s true identity a secret? What did each of them have at stake? Could the silence have been for the protection of Hassan and Ali? Do you feel family honor is enough justification for maintaining this secret? How might each character's life have been different if the truth had been told earlier? Based on the events of this section, do you think Hosseini is critiquing shame and silence in Afghan culture, or does he present a defense of these qualities?
Yes, it was very wrong to keep this kind of a secret. They were just protecting themselves. Sure they didn't want to tell the world but, they should of at least told Hassan. Hassan had the right to know who his true father was. The protecting was more for Ali than Hassan. Because if people found out they would of frowned upon Ali. Maybe if Amir knew that Hassan was his brother he would have treated him better and might of stood up for him and done something to stop the rape. Baba would of been shunned. Because a hasara and a pakain(don't know how to spell them) I feel like that Hosseini is saying that it use to be a good place but, everything has changed. Everything has not change for the better...it has changed for the worst.
ReplyDeleteIn some ways yes it was. But in others it was not wrong. I feel if maybe Amir knew that Hassan was his brother and not just “some Hazzara” that maybe he would have actually stood up for Hassan. Even if he was only his half brother. However it could have also fueled his jealousy of Hassan. I really don’t think it did anything to help them or ruin them. Because Ali and Baba both knew that Hassan wasn’t Ali’s. I also think that if people knew that Hassan was half Pashtun that maybe people would have been less hard on him. Or it could have gone the complete other way. I think that he is critiquing shame and silence in the Afghan culture by making a story like this.
ReplyDeleteWas it wrong to keep this a secret from Hassan and Amir? Yes, I think that it was a bad idea to keep it a secret. Maybe Amir would have treated Hassan better if he would have known that he was his brother. Even though Hassan did not know, he still treated Amir like his brother. The silence might have been the best thing for this situation because if people would have found out that Baba had a baby with a Hazzura they would have treated him way differently. In addition people would have treated Amir and Hassan differently as well. Amir would have been picked on or even beat up for having a Hazzura brother. Hassan might have been called different names for being half Hazzura and half Pashtun. It would have made a big difference in their lives. Baba and Amir would not have been living the great life like they were. People would not want to do business with Baba after knowing that he had a baby with a lower class, Hazzura woman. It most definitely would have made a major change in their lives. I do think that Hosseini is bringing out the truth about Afganistan. He made his experiences into a story and brought them to the world. Maybe his book might make a difference in this world because people might see what actually is happening over in Afganistan.
ReplyDeleteI believe that they didn't want them to believe that they were all related. In away they might have felt bad if they did tell them. Also I might have done the same- thing. I can related to what Amir is feeling because there is a secret I don't know why it is a secret but I have to just understand that the secret was meant to be the way that is there is nothing that I can do to change it. I also believe that if Baba had to Hassan and Amir that they were have brothers, it is possible that they could have fought more or maybe they would have looked out each other more. I also believe that somethings should just be kept a secret.
ReplyDeleteNo I do not think it was wrong for them to keep it all a secret. They did the right thing, if the secret got out all of them would have probably been killed. Baba kept it a secret because Hassan was a hazara while he was a pashtun and Baba did not want to be punished for having a hazara child. Yes I think that it was for protection for Ali and Hassan. They wanted to keep them safe because they were really close to each other. Yes family has a huge part in all this, they are keeping their family safe and out of harm. I think that if everyone knew the truth the lives of everyone would have been a lot different. Hassan would have actually had a chance and wouldn't have been so slow while Amir was so smart he could have gone to school and had an education. I think that Hosseini is defending the afghan people and their culture. He is showing what these people are going through and how bad they are being treated and how the taliban are taking over and ruining their lives.
ReplyDeleteBaba might to father of Hassan as well. That is why Baba was taking care of Hassan. They had their lifes at stake. The silence or keeping the secret was protecting Hassan and Ali from death. I feel the family honor is enough because it kept Hassan and Ali from being killed or taken away. Baba would would be hated by Amir. Amir would have more guilty because what he did to Hassan and might dishonor his father. Ali would have been hurt for life . Hassan, I think would be happy and mad because Baba lied to him, but still took care of him. What Baba did was a bad thing in the Afghan culture. He would be taken and who knows what would happen to him. They would have been kick out of the country for life.
