T H E K I T E R U N N E R Discussion Guide
C H A P T E R 1
I B E C A M E W H A T I A M T O D A Y... Frame Story Rahim Khan - "There is a way to be good again." Hassan - "For you, a thousand times over." What changed everything for Amir? Amir now flashes back to life before 1975
C H A R A C T E R I Z A T I O N What do we learn about Hassan as a character? What do we learn about Amir? How do their characters compare?
C H A P T E R 2
First words A K I N S H I P S T R O N G E R T H A N T I M E Amir and Hassan's friendship - what do they share? Baba's distance Visiting Hassan's home Rumors about Hassan's mother Learning about Hazaras Nursing
S T R U C T U R E Hosseini builds background in chapter 2 Characters Social history Social context Ethnic and religious divisions How does he do this without abandoning his narrator's persona?
C H A P T E R 3
I C A N N E V E R T E L L B A B A F R O M T H E B E A R Characterize Baba - use textual evidence! Orphanage, business success, marriage Sleep, relationship with Amir Thoughts on religion Background on Baba
C H I L D R E N A R E N ' T C O L O R I N G B O O K S Do you feel sorry for Amir? How does Rahim Khan defend him? What does Amir overhear that upsets him? Why does Amir snap at Hassan? He was "wrong about the mean streak thing"
C H A P T E R 4
I N E V E R T H O U G H T O F H A S S A N A N D M E A S F R I E N D S How did Ali end up with Baba? What separates Amir and Hassan? Boys' daily routines - school is a privilege! Amir and Hassan's reading ritual What is Hassan's favorite story? "Best story you've read me in a long time"
A S A L W A Y S, I T W A S R A H I M K H A N W H O R E S C U E D M E Baba's disinterest Rahim Khan's "Bravo" and encouragement Hassan's response? "Suddenly Afghanistan changed forever."
C H A P T E R 5
I W O U L D T E L L M Y S E L F I H A D N ' T F E L T E N V I O U S O F H A S S A N. Why is Amir jealous of Hassan during the gunfire? What has happened in Afghanistan? How are we reminded of the boys' innocence? Who is Assef? What does he do to the boys? "Afghanistan for Pashtuns, I say. That's my vision." "Too late for Hitler...but not for us."
B U T H E ' S N O T M Y F R I E N D! H E ' S M Y S E R V A N T! Assef highlights the cruel way Amir treats Hassan Hassan's threat "Someone had challenged their god." "I'm a very patient person. This doesn't end today." Is Amir a reliable narrator? Why/why not?
B A B A N E V E R M I S S E D H A S S A N ' S B I R T H D A Y "Meet your birthday present." What does Baba give Hassan? Why? Is Hassan thankful? Is Amir jealous? "That was the winter that Hassan stopped smiling."
C H A P T E R 6
W I N T E R W A S E V E R Y K I D ' S F A V O R I T E S E A S O N I N K A B U L What is kite fighting? Why does it mean so much to Amir? "No rules. Fly your kite. Cut the opponents." What do kite runners want most? Why? "I'd sooner eat dirt" conversation is important! When did Hassan run his last kite?
I T S N O W E D H E A V I L Y T H E N I G H T B E F O R E T H E T O U R N A M E N T What does winter symbolize? Discussion of television is a reminder Who wins the card game? Why? "He was always doing that, reading my mind." Is Hassan's character believable?
C H A P T E R 7
F A T H E R S A Y S D R E A M S A L W A Y S M E A N S O M E T H I N G Explain/analyze Hassan's dream Shower, fresh snow, happy children = purity The sun washes over Hassan and blisters Amir "With each defeated kite, hope grew in my heart." What does Amir say about God? "Bravo! Bravo, Amir Agha!"
F O R Y O U A T H O U S A N D T I M E S O V E R Who prayed for Amir's victory? What does Amir imagine Baba's reaction will be? "He's our servant's son." Really?! What happens to Hassan in the alley? What flashbacks surprise Amir? What do you make of Amir's dream?
I T W A S T H E L O O K O F T H E L A M B Explain the tradition of Eid-E-Qorban. Why does Amir share this? "In the end, I ran." What do you think of Amir? "In his arms, I forgot what I'd done."
C H A P T E R 8
I T S H O U L D H A V E B E E N J U S T T H E T W O O F U S How is Hassan doing? Why does Amir want to go to Jalalabad? Why does Baba invite so many others along? Is the trip what Amir had hoped for? Include textual evidence in your answers!
I F E L T L I K E S T I C K I N G A K N I F E I N M Y E Y E. Does Amir enjoy the traditional dinner? Why can't Amir sleep? What is his "new curse"? What happens at the pomegranate tree (86-87)? Include textual evidence in your answers!
I W A S F A I R L Y H A P P Y W H E N B A B A W A S H O M E. How Amir's win impact his relationship with Baba? Why is Amir so cruel to Hassan? Why does Hassan's service irritate him? Why doesn't Baba get involved? Should he have? Include textual evidence in your answers!
H A S S A N ' S N O T G O I N G A N Y W H E R E What causes Baba to yell at Amir? Why is Amir glad to go back to school? It has been raining more than usual. Symbolism? What happens at the pomegranate tree (92-93)? Include textual evidence in your answers!
A F G H A N I S T A N ' S L A S T S U M M E R O F P E A C E A N D A N O N Y M I T Y What does Amir do with his stories now? Why? Describe Amir's 13th birthday party. What does Baba chat with Assef about? Include textual evidence in your answers!