Kite Runner Discussion Questions Essay

1. The legend begins with amirs memory of peering down an alley, cheeking for Hassan who is kite cart track for him. As emeer peers into the alley, he witnesses a tragedy. The novel ends with emir kite running for Hassans tidings, Sohrab, as he begins a new life with ameer in America. why do you think the author chooses to frame the novel with these scenes? Refer to the adjacent passage Afghans like to say Life goes on, unmindful of beginning, end crisis or catharsis, pitiable forward like a slow, dusty caravan of kochis nomads. How is this significant to the framing of the novel?The author chooses to frame the novel with these scenes because I think that in the stolon chapter the readers can see that ameer is so guilt-stricken of not be able to help Hassan and yet witnessing and running from the tragedy. The ending however shows that ameer became the kite runner. Since a kite whizz is someone who is powerful and controlling aka selfish while a kite runner is be self less. It symbolizes a circle, it did not end where it began only if rather it was a running to a positive counselling, away from Sohrab physically but towards him emotionally.Finally he is running with freedom in his heart rather of idolatry. The passage Afghans like to say Life goes on, unmindful of beginning, end crisis or catharsis, moving forward like a slow, dusty caravan of kochis (nomads). is significant because thats how Afghans are. Despite creation occupied by the Russians and ruled by the Talibans, life goes on. Even with so many sufferings, hardships and killings they continue to live their life. 2. The strong underlying potency of this novel is the descent between ameer and Hassan. Discuss their friendship. Why is Amir afraid to be Hassans true friend?Why does Amir always test Hassans loyalty? Why does he resent Hassan? After the kite running tournament, why does Amir no longer pauperism to be Hassans friend? Amir and Hassan are like br separates, they were fed by the same breasts, they grew up in the same household and they would play like in that locations no tomorrow. Amir is afraid to be Hassans true friend because Hassan is a Hazara, where they are looked down upon by other Afghans as the low kind of people in society. People might judge him especially the Pashtuns because Hassan is their servant and treated unequal.Amir constantly tests Hassans loyalty because he knows that Hassan would do anything for him and would level off die for him. He describes Hassan as a loyal dog. Amir resents Hassan since Baba always gives so much attention to Hassan. Baba would never miss a birthday and still give Hassan gifts. After the kite running tournament, Amir no longer wants to be Hassans friend because he feels real guilty of what happened to Hassan. He feels that Hassan was the sacrifice he had to give in order to get Babas attention. 3. Early in Amir and Hassans friendship, they often visit a pomegranate tree tree where they spend ho urs reading and playing.One summer day, I apply one of Alis kitchen knives to carve our names on it Amir and Hassan, the sultans of Kabul. Those words do it formal the tree was ours. In a letter to Amir later in the story, Hassan mentions that the tree hasnt borne harvest-tide in years. Discuss the significance of this tree. The pomegranate tree represents Amir and Hassans friendship. They would eat its fruits, sit on its branches and Amir would read Hassan stories as if they were the only two people on Earth. As if no one else was important. They carved their names on it symbolizing that they ruled all of Kabul.In the letter to Amir later in the story, Hassan mentions that the tree hasnt borne fruit in years is precise significant since it symbolizes their friendship. After the tragedy, Amir wouldnt want to see Hassan because when he sees Hassan, he remembers what he did which was to run in fear and he did nothing ab come to the fore it. He feels all this guilt and because o f his guilt, he decided to frame up Hassan in stealing his new watch. The tree hasnt borne fruit in years because it is like their friendship, abandoned and forgotten. There were no longer those two boys who used to visit the tree.The tree died with their friendship. 