The Kite Runner Note Cards
"Baba gives Amir an old Ford Grand Torino. Amir is stunned and touched. They take it for a test ride, and, when they return home, Baba says he wishes Hassan could have joined them for their celebration. Amir feels as if he is being choked" (Bloom, paragraph 47). The fact Hassan's name was mentioned by Baba brought up various overwhelming feelings for Amir. For example, jealousy, sadness, guilt, confusion, and more. Even though Hassan is not physically there, it seems like he still is and always has been.
Bloom, Harold. "The Kite Runner." The Kite Runner, Chelsea House, 2009. Bloom's Literature, online.infobase.com/Auth/Index?aid=17659&itemid=WE54&articleId=2132. Accessed 21 Feb. 2021.
"Baba has been in the United States for a year and a half and is still adjusting. He misses his home and now, working in a gas station, has blackened, chipped fingernails. Feeling sorry for Baba, Amir says they could go back to Peshawar, where Baba was happier, but Baba says it was not the right place for his son, that they have come to California instead" (Bloom, paragraph 46). This quote reveals the difference between Baba's life in America versus Afghanistan and how luxurious it was and how poorly it came to be. Baba sacrificed his life so that he and his son can live safely. Sadness and sacrifices are important to the story line as it drastically changes the mood and someone's wellbeing.
Bloom, Harold. "The Kite Runner." The Kite Runner, Chelsea House, 2009. Bloom's Literature, online.infobase.com/Auth/Index?aid=17659&itemid=WE54&articleId=2132. Accessed 21 Feb. 2021.
"Huddled together in the dining room and waiting for the sun to rise, none of us had any notion that a way of life had ended. Our way of life" (Hosseini 36). This quote exemplifies foreshadowing as it predicts that there will be more events just like this. And their lives will no longer be the same but not for the better, for the worse. Later on, readers discovered that there was a rebellion and the king has been overthrown resulting in a change of government and other future events.
Hosseini, Khaled. The Kite Runner. Riverhead Books, 2003.
"That was the night I became an insomniac" (Hosseini 86). This is a major consequence of guilt where remorse consumes the mind of someone who in this case is Amir. He had witnessed his own friend being raped and he had done nothing to help or even ask if he was okay, all because he was too preoccupied with the blue kite and his honor. Therefore, he felt guilty for not what he did but rather what he did not do. Similar to Macbeth and Lady Macbeth when they had trouble sleeping because of their own guilt.
Hosseini, Khaled. The Kite Runner. Riverhead Books, 2003.
"The next time I saw him smile unabashedly like that was twenty-six years later, in a faded Polaroid photograph" (Hosseini 67). Hassan is known for his smile especially since he came out of the womb smiling. Even in bad situations, he manages to put a smile on his face. This quote forecasts that his smile disappears and rarely reappears again meaning that he becomes quite depressed later on.
Hosseini, Khaled. The Kite Runner. Riverhead Books, 2003.
¨He is granted the appointment, and at the meeting learns that Sohrab has become a sexual victim of the commander who reveals himself to be Assef, the bully who had raped Hassan in the alley years before when Amir failed to act¨ (Sova, paragraph 10). History repeated itself but this time it is Hassan´s son and not Hassan himself. Assef raped them both (which is absolutely disgusting and disturbing and wrong!) This is shocking news to Amir and readers.
Sova, Dawn B. "The Kite Runner." Literature Suppressed on Social Grounds, Fourth Edition, Facts On File, 2019. Bloom's Literature, online.infobase.com/Auth/Index?aid=17659&itemid=WE54&articleId=478572. Accessed 7 Feb. 2021.
"Amir wanted Hassan to hit him with pomegranates because of his guilt that wouldn't go away. Amir wanted to feel the act of being punished for his wrongdoing, similar to how Hassan was punished due to Amir's mistake. This shows how Amir's guilt causes him to make irrational decisions throughout the novel. The guilt carried on with Amir into his adulthood as he embarked on different journeys to seek redemption for the one decision he made as a kid. An example is when Amir travels to Afghanistan to rescue Hassan's orphaned son from the harsh circumstances he was forced to face in Kabul. This is one example of many of how Amir made many attempts to pursue different opportunities to free himself of his own guilt for the decision he made 20 years ago" (Admin, paragraph 12). Amir felt that he needed to be penalized for his action which is why he was persistent of begging Hassan to hurt him, because he thought that was the solution. Hassan did not hit him because that is not who Hassan is and Amir knew that. Amir suppressed his feelings from that moment on which lead those feelings to eventually resurface once again.
