Kite Runner
What does a kite runner do?
A kite runner chases the kite that has been cut until it came to a stop.
. Who is Rahim Khan?
Amir's father's business partner
Who calls Amir? From where? Why?
Rahim Khan Pakistan and to come and visit him
What is significantly different about the string used to fly kites by the boys in Kabul?
The sigmificant difference is that the children had to make their own string to tie to their kites.
. According to Baba, what is the only sin?
the only sin is stealing
List 5 activities that Hassan and Amir occupied their childhood with.
1. chased each other through tangles of trees 2.played hide and seek 3. cops and robbers, cowboys and Indians 4. insect torture 5.chased the nomads who passed through the mountain.
How old was Amir in the winter of 1975? Judging by that, how old is Amir in December
12 and 38
Describe Assef's vision of Afghanistan.
A new republic
Why does Ali insist on leaving?
Ali insists on leaving, because he knows what Amir has done to Hassan and is not proud of it.
1989 marks what change(s) in Afghanistan?
Amir published his first book which made him a minor celebrity.
What does Assef give Amir for his 13th birthday?
Assef gives Amir a biography on Hitler which Amir throws away
Which is Baba's favorite sport?
Baba's favorite sport is soccer
Which educational expression appears in Chapter 9?
Blood Money
What is Hassan's reaction to Amir throwing pomegranates at him? What is Amir's motivation?
Hassan Smashes a pomegranate against his forehead and asked Amir if he was satisfied. Amir's motivation is his new story.
What happens when the neighborhood boys tease Amir?
Hassan always steps in when the neighborhood kids tease Amir
Which two people most influence Amir's decision to write stories?
Hassan and Rahim Kahn
What does Baba choose to do about his illness?
He chooses to leave it and do nothing.
47. Why is Baba so upset?
He does not want Ali and Hassan to leave
How old is Amir at the beginning of chapter 10?
He is 18 at the beginning of Ch. 10
With what illness is Baba diagnosed?
He is diagnosed with lung cancer
Name three of the business ventures which Baba is involved in.
He is involved in a carpet- exporting business, two pharmacies, and a restaurant .
Describe Assef Mohmood.
He is rich, a son of one of Amir's father's friends , he lives not far from Amir.
What does Baba do to earn a living in America? Be specific.
He is the day manager at the gas station.
What is Baba trying to caution Amir about?
He is warning him about going out with the Genral's daughter.
What does Amir learn from Hassan about writing? How does Amir feel about this lesson?
He learns the lesson of irony, he hates this because Amir does not like learning from an illiterate
As an honorable unmarried, male Afghan suitor, how is Amir supposed to approach a romantic involvement with Soraya?
He must get permission from her father who is a general
When the parts for the truck fail to arrive, what option for crossing the border does Karim offer the passengers?
He offers them to ride in his friends fuel truck I one of the tanks.
Why does Baba refuse the food stamps?
He refuses them, because he has always worked and never needed them in the past.
What does Amir say is the "real" reason he ran away?
He says it is because he is a coward and that he was afraid of what Assef would do to him.
How does Ali come to live with Baba and his family?
His parents were killed when they were hit by a car, Amir's grandfather heard of this and adopted Ali in to his household.
Summarize the story that Amir writes.
It is about a man who finds a magic cup that turns tears into pearls. His greed grows to much so he ends killing his own wife.
Describe Hassan's dream.
It was that he, Amir, Ali, Agha sahib, and Rahim Kahn were at Ghargha Lake, and people thought that there was a monster in the lake. So Amir and Hassan swam out to the middle of the lake in order to show everyone that there was no mons
What upsets Baba in the Fast & Easy grocery store?
It was the fact that Mr. Nguyen wanted to see Baba's license after 2 years of buying fruit from his store.
What does Hassan receive as a birthday present from Baba?
It was the gift of a plastic surgeon.
What is the "most coveted prize" as a kite runner?
It was the last fallen kite of the tournament.
Please speculate: How is the rape of Hassan going to affect Hassan and Amir? (As individuals and also their relationship)
It will change their relationship , by making them feel farther apart.
How have things changed in Kabul since Amir's thirteenth birthday?
Kabul has been split in half and the Russians have started to take it over.
Wat happens to Kamal and his father once they cross into Pakistan?
Kamal collapses and his father commits suicide.
What has happened to Kamal?
Kamal has stopped talking all he does is stare.
