Kite Runner Critical Anaylsis Question

Chapter 8-14 number 1Untitled 1.odt

 

  Questions for Chapters 1 to 7

  

Question #1: Amir and Hassan are good friends but Amir is always making fun of him or teasing him. For example, when Hassan did not know the meaning of the word imbecile Amir told him "It means smart, intelligent."(Houseini p.29) and then Amir would feel guilty. Why would Amir do this to Hassan and do people still do this to other people today for the same reason/s?

 

It seems the overall reason Amir treats Hassan the way that he does is because he feels jealousy towards him.  Hassan is exactly opposite of Amir in this story.  First it is mentioned while the narrator speaks of Hassan’s birth saying “Hassan was true to his nature:  He was incapable of hurting anyone.”( Hosseini 10)  It is also clear that Amir’s father (Baba) often included Hassan in things they did together.  The two boys were often compared by Baba, and Hassan clearly had an athletic advantage over Amir.  This impressed Baba more so than Amir’s intellectual capabilities.  “Hassan and I were skimming stones and Hassan made his stone skip eight times.  The most I managed was five.  Baba was there, watching, and he patted Hassan on the back.  Even put his arm around his shoulder.” (13-14)  Baba was also an athlete and according to Amir “fathering a son who preferred burying his face in poetry books to hunting…well, that wasn’t how Baba envisioned it.” (19-20) Amir even hears his father say, “If I hadn’t seen the doctor pull him out of my wife with my own eyes, I’d never believe he’s my son.”(23)  These instances reinforce the notion that Amir makes fun of Hassan because he feels inferior to him. This is amplified by the fact that Hassan is a naturally good person who would never harm anyone on purpose, but just by being around he takes Baba’s attention off of Amir.  This notion occurs all over society today and probably will throughout humanity.

Amy Larson 

 

Amir treats Hassan badly because he is jealous of Hassan.  Amir realizes his dad, Baba, wants him to be a tough guy who plays soccer and sticks up for himself when kids pick on him.  Hassan is the kind of kid who will stick up for himself (Hosseini p.22) and is more like Baba when he was young.  Amir wants to be more like Hassan so then Baba will appreciate him as a son more.  Amir may also want to act like the better or smart one so he picks on Hassan, when he doesn't know what imbecile is (Hosseini p.28).  Most boys like to compete and be better than the other and that is what Amir is doing by picking on Hassan.  Many kids, even today, pick on there friends because every event is a competition. Boys want to show there friends up, it doesn't mean they hate there friends it just means they want to be the better one.

Carly Turchin

 

Many of Amir’s action come from his lack of good relationship with his father. Amir is also concern and jealous of the close relationship between his father and Hassan. He never consider Hassan as a good friend, he compares his growing up with Hassan to a “long lazy summer day”(Houseini p.22). In addition, Amir was troubled by his father’s statement to Rahim Khan  that “A boy who won't stand up for himself becomes a man who can't stand up to anything”(Houseini p.20). Statement of that nature contributed to Amir’s hatred toward Hassan his play mate. Some people still treat other differently because of  there class in society. For example, people who are disabled or unprivileged get unfair treatment in the today's society.

Kunle Abiodun

 

Amir doesn't really consder hmself friends wth Hassan. They have grown up together and have always played, but "... I never thought of Hassan and me as friends either" (page 22). He is jealous of Hassan and Baba's (Amir's father) relatonship. Or it could be because Hassan is a Hazara (low class n social ranking). After Amir teases Hassan he does feel bad and tries to make up for it, but never appoligises. Secretly tho I believe Amir would do anything he could for Hassan. There are many people now days who treat others wth lttle or no respect because of jealousy or social rank.

~Danelle Rieber~ 

 

I believe that Amir feels guilty for being mean to Hassan because Hassan is s a good friend but in Amir’s eye, his father showed more interest in Hassan. I couldn’t imagine being a little boy and wanting the approval of your father, but to overhear him talking to a friend saying that “there is something missing in that boy” (19-20) that has to hurt Amir. In turn, Amir is mean to Hassan because of that feeling of rejection from his father. In this day and age, things like this happen all the time. I know from experience with my two girls who are eight and twelve, they are catty to their friends and then the next day they are best friends again.

-Missy McCleary

 

Amir wanted to feel superior over Hassan, probably somewhat taught throughout his early life.  Amir states, "The curious thing was, I never thought of Hassan and me as friends either" (pg 22).  Amir probably has this feeling somewhat because of the status difference they both possess; master and servant.  It's interesting because Hassan would do anything for Amir, even defend him against neighborhood bullies.  Amir clearly takes advantage of Hassans loyalty and friendship, this also happens in every day society.  Sometimes in life there are those people who take advantage of true friendship because they feel superior and maybe almost think that the other person owes them something.

- William Gladue

 

I feel Amir hurts Hassan to try to ease his own pain of feeling rejected by his father.  Amir really like Hassan but is so jealous of how his father treats him that it drives Amir nuts.  I feel Amir feels so much guilt that he truly believes he killed his mother,"I always felt like Baba hated me a little.  And why not? After all, I had killed his beloved wife, his beautiful princess, hadn't I?"(17) This had to be an awful thing for him.  This still happens today i feel parents need to accept their children for their individualism.  Help them be proud of who they are.  Everyone is different and needs to express that individuality.  

-Danielle Barry 

I think Amir did this because of his father. Amir always wanted his father to be proud of him and to act the same way with him as he did with Hassan. An example of Amir wanting his father to be interested in him was when he was going to go fight kites and he stated "Maybe Baba would even read one of my stories. I'd write him a hundred if I thought he'd read one" (56). Amir was jealous of Hassan in a way. Amir knew that his father had more in common with hassan than he did with him. An example of Amir realizing that he and his father were so different was when he stated that "Baba and I live in the same house, but in different spheres of existence" (49). Every time Amir would receive something from his father or wanted to go some where with Baba, he would give the same thing to Hassan and want to take Hassan with . Amir noticed this right away. When he wanted Baba to buy him a kite Baba bought him it but also bought one for Hassan. Baba loved how Hassan wasn't afraid to stand up for himself and it saddend him that Amir didn't. Amir found this out when he was listeing to Baba talk in his study and he said "I see how they push him around, take his toys from him, give hima shove here, and a wack there. And, you know, he never fights back. Never" (22). Baba also stated that "Hassan steps in and fends them off" (22) meaning when hes getting picked on. Amir would try to make Hassan seem stupid to him because he was the one who had his fathers attention, not Amir. People still do this today when they feel they do not have the attention of their parents or someone else's attention that they want. It happens a lot. I hear people belittiling their friends on a daily basis to make themselves feel better. 

