Sohrab is haunted by his past trauma like so many other characters (Hassan, Kamal, and Amir with his guilt), so he is slow to open up and trust Amir. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. Sohrab and Amir were able to come back to America safely. Amir finds a kinder fatherly figure in Rahim Khan, Baba's closest friend, who understands him and supports his interest in writing, whereas Baba considers that interest to be worthy only of females. [7] For example, he did not decide to make Amir and Hassan brothers until after he had "doodled it". After hiding in a basement in Jalalabad, they departed for Peshawar, Pakistan in the filthy tank of a fuel truck. Amir tries to please Baba by being more like him but rarely feels he is successful. They shot Farzana too when she ran out of the house in a rage. Renews May 8, 2023 WebChapters 1213. Rahim Khan's letter is also a statement about faith, God, and forgiveness. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1725 titles we cover. For a chapter, Rahim Khan becomes the narrator and tells Amir about what happened to Hassan. [2] Themes of guilt and redemption feature prominently in the novel,[3] with a pivotal scene depicting an act of sexual assault inflicted upon Amir's friend Hassan, which Amir fails to prevent, and which ends their friendship. I was afraid of Assef and what he would do to me. But Amir heard Assef tell Hassan that he will let him keep the kite so it will remind him of the rape. on 50-99 accounts. For the film, see, "Before 'The Kite Runner,' Khaled Hosseini had never written a novel. They never saw Ali or Hassan again. When Sharif first appears, he is just a minor figure at Sorayas and Amirs wedding. His father, Baba, was one of the wealthiest and most charitable Pashtun men in Kabul, where they lived in the Wazir Akbar Khan neighborhood. Farzana's first baby was stillborn. Amir, who is thus far a nameless protagonist, tells us that an event in the winter of 1975 changed his life forever. Rahim Khan gave Amir a letter that Hassan had written six months earlier along with a snapshot of him and Sohrab. Their relationship plays a central role in the book, and it figures in another theme that is introduced in this section: standing up for what is right. At halftime, the Talibs brought two accused adulterers out to the field and made them stand in pits in the ground. He puts his safe, comfortable life in America on the line to return to Afghanistan and rescue Hassans son, Sohrab. WebAmir sees Hassan as his servant and feels no need to treat him well. and any corresponding bookmarks? Hassan cried all night and in the morning, he and Farzana moved in with Rahim Khan. They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. But things are never so convenient in the world of, Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. Baba says Amir is not like other boys, and he worries that if Amir cant stand up for himself as a child, he will not be able to do so as an adult. Rahim Khan tells Amir that Alis first wife was never able to conceive a child with Ali, but became pregnant multiple times once she remarried. He was very close to his father, Ali, who was Baba's servant. Although Baba believes "there is no act more wretched than stealing", he forgives him. For a long time, Rahim Khan had lived in Baba's house alone, but he became weak and lonely. Hassan refuses to give up the kite, and Assef humiliates him by assaulting him both physically and sexually. [28] Afghanistan's Ministry of Culture banned the film from distribution in cinemas or DVD stores, citing the possibility that the movie's ethnically charged rape scene could incite racial violence within Afghanistan. Among other injuries, Amir suffers from a ruptured spleen, seven broken ribs, a punctured lung, lacerations, and a fracture of the eye socket bone. When necessary, he is even willing to risk his life for what he believes in. At the orphanage in Karteh-Seh, Farid and Amir discovered that a Talib official who was a pedophile had taken Sohrab a month before. Amir tells Sohrab that he may have to go back to an orphanage for a little while as they have encountered a problem in the adoption process, and Sohrab, terrified about returning to an orphanage, attempts suicide via cutting his wrists. This article is about the novel. He offered to run the kite for Sohrab and as he ran off, he shouted, "For you, a thousand times over.". Why doesnt Amir help Hassan in the alley? At age 18, he and his father flee to America following the Soviet Military invasion of Afghanistan, where he pursues his dream of being a writer. By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. The Kite Runner is the first novel by Afghan-American author Khaled Hosseini. WebIn his fleeting moments of clarity, he sees a caretaker named Aisha, a doctor, and Farid-although he cannot remember names. Baba, the father of The Kite Runner's main character Amir, was larger than life, both literally and figuratively. Historical Context Essay: The Kite Runner and The Taliban, Literary Context Essay: Coming-of-Age Stories, Khaled Hosseini and The Kite Runner Background. In addition, not only does Amir take Sohrab in, but he tells him the truth about who Hassan is. What is the significance of Alis first wife? Baba tells him that there is only one sin: theft. Though people said he had no business sense, he became one of the most successful businessmen in the city. We're sorry, SparkNotes Plus isn't available in your country. General Taheris wife and Sorayas mother. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Amir used to play, It is unclear whether Rahim Khan thought that the American couple was in Pakistan or not. Baba saw himself in Amir. May 1, 2023, SNPLUSROCKS20 Khaled Hosseini acknowledged that the character is "an unlikable coward who failed to come to the aid of his best friend" for much of the duration of the story; consequently, Hosseini chose to create sympathy for Amir through circumstances rather than the personality he was given until the last third of the book. Amir and Sohrab play cards to pass the time. He enigmatically tells Amir, "There is a way to be good again.". What Amir is good at is poetry and reading. by. Even though Amir has no desire to go back into the danger place, Kabul, he is willing. Farid brought a letter and a key from Rahim Khan. "[22] A similarly favourable review was printed in Publishers Weekly. Amirs died giving birth to him, and Hassans ran away after having him. Hassan proves himself a loyal friend to Amir repeatedly, defending Amir when he is attacked and always being ready to listen. Eventually, Baba and Amir started selling used goods at a local flea market. The Kite Runner became a bestseller after being printed in paperback and was popularized in book clubs. One day, Amir received a call from Rahim Khan. After graduating from high school, Amir takes classes at San Jose State University to develop his writing skills. Why do you think Amir no longer wanted to play with Hassan? Now that Assef has split Amirs lip, Amir has symbolically become more like Hassan in that he is willing to stand up for what is right. In the wake of what happened, Amir found it strange to hear people on the news and on the street talking about the cities of his childhood. Struggling with distance learning? [citation needed]. Amir rocked him to sleep and fell asleep as well. My students love how organized the handouts are and enjoy tracking the themes as a class., Requesting a new guide requires a free LitCharts account. Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. WebThe Kite Runner is the story of Amir, a Sunni Muslim, who struggles to find his place in the world because of the aftereffects and fallout from a series of traumatic childhood events. After the kite tournament, Amir's relationship with his father improved because Baba was so proud of him. Hassan was actually the son of Sanaubar and Baba, making him Amir's half brother. He is an ethnic Hazara, and is described as having the same eyes as his father. This also represents a kind of unity between Pashtun and Hazara, a unity that is necessary if Afghanistan is ever to heal. WebThough people said he had no business sense, he became one of the most successful businessmen in the city. At the American Embassy, an official named Raymond Andrews told Amir that it would be near impossible to get Sohrab a visa. Assef backs off but swears to take revenge one day. Check Pages 251-300 of The Kite Runner in the flip PDF version. Hassan understands that if he denies taking the watch, Baba would know of Amirs devious plot to frame Hassan. He felt dirty and sinful from being abused. Amazingly, Amir won, and Hassan went to run the last kite for him. The image of Baba and the bear returns, but this time it is Amir who is wrestling the bear this means that Amir has become the kind of man Baba always wanted him to be, and he can face obstacles head-on and fight to overcome them. The Kite Runner study guide contains a biography of Khaled Hosseini, 100 quiz questions, a list of major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Amir usually flew a kite while Hassan ran kites for him. By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. WebWhile traveling in a taxi with an Afghan native named Farid whom Rahim Khan put him in contact with, Amir struggles with his car sickness. Their beef is, 'Why do you have to talk about these things and embarrass us? Sohrab was made to watch as Assef beat Amir nearly to death. Where does Sohrab go when he runs away from the hotel? "[34], Hosseini was surprised by the extent of the controversy caused by the rape scene and said that Afghan actors would not have been cast had studios known that their lives would be threatened. He loves Baba's strength and culture. Sorayas uncle. [38], Hosseini was approached by Piemme, his Italian publisher, about adapting The Kite Runner to a graphic novel in 2011. 9. Why? When Amir is threatened, Hassan intervenes. Teachers and parents! While the characters find safety in California, Baba becomes frustrated by his misunderstandings of American customs and takes great insult at his lower social status. He stands up for Sohrab by confronting Assefsomething he didnt do for Hassan years agoeven though it leads to his brutal beating. Amir and Baba, on the other hand, are Pashtun. Read more about the persistence of the past as a theme. "[2][11] Regardless, he maintains that the plot is fictional. PDF downloads of all 1725 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. Assefs rape of Hassan is a dramatic and explicit example of those Amir's guilt intensified at the lavish thirteenth birthday party that Baba threw for him. The novel's canvas turns dark when Hosseini describes the suffering of his country under the tyranny of the Taliban, whom Amir encounters when he finally returns home, hoping to help Hassan and his family.