What is your reaction to Amir's treatment of Hassan? Why might Amir act in such a manner?
My reaction is that Amir's treatment of Hassan is fair, because to Amir Hassan is a friend but also a servant.
What is your personal reaction to Amir's behavior? What would you tell him if you met him at this point in the novel?
My reaction is that I understand why his actions have gotten him to this point. I would tell him that he should have treated Hassan more like a friend and less like a servant.
Rape is a crime of power; It is a disgusting display of one person's physical strength and will forcing another hun to submit. With this understood, is Amir's reflection that he is the monster that "grabbed Hassan by the ankles" accurate?
No, because Amir had no part in the rape he just acted like a coward and run off .
" But before you sacrifice yourself for him, think about this: Would he do the same for you? Have you ever wondered why he never includes you in games when he has guests? Why he only plays with you when no one else is around? I'll tell you why, Hazara. Because to him, you're nothing but an ugly pet. Something he can play with when he's bored, something he can kick when he's angry. Don't ever fool yourself and think you're something more." (pg. 72) Is Assef's assessment of Amir accurate? No
No, because even though Amir does not include in activities when he has friends around Amir still treats like a friend and they have fun together.
Does it surprise you that neither Hassan nor Amir say anything to anyone about the rape? What would be their reasons for not telling?
No, they might not want to relive that day, Hassan might hate Amir for not doing anything to stop assef.
. Page 52: "...that __________ are an independent people. Afghans cherish __________ but abhor __________.
Page 52: "...that Afghans are an independent people. Afghans cherish Customs but abhor rules."
What is Hassan's final sacrifice for Amir?
Saying that he stole Amir's watch and , birthday money from the house.
What has Soraya been reading to Baba? Why is this so significant?
She has been redaing a leather bound book to Baba. This is significant, because it has all of Amir's writings in it.
What does Soraya want to do for a profession? Why?
She wants to become a teacher, because it is what she has always wanted to do and she is a certifies ESL teacher.
What reality speeds up the traditional Afghan engagement period for Amir and Soraya?
Since Baba is sick they have to speed up the wedding
20. What happened the night of July 17, 1973?
That night the government was overthrown
How would you describe the differences between Baba and General Sahib's way of "living" in America? How does each deal with the idea of nang and namoos, specifically when it comes to earning a living?
The differences in their ways of living are Baba tries to adjust to the new life and hangs on to some customs, whereas the General hangs on as many as possible. They both hold on to them, because they don't want to show signs of weakness.
Describe the ethnic conflict between the Pashtuns and the Hazaras.
The ethnic conflict is Sunni Muslims v. Shi'a Muslims.
24. Why is winter the favorite season of the children in Kabul?
The schools were shut down during the season, and kite flying
What do Baba and Amir spend their weekends doing?
They go to garage sales, then sell what they bought at the flea market
What did Amir & Hassan use as a credit card in Kabul?
They used broken tree branches as credit cards.
We often simplify the term "protagonist" to the easier to understand "good guy". As Amir is the protagonist in The Kite Runner (he is the character in need of solving a conflict), list four to five events that show that Amir is not accurately described as a "good guy".
When Hassan was being raped Hassan said he did steal the money and watch from Amir Amir lies to Hassan's father about the rape Amir chased away Hassan and Ali
Does it anger you that Amir runs away while Assef is raping Hassan rather than making an attempt to help Hassan? Explain.
Yes, because Amir could have stood up against Assef and protected Hassan.
Does it surprise you that Amir runs away while Assef is raping Hassan rather than making an attempt to help Hassan? Explain.
Yes, because Amir did not treat Hassan like a friend rather a servant when Hassan is both to Amir.
What two gifts does Amir receive from Baba?
a new bicycle and a wristwatch
How does the story of Rostam & Sohrab end?
a secrect is revealed and a father kills his son
hat extra payment does the Russian soldier ask from the truck passengers? How does Baba react? What is the resolution of the situation?
he Russian asks for tax on top of the price the passengers have already paid. Baba asks the Russian where his shame is. The resolution is that the Russian threatens to put a bullet in Baba's head.
What does Amir's description of Baba's house tell you about his background?
he comes from a rich background
Where does Hassan live? With whom? How much younger than Amir is Hassan?
in a hut on Baba's property, with his dad one year younger
Where is Amir living in December of 2001?
san francisco
What happened to Hassan's mother?
she ran off with a group of traveling preformers