-Kacie Grothen

 

Amir treats Hassan poorly because he is jealous of the relationship his father has with Hassan. Amir is constantly looking for his father’s approval, but Hassan seems to be able to do nothing wrong in the eye’s of Baba. Amir tells a story of skipping rocks with his father and Hassan, and Hassan manages to skip his rock further than Amir. It states, “Baba was there, watching, and he patted Hassan on the back. Even put his arm around his shoulder” (Houseini p. 14). Amir does not feel that he can confront his father about their relationship, so instead he lashes out at Hassan. Amir is taking out the anger he feels towards his father on Hassan because he is the easiest target. Amir believes that Baba does not see any of Hassan’s flaws, so he goes above and beyond to point out the slightest flaws he can see in Hassan. People often do this in today’s society in order to build themselves up. Also, we tend to lash out at people when they have nothing to do with our anger, just as Amir does with Hassan. -Laura Brown 

Amir does this because he feels that his baba has more affection for Hassan than him. I think more than anything jealousy is Amir's problem with Hassan. Amir really doesn't have that great of a relationship with his baba, he just doesn't ever quite seem to measure up. Hassan however has more of the qualities baba likes, and this frustrates Amir. Another thing that adds into this is the fact that Hassan by and large is better at things than Amir: "I wasn't just slower than Hassan but clumsier too; I'd always envied his natural athleticism" (Hosseini p.46). So Amir's ability to read is really the one thing he has over Hassan, and he uses that to pick on Hassan and in turn build himself up. I think we all do that in a way, put others down to build ourselves up, a way to deal with our inadequacies. It's not right, but it's a very natural easy to do thing. I think we can learn from the way Amir treats Hassan, I'd bet we all could make a parallel to our own lives.              -Matthew Myrick

 

The fact that Amir was raised in a well respected family, I feel that he is aware of his status in society and is influenced by others around him.  Despite the fact that Amir and Hassan have grown up together and have shared many significant events, it appears as though Amir does not see Hassan as an individual of the same social class.  "In the end, I was a Pashtun and he was a Hazzara, I was Sunni and he was Shi's, and nothing was ever going to change that.  Nothing" (Hosseini 22).  Also, Amir is continually trying to win the love and recognition from his father and he becomes exceptionally jealous when Hassan interfers with their time together.  "Baba took me to Ghargha Lake, a few miles north of Kabul.  He asked me to fetch Hassan too, but I lied and told him Hassan had the runs.  I wanted Baba all to myself" (Hosseini 12).  I think that Amir recognizes the purity and loyalty in Hassan and takes his friendship for granted.  "To this day, I find it hard to gaze directly at people like Hassan, people who mean every word they say" (Hosseini 48).  Although Amir may see Hassan as a true friend, at times, Amir's jealousy clouds his ability to treat Hassan as an equal individual, ultimately leading to his betrayal.  "Nothing is free in this world.  Maybe Hassan was the price I had to pay, the lamb I had to slay, to win Baba" (Hosseini 68).  I feel that this type of jealousy and betrayal is present today in several situations, especially in corporate America.  The desire to be 'on top' often involves betraying the ones we love to achieve what we desire most.

- Brook M. Wilken

Question #2:  After Amir and Hassan won the kit tournament they were both rejoicing. Amir stated, “Then I saw Baba ave on our roof. He was standing on the edge, pumping both of his fits. Hollering and clapping. And that right there was the single greatest moment of my twelve years of life, seeing Baba on that roof, proud of me at last,” (Hosseini, 66). What was the significance of this moment? Do you think this was truly the first time that Baba had felt proud of Amir? How would this connection that Amir and his father affect their future relationship or was this moment simply just a moment?

Amir felt that now Baba can be proud of him and that he has finally won Baba's approval. Amir had imagined how Baba would react to his victory of winning and was very excited to have Baba all to himself. Amir has thought about the moment that Baba would be proud of him and this was his day. "It happened just the way I'd imagined"(69).

"he opened his arms. I put the kite down and walked into his thick hairy arms. I buried my face in the warmth of his chest and wept. Baba held me close tohim, rocking me back and forth"(69). In this moment Amir feels that he is loved by Baba. I think this was the first time that Baba was proud of Amir and that he showed Amir that he was proud by embracing him in a hug. Amir thought their relationship would be strong now that he has gained Baba's respect and proved himself to Baba.

Ann Haverkamp

 

          The significance of this moment is exactly what Amir stated,"...seeing Baba on that roof, proud of me at last." (Hosseini, 66).  This was the first time that Amir can remember that he made his father proud of him.  Amir felt that he never measured up to Baba's expectations.  When Amir saw his father(...pumping both of his fists.  Hollering and clapping.) (Hosseini, 66), he felt that maybe he had closed the gap of difference between his father and himself a little bit.  The significance to me as a reader was that this was my first glimpse of hope for Baba and Amir to have a father-son relationship.

          I believe this was the first time Baba had felt proud of Amir.  I am sure he felt other emotions;  such as love, happiness, maybe even curiosity, because he never really did understand his son.  I believe because of the strained relationship between Baba and Amir it was impossible for Baba to feel proud of this son who had taken his wife from him.  Amir states on page 19, (" After all, I had killed his beloved wife, his beautiful princess, hadn't I?  The least I could have done was to have the decency to have turned out a little more like him.")

          I think with the strained relationship between Baba and Amir for twelve years that this was only a moment.  Baba had too many other conflicting emotions regarding his son to let one small moment change their relationship 360 degrees forever.

 

Elizabeth Hillukka

 

This was the first time Baba was actually proud of something Amir did. There were times in the past Amir tried to make Baba proud like when he wrote a story but "Baba nodded and gave a thin smile that conveyed little more then feigned interest" (Hosseini 27). I think this was the first time Baba was truly proud of his sons actions. He was always trying to get Amir involved in things he thought his son should be doing like soccer. He was dissapointed in his interest in books "I wasn't like that..he's always buried in those books or shuffling around the house like he's lost in some dream" (Hosseini 19). I think the connection between Baba and Amir is short lived. It seems as though he wants Amir to be something he isn't. Amir did one thing to make Baba happy and for awhile he invited him places and allowed him to sit on his lap in the study but that didn't last long. Shortly after Baba threw Amir the large party Amir made the comment "Have you ever thought about getting new servants?" (Hosseini 78)  and the connection between them went back to how it was before.

Amy Wardinski 

 

 

Question #3: "There were two brothers, young men from a wealthy family in Kabul.  They got into their father's Ford Roadster.  They were high on hashish and french wine.  They ended up killing a Hazara husband and wife which left an orphan boy," (Husseini, 21).  Amir's grandfather ordered the two young men to enlist in the Army for one year.  Why did everyone think this punishment was too harsh when these two men took two human lives? Would people's opinions be differently today?  

In my opinion the two brothers and there family believe the punishment was to harsh because they merely killed two Hazaras. Another factor is the wealth and social standing of the two boys. The wealthy Pashtun brothers "had somehow managed to obtain exemptions from the draft". (Hosseini, pg24) The Hazara people were Afghanistan and typically treated with this type of prejudice behavior. There seems to be an imaginary line between the classes of people. "History isn't easy to overcome. Neither is religion. In the end, I was Pashtun and he was Hazara, I was Sunni and he was Shi'a and nothing was ever going to change that. Nothing." (Hosseini, pg 25). The Hazara people face this way of thinking. As Assef quotes " Afghanistan is the land of Pashtun. It always has been, always will be, we are true Afgans, the pure Afgans, not this flat nose here. His people pollute our homeland, are watan. They dirty our blood."  (Hosseini, pg 40).

In today's world people of high social standing and wealth are held to a different standards. For Example  On March 14, 2009, wide reciever Donte Stallworth struck a pedestrian after he had been out drinking. Donte's blood alcohol level was .126 and legal limit was .08. The 59 year old man died as a result of this accident. Donte was given 30 days in jail, 2 years of house arrest and 8 years probation. He also had an undisclosed amount of money that he settled with the 59 year old man family.

Angela Thune

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Question #4:  While reading this story Amir makes the statement "After all, didn't all fathers in their secrect hearts harbor a desire to kill their sons?" (Hosseini, p.29) Why would Amir think this way and are there any passages that would prove or disprove this question?

