Vocab (kite runner examples/related)

Abnegation

Abnegation

The act of renouncing or rejecting something, often self-denial.

Example: Baba’s abnegation of his personal desires is a defining aspect of his complex relationship with Amir.

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Alacrity

Brisk and cheerful readiness.

Example: Hassan’s alacrity to serve Amir reflects the deep bond of loyalty he feels toward him.

Anathema

Something or someone that one vehemently dislikes

.Example: Baba's disdain for cowardice makes Amir's hesitation during Hassan's assault anathema to him.

Antediluvian

Extremely old-fashioned.

Example: The antediluvian traditions of Afghan society create barriers between Amir and Baba in their new American life.

Apocryphal

Of doubtful authenticity, although widely circulated as being true.

Example: Amir’s apocryphal stories about his family’s heroism mask his internal insecurities.

Ascetic

Practicing severe self-discipline and abstention from all forms of indulgence.

Example: Baba lives a life far from asceticism, indulging in wealth while still maintaining personal values.

Assiduous

Showing great care and perseverance.

Example: Amir’s assiduous efforts to win his father’s approval shape many of his early decisions.

Atavistic

Relating to or characterized by reversion to something ancient or ancestral.

Example: The kite-running competition taps into atavistic instincts in the boys, blending tradition and fierce competition.

Benevolence

The quality of being well-meaning; kindness.

Example: Hassan’s benevolence toward Amir is unwavering, even in the face of Amir’s betrayal.

Circumspection

The quality of being wary and unwilling to take risks; prudence.

Example: Amir approaches his relationship with Soraya with circumspection, fearing emotional vulnerability.

Contrition

The state of feeling remorseful and penitent.

Example: Amir’s contrition for his betrayal of Hassan fuels his eventual quest for redemption.

Desultory

Lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm; occurring randomly or occasionally.

Example: Baba’s desultory behaviour in America reflects his loss of status and direction.

Dissemble

To conceal one's true motives, feelings, or beliefs.

Example: Amir often dissembles in order to avoid confronting the reality of his actions toward Hassan.

Epistolary

Relating to or contained in letters.

Example: The Kite Runner includes an epistolary element in the form of Rahim Khan’s letter to Amir, revealing secrets from the past.

Erudition

The quality of having or showing great knowledge or learning.

Example: Rahim Khan’s erudition serves as a moral compass for Amir, guiding him toward personal growth.

Evanescent

Soon passing out of sight, memory, or existence; quickly fading or disappearing.

Example: Amir’s evanescent moments of happiness are often overshadowed by his guilt and shame.

Exculpate

To show or declare that someone is not guilty of wrongdoing.

Example: Amir’s journey to Afghanistan is, in part, an attempt to exculpate himself from past misdeeds.

Felicitous

Well-chosen or suited to the circumstances; pleasing and fortunate.

Example: Rahim Khan’s felicitous offer to Amir provides him with a chance at redemption.

Imbroglio

An extremely confused, complicated, or embarrassing situation.

Example: The political imbroglio in Afghanistan forces Amir and Baba to flee their homeland.

Ineluctable

Unable to be resisted or avoided; inescapable.

Example: Amir’s confrontation with his past becomes ineluctable as he returns to Kabul to face his demons.

Inimical

Tending to obstruct or harm; unfriendly or hostile.

Example: The inimical relationship between Amir and Assef represents the larger conflict between good and evil.

Insouciant

Showing a casual lack of concern; indifferent.

Example: Amir’s insouciant attitude toward Hassan’s suffering haunts him for the rest of his life.

Inveterate

Having a particular habit, activity, or interest that is long-established and unlikely to change.

Example: Baba’s inveterate pride complicates his relationships with both Amir and his own past.

Jejune

Naive, simplistic, and superficial.

Example: Amir’s jejune understanding of friendship is shattered after the incident with Hassan.

Lugubrious

Looking or sounding sad and dismal.

Example: Amir’s lugubrious mood after Hassan’s departure reflects his deep sense of loss and guilt.

Mendacious

Not telling the truth; lying.

Example: Amir’s mendacious nature in his youth is rooted in his insecurities and desire for his father’s approval.

Munificence

The quality or action of being lavishly generous.

Example: Baba’s munificence toward others contrasts with his emotional distance from Amir.

Nascent

Just coming into existence and beginning to display signs of future potential.

Example: Amir and Soraya’s nascent relationship holds the promise of emotional healing for both of them.

Obfuscate

To render obscure, unclear, or unintelligible.

Example: Amir often obfuscates the truth to avoid confronting his guilt regarding Hassan.

Obsequious

Obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree.

Example: Hassan’s obsequious loyalty to Amir, despite Amir’s betrayal, underscores the power imbalance between them.

Opprobrium

Harsh criticism or censure.

Example: Amir’s failure to defend Hassan earns him his own internal opprobrium, which he carries for years.

Ostensible

Stated or appearing to be true, but not necessarily so.