4. We begin to understand originallyhand(predicate) in the novel that Amir is constantly vying for Babas attention and often feels like an outsider in his fathers life, as seen in the following passage Hed close the door, leave me to wonder why it was always grown-ups time with him. Id sit by the door, knees drawn to my chest. sometimes I sat at that place for an hour, sometimes two, listening to their laughter, their chatter. Discuss Amirs relationship with Baba. Baba was usually aloof and cold when he was around Amir.Since Baba was interest in sports, he felt like Amir wasnt his son because he was into writing and was weak. In a conversation with Rahim Khan Baba said that something was lacking(p) in Amir. He sa id that a boy who couldnt stand up for himself would not stand up for anything. They dont truly withdraw a good father and son relationship because Baba expected too much of Amir. It was that winning kite tournament that somehow mystifyed them together but aft(prenominal) a while, it went stake to being the cold treatment 5. After Amir wins the kite running tournament, his relationship with Baba undergoes significant change.However, while they form a bond of friendship, Amir is still unhappy. What causes this unhappiness and how has Baba contributed to Amirs state of mind? Eventually, the relationship between the two returns to the way it was before the tournament, and Amir laments we actually deceived ourselves into sentiment that a represent make of tissue paper, glue, and bamboo could somehow close the chasm between us. Discuss the significance of this passage. The unhappiness he felt was the guilt of not being able to help Hassan when he was raped. He felt emptier than ever.Before his birthday party, he intercommunicateed Baba just about changing their servants. He said that he grew up with Ali, forty years hes been with his family Baba roared with anger. Baba even threatened to slap him if he brings it up ever again. The bond they had was only temporary and it was all because of the kite, a toy made of tissue paper, glue and bamboo. It was just a material thing, something that was similarly just temporary. And that was not enough to change relationships between people because relationships are create with emotions, with the heart. 6.As Amir remembers an Afghan celebration in which a sheep must be sacrificed, he talks about seeing the sheeps eyes moments before its death. I dont know why I watch this yearly ritual in our backyard my nightmares persist long after the bloodstains on the spy have faded. But I always watch, I watch because of that look of betrothal in the animals eyes. Absurdly, I imagine the animal understands. I imagine the an imal sees that its imminent demise is for a higher purpose. Why do you think Amir recalls this memory when he witnesses Hassans tragedy in the alleyway?Amir recollects the memory again toward the end of the novel when he sees Sohrab in the home of the Taliban. Discuss the image in the context of the novel. The image of the sheep being sacrificed and the look of acceptance symbolize Hassan. Hassan is a brave soulfulness but he accepts his fate. The look of the lamb is his loyalty to Amir. He is willing to sacrifice even rape just for Amir. He also sees that look from Sohrab when he was dancing and accepting that he will be doing that for the rest of his life. 7. America acts as a place for Amir to bury his memories and a place for Baba to mourn his. In America, there are homes that made Babas house in Wazir Akbar Khan look like a servants hut. What is ironic about this statement? What is the function of badinage in this novel? The raillery in the story is that Baba was very wealt hy and influential in Kabul. A lot of people knew him because of his good works. However, in America he only works in a tout station and misses everything about his home. Baba and Amirs going to America is Babas gift to Amir even if it means that he would suffer. He is terribly desirous in America. They live in an apartment in San Jose but in Kabul, Babas house was the virtually beautiful one in their district.The function of irony in this novel is that you could be the well-nigh influential, most powerful person one day and the next day you are just an ordinary person with nothing at all. 8. What is the significance of the irony in the first story that Amir writes? After hearing Amirs story, Hassan asks, Why did the man kill his wife? In fact, why did he ever have to feel sad to shed tears? Couldnt he have just smelled an onion plant? How is his reaction to the story a parable for Amirs life? How does this story epitomize the difference in character between Hassan and Amir?Th e irony in the story is that the man killed his wife out of greed and after he has done this he becomes miserable. This story echoes Amirs life because he did things out of greed. He wanted the attention of Baba and he was a little jealous of Hassan. Hassan has this perceptiveness, where he criticized Amirs story. He was only an illiterate boy but was able to point out a major flaw in Amirs story where he asks why the man killed his wife, couldnt he have just smelled an onion to shed those tears. Hassan did not bring to see the words on the page to know it was flawed.He did not need to look at the kites shadow to know where it was going. It is a metaphor in Amirs life because he was the one with education. He was the one talented in reading and writing. Baba, in difficult to redeem his own honor, raised a child who felt neglected and who acted out of fear. This was the metaphor in Amirs life where he grew up with fear and cannot stand up for himself while Hassan was his complete o pposite. 