 

Amir grew up in a dysfunctional home.  He lost his mother when she “hemorrhaged to death during childbirth” (6).   His father was larger than life and loved by everyone, but often treated Amir with indifference or disdain.  After all, Amir had “killed his beloved wife, his beautiful princess” (19), why wouldn’t Baba hate him?  This treatment is all Amir knows, though.  He has always lived in a home that had very little emotional support.  His love and nurturing came from people outside of his family – Rahim Khan, Ali, and the devoted Hassan.

 

It makes sense that Amir would believe that “all fathers in their secret hearts harbor a desire to kill their sons” (29).  Baba questioned the emotional make up of Amir, the manliness of his son.  Amir saw this on their way home from the “Buzkashi tournament” (20), as he cried with compassion and Baba used “valiant efforts to conceal the disgusted look on his face as he drove in silence” (21).  Later he overhears Baba tell Rahim Khan that “if [he] hadn’t seen the doctor pull him out of [his] wife with [his] own eyes, [he’d] never believe he [was his] son” (23).  If a father is willing to deny his son, what would make Amir believe that he loved him and did not “desire to kill [his] son” (29).

Amir would show his true nature when he would belittle Hassan.  He could see that Ali had great love for Hassan, “his joy” (10), and he could feel it lacking in his own life, so he took it out on the one person who truly loved him.  Amir didn’t know how to hurt Baba, so he thought of ways to hurt and provoke Hassan.  No matter what he did, Hassan remained his faithful friend.

-Sarah Marvin

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Questions for Chapter 8 to 14:

 

Question #1: From the start of chapter one, and than reading on through the end of chapter fourteen, the role between Baba and Amir has changed. While living in Kabul, Amir was dependent on Baba. Now, they have moved to the United States, and eventually Baba grew to become dependent on Amir. One example of Baba's dependence was described after Soraya moved in to help"Just before midnight, Baba asked us to help him into bed. Soraya and I placed his arms on our shoulders and wrapped ours around his back. When we lowered him, he had Soraya turn off the bedside lamp. He asked us to lean in, gave us each a kiss" (173). In what ways do you think that moving to the United States and having to take responsibilty of his dad, did Amir change and take on the process of growing into a man?

 

Before moving to the United States, Baba and Amir had very strained father-son relationship. It seemed like Amir was constantly trying to find ways to make Baba proud of him or to even notice his presence. After they moved, things seemed to change. Baba needed help with alot of aspects of adapting to the American way of life and he relied on Amir to help him. This was the beginning of the change, the beginning of becoming a man for Amir. It was very stressful for Amir because it was taking his father so long to adjust. "A year and a half since we'd stepped off the Boeing from Peshawar, and Baba was still adjusting." (112) He learned to become patient, or tried to be, of his father. They spent a lot of time together as father and son. The day he found out his father would die was probably one of the hardest days of his life. Amir was much like Baba's father during this time. He took care of him from the time he found out he had cancer until the day he died. Amir may not have been ready to become a man but he had to. "What about me, Baba? What am I suppose to do?" (137) Katie B

 

It is apparent that Baba and Amir's relationship has changed significantly following their move to America, which has inevitably caused Amir to develop into a more independent man.  Baba relies on Amir to assimilate him into the American life, although Baba never quite embraces the change.  " Baba loved the idea of America.  It was living in America that gave him an ulcer" (109.  It is as though Amir is still harboring guilt from the past and he feels as though he ows it to his father after what his did to Baba and Ali's relationship.  "For me, America was a place to bury my memories, For Baba, a place to mourn his" (112).  Amir realized that the gifts that Baba had given him previously were not just blood money, but they were given in Amir's best interest.  "I thought of all the trucks, the train sets, and bikes he'd bought me in Kabul.  Now America.  One last gift for Amir" (113).  Amir realized that he no longer wanted to disappoint his father, as he had done so frequently in the past, and he felt as though he had to prove to Baba that he was worthy of his love.  "I didn't want to sacrifice for Baba anymore.  The last time I had done that, I had damned myself"(117).  Following Baba's death, Amir was able to recognize that he was no longer able to live in the shadow of his father, but that he would have to stand firm in who he had really become.  "Now he was gone.  Baba couldn't show me the way anymore;  I'd have to find it on my own" (152). --Brook

 

 

Amir knew that he didn't have another man to take Baba's place. He hated the way that the General treated his family so he ouldn't want to be like him. When he married Soraya, she wanted to move in and help Baba out and with that responsibility he didn't have a choice but to be the man. His father told him that he is 21 years old and a grown man and when Baba got worse and his cancer metastisized, it was a slap in the face of reality that he had to take over. Another big part is that Amir didn't ever want to let Baba down.      -Rachael

 

The idea of American appealed to Amir more than it did to Baba. Amir was just a better fit. Baba was such an important person in his own country, that he didn't have to depend much on other people to help him with anything. Baba didn't even know that much English ,whereas Amir did. Really at some point in any child's life the roles reverse and they start to take care of their parents, somewhere along the way. That responsibility is enough to make a young person grow into and adult, in this case Amir starts to take on the role of a man. --Missy

 

In the begining of the story Amir was totally dependant on Baba because his mother died giving birth to him (6).  Amir wanted so badly for his father to be proud of him.  On page 56 Amir and Baba are talking about the kite fight, Amir is thinking of winning and this is what he says: " Show him once and for all that his son was worthy." His father also wanted him to be strong.  Baba looked at Amir sometimes as being weak and was embarrassed by him , like when he would get car sick (84).  When they moved to America Amir continued to seek Baba's approval.  On Amir's high school graduation day he makes the comment, "- in a way, this was his day more than mine." (131) This comment to me meant that everything he worked for to graduate from high school he did for Baba.  It seemed as if all he really wanted in life was to please Baba.  When Baba became sick with lung cancer it seemed that Baba wanted more to please Amir than Amir wanted to please him.  On page 162 Baba makes arrangements to visit Soraya's father and set up their marriage the same minute that Amir asks him, like he jumping immediately to make Amir happy.  Baba trys to be strong throughout the last part of his life so he doesn't let Amir down, there is a vivid description of this on page 168 when Baba is giving his speech and he can hardly breathe at the same time. 

Another example of Baba wanted to please Amir is on page 169," Baba spent $35,000, nearly the balance of his life savings, on the awroussi, the wedding ceremony." In the end of Baba's life he and Soraya were talking care of him like he was the child and they were the parents, a role reversal from the begining of the book.  And example of the care they were giving Baba would be on page 172.  "And when he became bedriden ,she turned him on his side every hour so he wouldn't get a bedsore.  Amir became a man through Baba's illness.  -Kris

 

Amir fit in better in America the Baba did. Amir knew more of the language, English, then Baba did. Baba developed an ulcer and had to rely on Amir and his wife Soraya for assitanace. Like in all families as children we are dependant on our parents but as we grow to become adults our parents start to become dependent on us; it's the circle of life. Amir grew into a man because of this. He had to figure things out on his own and stand up for himself. When Baba died Amir said, "Now he was gone. Baba couldn't show me the way anymore; I'd have to find it on my own" (pg 152). This was a big step for him becoming a man; relization of it.