Admin, Singers. "Many The Kite Runner Demonstrates That Guilt Can." House Cleaning West Palm, 2019. https://housecleaningwestpalm.com/many-the-kite-runner-demonstrates-that-guilt-can/M.
"Baba's guilt of not having the ability to love Hassan openly forced him to take his guilt out on Amir since he was his illegitimate son. Baba stated, "There's always something missing with him" (Hosseini, 2003, 19) This indicates that Baba always felt something wrong with Amir, thus always criticizing him. An example is when Amir secretly eavesdrops on a conversation between Baba and Rahim Khan when Baba states "a boy who can't stand up for himself becomes a man who can't stand up for anything" (Admin, paragraph 4). Because of Baba's guilt, he was blinded by how he treated his other son, Amir. Amir was upset to hear that he could not live up to his role model or impress him in any way. This feeling of disappointment took a toll on Amir as he attempted to prove him otherwise. Later, that developed self-hate, guilt, and the need for validation.
Admin, Singers. "Many The Kite Runner Demonstrates That Guilt Can." House Cleaning West Palm, 2019. https://housecleaningwestpalm.com/many-the-kite-runner-demonstrates-that-guilt-can/M.
"However, as the novel progressed, Baba lies to many characters such as Amir and Hassan demonstrating how Baba's guilt forced him to go against his morals. Near the conclusion of the novel, the reader realizes that Amir is Hassan's half-brother and that Hassan is Baba's biological father. However, Baba never reveals that information to neither Amir nor Hassan, rather keeping it secret, committing the only sin that mattered to him, which was lying" (Admin, paragraph 3). Amir is not the only character that struggles with guilt as well. His father carries a secret causing him to lie to everyone around him. Baba has committed a sin of his own which could have changed everything if this was revealed in the beginning.
Admin, Singers. "Many The Kite Runner Demonstrates That Guilt Can." House Cleaning West Palm, 2019. https://housecleaningwestpalm.com/many-the-kite-runner-demonstrates-that-guilt-can/M.
"Rahim Khan tries to defend Amir; however, Baba continues to state how terrible his son is. This example implies how Baba continually takes his guilt out on Amir by demoralizing him. Baba's guilt for not being a good, loving father to his biological son, Hassan, led him to give preferential treatment to Hassan while still having the appearance as a man with one son" (Admin, paragraph 5). This correlates to the previous quote of how Baba viewed his own son. It was not Amir's fault, but Baba's. The quote explains further why Baba treated Hassan the way he did.
Admin, Singers. "Many The Kite Runner Demonstrates That Guilt Can." House Cleaning West Palm, 2019. https://housecleaningwestpalm.com/many-the-kite-runner-demonstrates-that-guilt-can/M.
"The Kite Runner illustrated guilt's powerful effect on one's actions. Hosseini uses Baba to demonstrate how guilt can even cause individuals to break bonds between their loved ones. Minor characters such as Sanubar show how the guilt of a major decision can be felt for a lifetime. Finally, Hosseini uses the main character, Amir, to demonstrate how the one decision he made of leaving his closest friend get bullied, affected him throughout his life. As the novel progressed, readers realized how one choice could affect someone's entire life. Guilt has a detrimental impact on one's self; it can completely change someone from the inside out" (Admin, paragraph 13). This novel conveys the theme guilt through not only Amir and Baba, but Sanubar as well. The quote explains each character's guilt and the underlying theme behind it. It overall states that guilt is heavy to carry and its not easy to bottle up or run away from.
Admin, Singers. "Many The Kite Runner Demonstrates That Guilt Can." House Cleaning West Palm, 2019. https://housecleaningwestpalm.com/many-the-kite-runner-demonstrates-that-guilt-can/M.
"A month after the wedding, Baba dies in his sleep. For the funeral, the mosque is filled. Between rounds of prayers, mourners voice their thoughts and feelings about Baba to Amir. He realizes how much of his life has been defined by his role as Baba's son and is terrified of having to find his own way. After the mourners leave, the general asks Amir how he is doing, but he must walk away before his tears start" (Bloom, paragraph 60). I found this quote significant to use because it has always been Baba and Amir. Their relationship has immensely improved since the beginning of the novel, so it is upsetting for his father to not be there at his wedding; one of the most important days of anyone's life. This developed a fear for Amir that he would not be able to sustain on his own.