9. Why is Baba disappointed by Amirs finish to become a writer? During their argument about his career path, Amir thinks to himself I would stand my ground, I decided.I didnt want to sacrifice for Baba anymore. The last time I had done that, I had damned myself. What has Amir sacrificed for Baba? How has Amir damned himself? Baba was disappointed by Amirs decision to become a writer because he wanted Amir to be just like him. He wanted Amir to become a reestablish or a lawyer wherein they treat those professionals of higher power. He didnt want to sacrifice anymore. He was determined to become a writer, something he really wants to be. When he was younger, Amir wanted Babas attention so bad that he pretended to like the sport which Baba was interested in, soccer.Back past he pretended to listen to Babas remarks about the game and the players but in the end he did not enjoy it. Baba was only disappointed in him that Amir did not inherit his dads athletic side. 10. Compar e and contrast the relationships of Soraya and Amir and their fathers. How have their upbringings contributed to these relationships? Even if Baba is cold to Amir I believe that he is a great father. Baba really loves Amir and is willing to do everything and anything for his son. Back in Kabul, he would give Amir anything he wanted.In America even if they didnt have the capital, Baba still gives Amir anything that he can give. Baba would sacrifice everything he had just for Amir. He even works hard in a gas station and wouldnt take the coupons so that he will not degrade himself. General Taheri however is someone who gives importance to what others think. When Soraya ran away, he went there and threatened to kill the man and to kill himself if Soraya didnt come home. His attitude is bad and treats his wife as dirt. He prefers to collect welfare than lowering himself to colored collar jobs. He just waits everyday to be called back to Afghanistan.Because of their strict Afghan upbri nging, Both Soraya and Amir have been very honest to each other especially when Amir was ready to tell Soraya his story of betrayal. Also because of the lack of closeness they had with their fathers it had somehow made their relationship with each other stronger and closer. 11. Discuss how the ever-changing politics of Afghanistan affect each of the characters in the novel. Because of the ever-changing politics of Afghanistan all of the characters lives changed. None of them were safe, no matter what privileges they have or what they believe in, anyone could be killed.Amir and Babas life from being wealthy, they became average in America. Ali and Hassans life was always in danger because of the ethnic cleansing they were the kind of people who were killed most of the time during those years of war. 12. On Amirs trip back to Afghanistan, he stays at the home of his driver, Farid. Upon leaving he remarks Earlier that morning, when I was certain no one was looking, I did something I ha d done twenty-six years earlier I planted a fistful of crumpled money under the mattress. Why is this moment so important in Amirs journey?That moment is so important in Amirs life because he did it twenty-six years ago. He put the money under Hassans mattress in order to frame him up and maybe Baba would ask them to leave. It is significant because instead of plotting to ruin ones life, he is trying to make sure that the three children do not starve. This is the part when he is trying to change things, doing the act of putting the money under the mattress again but with a different agenda. He is now doing this selfless act for others than for himself. 13. Throughout the story, Baba worries because Amir never stands up for himself.When does this change? Amir and Babas relationship excoriationed to get better after the kite running competition. And I believe It was also the start of Babas hope that maybe Amir could do stand for himself when the time comes. Amir made his father prou d, beating all of his opponents, cutting all of the kites, and being the last kite flying on thin air. It was when the Babas intuition that maybe his son can do handle himself someday. 