Danielle R

 

Baba had to take care of Amir in Kabul but in the United States Amir had to take care of Baba which helped Amir change and become a man.  It wasn't because Baba didn't like the United States, "Baba loved the idea of America. It was living there that gave him an ulcer (Hosseni, p. 125). Baba may not have liked living there because he didn't know English very well but Amir did,  most likely from all the books he had read.  This was one other way Amir became a man because he didn't rely on Baba, instead Baba had to rely on Amir. Amir also had to stick up for Baba at times,  such as the time Baba was buying fruit and he got mad but Amir settled him dad and took care of the damages like a grown man would (Hosseni, p, 127).  Also, once they lived in America Amir didn't rely on Hassan and Ali to do everything for him and Baba, so he had to stand up for himself and help Baba.  Ali was no longer there to cook for Baba so Amir had to be a man and cook for him and then he would bring it to Baba for his lunch while he was at work (Hosseni, p. 130).   Amir even stuck up for Baba, like a man would, when he was sick (Hosseni, p. 151). In America it was almost like Baba and Amir relied on each other. Baba wasn't just taking care of Amir but Amir was also taking care of Baba helping Amir grow into a man. 

Carly Turchin

 

First Amir had gotten married and lived with his dad (Baba) and wife (Soraya) that alone showed him that taking care of a family makes you become a man. I say this because his father had to take care of his family and Amir looked up to his father as a man. Amir has experienced so many different things and has been through so many different deaths in his life that being the one to take care of someone that he knows does not have much time to live gives him that push to manhood. The night that Baba died he said “there is no pain tonight” (Kite Runner page 173), but after the death Amir says that he has always been “Baba’s son” (Kite page 175) and that he was going to have to find his own way. This shows that he excepts life as a man and is willing to make his own path for himself regardless of the roadblocks in his life.

By: James Mills

 

Once they arrived in America life was very different for both Baba and Amir. But Baba was the one it was the hardest for. “It was living in America that gave him an ulcer.”(109) Baba found life in America very different from Kabul. In Kabul he was a very prominent and had money, but here he had to start over from the bottom.  Amir on the other hand, liked being in America and away from the past he left behind. He explains it is like a fresh start, “for me it was a place to bury my memories.”(112), the roles of the two almost switch as they adjust to life. Baba had become sick and continued to decline; Amir was forced to become the man of the house. After Baba’s death Amir said “Now he was gone. Baba couldn’t show me the way anymore; I’d have to find it on my own” (152). Amir had to take on the process of growing into a man.   Colleen Parteka

Amir was always dependant on his father, Baba, before moving to the United States, but soon after arriving Amir had to take on responsibilities for his father like the day in the little store when BaBa doesn't have ID, Amir has to talk with the owners and explain,"My father is still adjusting to life in America"(112).  Amir also mentions, "For me, America was a place to bury my memories.   For BaBa, a place to mourn his"(112).  BaBa is always trying to teach Amir he needs to grow up.  "You're twenty-two years old, Amir! A grown man!(137).  It's not until Amir realizes how ill his father has become that he has to take responsibility.  Amir takes very good care of BaBa through his fight with cancer.  After BaBa's death, Amir realizes he has to grow up, BaBa was gone and the thought terrified him(152). Danielle Barry

 

Amir had an easier time adjusting to life in America than Baba. Mainly because the US was a whole new beginning for Amir, a place to get away from his memories of Hassan. Baba on the other hand, really liked his life back in Kabul, he was a wealthy successful business man, people looked up to him, "For me, America was a place to bury my memories. For Baba, a place to mourn his." (112).  I also think old age had something to do with the difficulty Baba had in adjusting to America. I think Amir turned started demonstrating responsability when we handled the situation at the Fast & Easy store, "'Baba, it's nothing personal,' I said, smiling at the Nguyens. 'They're supposed to ask for an ID.'" (111). Also he showed courtesy when he offered to pay for the damges Baba had caused, "Please call me as soon as you know." (112).  Amir learned to become a man while switching roles with Baba from when Baba took care of everything back in Kabul, Amir took care of his Baba while in America. Amir would not have started turning into the man he did without Baba's influence on him as a child, which is remarkable considering how little it seemed Amir ascertained from Baba.

-Matthew Myrick 

 

 

 

 

Question #2: Why does Amir really not want to tell Soraya his secret about Hassan and what happened on the day of the kite tournament? Even when Soraya says " You need to know. I don't want us to start with secrets. And I'd rather you hear it from me" (p164). 

 

It is right to think that Amir is ashamed of the past that he carries.  He knows well in his mind that he has done wrong to his friends and family, in fact he almost mentions it.  “I opened my mouth and almost told her (Soraya) how I’d betrayed Hassan, lied, driven him out and destroyed a forty year relationship between Baba and Ali.” (Hosseini 165)  However, perhaps Amir does not want anything to ruin all that he has waited for in Soraya.  Amir states that Soraya was “the morning sun to my yelda.” (144)  Yelda is a reference to the longest night of winter.  According to Amir’s poetry books this was “the starless night tormented lovers kept vigil, enduring the endless dark, waiting for the sun to rise and bring with it their loved one.” (143)  Perhaps Amir doesn’t want to tell Soraya because he sees a new day dawning in his life, and with this light, someone to love.     -- Amy Larson

 

Amir had always known himself to be somewhat of a coward. He never stood up for himself in his life; everyone else had to stand up for him. His father knew this about Amir. When Soraya was going to tell Amir her secret he told her “I don’t care what it is”. He really didn’t care because he had a secret of his own. Amir knows that telling secrets helps to relive the guilt that is built up with them and so he gives Soraya the opportunity to tell him her secret saying “If it will make you feel better, tell me. But it won’t change anything” (164). Even after Soraya told Amir about her terrible secret he didn’t tell her about his own secret. He thought that his secret was too terrible to tell. An example of Amir knowing that he could not judge Soraya for her secret when he has a bad one of his own is “ How could I, of all people, chastise someone for their past” (165). Even with hearing Soraya say “Something you have to know before….”, and “You need to know. I don’t want us to start with secrets. And I’d rather you hear it from me” (164) he didn’t tell her his secret. He still hadn’t changed over the years. He was still a coward. He was even envious of her for having her secret out in the open. He knew that she would feel better now because she had dealt with her past. He didn’t have as much courage as Soraya. He almost told her but decided not to. In a way he wasn’t ready to tell his secret yet. 

Kacie Grothen  

I think that Amir believes that his secret is so much worse than her's and he can't bring himself to tell her even though, she had been with another man, I think this will make him feel like an even worse person, even though it can't make him feel any better on the inside by keeping it in.

Rachael Felt 

 

Amir had a lot of shame and guilt as he knew the pain and sorrow he had caused with his secret. Ever since the day in his dads office when Hassan had taken the blame for stealing the money and watch from Amir. The display of pain on Ali’s face when Baba pleaded with them to stay, “That was when I understood the depth of the pain I had caused, the blackness of the grief I had brought to everyone…” (93). The fear of what everyone would feel towards him outweighed the pain that he has caused to others. Like after the conversation Amir had with Rahim Khan the day of his birthday party when Amir wanted to tell him what had happened the day of the kite tournament but then didn’t “Almost told him everything, but then what would he think of me? He’d hate me, and rightfully.” (101) Amir did not have the courage to tell anyone, even Soraya. He envied her when she told him her secret but he still could not share his, “I suspected there were many ways in which Soraya Taheri was a better person than me. Courage was one of them.” (144) Amir could not tell anyone his secret of what happened on the kite tournament day, he was too ashamed of what everyone might think if him.  