Bloom, Harold. "The Kite Runner." The Kite Runner, Chelsea House, 2009. Bloom's Literature, online.infobase.com/Auth/Index?aid=17659&itemid=WE54&articleId=2132. Accessed 21 Feb. 2021.
"A week goes by, and Amir and Sohrab go for a picnic. Amir sees so many people enjoying the day and thinks of how Afghanistan is in ruins, how his own people are destroying it. Without thinking, Amir tells the boy that he and Hassan were brothers. Amir had wanted to tell the boy before, so he would not be hiding anything anymore. Amir explains, and when the boy asks if Baba was ashamed of Hassan, Amir answers that he thinks Baba was ashamed solely of himself" (Bloom, paragraph 128). I also found this quote significant, because of the last sentence. Amir admits that Baba felt a sense of regret for himself. He said this because it was the truth and it reassured Sohrab.
Bloom, Harold. "The Kite Runner." The Kite Runner, Chelsea House, 2009. Bloom's Literature, online.infobase.com/Auth/Index?aid=17659&itemid=WE54&articleId=2132. Accessed 21 Feb. 2021.
"When Amir's in-laws come to dinner to meet Sohrab, the general asks what he is to tell the neighbors who are wondering why a Hazara boy is living with his daughter. Amir explains who Sohrab is, holding nothing back, and adds, "You will never again refer to him as 'Hazara boy' in my presence. He has a name and it's Sohrab" (Bloom, paragraph 135 ). Throughout the novel, it often demonstrates racism. In this case, people call Sohrab "a Hazara boy" as if it was an insult, instead of saying his actual name. Amir gets defensive (as he should) and states that Sohrab deserves to be called by his name because he does in fact have a name. There is nothing to be ashamed about as a Hazara but by solely identifying him by his race is not fair.
Bloom, Harold. "The Kite Runner." The Kite Runner, Chelsea House, 2009. Bloom's Literature, online.infobase.com/Auth/Index?aid=17659&itemid=WE54&articleId=2132. Accessed 21 Feb. 2021.
"A boy who won't stand up for himself becomes a man who can't stand up to anything" (Hosseini 22). Baba discusses his concern to Rahim in regards to Amir and how Amir lacks the bravery to fight for himself. He often allows Hassan to tackle his issues/bullies. This reveals Amir's courage within himself, which only increases his desire for his father's acceptance even more as well as the jealousy he has towards Hassan. Amir already feels that he is a disappointment and does not want to appear weak in front of his own father.
Hosseini, Khaled. The Kite Runner. Riverhead Books, 2003.
"I actually aspired to cowardice, because the alternative, the real reason I was running, was that Assef was right: Nothing was free in this world. Maybe Hassan was the price I had to pay, the lamb I had to slay, to win Baba" (Hosseini 77). During this time, Hassan was getting raped by Assef and Amir stood back and let that happen instead of saving him. It mainly ties in with the unrequited love from his father because he deeply wanted that blue kite which is why didn´t stop the situation in the first place. In other words, Amir sacrifices Hassan as if he was a lamb so that Amir can redeem himself worthy to Baba with the blue kite.
Hosseini, Khaled. The Kite Runner. Riverhead Books, 2003.
"I finally had what I'd wanted all those years. Except now that I had it, I felt as empty as an unkempt pool I was dangling my legs into" (Hosseini 85). The author set high standards for himself thinking that their relationship would blossom after the event as if it was never strained to begin with. However, in reality, he is not satisfied with everything although he has everything he wants. There is still a void inside him that is not yet fulfilled.
Hosseini, Khaled. The Kite Runner. Riverhead Books, 2003.
"It may be unfair, but what happens in a few days, sometimes even a single day, can change the course of a whole lifetime, Amir" (Hosseini 142). This is pretty strong advice coming from Baba because it emphasizes the idea that life is unpredictable and can change whether it is by fate or choice. It connects with the theme where actions have consequences.
Hosseini, Khaled. The Kite Runner. Riverhead Books, 2003.
"She hadn't needed much help at all, because, even in birth, Hassan was true to his nature. He was incapable of hurting anyone. A few grunts, a couple pushed, and out came Hassan. Out he came smiling" (Hosseini 10). Hassan plays a significant role in the author's life because although he may be the son of his father´s servant, they are friends regardless. This quote describes Hassan who is a positive and kind person. He often uses his smile as comfort and reassurance or to even lighten the mood.
Hosseini, Khaled. The Kite Runner. Riverhead Books, 2003.
