Kite Runner Chapter 1-2 Flashcards
Details about the first scene
December 2001, Amir is 38 and living in San Francisco California
What does Amir think about after Rahim Khan’s phone call?
He thought about how Rahim said, “There is always a way to be good again” he thought about his past life in Kabul and Baba and Ali and Hassan and the events of 1975
What photographs are in Amir’s home?
- Amir’s grandfather with King Nadir Shah 2 years before the king was assasinated, they are standing over a dead deer holding guns and the photo is old and grainy
- A photo of Amir’s parents on their wedding day, Amir describes his mother as a “princess in white” princess was what Baba called her
- Baba and Rahim Khan standing outside the house neither is smiling, Baba is holding Amir but Amir is holding Rahim’s finger
What were Hassan and Amir’s first words, how is this significant?
Hassan’s first word was Amir and Amir’s was Baba. This shows who they value and who they are loyal too and Amir even states the the root of what happened was in these first words because it was their motivation for their actions
What is Amir’s relationship with his father like?
Amir’s father doesn’t spend as much time with him and Amir feels ignored. Amir feels he always shuts him out but he despreatley wants to make him proud and have time with him. Baba blames Amir for his mother dying in childbrith and Amir caries that guilt with him
Describe Amir and Hassan’s relationship
Hassan is very loyal to Amir and would do anything for him, Amir like Hassan but displaces his anger with himself and about his father onto him and treats him poorly. Amir and Hassan act like brothers because they stand up for each other, Amir to the boys talking about Sanubar to Hassan, Hassan with Assef, they do silly things together read books, play games, people can be close despite status
What is Hassan’s mother’s name? Why did Ali marry her?
Hassan’s mother is Sanubar she was known as a prostitute and brought her father much shame Ali married her because they were cousins and he wanted to bring honor to his uncle, Sanubar refused to hold Hassan when he was born and soon ran away with a traveling dance troop
What does Winter symbolize and what does the book being first set at the end of Summer evoke?
Winter is a dark time for the hero, literal or symbolic death emotionally closed off, summer symbolizes joy and the height of power the book being set at the end of Summer sugests that it is the end of this joy
What do mirrors symbolize?
Mirrors symbolize self-contemplation, passing to the other side, and imagination, broken mirrors symbolize self deception. The mirror that Amir and Hassan used to shine in their neighbor’s windows is only a shard and shows the boys deception of themselves in their relationship and that Hassan is only a reflection of Amir’s wishes