-Colleen P

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Question #3: Throught the book, Amir is trying to rid himself of the guilt he carries of his relationship with Hassan. At one point he tell Hassan to leave him alone thinking that by having Hassan go away, it will relieve some of the guilt.  "I want you to stop harassing me.  I want you to go away." (88)  Two years later Amir arrives in America and is still hoping to relieve himself of the guilt he has carried of Hassan.  "Someplace with no ghosts, no memories, and no sins."  (136)  Does Amir ever find a way to make the guilt go away?

 

I feel that Amir never truly rids himself of the guilt he brought upon himself. Do any of us ever really get rid of our guilt? I think that as time goes by it feels as the guilt has become less but it will always be there waiting to show itself when the moment is right. When Amir and Baba were leaving Kabul they came to a checkpoint were Baba stood up for a womens honor Amir said "My mind flashed back to that winter day six years ago. Me, peering around the corner in the Alley Kamal and Wali holding Hassan down." (Hosseini p.116) This flashback is Amirs guilt showing itself, you can't run and hid from guilt it is part of you even though you can try not to surround yourself with things that might remind you of your guilt it will still be there and eventually you'll have to face it.

Chandra Bauck English 1120  

 

I don't believe that Amir ever rids himself of the guilt he feels from when he abandoned Hassan.  From the beginning of the book, Amir is an extremely conscientious person and I believe he also feels guilty for not measuring up to his father's expectations "I didn't want to disappoint him again" (17).  When Amir tells Hassan to stop harassing him I think that he feels that maybe if Hassan is out of sight he might be out of mind also.  Amir hopes that if he doesn't see Hassan all the time he might forget what happened, what he allowed to happen.  On page 92, Amir attacks Hassan with some pomegranate and he yells at Hassan, "Hit me back!" and "You're a coward!"   Amir wants Hassan to fight back and hopes that "he'd give me the punishment I craved, so maybe I'd finally sleep at night."   Amir doesn't really feel that Hassan is the coward; he believes that he, himself, is and wants someone to beat him up and tell him that he is a coward, not praise him for flying the kite the longest.  Maybe all the praise that Amir is getting makes him feel even more guilty because he won and at the same time Hassan lost.  Hassan's calm attitude does not help Amir rid himself of any guilt, it only adds to it.

 

Elizabeth Hillukka, ENGL 1102

 

Amir never frees himself of the guilt he has over Hassan and what he saw happen to him. When Soraya is breaking down about her past experience and the comment made about it at her wedding Amir sympathizes with her by finding the guilt he has never rid himself of. “But I think a big part of the reason I didn’t care about Soraya’s past was that I had one of my own.  I know all about regret” (180) When Amir and Soraya found out they could not have children, Amir’s guilt took over again as a possible reason to him for not being able to father a child. “Maybe this was my punishment, and perhaps justly so. It wasn’t meant to be, Khala Jamila had said. Or, maybe, it was meant not to be.” (188) Amir is not able to rid himself of the guilt he has, as the story goes on past chapter 14 there are still more references to his guilt.  – Kris Koll

 

Amir never really lets go of the guilt and shame he has over Hassan.  Amir has never felt the same about himself since the whole event happened.  Ever since he saw what happened to Hassan, he has carried a substantial amount of guilt.  I believe even though it may get easier for him over time, the thought of Hassan will always trigger feelings for him.  He mentions at times "I wish Hassan would have been with us today." (130)  That is evidence that Hassan is always on his mind.  Even if he was at times jealous of him, he is constantly on the back of his mind.

-Tiffany Stroh

 

 

 

 

Answer:  I think that throughout the book, ever since the terrible ordeal happened to Hassan, Amir has felt guilt--through his whole life.  I don't think there has ever been relief for Amir.  Just as we all have made mistakes in life, it will get easier for him but when certain things remind him of that day, of kite flying, of Hassan or anything to do with what happened that day, it will come back to flood his memory and make him feel guilty all over again.  Hassan was a big part of Amir's life and deep down in his heart he feels that he should've did the right thing by helping Hassan or by telling his father what happened but he was probably embarrased first of all and secondly did not want his father to think even more poorly of him than Amir already thinks he does.  I think, in retrospect, Amir feels that if he says anything now about it, he will scar his already not so good relationship with his father.

Sue B, English 1102 Online.

 

So far from what I have read Amir has not been able to get rid of his guilt he has carried of Hassan. In chapter eleven when Baba and Amir where on their way home from celebrating his graduation Baba suprised Amir with a new car. While they were sitting in the car Baba said, "I wish Hassan had been with us today." (133) After Baba made that statment Amir starts to feel like steel hands are closed around his windpipe (134). I think that this shows that his guilt is still their because just the mention of Hassan's name makes Amir feel tense and like he can't breathe. Also in chapter twelve when Soraya tells Amir her secret he starts to envy her because her secret was out (165). It is evident that Amir has not gotten rid of his guilt. I do not know if Amir will ever get rid of his guilt, it will be interesting to read through the rest of the book and see if he tells anyone his secret. I think that in order to get rid of his guilt he will need to tell someone about what happened that day because then he will not have to carry his secret all by himself, he will have someone else to talk about it with.

-Britne

 

 

Question #4: Planning to have a child is a huge part in anybodys's life. Making the decision to want a child is the first step. After Soraya and Amir tried to get pregnant and couldn't, Amir began to hae many doubtful thoughts."Maybe this was my punishment, and perhaps justly so." (188) Secretly, did Amir really not want to be a father? Did he know deep down he could never be a great man like his Baba?

 

When the idea of having a child was first revealed in the book Amir felt many different emotions about being a father. Amir said, "I found it frightening, invigorating, daunting and exhilarating all at the same time. " (Hosseini, 184). This was a sign that he was not ready to be a father when him and Soraya started to focus on having a child. It is possible that he was affraid of what kind of a father he would be for his child this was evident when Amir said, "I wanted to be just like Baba and I wanted to be nothing like him." (Hosseini, 184). It is possible that Amir is afraid that he could never be a great man like his Baba, while Amir was growing up he did face some disappointments from his father. It seemed as if he was frequently trying to be noticed by his father until they came to America. Amir may be afraid to be like his father because he does not want his child to feel the same way that he did when he was younger. Whatever the reason is Amir secretly does not want to be a father. 

-Britne Weiher 

 

When Amir was faced with yet another disappointment, in this case infertility, Amir felt that he deserved it. He was still punishing himself for poor choices in his childhood and he was feeling unworthy of being a father. Amir has been trying all of his life to be something special and felt like this was yet another failure on his part. Even when discussing adoption, for his own reason he had had given up on becoming a father, saying "and I had this: that perhaps something, someone, somewhere, had decided to deny me fatherhood for the things I had done. Maybe this was my punishment, and perhaps justly so." (Hosseini pg.164) Amir was a man of emotion and had a good heart, yet he didn't know it yet. He was afraid he would not measure up to the great man that his Baba was, or even the father he seen in Raheim.  Failure was so ingrained in Amir that even in the end, when faced with adopting another boy, he did not immediately consider himself a father. He was afraid to let himself think he could be a good father or that he deserved true happiness.

