Kite Runner Flashcards
“I was ___ years old when I became who I am today.”
Twelve
Whose voice whispers to the narrator and what does it say?
Hassan - “For you, a thousand times over” (pg. 2).
During his phone call, what had Rahim Khan told the narrator he must do, and what were his final words to the narrator?
Rahim Khan wants Amir to come see him. Rahim Kahn - “There is a way to be good again” (pg. 2).
Figurative language is defined as language that’s intended to create an image, association, or other effect in the mind of the listener or reader that goes beyond the literal meaning or expected use of the words involved. Find examples of figurative language that the author uses in the opening chapter of the novel.
Right from the beginning, the narrator uses figurative language to describe the scene around himself. In the opening chapter, the narrator says, “Floating side by side like a pair of eyes looking down on San Francisco,” (pg. 2), which is personification.
Describe Hassan’s mother and what happened to her after Hassan’s birth.
Hassan’s mother is Sanaubar, and she was Ali’s first cousin. She was described as a gorgeous woman, but she was also said to have a bad reputation (described as “notoriously unscrupulous” in the book). She ran away shortly after Hassan was born with a group of traveling singers/dancers after he was born.
How did Amir’s mom die?
She died giving birth
According to Baba, what is the only sin? Explain what he means.
Baba says that the only sin is theft. What he means by this is that every other sin can be seen as something getting taken away from you.
Explain the pivotal (life-changing, critical) experience from Baba’s childhood.
When Baba was six years old, his house was broken into. Baba’s father, Amir’s grandfather, confronted the criminal and in return was stabbed in the throat with a knife, killing him instantly. (This moment perfectly explains why Baba only believes in the sin of theft; his father being taken away from him.)
What happened on July 17, 1973? How do the main characters react?
The king, Zahir Shah, was dethroned by his cousin Daoud Khan in a shooting. The main characters do not fully understand what the situation really means, and they go outside to climb a tree instead of caring all that much. (pgs. 36-37)
Describe Assef. Why are the boys so afraid of him?
Assef is the son of one of Baba’s friends (Mahmood, an airline pilot). He is mixed with Afghan and German. He has blonde hair and blue eyes and is described to be very strong. He is very privileged, and seems to be empowered by that. He has a “savage reputation” and the boys are afraid of being beaten up by him. (pgs. 39-41).
How and why does Hassan threaten Assef? What does this action tell us about Hassan?
Hassan threatens Assef with a slingshot because he was threatening to beat up Amir and Hassan. Hassan stands up to him, which shows his loyalty and good character. (pg. 42).
What threat does Assef issue?
Assef says he would find Amir and beat him up one-on-one (without Hassan around). (pg. 43).
How much time transpires between the confrontation between Assef and the boys and the final birthday scene in the chapter?
It skips a few years in the story’s timeline. (pg. 43)
What birthday gift does Baba give Hassan? Why does Amir think this is ironic?
Baba sends a surgeon to have Hassan’s cleft lip corrected. Amir thinks this is ironic because it fixes his smile, but “that was the winter that Hassan had stopped smiling” (foreshadowing future events) (pgs. 46-47).
Explain why Amir loves the icy season.
Amir loves winter for a lot of reasons. He really likes the snow, and not having school. But he especially loves winter because there is a kite competition every year. This means he gets to fly kites with Baba, which is the only activity that consistently brought them closer. (pg. 49)
Describe Ahmed and how he differs from Amir. Why do you think the author included his story in this chapter?
Ahmed is described to be the across street neighbor. He has epilepsy, and always wore a wool vest and thick black-rhimmed glasses to school (which he attended even in the winter). He was one of Assef’s “regular victims’’. The author may have included this in the story to show how lucky Amir is. (pg. 49).
Explain this quotation from page 49: “Baba and I lived in the same house, but in different spheres of existence. Kites were the one paper-thin slice of intersection between those spheres.”