Example: Amir’s ostensible friendship with Hassan is marred by underlying guilt and jealousy.

Penurious

Extremely poor; poverty-stricken.

Example: Baba’s penurious life in America starkly contrasts with his former wealth in Kabul.

Perfidious

Deceitful and untrustworthy.

Example: Amir’s perfidious betrayal of Hassan defines much of the emotional tension in The Kite Runner.

Phlegmatic

Having an unemotional and stolidly calm disposition.

Example: Rahim Khan’s phlegmatic demeanor provides Amir with the calm wisdom he needs to seek redemption.

Pique

A feeling of irritation or resentment resulting from a slight, especially to one's pride.

Example: Amir’s pique at Hassan’s abilities in kite running fuels his jealousy and eventual betrayal.

Profligate

Recklessly extravagant or wasteful in the use of resources.

Example: Baba’s profligate spending habits in Kabul stand in stark contrast to his modest lifestyle in California.

Propitious

Giving or indicating a good chance of success; favourable.

Example: Rahim Khan’s invitation to return to Afghanistan is seen as a propitious opportunity for Amir to redeem himself.

Protean

Tending or able to change frequently or easily; versatile.Example: Amir’s protean feelings toward Hassan, fluctuating between admiration and resentment, highlight his internal conflict.

Pusillanimous

Showing a lack of courage or determination; timid.

Example: Amir’s pusillanimous response during Hassan’s attack causes a rift in his conscience that lasts for decades.

Recalcitrant

Having an obstinately uncooperative attitude toward authority or discipline.

Example: As a child, Amir’s recalcitrant behavior often clashes with Baba’s strict expectations.

Recrimination

An accusation in response to one from someone else.

Example: The recriminations between Amir and Baba reflect their strained relationship, complicated by unspoken secrets.

Redolent

Strongly reminiscent or suggestive of something.

Example: The streets of Kabul are redolent of Amir’s childhood memories, both joyful and painful.

Reprobate

An unprincipled person, often used humorously or affectionately.

Example: Despite his reputation as a reprobate, Baba’s moral compass remains surprisingly steadfast.

Sagacious

Having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment; wise.

Example: Rahim Khan’s sagacious advice helps Amir recognize the necessity of confronting his past.

Sardonic

Grimly mocking or cynical.

Example: Amir’s sardonic view of himself reflects his internal struggle with self-worth.

Sinecure

A position requiring little or no work but giving the holder status or financial benefit.

Example: Amir initially sees his role in Baba’s business as a sinecure, undeserved and burdensome.

Solicitous

Characterized by or showing interest or concern.

Example: Hassan’s solicitous nature toward Amir emphasizes his deep sense of loyalty and care.

Soporific

Tending to induce drowsiness or sleep.

Example: The soporific quiet of life in America contrasts with the tension of Amir’s memories of Kabul.

Spurious

Not being what it purports to be; false or fake.

Example: Amir’s spurious claims of innocence mask the truth of his betrayal of Hassan.

Stentorian

Loud and powerful (of a person's voice).Example: Baba’s stentorian voice commands respect and authority, even in the most challenging situations.

Sycophant

A person who acts obsequiously toward someone important to gain advantage.

Example: Some of Baba’s business associates act as sycophants, seeking favor through flattery rather than merit.

Tendentious

Expressing or intending to promote a particular cause or point of view, especially a controversial one.

Example: Assef’s tendentious rhetoric reflects his extremist beliefs and desire for power.

Truculent

Eager or quick to argue or fight; aggressively defiant.

Example: Assef’s truculent behavior toward Hassan exemplifies his violent, bullying nature.

Tumultuous

Making a loud, confused noise; uproarious.

Example: The tumultuous events in Kabul mirror Amir’s inner turmoil as he navigates his guilt and responsibility.

Urbane

Suave, courteous, and refined in manner.

Example: Amir’s urbane demeanor in his adult life contrasts with his tumultuous childhood in Kabul.

Uxoricide

The act of killing one's wife.

Example: Though not literal, Amir’s betrayal of Hassan’s family feels like a form of emotional uxoricide, killing his loyalty.

Vapid

Offering nothing that is stimulating or challenging.

Example: Amir’s early writings are often vapid, lacking the emotional depth he eventually finds in his storytelling.

Vicissitude

A change of circumstances or fortune, typically one that is unwelcome or unpleasant.

Example: The vicissitudes of Amir’s life, from wealth to exile, mirror the political upheaval in Afghanistan.

Virulent

Bitterly hostile.

Example: Assef’s virulent hatred for Hazaras makes him the embodiment of racial prejudice in The Kite Runner.

Vitriolic

Filled with bitter criticism or malice.

Example: Assef’s vitriolic taunts toward Hassan leave a lasting scar on Amir’s conscience.

Zealotry

Fanatical and uncompromising pursuit of religious, political, or other ideals.

Example: The Taliban’s zealotry in The Kite Runner brings devastation to Afghanistan, setting the stage for Amir’s return.