-Betty

 

 

Similar to most young people when they consider starting a family, Amir has hesitations about his abilities as a father. His childhood memories with his own father are mostly centered on trying to be noticed and understood by Baba. While he was growing up he did not have a solid relationship with his father, and his doubts stem from his own lack of a bond with Baba. When talking about participating in and winning the kite flying competition Amir states, “I was going to win, and I was going to run that last kite. Then I’d bring it home and show it to Baba. Show him once and for all that his son was worthy. Then maybe my life as a ghost in this house would finally be over” (49). Amir and Baba struggled to form a bond with each other until they came to America, and Amir is worried that he will have the same problems with a child of his own. Also, Amir has lived with a great amount of guilt over his treatment of Hassan. Besides the punishments he has brought upon himself, he was never reprimanded by an outside source for lying about Hassan or for abandoning him in his greatest moments of need. Amir wonders if not being able to have a child of his own stems from his own unresolved issues with his childhood. His doubts have little to do with his not wanting to be a father, but more to do with his own past.

Laura Brown

 

 

 

Amir desired to be a father. If for no reason than to complete Soraya's life. Like any man Amir felt "the idea of fatherhood unleashed a swirl of emotions in me.  I found it frightening, invigerating, daunhting and exillerating all at the same time."(Hosseini 184). Amir would ask himself what kind of father he would make and ask himself what kind of father he wanted to be. I think the idea of adoption made Amir uncomfortable, re-callin how Hassan was like and adoptive son to Baba. How Hassan was a best friend but he did not consider him a friend at all. I  believe that Amir didn't think he could love an adoptive child like his own. For this reason I  think Amir felt shame and guilt. Baba, " a liberal who lived by his own set of rules, a Mavrick who had disregaurded or embraced societal custumes as he had seen fit. " (Hosseini 180) Maybe Baba would have been more accepting of an adoption. Although Baba Was a great man, when it came to being a father Amir "wanted to be be just like Baba and wanted to be nothing like him." (Hosseini 184)

 

 

 

Angela Thune

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Questions for Chapters 15 to 22:

 

Question #1: Why do you think that Rahim Khan choose Amir to go get Hassan's both from the orphanage? Page 221 Amir says "Why me? Why can't you pay someone here to go? I'll pay for it if it's a matter of money." And to that Rahim told him "It isn't about the money, Amir!"(Hosseini 221).  Why do you think he refused to pay someone else to get the child even when Amir offered to pay for someone else to do it for him?

 

Amir has commented on how Rahim Khan was the one to understand him, to know what he needed from a father type figure and Rahim Khan did know Amir better than his father even at times.  This is the reasonRahim Khan chose Amir to retrieve Hassan's son.  He knew the secrets that Amir held onto and that the grief he had would also ultimately propel to do the right thing, "There is a way to be good again", Rahim said "almost as an afterthought." (Hosseini 168).  This is also a chance for Amir to grow into an unselfless person, much as Hassan was to him, giving up what he wanted for another, a brother as Amir came to find out.

-Ellie Hausmann

 

Rahim Khan chose Amir to go get Hassan's son from the orphanage because he knew that Amir would do the right thing for Hassan. At one time Rahim and Amir were very close when Amir was growing up and Amir thought very highly of Rahim Khan.  After Amir received the phone call from Rahim Khan telling him to come to Pakistan, he was telling his wife about Rahim Khan and told her that " When I was a kid, he was the first grown-up I ever thought of as a friend."(Hosseini 167).  Rahim Khan has always believed in Amir and knew that Amir was hard on himself and carried the guilt with him about what happened to Hassan. Rahim Khan knew everything that happened and never said a word to Amir about knowing what Amir did by not helping Hassan out or telling someone what happened to Hassan, hiding the money and watch and letting Hassan take the blame for something he did not do. Rahim Khan knew that Amir was a good person, but had made poor decisions. Rahim Khan told Amir "There is a way to be good again" (Hosseini 168). Rahim Khan wanted Amir to be the one to get Sohrab out of the orphanage, this was Amir's chance to finally stand up for himself. Rahim Khan told Amir about what his father had said, "Rahim, a boy who won't stand up for himself becomes a man who can't stand up to anything. I wonder, is that what you've become?" (Hosseini 194). With everything that has happened with Amir and Hassan, Rahim Khan knows that Amir will do what's right for Hassan and his son. This was his chance to prove to himself that he could stand up for himself and make things better for Sohrab. Amir felt that he owed it to Hassan to make sure that his son was taken care of.

Ann Haverkamp

 

There are a few reasons why Rahim Khan choses Amir to save Sohrab from the orphanage. Rahim Khan was more of a father to Amir than Baba ever was. He was also a loyal friend to Baba and Baba confided in him. Rahim Khan serves as a protector of everyone around him. He wants to make sure everyone he will be leaving behind when he dies will be taken care of. He knows the guilt Amir carries with him as a result of his actions as a child. He also knows Baba slept with Sanaubar and was Hassan's real father. He told Amir "Ali was sterile, I think you know who [the father is].(195) Rahim Khan wants Amir to get Sohrab so he could finally forgive himself for not sticking up for Hassan when he needed it most. He knows Amir needs to prove to himself he isn't just a coward and is strong enough to stand up for himself. Amir remembers Rahim Khan saying "there is a way to be good again."(198) Amir realizes Rahim Khan knows his secret. This will also make up for the lies both him and Baba had told. By having Amir get Hassan's child he knows Sohrab won't have to live a lie like Amir and Hassan did and he will know who his real family is. Rahim Khan knows that Sohrab is with Assef. He knows what kind of life Sohrab will have to endure and he feels at fault because he asked Hassan and his family to move in with him, mainly because he was lonely.(178) He has faith that Amir will succed and Assef will get what he deserves. All will be right when he leaves the world.-Amy Wardinski

 

 

 

 

Question #2: Do you think it was coincidences that Assef is the bad man who ended up taking Sohrab, and the man who is killing a lot of people? Why is this meeting Assef again so important to Amir’s life?

 

 

 

 

“I ran because I was a coward. I was afraid of Assef and what he would do to me...I actually aspired to cowardice.”(Hosseini pg 77) Assef was an intimidating figure, seemingly he even frightened his own parents at Amir's birthday. It doesn't surprise me that Assef was the man that was buying the children or executing sinners for the Tailban. History has a way of repeating itself and this is just continued view points of Hitler like “ethnic cleansing”, not to mention the sexual exploitation of the weak. He had talked about this as a child.

All the ghosts that had been buried after leaving Afghanistan were reemerging. Amir had avoided standing up to these demons his whole life and lie knowing he had to go though with standing up to Assef. “All right,”I said not knowing what else there was to say. I wasn't about to beg, That would have only sweetened the moment for him.” (Hosseini pg 286) The great significance if that Amir finally felt at peace or healed from the sins of so many years before.

 

Angela Thune

 

Question #3: What importance does the beggar on the street play in Amir's life?

 

The beggar is not only a poor, old man on the side of street but it just so happens that he use to be a professor at the university where his mother taught as well.  Amir was told more information regarding his mother from this beggar, also known as Dr. Rasul, then Baba had ever told him. " Baba took his memories of her to the grave with him.  Maybe speaking her name would have reminded him of his guilt, of what he had done so soon after she had died. Or maybe his loss had been so great, his pain so deep, he couldn't bear to talk about her. Maybe both." (Hosseini, p. 250)  It seemed as if Amir always made excuses for his father and as to why he was so distant in the explanations of his mother.  Amir had a chance finally to find out things about his mom, that he may never have again.  It seemed as though that Dr. Rasul only remembered one particular conversation he had with Amir's mother and that was about happiness.  In the passage, "They only let you be this happy if they're preparing to take something from you," (Hosseini, p. 250) was made my Amir's mother.  She may have been referring to a subconscious stating that something bad is going to happen, that being that happy means something is bound to go wrong soon.  Her life was taken the next day.  Amir promised the old man he would come back soon to find out more information but never did.  I think its because deep down that was enough information for him, that any more information he may resent his father for keeping stuff hidden inside for so long.  Amir found another reason to cope with his past.----Krista Eide

 

Question #4:  Do you feel the director of the orphanage is wrong in letting the Taliban official take a child for his own interest in exchange for money? Explain why.

