Marxist lens
According to Marxist theory, history is primarily a record of?
Class Struggle
What is Baba's new job?
Gas station worker (lower class)
What is Baba’s hard work a symbol for?
The illusion of the American Dream
What does Marx's words say about the past and the present?
Past contributes to controlling the present, even when people try to break free?
What did Baba believe America was?
The land of opportunity where anyone could achieve anything
In Marxist criticism, how is power distributed across society?
unevenly among different social classes
What is Baba's greatest fear in America?
An Afghan will see him buying food with charity money
What is the significance of the “laborer’s hand” and “student’s hand”?
Baba sacrificed his old life/status in Afghanistan to give Amir the chance for a good future in America
What does Marx think about how history is made?
Humans cannot make history under circumstances that they want - they are always controlled by past traditions and circumstances
According to Marxist analysis, what class has Baba shifted into in America?
The proletariat (working class)
What do Marxist critics focus on when analyzing literature?
How it portrays oppressed groups and the conflict between classes
Who is Mrs. Dobbins?
Eligibility officer (gives people food stamps)
What does America mean for Amir and Baba’s relationship?
Beneficial; created a closer relationship united by hardship and unfettered by Afghan society’s strict expectations
How are Amir’s actions influenced by the past?
Amir’s betrayal of Hassan was influenced by old systems like class, family, and ethnicity.
What does Baba’s rising voice in the passage indicate about his feelings?
Anger or frustration.
What key questions do Marxist critics ask to determine class impact?
“Who does this benefit?” (lower, middle, or upper class)
What is America compared to?
A gift to Amir
What is the significance of Baba and Amir’s economic struggle?
Shows that the American Dream is unattainable, especially for immigrants and people of the lower classes
Can people control their own actions according to Marx?
No, they are always weighed down by the past
What does Baba's reaction in the passage suggest about his view of the American dream
That the American dream doesn't really exist for him, as distrust and class struggles make it difficult to integrate and succeed
What do Marxist critics analyze to determine whether literature reinforces or opposes dominant systems?
Whether the work challenges or maintains the status quo
In this passage, is the American Dream portrayed as attainable?
No, despite hard work, Baba and Amir continue to struggle financially
What were Baba’s previous “gifts” to Amir, and what is their significance?
Trucks, train sets, bikes (much smaller than the opportunity presented by America)
How does guilt shape Amir’s identity and how does this connect to Marx’s passage?
Amir spends his life running away from his guilt, proving Marx’s claim that we cannot escape the past.
Who does Baba think was accusing him of stealing?
Mr. Nguyen