Kite Runner Final

9. What is inscribed on the pomegranate tree in the backyard? Explain what happens and why it is symbolic.

"Hassan and Amir Sultans of Kabul". Amir picks a fight with Hassan, and Hassan doesn't fight back, this shows Hassan's loyalty.

20. In chapter 10, several things happen that are ironic or foreshadowing. Label each one 1. The only way Amir can survive the long ride in the fume filled tank is by remembering flying kites with Hassan. 2. Baba gathers up dirt from his homeland and places it next to his heart. 3. Kamal's father commits suicide after Kamal dies from breathing in fumes. 4. Kamal was raped and hadn't spoken since.

1. Ironic 2. Foreshadowing 3. Ironic 4. Ironic

14. What gift does the general give Amir when they move into their new home? What does this gift show about the general?

A IBM typewriter, the general wants Amir to follow his dreams.

10. What does Assef give Amir for his birthday? Why is this significant?

A book about Hitler. He praised Hitler when Amir and Hassan ran into him on the hill.

23. What does Baba give Amir as a graduation present?

A ford gran torino.

13. Give at least one example of double standards that exist for men and women in the novel.

Afghan sons can go to nightclubs and get women pregnant, but Afghan daughters cannot.

3. How do traditional Afghan dating customs differ from American customs?

Afghans have to be related and have respectable families.

14. What happens to Hassan and Ali?

Ali decides they will leave because it won't be good for them to work there anymore.

39. What disturbing news about Ali does Hassan tell?

Ali was killed by a landmine.

34. Rahim Khan states on page 201: "I see America has infused you with the optimism that has made her so great. That's very good. We're a melancholic people, we Afghans, aren't we?" Explain what he means.

America has no war, and they don't see war day in and out.

8. What does Amir ask of Baba that makes Baba angry? What does Baba say in response?

Amir asks Baba if he has ever considered getting new servants. Baba gets very angry because Ali is like a brother to him and he would never trade him.

5. How does Amir describe his home? Why do you think he elaborates this description so much? What do the details of the family pictures in Amir's house reveal?

Amir calls him home a "estate" and a "mansion". It has marble floors and mosaic tiles. He elaborates to this extent to show his families wealth. The photos reveal Baba's relationship with his hunting buddies, the marriage of Baba and Amir's mom, and a photo of Baba holding Amir while Amir holds Rahim Khan's hand.

7. Describe the scene when Amir and Soraya meet in the hospital when Baba is so ill. Why is this scene so important?

Amir goes into the hall to cry and Soraya comes out to comfort him. This means a lot to Amir.

2. In chapter 6, how does Amir feel about Hassan? Why does he mean "my life as a ghost"?

Amir is jealous of Hassan because he feels Baba prefers him. When he says "my life as a ghost" he means he feels ignored.

15. On the night they celebrate the publication of his first book, Amir's thoughts wander after Soraya falls asleep. Explain his thoughts.

Amir thinks about Rahim Khan's note and support. He wonders why he deserves happiness, he thinks this way because of Hassan's rape.

15. How is the end of chapter nine a turning point in the novel?

Amir won't have Hassan with him anymore

10. Who is Baba? Describe him. What are his values? How does he relate to extremely religious leaders?

Amir's father. He builds beautiful homes in Kabul and built/owns and orphanage. He is wealthy and thoughtful. He believes religious leaders are bearded idiots and there is nothing to learn from them.

5. Who says, "I opened my mouth and almost said something...The rest of my life might have turned out differently if I had" why are those words important? what do you think of Amir's behavior?

Amir. Amir and Hassan's life would have been different if he would had not been raped. Amir now lives with guilt.

22. On page 136 the quote "America is different...carry me someplace far." Is said by whom? What does it reveal? Meaning of the metaphor?

Amir. He compares it to his own rebirth, it is a place of hope and freedom.

14. What happens between Assef/Wali/Kamal and Amir/Hassan? What does Assef threaten?

Assef picks on Hassan by calling him names, when Amir stands up for Hassan, Assef picks on Amir as well. Hassan uses a slingshot to threat Assef. Assef says that this isn't the end, that Hassan had made a mistake, and he will be back.

13. Who are Wali and Kamal?

Assef's friends

12. Describe General Taheri, how is he alike and different from Baba?

Both men are respected and selfish, but Baba is hardworking by getting a job in America, while the general takes welfare.

16. What "weakness" of Amir's does Baba have to apologize for in chapter 10?

Car sickness.

Chapters 1-5

Chapters 1-5

Chapters 12-21

Chapters 12-21

Chapters 6-11

Chapters 6-11

9. Who is the king's cousin? What did he do and why?

Davoud Khan. He ends the 40 year reign by staging a bloodless coup. He does this because he wants to change Afghanistan from a monarchy to a republic.

48. Describe Kabul as Hassan depicts it in his letter.

Fearful.

21. Chapter 11 has a new setting. What is it?

Fremont, California, 1980s.

24. Who is Soraya?

General Taheri's daughter.