ReplyDeleteWas it wrong of Baba, Ali, and Rahim to keep Hassan's true identity a secret? I feel as if in a way it was wrong, but at the same time it was also a good thing. The reason I feel that it was bad is that they kept the boys in the dark. That kind of behavior destroys trust and hurts people deep down. The reason that I feel that it's good is that it most definitely protected Hassan and Ali. It also kept Ali from being lonely and gave him somebody to love and care for. I feel as if family honor is most definitely NOT a justified excuse for keeping something as huge as this secret. What would have happened if one of the boys had found out on their own? When asked how each character's life could have been different I believe that it would be very different. I feel as if Hassan would not have been bullied or raped by Assef if everyone knew him as Baba's son, he wouldn't be as religious as he is, and he also probably wouldn't have been so devoted to Amir which would make them not as close as they are as friends. I also feel like Baba may have been a more caring father if he could be open about Hassan being his son, but in a way I feel like he wouldn't have been as respected and liked. Ali would probably not be in their life as much as he is now, he wouldn't have Hassan to love and care for, he wouldn't be a servent for Baba either. I feel as if he is presenting a defense for silence and shame. The reason I feel this way is because he is showing how people lived in fear of being discriminated by the Pashtuns and the Taliban. If Hassan was known as half Pashtun and half Hazara he may have been bullied for that and Baba may have been looked down upon.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it was completely wrong, I think in a way yes it was wrong. It also saved Baba and Rahims honor. If Baba would have been open about him being his son he would have experienced shame from all the Pashtun community. He wouldn't be as well liked and wouldnt have his honorable name which in afghan culture is all you have. If Rahim would have told people about this secret he would have been ridiculed for being friends/business partners with someone who has done such a thing. Ali would have been even more shamed than he already had been. He would be shamed for raising a son that he knew wasn't his own. The protection very well could have been protecting Hassan and Ali. In school they probably would have been taunted.Hassan might have been treated better though, knowing he was half Pashtun and not full Hazara. I feel that keeping this secret saved Baba and Amir's life. It kept their honor and name preserved so no one could say anything bad about them. I think the whole book would have been very different if they would have known the truth earlier. Hassan might have been able to have a longer life. Baba wouldn't have been able to be as rich and successful as he was.I think the author is portraying how sacred your name really is in Afghanistan. If they would have told their life would have been very different more than likely for the worse.
ReplyDeleteYes and no, I know that they did this to protect Hassan and Amir. They could have at least told Hassan what his real identity was. It was kind of unfair for them to see Hassan and Ali and not say anything. I honestly think that Ali would have forgiven Baba because Hassan brought him such joy. Ali would have loved Hassan no matter what. Baba seems more like a low life now because how could you do that to one of the most loyal brothers you could have. Baba was a coward if he didn't accept Hassan just because he was a Hazara. I don't think that family honor means much to keep this a secret because Hassan IS their family. He now has the same ancestors as Baba and Amir. Their life might be different by Hassan being more educated because he already has all the Pashtunwali morals but he lacks the education of a Pashtun. Amir would have learned how to stick up for himself more and his brother. I think shame and silence are being portrayed here. Pashtuns are afraid to accept that they are equal to Hazaras because they will always think they are superior. What they really are are cowards.
ReplyDeleteI think it was wrong for them to keep his identity a secret because it hurt Hassan. Hassan would of liked to of known there secret. Baba's life could of been ruined if the secret came out. Ali could of lost his son if the secret came out. Hassan and Ali's lives could of been in danger. I do not think it was not enough to keep secret. I think this because keeping a secret from a family is bad. If they found out earlier about the secret the kids could of got around it. The author is not defending it because the family kept a secret and it hurt people.
ReplyDeleteI believe that keeping the secret away from Hassan was a bad idea, but keeping it from the public was good. Keeping a secret of such a matter will only make it harder to talk about it in the future. They kept the secret in fear of being punished or even killed. Although they may have kept it a secret to protect Hassan, they should have told him when they felt he could keep the secret himself. With the lifestyle they had and the way they thought it may have been the right thing to do in their eyes. Not keeping the secret would lead to being treated very differently.
ReplyDeleteI believe that keeping the secret away form Hassan and Amir was not a smart idea. Hassan would have liked to know he had a brother and Amir would have liked to know that Hassan was his brother. If Amir had known that Hassan was his brother the events of the rape might have come out different. Even tho their would have been a lot of hardships that would have come out if the secret was told they could have worked throw it and made it turn out for the best.