"Show him once and for all that his son was worthy. Then maybe my life as a ghost in this house would finally be over" (Hosseini 56). The relationship between Baba and Amir is not a typical loving father-son bond. In fact, throughout the novel, Amir often seeks Baba's approval and attention which he receives every once in a while. At this time, the kite tournament was around the corner and Amir believes that if he wins this tournament, that his father would finally be proud of him and become less distant.
Hosseini, Khaled. The Kite Runner. Riverhead Books, 2003.
"With me as the glaring exception, my father molded the world around him to his liking. The problem, of course, was that Baba saw the world in black-and-white. And he got to decide what was black and what was white. You can't love a person who lives that way without fearing him too. Maybe even hating him a little" (Hosseini 15). This quote indicates Baba's character and how he perceives society as if it was "black and white" like there is no grey mush in between. Based on this, readers can determine that he has an intimidating presence and he's not easy to have a conversation with.
Hosseini, Khaled. The Kite Runner. Riverhead Books, 2003.
¨Early on we learn that Amir's mother died giving birth to him, and Amir's life is dominated by fear of and admiration for his father, who is a physically imposing, wealthy entrepreneur, and an extraordinarily generous philanthropist...Amir's childhood is dominated by a sense of inadequacy as he strives to please his distant father, while Rahim Khan, Baba's business partner, shows the boy affection and support that he does not receive from his father¨ (Smart 16-21). This shows the relationship between Amir and Baba. Baba lived an extraordinary life with great accomplishments and Amir did not live up to those expectations. Amir was more of a reader than an athlete, unlike Baba. And he had no one to fit the motherly role as well. This obviously left Amir feeling disappointed within himself because he often compares himself with others and lacks validation from his father.
Smart, M. Marie. "The Kite Runner." Encyclopedia of Contemporary Writers and Their Work, Second Edition, Facts On File, 2013. Bloom's Literature, online.infobase.com/Auth/Index?aid=17659&itemid=WE54&articleId=32994. Accessed 5 Feb. 2021.
¨In America, the relationship between Amir and Baba changes completely. Baba is no longer a successful businessman but a gas station attendant, who is eventually diagnosed with a terminal case of cancer. As Amir successfully pursues his path of becoming a published writer and Baba's health fails, Amir takes on the role of caring son and Baba a (more) affectionate father, proud of his son's accomplishments¨ (Smart 45-49). Amir and Baba fled to America for safety reasons and Baba dealt with major health issues while living there. In the beginning, Baba rarely acknowledged his own son let alone his achievements. In fact, he was more concerned about the lack of similarity they had with each other. But with his life on the line and his remaining time left, he saw Amir blossom and grow and he soon realizes how great his son truly is.
Smart, M. Marie. "The Kite Runner." Encyclopedia of Contemporary Writers and Their Work, Second Edition, Facts On File, 2013. Bloom's Literature, online.infobase.com/Auth/Index?aid=17659&itemid=WE54&articleId=32994. Accessed 5 Feb. 2021.
¨Nevertheless, the novel ends with a sense of hope that love and time will allow him to heal and adjust to his new life in the United States. The major theme of the novel, developed with an almost poetic inevitability, is redemption, the attainment of inner peace by confronting one's past¨ (Smart 58-61). Within the novel, Amir struggles with guilt as well as distant father issues. In this quote, it presents a happier ending - a sense of peace and self-love after all the chaos from the previous chapters.
Smart, M. Marie. "The Kite Runner." Encyclopedia of Contemporary Writers and Their Work, Second Edition, Facts On File, 2013. Bloom's Literature, online.infobase.com/Auth/Index?aid=17659&itemid=WE54&articleId=32994. Accessed 5 Feb. 2021.
¨One of the things Amir regrets most is teasing Hassan about being illiterate, especially as Amir later realizes that Hassan has been a major influence in his development as a writer¨ (Smart 27-29). Hassan did not receive education the same way Amir did, because he and his father were servants, which is why Hassan cannot read but Amir can. And it is funny how someone who cannot understand words, especially big uncommon ones, can impact a person´s career in literature. This shows how important he was to Amir even though Amir did not realize that yet.
Smart, M. Marie. "The Kite Runner." Encyclopedia of Contemporary Writers and Their Work, Second Edition, Facts On File, 2013. Bloom's Literature, online.infobase.com/Auth/Index?aid=17659&itemid=WE54&articleId=32994. Accessed 5 Feb. 2021.