14. Amirs showdown with Assef in Wazir Akar Khan marks an important turning point in the novel. Why does the author have Amir, Assef, and Sohrab all come together in this way?What is this the significance of the scar that Amir develops as a result of the confrontation? Why is it important in Amirs journey toward forgiveness and acceptance? Because the only way we could accept, forgive, and overcome any problem is to face the situation. The part where Amir, Assef and Sohrab come together in that part of the book because it is the echo of confrontation with Assef back when they were children. Its like a continuation but instead of Hassan, Sohrab stands as his representative. This time, he has a entropy chance to do the right thing, a second chance where he chooses to save Sohrab from Assef.After his fi ght with Assef he develops a scar that looks like a harelip. It is significant because it is a suffering to match Hassans. He begins to reconcile their troubled history. This is important in Amirs journey to forgiveness and acceptance because that scar represents the feeling of closeness to Hassan. When Assef beats him to death and he got the scar, it is healing Amir of his guilt. He is now in the process of forgiving himself. 15. While in the hospital in Peshawar, Amir has a dream in which he sees his father wrestling a bear They role over a patch of grass, man and beastthey fall to the ground with a brasslike thud and Baba is sitting on the bears chest, his fingers digging in its snout. He looks up at me, and I see. Hes me. I am wrestling the bear. Why is this dream so important at this point in the story? What does this dream finally help Amir realize? It was a somewhat a symbol that made Amir realize hes been a good son to his father all the while. It was important because it made Amir stronger and was able to believe in himself after seeing himself as the wrestlerthe wrestler whom he admired all his life, his Baba.He hasnt cognise how life had also been his tough opponent and yet he still continue to breathe. He realized, he also has his own strength. 16. Amir and Hassan have a favored story. Does the story have the same meaning for both men? Why does Hassan name his son after one of the characters in the story? Their favorite story is Rostam and Sohrab where Rostam kills Sohrab without knowing that he is his son. The story doesnt have the same meaning for both men. Hassan names his son after Sohrab because he is so trance by the story.The story where the father killed his son touched Hassans heart. It filled Hassans heart with such emotion that he decided to name his son with one of the characters name. 17. Baba and Amir know that they are very different people. Often it disappoints both of them that Amir is not the son that Baba has hoped for. When Amir finds out that Baba has lied to him about Hassan, he realizes that as it turned out, Baba and I were more alike than Id never known. How does this make Amir feel about his father? How is this both a negative and positive realization?When Amir learned about the truth he felt much betrayal. Amis felt very angry towards his father. He felt like they more alike than hed ever known. Both betrayed people who would have given their lives for them. They betrayed the people who were the most loyal to them. Because of this he realized a lot of things. Amir should atone not just his sins but for Babas sins too. If he hadnt been a coward, Ali and Hasaan wouldnt have left and Baba would have brought them to America. He realized that there was a way to end the cycle of betrayal and lies and that was to save Sohrab, his nephew. 18.When Amir and Baba move to the States their relationship changes, and Amir begins to view his father as a more complex man. Discuss the changes in their relations hip. Do you see the changes in Baba as tragic or positive? They grow closer out of necessity and having lost everything familiar, they cling to each other. When they moved, Baba shows more affection towards Amir. The changes in Baba were positive since he was able to re-connect with his son after a long time of coldness. Baba became the father who would do everything for his son. 19. Discuss the difference between Baba and Ali and between Amir and Hassan.Are Babas and Amirs betrayals and similarities in their relationships of their servants (if you consider Babas act a betrayal) similar or different? Do you think that such betrayals are inevitable in the arrive at/servant relationship, or do you feel that they are due to flaws in Babas and Amirs characters, or are they the effect of circumstances and characters? Baba commit his life in doing works for the poor. He even devoted three years in building and funding an orphanage. He is also very sign and cold to his son, Amir. Ali i n the other hand is crippled but affectionate.Ali is very close to Hassan and he taught him to be righteous and loyal. They are both determined to shelter