Monster in the Lake

• What does Hassan tell Amir about on the morning of the kite-fighting tournament?

  Hassan tells Amir about a dream he had about the two of them at Lake Ghargha.
• What is the main event in Hassan's dream?

  In the dream, there is a huge crowd afraid to swim because of a supposed monster in the lake.
• What do Amir and Hassan do in the dream to prove there is no monster?

  They jump into the lake and swim across.
• What happens after Amir and Hassan swim across the lake in the dream?

  The people cheer and rename the lake “Lake of Amir and Hassan, Sultans of Kabul.”
• What does Amir wonder about Hassan's dream?

  Amir wonders if Hassan invented the dream to cheer him up because of his nervousness.
• What does Hassan say to Amir to reassure him?

  Hassan tells Amir, “There’s no monster, just a beautiful day.”
• What tragic event occurs later that same day?

  Hassan gets raped by Assef.
• What does the novel suggest about the "monster" in the lake?

  The novel allows for several interpretations of what the monster could be.
• What are some interpretations of the monster in the lake mentioned in the text?

  The monster could represent Assef, Amir’s jealousy and desire for Baba’s approval, or Amir himself.
• What dream does Amir recall about Hassan?

  Hassan's dream about swimming in the lake
• What does Amir realize about the lake in Hassan's dream?

  There is a monster in the lake that represents his guilt
• How does Amir view himself in relation to Hassan's dream?

  He sees himself as the monster dragging Hassan down
• What feeling is Amir beginning to experience regarding his actions towards Hassan?

  He is becoming consumed by guilt
• What did Amir believe would relieve his guilt over his mother's death?

  Winning the kite tournament
• Why does Amir feel that winning the kite tournament is no longer sufficient?

  His betrayal of Hassan has made it impossible to feel worthy
• What is the overall emotional state of Amir after his betrayal of Hassan?

  He is constantly miserable, carrying the weight of his betrayal
• Key Quote: 'I thought about Hassan’s dream, the one about us swimming in the lake. There is no monster, he’d said, just water. Except he’d been wrong about that. There was a monster in the lake. It had grabbed Hassan by the ankles, dragged him to the murky bottom. I was that monster.'
• What do the lake and the kite symbolize in Amir Agha's mind?

  The lake and the kite symbolize the galactic interiority of Amir Agha's mind.
• How does Amir's interiority relate to his feelings of fear and inferiority?

  Amir's interiority was the guidon of special insignias representing his fear and inferiority.
• What does Amir foster in order to deceive his father?

  Amir fostered feelings of fear and inferiority to retain flattery and deceive his father.
• What challenges does Amir avoid facing in his life?

  Amir avoids welcoming or facing new challenges, preferring to live by his father's beck and call.
• How is Amir's inferiority complex symbolized in the story?

  Amir's inferiority complex and fear of class distinction are symbolized as a monster.
• What activities does Amir's inferiority prevent him from participating in?

  Amir's inferiority prevents him from swimming in the lake and participating in the kite contest with Hassan.
• What do the kite and its contest symbolize for Amir?

  The kite and its contest symbolize hope, brevity, and motivation for Amir, aided by Hassan.
• What does the lake symbolize in relation to Amir's character?

  The lake symbolizes the brevity of Amir's courage and his initial weakness to swim.
• How does Hassan influence Amir's decision to swim in the lake?

  Hassan cajoles Amir, encouraging him to swim in the lake and ultimately freeing him.
• What are the key symbols in Amir Agha's story and their meanings?

  • Lake: Symbolizes Amir's brevity and initial weakness.
  • Kite: Represents hope, motivation, and the relationship with Hassan.
  • Monster: Symbolizes Amir's inferiority complex and fear of class distinction.