ReplyDeleteI don't really think it was wrong for Baba to keep it a secret, only because he had such a huge reputation with his people. Rahim Khan didn't really have a say in the situation, I don't think. And I do think it was wrong that Ali kept it from him for as long as he lived... he should have told him at some point. Ali didn't have much of a reputation to upkeep, either. I do believe that the silence was probably better for Ali and Hassan. Except, maybe it would have been slightly better for Hassan. Maybe because he was half Pashtun, he would have gotten treated a little better. Maybe Assef wouldn't have attacked him. I feel that Baba didn't really have a choice to keep the fact a secret. His nang and naamos were much to important... I think that if Hassan had known earlier on, nothing would have changed. He'd be just as loyal, if not more. Amir would not have second thoughts about how he feels about Hassan. Ali and Hassan wouldn't have left. Baba would have been happy! They could have all gone to America. I believe that Hosseini was trying to make you think, really. Everyone makes mistakes, and sometimes people are just quiet. It's not always a good thing. But sometimes it's for the better.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion I think that it was wrong of Baba, Ali, and Rahim to keep the secret. I feel as if it was Hassans right to know who his father was. I understand that Baba wanted to protect his name and didn't want a bad reputation on his family but I believe Hassan should have been told. I also understand that Ali also had his reputation to somewhat uphold as well even though in the eyes of many he was nothing but a Hazara. This coming out would have given people another reason other than his deformed face and polio affected leg. As for Rahim I'm really not sure what he would have lost. Probably his friendship with Amir and Babe and he also probably would have lost his social standing. The silence most certainly could have been to protect Hassan and Ali. If word would have gotten out that Ali was infertile and was also cheated on by a harlot, people would have given him more grief then he already took. And Hassan also. People always threw it is his face what his mom really was. People knowing the truth would habe made it so much worse. Personally I do not think that family honor was enough to keep this secret. Hassan knowing the truth could have changed his whole future. It could have turned out completely different. Hassan could have lived to see his son grow up. Amir could finally have a brother. Babe would have the son he always wanted. It my opinion I do believe Hosseini is critiquing shame and silence in the Afghan culture. Things like this probably happen more than we know.
ReplyDeleteI think that keeping the secret from Hassan, and Amir was a bad thing. Hassan thought Amir as a brother, but Amir thought of him as a lesser person. If Amir and Hassan would've known that they were brothers, I think that would change Amirs attitude towards Hassan. He would've treated him better, and maybe he would've stuck up for Hassan in that Alley if he would've known they were brothers. Rahim, Baba, and Ali would've lost their nang and namoos. I think that by Ali and Hassan not knowing, it protected them in some way. But, then again, Ali would be mad at Baba, and that might've left a lot earlier than when they did. No, I think that Baba should've told Hassan and Amir, even though it might've ruined Baba's Nang and Namoos. Amirs would have been different because he would've treated Hassan better than he did. Hassan's life would have been different because, Amir probably would've stopped Assef from raping Hassan, if Amir knew they were brothers. Baba's would've been different, because people would look at him in a different way, and they would look down on him. Ali's would've been different because he wouldn't of had a son, and his life would've been ruined. I think he is bashing the Afghan culture, because he is making it like theft and lying is nothing, because even Baba said that theft is the only sin, and the author is saying that Baba committed that sin, and that he got away with it, because he is dead, and he never told Amir, Hassan, or Ali the truth, he let them find out from other people.
ReplyDeleteI believe that it was a bad thing but in a way, a good thing. The reason that they kept it a secret was because they were trying to protect Amir and Hassan. But they could've at least told Hassan his real Identity. In my opinion, I think Ali would have forgiven Baba because Hassan brought so much joy to him. In other words, Baba could be even a coward for not accepting Hassan just because he was a Hazara. After all, Hassan is considered their family. I think the author is portraying shame and secretive. The Pashtuns are to scared and dumb to realize that they are equal with the Hazaras. In the end, keeping this secret did save Hassan and Amirs life.
ReplyDeleteI think that keeping Hassan's true identity a secret had both its pros and its cons. Letting the information be known publicly would have been terrible, everyone's reputation would have been shattered. Although, I believe that Hassan and Amir should have been informed. If they had known, things between them would have been very different. Maybe Amir would have treated him like a friend at all times, instead of just when no one was around.
ReplyDeleteHad the public known, Ali would have been further humiliated in the public and Baba's grand reputation would have been forever changed. Rahim wouldn't have been affected much if at all. Hassan possibly could have had a better reputation, because Baba would have been known as his father...But on the other hand maybe it would have been worse since he was illegitimate. It would have hurt Amir's reputation because his father would be known for fathering an illegitimate child, also I think Amir would have has a worse childhood because Baba would have been able to make it clear that he liked Hassan's personality and everything better.
I think that family honor actually could be a good enough reason to keep the secret. As American's (or anyone of a differing culture) we probably don't understand this, but in Afganistan culture family honor is everything to them...so to them maybe that would be a totally understandable reason for keeping it such a guarded secret.
I think the author wasn't exactly promoting or shaming the quality of secret keeping for the honor of a family. I think he was just throwing it out there as an "it is what it is" kind of thing, and illustrating that things like that do happen no matter how noble the family seems to be
I believe that keeping the secret from Hassan was a bad idea but to keep it from the public was a good idea. Keeping the secret that is this big makes it harder to talk about in the future. They kept it a secret because they were afraid of being killed or punished by the Taliban. Even though it was a secret from Hassan they told him when they thought he could keep the secret. With the lifestyle they had and the way they thought it may have been the right thing to do in their eyes, not keeping the secret would have let Hassan to be treated very differently in the end.