To Amir, kite running is more than just a part of his childhood, but it is also a way for him to connect with his dad on a certain level. (pg. 49).
Amir compares kite fighting to war. Find specific analogies, similes, and metaphors that he uses in this chapter to form this comparison.
An example of a metaphor Amir used is when he says, “If the kite was the gun, then tar, the glass-coated cutting line, was the bullet in the chamber” (pg. 50).
Explain what a kite runner does and why Amir considers Hassan to be the best kite runner.
Amir explains that the kite runner is an assistant of the kite fighter, who goes after the kite once it falls. Amir considers Hassan to be the best because he would always get to the right spot before the kite landed (as if he had some sort of “inner-compass”) (pg. 52).
What happened to the kite runner who climbed a tree? Why do you think Hosseini includes this story? What does it tell the reader about kite runners and this society?
Amir says that while a kid was climbing a tree, he snapped the branch that was supporting him. So, he fell off the tree, causing him to break his back and never walk again. The author keeps this in the story because it shows how important kite flying is to kids and the customs in the narrator’s society. When a kite runner had their hands on a kite, no one could take it from them, which was not a rule, but it was simply out of honor and respect which shows a lot about the society. (pg. 52)
Amir tells the story of having a discussion with Hassan and seeing his face change. Explain what happens in this scene. What purpose does the scene serve?
Amir shares with the readers a strange feeling he sometimes gets when he looks at Hassan. Amir says the ‘‘other face’’ of Hassan would appear only for a second, making him feel unsettled, and that he had seen it somewhere else. Then the moment would pass and Hassan would be ‘‘just Hassan’’ again. His face changes when Amir mentions their relationship (pg. 54).
Describe the conversation that Baba and Amir have the night before the biggest kite championship. What does this scene tell the reader about Baba? What does the scene tell the reader about Amir?
A few days before the kite championship, Baba casually tells Amir he may win. Amir is suddenly only thinking about this comment, and how winning the championship will earn him Baba’s love and praise. This scene shows the reader that Baba is not pressing Amir to win, but he expects it, and this scene also shows how easy it is for Amir to get distracted in only trying to get his father’s approval. (pgs. 55-56).
What does Amir tell Hassan he will buy him one day? Why do you think he will do this?
Amir tells Hassan he will someday buy him a colored television (not black and white). Amir will probably fulfill this promise because he pities Hassan’s lifestyle in a way (due to Hassan being a servant). Hassan quickly realizes this and reassures Amir that he likes where he lives. (pg. 58).
Define “Inshallah.” (The definition is given on the final page of the chapter.)
Inshallah is defined as “God willing” by the narrator. (pg. 58).
Describe Hassan’s dream. What is the problem with that dream?
Hassan’s dream was about going to Ghargha Lake with Amir, but they could not swim because a monster was waiting at the bottom of the lake. In an act of bravery and friendship, they prove to people that it is safe to swim in the lake. The problem with this dream is that it is foreshadowing to future events in the chapter, but Amir did not save Hassan. (pg. 60).
Who wins the kite tournament? Is that a good thing? Why or why not?
Amir won the kite tournament, which was good for him and Hassan at the moment. They were both so excited to win, and Amir could not wait to go back home and celebrate with Baba. However, Hassan had to run and get the kite, which had a horrible ending. (pgs. 65-66).
“For you a thousand times over!” (67). Who says this to whom? What does it mean?
Hassan says this to Amir. This means he will always help Amir with anything. (pg. 67).
Who gets the second-place kite that is cut? Is that a good thing? What happens?
Hassan runs to get the second-place kite. This would have been a good thing, because Amir and Hassan would have two kites, but the confrontation with Assef ended in Hassan being assaulted. (pgs. 71-73).
Explain what is going on with the fortune teller in Hassan’s dreamlike flashback.
The fortune teller seems to see Hassan’s horrible future, so he gives Hassan his coin back. He instead tells Amir his dream, which was of Amir lost in a snowstorm. A hand reaches out to save him, but it brings him to a field of kites instead. Hassan and Amir’s fates seem to be intertwined, and they both can save each other. (pg. 74).
