1. Topics in The Kite Runner – for each of the following, write a clear statement about what the book says about this topic in the novel
• Role of women – Although they mention the diff in sexes, there are no women characters introduced. And this shows the role of women in Afghanistan is not important.
• Betrayal Amir chose to preserve himself rather than taking a stand to protect the vulnerable Hassan.
• Brothers"there was a brotherhood between people who had fed from the same breast.” Although they were not blood brothers they shared that brother bond.
• Guilt – hidden guilt vs. open guilt Amir is born with the guilt if his father and cannot seem to get away from that. Amir’s failure to prevent Hassna from getting rapped has left him with a hidden guilt for not preventing it.
• Redemption Everyone in the story needs redemption besides Hassan. aba tries to redeem himself from his affair with Sanuabar and the betrayal of his friend and servant Ali by building an orphanage and by treating Hassan, his illegitimate son, better than Amir.
• Exodus
• Fathers & sons – patriarchal society- Amir and Baba have a strained relationship. Baba has a high position and Amir is always trying to be like him. Baba finds it hard to relate to Amir and his bookish ways while he himself is manly and enjoys sports. It was also unfair to Amir that Baba spent much more time with Hassan.
• Class distinction one of the boys job is more grand than the other.
2. Style – in 2-3 clear, concise, complete sentences, comment on each the author’s use of eachthe following in the novel
• Parallelism- The quote "for you, a thousand times over." is parallel to Amir being able to be good again in the introduction and then in the last chapter. Houiseinni basically opens and closes circle, ending where he started.
• Character foils – look for characters in pairs OR characters who could be placed side by side for contrast
• Foreshadowing
• Flashback
• Positives & negative aspects of the writing
3. Settings – both time and place and culture – list five important cultural aspects of setting identified in the novel - e.g., Hazara vs. Pashtun
The story starts in San Francisco but then goes back to Afghanistan during turmoil.
4. Identify at least 5 minor characters and their role in the novel
5. Identify at least 5 Symbols and the significance of each
1.The main one is KITES- represents Afghanistan and the two brother's fight.
2.Breast- symbolizes that Amar and Hassan's brotherhood.
3.Rape-symbolizes the loss of innocence. it leads hassan and amar to lose their childhood friendship and Amar is filled with guilt.
4. Pigeons- symbolizes faithfulness, flocking to Islam for peace and safety.
5. Slingshot- symbolizes devotion because in the beginning Hassan used it to stand up to Assef and then at the end Hassans son Sohrab used it to protect Amir against Assef.
