Q4 Outside Reading Week 2 Post A

"Winter was every kid's favorite season in Kabul, at least those whose fathers could afford to buy a good iron stove. The reason was simple: They shut down school for the icy season"(48).

There are many different cultural aspects this quote could talk about. This includes the educational differences in the United States and Afghanistan, at least during the 70s, the distinctions of class and race, and lastly, the similarities between what kids want here and today and what kids had wanted there and then.

The education differences are pretty evident. Today in the United States, we have school throughout the winter time and it's not until summer that we don't have school. For some people, they don't even have a summer vacation due to year round school, a new concept that some schools are trying out. While in Kabul at that time, Amir didn't have school over the winter time. It's one of his favorite seasons not only because he doesn't have school but also because he can sleep in, play with Hassan, and fly kites with Baba, a relationship he wishes to tighten.
This brings us to a similarity. Kids don't like school. It's true. Ask anyone. We don't like homework. We don't like having to sit through lectures on days we could be playing outside. And even though learning is good, we're not always in the mood for it. This, will never change. It's the same now for me as it was then for Amir. For any kid.
The last difference I want to comment on is dealing with class distinctions. In the quote, Amir said that winter was fun for any kid who's father had enough money to buy the a good iron stove. Although this is a rather subtle point, it's important to remember that Amir is a relatively well off boy. His father made a fortune for himself and has a servant. Even though Amir and Hassan are friends, Amir is still Hassan's superior purely because of his race. This concept of racial distinction isn't as clear in the United States today. Sure class distinctions are still evident, but the class distinctions in America aren't always based off of race. They're more based off of whether or not you can be successful enough to make a name for yourself.

Although there are many differences throughout this book, Amir seems like such a typical kid that I sometimes forget he is in a different country during a different time period.