What happened in Amir’s fortune?
Amir is lost in a snow storm, and sees Hassan’s hand and reaches for it
After the assault, Hassan has “the look of the lamb”. What does that mean?
The expression, “the look of the lamb” is referring to the look of acceptance a lamb will make before it is killed. Hassan is a sacrificial lamb, sacrificing himself for Amir.
How does Eid-Al-Adha apply to the theme here? In other words, how does this make Amir feel more guilty?
Eid-Al-Adha applies to the theme because of the story that comes with the holiday. It celebrates a prophet sacrificing his own son for God, which is similar to Hassan sacrificing himself for Amir. Amir feels guilty because of Hassan’s expression, which was of “guileless devotion” (page 78). (pg. 76-78).
How does Baba feel when Amir returns home that night? Why does Amir cry when Baba holds him?
Baba feels incredibly proud of Amir when he returns home. He shows Amir true love and affection, which was the greatest moment of Amir’s life. When Baba pulled Amir in a hug, Amir started to cry. He does this because of the extremely traumatic moment he just witnessed. He is ashamed of being a coward and not doing anything/running away instead of helping Hassan. (pg. 79).
How does Amir believe his father will greet him when he returns after his win in the competition?
Amir believes his father will greet him with love and pride, which is exactly what happens. (pg. 79).
Explain what Assef tells Hassan about sacrificing himself for Amir. How does Hassan react?
Assef asks Hassan if Amir would do the same for him, and he also asks Hassan if he knows why Amir only plays with him when no one else is around. Assef tells him that it is because to Amir, Hassan is only a pet, not a friend. Hassan is visibly flushed, and retorts by saying the two are friends. Assef responds by laughing in his face and tells Hassan to wake up from his “little fantasy and learn just how good of a friend he is” (page 72). (pgs. 72-73).
Describe the changes in Hassan’s behavior.
Hassan barely speaks to Amir after the assault. He tries to rekindle their relationship later on in the chapter, but mostly just does his chores, then goes to bed. (pgs. 80-81).
What does Ali ask Amir, and how does Amir respond?
Ali asks Amir if something happened to Hassan to make him so tired all the time. Amir responds bluntly by saying “How should I know?”. Ali then asks Amir if something happened, that he would tell him. Amir feels guilty, so he snaps at Ali. (pg. 81).
What happens during the trip to Jalalabad? Why is Amir first excited when his father agrees to go, and why does he quickly become discouraged?
Amir is at first excited to spend time alone with Baba, but Baba managed to get two dozen more people to go on the trip. When they get to Jalalabad, Amir realizes that although he has what he thought he always wanted, he feels empty without Hassan. That night, Amir confesses to watching Hassan get raped, yet no one hears him. (pgs. 85-86).
Why is Amir upset when he sees the pomegranate tree again?
Amir becomes upset when he sees the words carved on the pomegranate tree. (pgs. 86-87).
Explain the discussion between Amir and Hassan when Hassan asks Amir what he has done wrong?
When Hassan asks Amir what he did wrong, Amir tells Hassan to stop harassing him and to leave him alone. And so, Hassan did. (pg. 88).
What question does Amir ask that upsets his father? How does Baba respond?
Amir asks Baba if he ever thought about hiring new servants. Baba is extremely upset that Amir would even think about asking that. (pg. 89).
Describe the episode with Amir throwing a pomegranate at Hassan. Why is this scene significant? What is Amir trying to do? How does Hassan react?
Amir is upset that Hassan does not throw the pomegranate back at him, no matter how many times he throws one at Hassan’s head. This scene is significant because Amir wished deep inside that Hassan would punish him in some way to repay for not helping him when he was being assaulted. Hassan just stood up, looking dazed. Then, he took a pomegranate from the ground, and crushed it over his own face. He screamed at Amir, then ran down the hill in tears. (pgs. 92-93).