 

This part of the story is quite disturbing.  These people have lost everything that they ever valued or loved in a religious war.  As Zamen explains that all of the children are not yateem  (which is assumed to mean orphaned), there is a realization that the children “have lost their fathers in the war, and their mothers can’t feed them because the Taliban don’t allow them to work” (253), therefore the children end up in the broken down orphanage, that “used to be a storage warehouse for a carpet manufacturer” (253).   The desperation that Zamen feels comes through as he shows Amir and Farid the lack of beds, and explains that “the children had to share blankets” (254).  He doesn’t think he will have enough food to feed the children, and it is obvious he feels helpless.  When he tells the men how the Taliban official “visits once every month or two…bring[ing] cash with him” (256) the implication is clear, making them feel so angry that “Farid was strangling him” (256).  In reality, what choice did Zamen have?  If he says no to the Taliban official, many children will be in jeopardy of being taken or killed.  If he says yes and lets the official take the child, he is protecting and feeding the rest of the children for a short time,  “and leaving the judging to Allah” (257).  Zamen realizes that he is damned, but he is helpless to do anything else. 

-- Sarah Marvin

 

Zaman justified his actions with the statement, "If I deny him one child, he takes ten." (225) As the director he feels he needs to do what he can, and chooses the lesser of two evils, yet he feels guilty. "So I let him take one and leave the judging to Allah."(225) Adding that he takes the dirty money to buy food for the children, Zaman, wants the men to understand he is doing it for the benefit of the children who remain. Zamen is angry and feels powerless to help the people of his home. He is not taking the money for his own use, he is sacrificing what he must in effort to feed hungry children. 

Whenever children are portrayed in a horrible situation, it causes a strong emotional reaction. I wonder what Amir really felt about this situation. Here is a man, Zaman, who does nothing to spare a child a horrific ordeal with the Taliban and Amir had done nothing to spare Hassan his nightmare in the ally many years earlier.

 

 

 

 

Question #5: Why would Amir have dreamed that he was the one who shot Hassan?

 

Question #6:

In chapter 21 Amir goes back to his home town and is on a hill next to the pomegranate tree that he and Hassan used to play by. They both carved their names in this tree earlier in their life. What is the symbolism or what is significant of this tree and what is Amir trying to show by telling the story by the tree?

James Mills

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 Questions for Chapters 23 to 25

Question # 1:  Why is it so difficult to find an international adoption agency which would consider an Afghan adoption?

 

Question # 2:  What was the promise that Amir made to Sohrab?  Why did Sohrab act as he did, knowing that promise had been broken?

 

 

Question # 3: Rahim Khan asks Amir to go to Kabul and find Sohrab on the condition that when he returns to Peshawar with him there is an American couple named John and Betty Caldwell that will take Sohrab.  After rescuing Sohrab Farid finds out that there is no record of a John and Betty Caldwell in Peshawar.  Do you think it is likely that Rahim Khan made this couple up so that Amir would go to Kabul and find Sohrab and why would he?

 

-I was wondering as I was reading about the couple at first and wondering if they even existed but as it turns out that they didn't. Rahim knows Amir better than anyone (that is still allive anyways) But knowing that Amir cares for people in such deep manners, I think Rahim knew deep down that after he revealed Hassan being his brother that Amir couldn't turn away his nephew like that and wouldn't return to the United States without him. That is also probably why Rahim disappeared from his home and just left a note in communication because he didn't want to be any more involved.

                                                                           Rachael

 

Question # 4: What did both Sobrab and Amir want back?  In the end, how did Amir get his wish?

 

Question # 5: What does the phrase, "For you, a thousand times over," mean to Amir? What is Sobrab's significance towards these words?

 

Question #6: What is the signifigance behind Amir's dream that he is wrestling a bear? 

 

Question #7:  What did Soraya expect when Amir told her that he was going to bring Sohrab back to the United States with him? Did Sohrab fulfil her dream of being a mother?

I Believe that Soraya was both shocked and happy when she got the news about Sohrab. She also was certain on her decision " I know this much, you have to bring him home, I want you to." Husseini pg 326. She also stated "Amir he's your quam, your family, So he's my quam too!!." Husseini pg 326. I think at this time she was excited to have a child in their home. When Amir and Sohrab arrived in America Soraya had converted there study into a bedroom fot for Sohrab. The room shows that Sorraya had mothering instincts and hopes for thier relationship. Although, I do not think Sohrab had fullfilled her dream of being a mother. There relationship was distant due to Sohrabs silence and distance. Sohrab didn't read the books she had bought or marked the growth chart on his wall.

Angela Thune

 

Question #8:  The ending of the book was left open-ended. What impression did the author leave the reader on the last few pages?

 

 

There are quite a few instances of irony towards the end of the book.  One being after the fight between Amir and Assef, Amir's lip is so badly torn that he needed surgery to fix it and was left with a scar just as Hassan had after his surgery to fix the cleft lip.  Find another instance of irony and explain how it may have affected Amir's attitude towards his past.     --Elise Hausmann

 

Do you think Amir would have become the man he did if Hassan hadn't been killed?

Danielle Rieber

 

Ignore everything below this line:

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Why did Assef choose Sohrab as the child he took from the orphange? Out of all the children at the orphanage why was Sohrab the one Assef wanted? Ann Haverkamp

 

Why do you think Sohrab remained silent for so long without talking? Ann Haverkamp

 

How do you think Amir felt when he saw Sohrab smile after being so withdrawn for such a long time? Ann Haverkamp

Why does Amir get beaten that the beginning? Beause he will not give the older afganastians Hussians kite. Hayley Sannes

 

Do you think that Amir breaking his promise was the only reason that Sohrab tried to commit suicide? Why?    Angela Thune

 

When Amir breaks his promise to Sohrab what does Sohrab do?  As a reader, did you believe he was willing to go to those lengths to stay out of another orphanage? - Leah Siewert 

 

When Amir is fighting with Assef what does Sohrab do?  Explain the significance of his actions. - Leah Siewert

 

Why do you think Baba kept a secret for so long?   Angela Thune

 

What is the significance of running the kite? Explain what the kite symbolizes at the beginning and at the end of the story. -Katie Thompson

 

What are the barriers that Sohrab faces? As a reader explain how he is able to overcome some of these barriers. -Katie Thompson 

 

Why did Amir have to think so hard about whether or not to adopt Sohrab once they got back to the U.S.? After all, Sohrab is blood... - Abby Ewert

 

Why do you think that Amir was so eager to place Sohrab in another orphanage?  Why did it take him so long to consider adopting Sohrab? - Amy Guntzel

 

On page 263, Amir is reading the letter from Rahim Khan.  The letter states, "A man who has no conscience, no goodness, does not suffer.  I hope your suffering comes to an end with this journey to Afghanistan." (Hosseini, 263)  What does this statement imply?  Why does this come from Rahim Khan?

