The Kite Runner is a powerful and emotionally charged novel that tackles complex themes of loyalty, betrayal, guilt, and redemption. The story follows the life of Amir, a wealthy Afghan boy, and his relationship with his best friend Hassan, a Hazara boy who is considered inferior by society due to his ethnicity. As the two boys grow up, they face a series of challenges and moral dilemmas that test their bond and force them to confront the dark secrets of their past.
Here are a few discussion questions to consider when analyzing The Kite Runner:
How does the relationship between Amir and Hassan change over the course of the novel? What factors contribute to these changes?
In what ways does the novel explore the theme of loyalty? How do the characters demonstrate loyalty to one another, and in what ways do they betray that loyalty?
The Kite Runner deals with the theme of guilt and the consequences of past actions. How does Amir's guilt shape his relationships and decisions throughout the novel?
How does the novel address issues of race, class, and ethnicity in Afghan society? How do these issues impact the relationships between the characters?
The Kite Runner explores the theme of redemption and the possibility of making amends for past wrongs. How does Amir seek redemption, and to what extent is he successful in achieving it?
The novel takes place in a historical and cultural context that is unfamiliar to many readers. How does the setting and cultural background of Afghanistan contribute to the themes and events of the novel?
What role do father-son relationships play in the novel? How do the characters' relationships with their fathers shape their own identities and moral compass?
The Kite Runner tackles difficult and often controversial themes, such as violence, trauma, and sexual abuse. How does the novel handle these sensitive topics, and what message do they convey to the reader?
Overall, The Kite Runner is a thought-provoking and poignant novel that invites readers to consider the complexities of human relationships and the enduring power of forgiveness. By exploring the nuances of loyalty, guilt, and redemption, the novel encourages readers to reflect on their own moral beliefs and the choices they make in their own lives.
Kite Runner Discussion Questions Flashcards
Amir recalls this image when he sees Hassan in the alleyway because he is thinking that Hassan realises that he has to give up his innocence for Amir to finally get on with his father. Amir thinks that the god will never forgive him, but most importantly Amir will never forgive himself. He is very athletic and loves soccer. Amir ruins the chance for friendship between himself and Hassan because he is jealous of Hassan, he thinks of Hassan as a lower human, and because Amir possesses such extreme guilt for what he has done to Hassan. We can see a relationship between Amir and Baba, also Amir and Hassan. Amir suffers from self-doubt and guilt largely caused by his inaction when Hassan is raped. This tension in Amir reveals that he is conflicted—though he wants to do good, he knows no other way to fix it than to try to forget it.
In addition Amir keeps secrets regarding Hassan, about witnessing his rape, and about the fact that Hassan didn't steal money. Identify Assef at least 3 character traits. He also appears to be incredibly insecure and he constantly seeks his father's approval despite what it means for other aspects of his life. Hassan took the fall and Hassan and Ali had to leave the house. After the kite running tournament, why does Amir no longer want to be Hassan 's friend? Baba is the kind of guy who likes to do hard jobs. Taking that in the violence and misery incorporated in the book was necessary.
Rather than going to school as well, Hassan stays and helps his father, Ali, get groceries and complete their chores. Amir is constantly in competition with others for Baba's attention. In the beginning of the novel one encounters a self-centered young boy, who lives a notably privileged life. . This betrayal makes Amir realize that he and Baba are more alike than he had thought. Using your answer from the previous question, explain what you think Hosseini is using violence to say. What is the relationship of Baba to Hassan? Is there an English word that is similar? How is this both a negative and positive realization? Why did Amir throw pomegranates at Hassan? Both Amir and Hassan committed acts of betrayal, and this is because of the flaws they have as characters.