Describe Amir’s birthday. What brings him joy and what upsets him at the party?
Amir’s birthday party seems to be a big event as there are lots of people there. Amir describes it to be the most people he has ever seen in the house at once. He hated how he was forced to personally say hello to each guest, so that guests would not start rumors of how Baba had raised an unmannered boy. He also disliked speaking with Assef. Amir spent a great deal of the time upset and talking to Rahim Khan, which was the better part of the night for him. (pgs. 95-99).
What do Amir and Rahim Khan discuss? Why is this story so significant?
The two discuss the story of Rahim Khan almost getting married, which Amir had no clue about. They loved each other dearly, but Rahim Khan’s family did not approve due to the woman, named Homaira, being a Hazara. She moved away the day after, and they never saw each other again. Rahim Khan tells Amir he can talk to him about anything at any time, to which Amir responds saying “I know,” (pgs. 98-99).
What does Amir almost tell Rahim Khan? Why do you think he does not tell him?
Amir almost tells Rahim Khan about the night in the alley with Hassan, but he decides to not tell him because Rahim Khan would see him as a disappointment or a monster. (pg. 99).
Why is Amir upset in the flickering light during the fireworks?
Amir sees Hassan serving drinks to Assef and Wali, which upsets him deeply because Assef is smiling and playfully hitting Hassan as if he didn’t assault him. (pg. 100).
How does Amir feel when he looks around at all of his presents? Why does he feel this way?
Amir feels that all the gifts he was given were “blood money”, because he knows Baba would not have thrown that big of a party if he did not win the tournament. (pg. 101).
What gift does he treasure? Why?
Amir treasures the gift he got from Rahim Khan, which was a leather-bound notebook (pg. 102).
What gift does Amir receive from Hassan and Ali? How does this gift make him feel? Explain.
Amir receives a newer version of Amir and Hassan’s favorite book, Shahnamah. This gift makes him feel incredibly guilty, so he puts it at the bottom of his gifts. (pg. 103).
How does Amir “frame” or set-up Hassan for punishment? Why do you think he does this?
Amir frames Hassan for stealing his new watch that Baba bought for Amir for his birthday by putting the watch under his mattress. Amir does this because he cannot stand to be around Hassan due to his guilt for not stepping in or interfering with Hassan’s assault (pg. 104).
What happens when Amir tells his father about the theft?
Baba goes outside to talk to Ali, and thirty minutes later, they come to Baba’s office to talk about it. (pg. 104-105).
Why does Amir flinch? What does Amir now realize?
Amir flinches because Hassan continued to lie for him, even after his assault. Hassan lied saying he took Amir’s watch, and Amir realizes this is Hassan’s last sacrifice for him. If Hassan had told the truth, then Amir would be revealed for who he really was, and Baba would never forgive him. (pg. 104).
What do Hassan and Ali decide to do afterwards? Why do you think they do this? How does Baba react?
Hassan and Ali decide to leave. I think they do this because they both cannot live with Amir knowing he was not a good friend to Hassan. Baba cries after pleading for them to stay. (pgs. 104-105).
What does Amir realize when Ali looks at him in “his cold, unforgiving” way (106)?
Amir realizes that Hassan told Ali everything about the day of the tournament. Amir also realizes Hassan knew about seeing him in the alley, which is why Ali is holding Hassan’s shoulder protectively. (pg. 106).
What makes Baba cry for the first time?
Baba cries when Ali says he and Hassan are leaving. (pg. 106).
What is left in the corner of Hassan’s shack? Why do you think he did this?
Hassan left all his toys in the corner of his shack in a pile. He might have done this so Amir would feel guilty for putting the book Hassan and Ali gave him under the rest of his gifts, like it was not important. (pg. 108).
Describe the weather at the end of the chapter. What might this symbolize?
The weather is a thunderstorm, which could symbolize sadness and the truth being cleared. (pg. 109).