Baba and Amir. Babas and Amirs betrayals and similarities in their relationship of their servants were similar. Ali is like a brother to Baba because when his parents died, Babas father took him as his own child. They grew up together and Ali has been with their family for forty years. Hassan also grew up with Amir. They fed from the same breasts and Hassans first word was Amir. Hassan is loyal and suffered just like Ali. They both kept secrets about Amir and Baba.Remaining silent about injustice is a way for them to show their loyalty. It is not inevitable in a master/servant relationship because I feel that they are due to Baba and Amirs characters. Soraya had a servant who was illiterate but she taught her how to read, Amir chose differently, he lords his privileges and his education over Hassan. It is also the outcome of circ umstances and characters because it is for the longing of Babas affection that Amir acts in fear. It is because of what society thinks and his status thats why Baba kept his secret and did not tell Amir and Hassan the truth.20. Who is Khaled Hosseini and how has his work in literature and in the world society of nations been critically received? Khaled Hosseini is the author of The Kite Runner. He was born on March 4, 1965 in Kabul. We can see that he has similarities with the protagonist of the story who is Amir. His father was a diplomat and his mother was a teacher of Farsi and history. They moved to the United States instead of move to Afghanistan because chaos was everywhere. His family was some of the lucky ones to rubber to another country and not experience the sufferings and the killings.Khaled Hosseini published The Kite Runner in 2003 to critical acclaim. Parts of the novel are based on his childhood in Kabul neighborhood of Wazir Akbar Khan. While some events in the st ory echo those in his life, the novel is fictional. He felt ashamed, like he should have suffered more. He felt estranged from the devastation in Afghanistan, but his separation from his homeland and his Western sensibility have in his fiction to bring Americas, and the worlds, attention to the faces of Afghanistan. Hosseinis devotion to Afghanistan can be seen not only in his writing but also in his activism..He has been a goodwill envoy to the United Nations Refugee Agency, UNHCR, since 2006, and his personal website contains links to many aid organizations that are helping Afghanistan. Interviewers describe Hosseini as a smart, handsome man with a calming air, and Time Magazine called him almost certainly the most famous Afghan in the world. Khaled Hosseini lives with his wife and two children in Northern California. 21. The kite flying tournament is an important event in a boys life in Afghanistan. Why is it significant and what does winning the kite flying tournament symboliz e? How does this symbolism resonate with the novels title?The kite flying tournament is significant because like in Amirs case, winning was the key to winning Babas heart. The tournament sets a circle of betrayal and redemption into motion. After Hassan gets raped while running his kite, Amir cannot separate kite fighting and running from his own betrayal and cowardice. In order to redeem himself of selfishness and cowardice, Amir must go from being merely a kite fighter (someone who seeks glory) to a kite runner (someone who genuinely does things for others). This symbolism resonates with the novels title in terms of Amir, being the fighter in the beginning to a runner in the end.22. Discuss how the geographic location of Afghanistan has made it the crossroads of civilizations and conquering armies from ancient times up to the present. How do the results of those conquests affect the tribes in Afghanistan up to now? Afghanistan is located in central Asia, is made up of thirty-four provinces. It is bordered by Pakistan, Iran, Jajikstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan. Afghanistan has always been by war. It used to be a kingdom ruled by a king then it b ecame a republic through a coup then it was invaded by Russia. Lastly, the Taliban took control over it. Pashtun supremacists massacred Shiites Hazaras.After the September11, 2001 event, the United States attacked Afghanistan and defeated the Taliban. Until now Afghanistan is experiencing civil war. People are suffering and a lot take refuge in other countries. 23. Religious Fundamentalism of the Taliban is imbricated with racial or ethnic and class problems. How are these problems dramatized in the novel? The Taliban wanted to eliminate the Shiite and massacred the Hazara population in Mazar-i-Sharif in 1998. The Taliban would find the simplest things to be against the rules in order to kill some Hazara or anyone in Afghanistan.