They were nursed by the same woman so they are said to be forever bonded. Though they were raised with different beliefs, they were brought up together, and spent their entire childhoods making memories with each other. You may want to consider: Hassan's rape, Sohrab's rape, the stonings at Ghazi Stadium, Assef and Amir's fight, Sohrab's suicide attempt, the story of Kamal and his father, Hassan and Farzana's murders, Sanaubar's appearance at the house, and the activity of kite fighting. In Afghanistan this difference puts Hassan in a lower social caste. Baba is often very distant with Amir which causes him to feel unacknowledged many Character Analysis: The Kite Runner The overarching theme of Kite Runner is redemption. Baba also betrays Ali by fathering Hassan, and keeps that fact a secret from both Hassan and Amir. At the same time, Amir never learns to defend himself or anyone else because Hassan always did it for him.
They are not very close because they do not share the same interests. The realization that Baba was not truthful to Amir made Amir lose the trust he had of his father. Underlying these competing feelings is another emotion: jealousy. Even though Amir and Hassan have spent their entire childhoods together and play with each other every day, there are some differences that separate them. He stood up for what was right, which is what Hassan needed Amir to do for him.
Similarly Amir has a close relationship with Hassan, who is also his servant. Eventually, the relationship between the two returns to the way it was before the tournament, and Amir laments "we actually deceived ourselves into thinking that a toy made of tissue paper, glue, and bamboo could somehow close the chasm between us. Amir and Hassan's relationship is complicated by the fact that Hassan is Amir's servant. Chapter 1-3 Study Guide Questions 1. Did it bother you that there were so few female characters? The novel deals with so many complicated issues, including the way trauma and hardship transmits across generations, the possibility of redemption, and the way people's personal lives interact with events in the world around them. The plot of The Kite Runner bounces back and forth between a variety of times and places, and the issues in the novel are by no means simple ones.
He tries to move on with his life, but the guilt always remains. How he can lack a spine and is simply unlike Baba. Amir's cruelties are often driven by jealousy and a desire to exert power over Hassan since he feels insignificant in his own relationship with Baba. Due to his insecurity, he makes up false stories and tells Hassan incorrect definitions for words in order to keep him ignorant. Make a case, using specific plot points and historical facts to ground your argument.
Amir changes throughout the novel from a selfish and cowardly child into a fatherly and selfless adult. Although it would seem that Hassan should be jealous of Amir for his educated, affluent station in society, it is actually Amir who is jealous of Hassan because Hassan has a better relationship with his father, Ali. The study guide questions in this lesson will help your students consolidate their thoughts on the novel and will sometimes require them to look back to the text in order to ensure careful and meaningful reading. Amir has come full circle, journeying from selfishness to selflessness. Hassan is the best and kindest character in the story. This statement, which opens the story, refers to the most important event in Amir's life. Who worked for whom? When they were young, Amir and Hassan, Amir's slave, were confronted by the neighborhood bully, Assef.
It fully captures the readers and embeds the feeling of guilt Amir holds, into ones conscience. What does the novel show about the role of ethnicity in Afghanistan? The rest of my life might have turned out differently if I had. How does this story epitomize the difference in character between Hassan and Amir? Discuss the difference between Baba and Ali and between Amir and Hassan. He also rescues Sohrab from Assef, or Sohrab rescues him in a way. Baba's positions do not necessarily resonate with Amir as a child, but when the Taliban take over Afghanistan and the grown Amir sees the terror and devastation produced, he appreciates Baba's wisdom. They have been friends since birth. Baba's and Amir's betrayals to their servants and friendship respectively, are similar.
You can tell that both Ali and Hassan knew that they were betrayed, but they never mentioned it. Yet this man who started the lie first appears as an icon of morality and determination. What story did Rahim Kahn tell Amir on his birthday? Refer to the following passage: "Afghans like to say: Life goes on, unmindful of beginning, end. This is a negative realization because Amir feels betrayed by his father, but also a positive realization because he finally understands Hassan's true identity; hence, taking care of Sohrab. Amir believes that if he wins the kite competition, he will win his father's love and approval.