ReplyDeleteI think no, because Baba would lose his nang and namoos, and then Ali and Hassan would not be able to work for them, and Rahim Khan was just being a good friend to Baba. I think that the silence was for Hassan and Ali, were would Hassan fall in society being part Pashtun, and part Hazara. I feel that the family honor was enough, because Baba was able to keep Ali and Hassan close and was able to help his son in any way he could. Their lives could have changed big time, because Baba could have taken Ali and Hassan to America with them, and then Hassan would still be alive. I think that Hosseini is putting out defense for those qualities because it shows that Afghan people will go even to their deathbed with secrets, and they will do anything to keep their nang and namoos.
ReplyDeleteYes, it was wrong to keep that a secret. Hassan and Amir could have had a brother relationship. They could have done everything together as brothers. Yeah Amir didn't treat Hassan good at all, but Hassan did treat him like they were brothers. Then again, if people found out about the secret, Baba would have been treated differently. They wouldn't look at Baba, Hassan and Amir the same. Everybody in the town would make fun of them for having a Hazara in the family. Baba would not be the person people want to work with or associate with. I think that it would have changed their lives so much. It would have led to so much bullying for Hassan and Amir.
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ReplyDeleteI think what they did was a good thing. If someone would have found out they most likely would have killed them. But they should have told Hassan before Hassan and Alit left. Or they should have told Hassan before they moved to America. Baba had the biggest risk because he was the most respected man. If people would have found out they would have treated him differently and looked at him different. He probably wouldn’t be a respected man. Ali had to live with the fact that Hassan wasn’t his kid and raised him as his own. I do think they kept it a secret to protect Ali and especially Hassan. I think they kept this a secret so Hassan wouldn’t have been looked down upon even more than he already was. Also I think because Baba did it mainly for himself. He didn’t want his reputation to be ruined so he kept it a secret. I don’t think this is enough for family honor because they should have at least hold Hassan before he left or before they went to America. They should have at least told him before Baba died. I think the author of this book is defending the Afghan culture. Hosseini is saying that everyone has there secrets no one is perfect.
Yes I think that it was wrong of them to keep Hassan’s true identity a secret. Especially since Baba said that the only true sin is theft. Amir had the right to know, and they should not have kept it a secret. It robbed him of a different life, that maybe could have been better than the life he lived not knowing. I know there was a reason they did not tell him, but I don’t think there is any reason good enough to keep something like that away from anyone. It made Ali feel good, knowing that he had someone that he could care for. It might have made Amir care a little more knowing Hassan was his brother. Hassan had treated Amir as more than a brother, and Amir was never there for Hassan. One good thing that came from keeping it a secret, was that if people would have known about it, Amir could be bullied/made fun of for having a Hazara brother. But not everyone needs to know about, only Amir. Their lives would have been completely different if they didn’t keep it a secret. It is hard to say what their life would have been like. I think that he is critiquing shame and silence in the Afghan culture by the events that are occurring in this story.
ReplyDeleteI think keeping the secret has both pros and cons. I somewhat think it was wrong to keep the secret that Baba was Hassan's father. But also it was good because if people would find out Ali and Hassan wouldn't be able to work and live with Baba anymore. Therefore Baba would never see his son. Also it would destroy his childhood friendship. But then again, I also feel like if they told the secret would help Hassan's and Amir's friendship and Amir would have treated Hassan better knowing that it was his half brother. I don't think this would effect much on Rahim because he didn't chose to do it. I think it was very wrong of Baba to go and betray his best friend. I don't think they would be friends if Ali found out. But then again if the people did find out maybe Hassan would have a better chance. People wouldn't look down on him and the bads things that happened to him wouldn't have happened. It's hard saying what could have happened if everyone knew. I think there are pros and cons to it, it just depends I suppose.
ReplyDeleteNo I do not because if people would have found out then they would have been killed and baba would have been treated differently by everyone in Afghanistan. Baba wouldn't have gotten the respect of the Afghanistan people. Hassan he would have found out who is true father was and Hassan would probably of been upset about it. Ali wouldn’t of had a son anymore if everyone knew about Hassan being babas son. Rahim Khan he could have gotten in trouble for just knowing about this. The silence was protecting Ali and Hassan so they would not get picked and hurt by others about this. Yes I feel that family honor is enough to maintain this secret because if they did not have this honor they would not have the money they had anymore. Amir would have been angry with baba, and he would also have probably stood up for Hassan knowing that Hassan was his brother. Baba would not of had his respect of the community anymore. He presents if by showing that not everyone is perfect and everyone has their secrets.
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