12. What does Hassan say when Baba confronts him?

Hassan admits to stealing the money and watch, even though he did not

50. What disturbing news about Hassan and his wife does Rahim Khan tell Amir?

Hassan and his wife got shot by the Taliban.

4. What happens to Hassan when he runs the blue kite for Amir?

Hassan encounters Assef in an alley, and is raped

2. Who is Hassan? Describe him physically. What is a cleft lip? Describe him by his relationships. What was his first word? Why is it important? How did he come into Amir's life? What contrast is made between Amir and Hassan?

Hassan is Amir's servant. He has a round face like a Chinese doll, flat broad nose, slanting narrow eyes that are green, gold, and sapphire, low set ears, pointed stubby chin, cleft lip. A cleft lip is a birth defect where there is an opening in the lip and mouth. Hassan never denies anything, he is poor. Hassan's first word was "Amir". It shows how close the boys are. Amir is a Pashtun, and Hassan is a Hazara.

43. Explain what happens when Sanaubar, Hassan's mother, returns home. How does Hassan respond?

Hassan runs out of the house and doesn't come back till it's very late.

44. Describe Sohrab and how the family changes after he arrives.

Hassan teaches him many skills.

41. How and why has Hassan learned to read? What does this tell us about how he has changed?

Hassan was friends with a teacher. He doesn't want to be stupid anymore.

7. Who is Ali? What do the neighborhood children call him? What does it mean? Why do they call him this?

Hassan's father. The children call him babalua, which means "the boogeyman". He is called this because he has paralysis of his lower face muscles, he has no facial expressions.

6. Who is Sanaubar? How is she contrasted to Amir's mother?

Hassan's mother. She was young and pretty, but left Hassan when he was five days old, while Amir's mother died giving birth.

54. Explain the shocking news that Rahim Khan tells Amir at the end of the chapter. How does Amir react?

Hassan's real father is Baba. Amir is angry.

8. What does Amir ask his father to do for him? How does his father respond?

He asks his father to ask for Soraya's hand in marriage. Baba is very excited and asks the general the next day.

11. What does Baba give Hassan for his birthday? What does his present suggest about his character? How does Amir react to this present? Why did the present turn out to be ironic?

He brings him a plastic surgeon to fix his cleft lip, this shows that Babes likes Hassan and wants to help him. Amir gets jealous because Baba had never done anything like that for him. It is ironic because Hassan stops smiling in the winter.

13. What is Baba's reaction that shocks Amir?

He forgives Hassan for stealing, even though he believes that the greatest sin is theft.

24. What does Amir do the following week?

He goes to Pakistan.

6. Why is Baba upset with Dr. Schneider?

He is Russian.

35. What does Amir learn about Hassan?

He is his half brother.

26. Describe Rahim Khan?

He is ill, he has a scar above his eye, he is much older.

1. Explain the problems that Amir encounters as he tries to spend time with Soraya?

He is nervous and wants her father to like him.

2. Why can't he just ask her out on a date?

He is shy, to maintain honor and pride, and her parents are around.

37. How had Rahim Khan spent his time in Baba's house after Baba and Amir had left?

He is unable to keep the house clean.

42. How does Hassan behave when he moves back to Baba's house? Why does Rahim Khan have trouble understanding this?

He lives in the shed. Rahim doesn't understand why Hassan won't take a bedroom inside.

8. How does Amir feel about his father in chapters 1-5?

He loves his father, but doesn't think he is proud of him. He feels distant, like his father is too hard on him, and doesn't support him. Amir thinks that Baba has little appreciation for his accomplishments.

30. Why had Rahim Khan danced when the Taliban came into power in Afghanistan?

He rejoiced the ending of fighting.

40. How does Hassan first respond when Rahim Khan asks for him to move back to Kabul? Why does he change his mind?

He says no because he has a life in the village. He changes his mind when he hears that Baba is dead.

17. Who is Karim?

He smuggles people out of Afghanistan.

53. Look at page 221. What quotation about Amir does Rahim Khan interject? How does Amir respond?

He talks about a conversation with Baba about how Amir has no courage. Rahim now agrees with Baba. Amir feels disappointed in himself.

52. Explain what Rahim Khan wants Amir to do. How does Amir react? Why?

He wants Amir to find Sohrab and bring him to foster parents. Amir doesn't want to do this because it is dangerous and he has a family.

4. Why does Soraya's father reject her career plans?

He wants her to have a high paying job.

15. What does Amir want to tell Assef about Hassan when Assef bullies them about being friends?

He wants to tell Assef that Hassan is his friend.

23. Describe Amir's dreams. What might these dreams tell us about Amir?

He was running with Hassan in the snow while he says "for you a thousand times over." This shows that he feels bad.

28. Explain what happened to Rahim Khan at the soccer stadium. From this story, what do we learn about the changes in Afghanistan?

He was struck by a Taliban guard because someone cheered too loud. This shows the new violence and strictness.

51. How does Amir respond to this news? What thoughts go through his mind?

He was very upset. All he could say was "no."

11. What thoughts go through Amir's mind during the wedding ceremony? Why?

He wonders if Hassan got married to.

26. Who is General Taheri?

He works for the ministry of defense.