¨Tormented as much by guilt as fear of discovery, Amir later compounds his shame by framing Hassan for theft, effectively driving away both him and his father (who had been the same kind of friend and servant to Baba since they themselves were children). Hassan admits to the theft, though he is innocent, and Amir recognizes, even as a child, that he does so solely out of loyalty to him. Ali and Hassan leave the household, and Amir never sees them again. This is an epochal moment for the boy, not only because his household changes forever, but because it fixes in the depths of his soul a syndrome of insomniacal self-loathing and regret that will continue for much of his life¨ (Smart 36-42). Guilt is one major themes that is portrayed throughout the novel. This is a consequence of Amir´s own actions. He acted out based on emotions, recklessness, and a hint of jealousy. Amir accused Hassan of something he did not do, which is theft - a major sin. Yet, Hassan pretended he did steal even though he did not because of his loyalty to Amir. This shows the difference between the two characters and their relationship with one another. Hassan and his father decided to leave, leaving the household empty and different.
Smart, M. Marie. "The Kite Runner." Encyclopedia of Contemporary Writers and Their Work, Second Edition, Facts On File, 2013. Bloom's Literature, online.infobase.com/Auth/Index?aid=17659&itemid=WE54&articleId=32994. Accessed 5 Feb. 2021.
¨Amir has no interest in sports or other physical activity, nor does he exhibit the courage and bluster for which the demanding Baba is known. Instead, he is a dreamer who enjoys reading rather than roughhousing and who acknowledges that he ´aspired to be a coward.´¨ (Sova, paragraph 5). Baba and Amir are very different; they barely share any commonality with one another yet they are family. Amir is someone who reads and dreams based on his stories. This passion led him to be the author he is now.
Sova, Dawn B. "The Kite Runner." Literature Suppressed on Social Grounds, Fourth Edition, Facts On File, 2019. Bloom's Literature, online.infobase.com/Auth/Index?aid=17659&itemid=WE54&articleId=478572. Accessed 7 Feb. 2021.
¨As Sohrab relaxes his guard and flies the kite, Amir tells him that Hassan was the best kite runner he had ever known, and he offers to be Sohrab's kite runner, telling him he would do so, as Hassan had once told him, ´For you, a thousand times over.´¨ (Sova, paragraph 13). This was so sweet because Hassan promised he would do anything for Amir and now Amir returns the same promise and love for Sohrab, who is Hassan´s son.
Sova, Dawn B. "The Kite Runner." Literature Suppressed on Social Grounds, Fourth Edition, Facts On File, 2019. Bloom's Literature, online.infobase.com/Auth/Index?aid=17659&itemid=WE54&articleId=478572. Accessed 7 Feb. 2021.
¨Enraged by the victimization of his childhood friend's son, Amir demands to be given the boy, but Assef tells him that he must fight to the death for that right. Assef uses brass knuckles and viciously attacks Amir, breaking bones and slashing at his face, stopping only when Sohrab calls for him to stop. The little boy, like his late father, is a great marksman with his slingshot, which he is holding poised to shoot with a brass ball from the table decorations firmly in the pouch. Assef lunges, and Sohrab releases the sling, catapulting the ball firmly into one eye socket and knocking Assef to the ground¨ (Sova, paragraph 10). It is very interesting to see how similar Sohrab is with his father. Not only does Sohrab have the same slingshot skills, but he saved Amir from Assef as Hassan did back then.
Sova, Dawn B. "The Kite Runner." Literature Suppressed on Social Grounds, Fourth Edition, Facts On File, 2019. Bloom's Literature, online.infobase.com/Auth/Index?aid=17659&itemid=WE54&articleId=478572. Accessed 7 Feb. 2021.
¨Khan tells him that soon after he left Kabul, the Taliban accused Hassan and his wife of illegally occupying the mansion and executed them in the street, but they took Sohrab away. Khan begs Amir to find the little boy. Amir protests that he has a wife and a good life in the United States, and he has a novel to finish, but Khan reminds him of the debts he owes to the past and reawakens the guilt he has carried for a quarter of a century¨ (Sova, paragraph 9). Amir came face to face with his trauma - the one thing he had bottled up and avoided. At first, Amir refused to help because he is mainly afraid, however, Khan manages to persuade him. He states that Amir must do this for himself in order to repay for his past mistakes and pass through his trauma.
Sova, Dawn B. "The Kite Runner." Literature Suppressed on Social Grounds, Fourth Edition, Facts On File, 2019. Bloom's Literature, online.infobase.com/Auth/Index?aid=17659&itemid=WE54&articleId=478572. Accessed 7 Feb. 2021.
