Q4 Outside Reading Week 1 Post B

Reading multiple stories at a time can be a difficult task, but it can also be interesting the similarities one might find between those two stories. The Kite Runner and In the Time of the Butterflies are both novels by non-American authors that revolve around fictional characters in a real life event. Reading them together has helped me see the connections they share with one another and the differences that make them the two completely different novels they are.

The Kite Runner is the story of a boy named Amir living in Afghanistan during the fall of the monarchy, invasion of the Soviets, and rise of the Taliban. It is narrated by our main protagonist who has the many flaws any child, or even person, would. He has grown up in a sheltered setting, living with his rich and successful father. The most important things on Amir's mind is to write and to impress his father and all those that are important to him (Hassan, Ali, and Rahim Kahn). Amir's childhood is a typical one for a privileged child, being part of the majority race and not one to get persecuted by others unlike his friend Hassan. Despite his normality, Amir's life completely changes in the winter of 1975 when turmoil struck Afghanistan.

In the Time of the Butterflies takes place a little farther in the past than The Kite Runner. It is the story of the Mirabal sisters, four girls who grew up in a repressed Dominican Republic under the dictatorship of Trujillo. Patria, the oldest, is the most religious and motherly figure of the four. One wouldn't pin her as a revolutionary but she did name her son after the ones in Cuba. She realized that she was needed. Dede is the second oldest. She is extremely bright when it comes to math and has always been the obedient one. Maybe because of her not as direct involvement in the revolutionary forces Dede is the only surviving sister. But that doesn't mean she isn't brave. When everything was falling apart, it was Dede that held them together. Minerva is the third in line of the Mirabal sisters. She is outspoken and very stubborn. She is willing to give up everything that she loves in hope to save the country that she was raised in. Minerva is willing to give up her life for the greater good of the people. Lastly, there is Maria Teresa, also known as Mate. She is the baby of the family and probably always will be though after Minerva, she is the second to get involved with the revolution. Despite her immaturity, Mate had always looked up to Minerva and knew that this was for the good of everyone.

The differences between the two books are evident. The Kite Runner is clearly about a young boy growing up in Afghanistan while In the Time of the Butterflies is about four girls growing up in the Dominican Republic. The time periods are slightly different and the events that occur are completely unrelated. One book takes place in the Western Hemisphere while the other is in the Eastern Hemisphere. The writing style is different also. ITOB switches narrators throughout the book, giving each sister a turn to tell their story while KR sticks with Amir as our guide through the book. Not to mention, ITOB is clearly a more "girl" book than KR with lots of talk about boys and certain subjects that may make one blush.

Yet regardless of all the differences, the similarities cannot be ignored. Both stories deal with the main character(s) coming of age. Both stories contain political turmoil and social unrest throughout the country that the protagonists inhabit. Both stories show how their lives changed because of certain events in history we all know about. And both stories show the connection between family and friends and how important it is to always keep those you love close because you never know when you're going to need them. Sometimes, an act of courage isn't always done because you feel that bravery inside of you but because you know that if you don't, someone or something you love is going to suffer. Being afraid doesn't mean you aren't brave. It just means you're human.