10. What does Amir mean when he says he envied Soraya?

Her secret is out, but Amir's secret is not.

3. What does it mean to be Hazra, Shi'a Muslim, Afghanistan's minority group? Who in the story thus far, is Hazara?

If you are a Hazara you are not treated well. They are described as "mice eating", "flat nosed", and "load carrying donkeys". Hassan, Sanubar, and Ali are Hazara.

19. Why does Baba challenge a Russian officer that is high on drugs?

In order to go through the checkpoint, the Russian soldiers have to rape a woman. Baba will not allow that.

1. The novel begins with a flashback. What do you think is its purpose? What do you learn about the narrator?

It builds suspense, it shows atonement of sins, brotherhood, price of theft. We learn that the narrator has no mother and his father is popular.

47. How does the letter affect Amir?

It makes him wonder how Hassan is.

49. What do we learn about the pomegranate tree? How might this be symbolic?

It no longer grows fruit. It shows the dead friendship of Amir and Hassan.

25. Describe Peshawar?

It reminds Amir of Kabul, but he also sees damage.

31. What happened to the orphanage? Again, what does this tell us about the changes in Afghanistan?

It was destroyed.

7. Where does the family take a trip to in chapter 8?

Jalaba

18. In what year and month does the chapter begin? Compare this time period to the time period of the opening of the novel.

June 2001. The book started in December 2001.

5. What is Baba's illness?

Lung cancer.

32. On page 201, Rahim Khan states: "Yes, hope is a strange thing. Peace at last. But at what price?" Explain.

Many sacrifices were made to gain peace.

11. What does Amir put under Hassan's mattress? Why does he it? What is your reaction to Amir's betrayal?

Money and a watch. Amir wants to get Hassan in trouble with Baba.

45. How does the author use kite running to explain how things have changed in Kabul?

Nobody kites races anymore due to fear.

19. Why has Rahim Khan called Amir? How does Amir respond to the call?

Rahim Khan is sick and wants Amir to come to Pakistan. Amir becomes pale and scared.

36. Who narrates chapter 16?

Rahim Khan.

21. On page 192, Amir states: "I knew he knew." Explain what he means. How does he know?

Rahim knew what happened to Hassan. He says there is a way to be good again.

18. Why are Amir and Baba fleeing Afghanistan?

Russia invaded.

28. Baba observes that "it may be unfair, but what happens in a single day can change the course of a whole lifetime." Whom is he speaking about? Why? What else might be significant about that quote?

Soraya. Nobody has asked for her hand in marriage. It shows that when Amir and Baba came to America they were free and could do whatever they wanted.

38. How does Rahim Khan describe Hassan when he first finds him? How does Hassan greet Rahim Khan?

Tall, darker, same eyes. He kisses Rahim's hand many times.

16. Why was Afghanistan forgetten?

The cold war ended, the Berlin wall came down, and Tiananmen square all happened in the same year.

6. What is the significance of the 2 memories and dreams presented on pages 73-74?

The dreams mean't to not be afraid of the winning the contest, Amir was a monster dragging Hassan down to the bottom of the lake.

22. How have the general and his wife changed?

The general broke his hip, and he would let his wife sing to him.

27. What is Rahim Khan unable to remember? Why is this surprising?

The leather journal he gave Amir. It impacted Amir's life greatly.

12. Who is Assef? What is his ancestry? What is he famous for? What is his political vision?

The son of Baba's friend, Mahmood. He is German and Afghan. He is famous for his stainless steel knuckles. He believes that Pashtuns are the real Afghans and that the Hazaras should be removed.

What does it mean to be Pashtun, Shi'a Muslim, Afghanistan's majority group?Who in the story thus far, is Pashtun?

They are described as "true", "pure", and "respected". Baba and Amir are Pashtun.

20. How have Amir and Soraya changed over the last decade?

They are now able to read each others thoughts.

17. Describe the problems Amir and Soraya encounter when they decide to have children. How do they react? How do Soraya's parents react?

They aren't able to conceive, they go to the doctors. The doctors can't explain Soraya's infertility. Amir and Soraya discuss adoption, but the general doesn't like that idea.

25. What are Baba and Amir doing in San Jose on the weekends?

They go to flea markets and sell junk.

1. Why do boys in Afghanistan during the winter of 1975 have gashes on their fingers? What is tar?

They have gashes on their hands from holding into their kites from kite fighting. Tar is the string on the kite, it is made of glass.

29. Describe what happened to Afghanistan when the Northern Alliance moved in.

They pushed the Russians out of Afghanistan.

33. Describe Rahim Khan's health.

Very poor. He won't make it to the end of the summer.

9. What does Soraya tell Amir in their first phone conversion? How does he respond?

When Soraya was 18, she ran away with an Afghan man. It bothers Amir a bit.

3. What is the proudest moment of twelve-year-old Amir's life as described in Chapter 7?

When he wins the 1975 winter kite contest.

27. What does Amir tell his father he wants to study in college? What is Baba's reaction?

Writing. Baba says it will be useless.

46. Explain the contents of the letter that Rahim Khan gives Amir.

it tells about Hassan's life with his son.