-Chris Fear

 

After Amir wins the kite tournament his relationship with Baba changes; why, then, is Amir still uneasy about the relationship? Do you think Amir is enjoying his fathers attention as much as he thought he would, why or why not? - Nicole Vasseur

 

Compare what Amir had to go through both as a child living in Afghanistan and as an adult living in the United States to what a child that was born in another country and brought to the United States may have to go through today.  List the similarities and struggles with each.

Sue Bartel

 

In Chapter 12, Soraya tells Amir of her shameful affair when she was 18, and Amir envies her ability to be honest. Why does Amir come so close to telling Soraya about his secret regarding Hassan, but then decides not to say anything? What are some of the reasons that he held back?

Erica Aho

 

After Rahim Khan immigrated to the U.S., why did he return home to Afghanistan to a war ravaged homeland?  Explain. - Jennifer Tollefson

 

Did Amir go look for Sohrab to make sure he was safe after finding out Hassan was his brother, or did he do it to make up for how he wronged Hassan that day in the Alley after the Kite Flying?  And why do you feel this way?  Can you give an example?

-Theresa Smith

Why did Baba keep Hassan's identity a secret to his grave? - Jennifer Tollefson

 

Discuss the issue of social class and a person's place in society in respect of Amir being privileged and Hassan being a servant. Who was the more virtuous and content person? Why?- Brandon Kappes

 

After growing up feeling jealous of Hassan his whole life do you think Amir was still jealous of how much Hassan accomplished during his life before he was killed with having a family? Why or why not? -Nicole Stearns

 

Do you think if Amir knew Hassan was his brother as a child he would have changed his reaction during the day of the kite running or do you think it would have made it worse? Why or why not? - Nicole Stearns

 

Soraya was excited to have a child, so when Sohrab arrived in America she was eager to get to know him. His silence never ended though and was very hard on her so eventually she quit trying to get him to talk. Do you think that if Amir and Soraya had a child of their own this would have changed how much effort they used to help Sohrab? Do you think that Sohrab would have reacted differently having other children around him? Why or why not? -Jessica Wilson

 

Why would the Taliban exucute the man and woman at the soccer game in such a brutal and public way?

 

Angela Thune

 

For what reasons do you think Baba kept his secret from everyone? Angela Thune

 

Many of Amir’s action come from his lack of good relationship with his father. Amir is also concern and jealous of the close relationship between his father and Hassan. He never consider Hassan as a good friend, he compared there he growing up with Hassan to a “long lazy summer day”. Amir was troubled by his father’s statement to Ali that “A boy who won't stand up for himself becomes a man who can't stand up to anything”. Statement of that nature contributed to Amir’s hatred toward Hassan his play mate.

 

-Kunle Abiodun

 

Why didn't Baba want people to know about his cancer?

 

Angela Thune

 

General Taheri didn't want Amir and Soraya to adopt "Bachem, this adoption... Thing I'm Not so sure it's for us Afgans." Why did he feel so strongly about this? (Hosseini pg 187)

 

Angela Thune

Why does Sohrab stop talking after he attempts to commit suicide?

Was there any meaning behind Sohrab's smile when Amir's kite won?

Why did Rahim Kan lie to Amir about a foster family for Sohrab?

Kacie Grothen

 

Baba's explains the greatest sin being theft because "Every other sin is a variation of theft" (Hosseini 16) How and why does this upset Amir so badly when Amir finds out his fathers secret about Haasan? - Colleen 

 

After visiting with Raymond Andrews about adopting Sohrab, Amir makes the comment to Andrew’s secretary, “Your boss could use some manners.” (332) The secretary comment that Andrew’s daughter had committed suicide. How does this tie in with Sohrab attempting suicide?  - Kris Koll

 

What is the importance of Hassan's scar on his lip? What does it reflect?--Krista Eide

 

In the end how does Amir regain a redeemed state in "The Kite Runner"?  Explain.---Krista Eide

 

What is the significance of Lake Elizabeth Park? And why do the Afghans gather there?---Krista Eide

 

If Rahim Kahn knew that Assef raped Hassan while Amir stood by and did nothing, then why didn't he tell Baba? Or did he?  --Matthew Myrick

 

What must be going through Soraya's mind when she finally hears from her husband, who has been gone much longer than they first thought, especially since she hears so many details of his past all at once? ---Laura Brown

 

Rahim Kahn admits later in the story that Hassan had told him that he had been raped. Does he also know that Sohrab is being raped by the same man? ---Laura Brown

 

If he does know, how harsh the conditions are for Sohrab, does he also realize in his heart that rescuing Sohrab will finally allow Amir to fogive himself? ---Laura Brown

 

Neither Amir nor Hassan knew their mothers. At the end of the story I could tell both Amir and Sohrab feel a void in their lives now that their fathers are both dead. How does this parentlessness bring the characters closer? ---Laura Brown

 

 

 

Was it really such a shock to Amir when he found out that Hassan was his brother?  Do you think that there were any clues that led up to this revelation?--------Elizabeth Hillukka

 

On page 174, the last sentence states that Amir was terrified that Baba wouldn't be in his life anymore to show him the way, that he would have to find it on his own.  What other emotions do you think Amir felt?  Relieved?---Elizabeth Hillukka

 

 

On page 176, Amir learns about some of the odd behaviors of Soraya's family.  One of these behaviors is the general's migraines that he suffers.  He suffers these once a month like clock work.  What do you think is the reason or reasons behind his migraines?-----Elizabeth Hillukka

 

Why do you think that Amir took Baba having cancer so hard when many times it seemed that Baba did not care about Amir at all?    Chandra Bauck

 

Do you think that a single event such as the beating Amir took can make up for past wrongs?    Chandra Bauck

 

 

Why does Amir decide to get his nephew? How is it significant in this story?  Christina Montag

 

 

It takes Amir a long time to get rid of his guilt that he held for what he did to Hassan, what was the turning point and at what moment do you feel that Amir finally released his guilt?   Britne Weiher 

 

What was holding Amir back from watching Hassan's rape, even though he didn't stop it, why do you think he never comforted him or talked to him instead it all built up in to anger and rudeness to Hassan? Explain.     -Rachael Felt

 

What are some examples throughout the book that show how hurt Amir is by not expressing his feelings and revealing what he saw happen to Hassan? And why, if Rahim knew about this, wouldn't he have done something about it a long time ago instead of waiting to almost the end of the book?   -Rachael Felt

 

Why would Amir watch Hassan get harrassed by the three boys in the alley (Wali, Kamal, Assef) (79) when in his head he knew that Hassan had been there for him many times before when he needed help, so why wouldn't Amir help Hassan when he needed help? Hassan was also in this bad situation because he was going to get Amir's kite for him, so again why wouldn't Amir help him and will he regret not helping Hassan later?       -Carly Turchin

 

Hassan lived most of his life without knowing his mother.  Amir lived most of his life without knowing that Hassan was his brother.   How would Hassan's life have been different had Sanaubar stayed after he was born?  How would Amir's life had been different if he had known Hassan was his brother much earlier in his life?  Do you believe that these two familial situations are the same or different?  Why?   -- Sarah Marvin

 

After Amir leaves on his journey to find Sohrab, he opens the letter from Rahim Khan.  Why does Khan write that "A man who has no conscience, no goodness, does not suffer" (Hosseini 301)?  Do you think that Amir had a conscience?  Do you think that he suffered in his life?  -- Sarah Marvin

 

 Rahim Khan says "And why you? I think we both know why it has to be you, don't we?" (194, Hosseini) He continues on to tell him how Hassan is really his Amir's brother. Why do you think he waited all these years to tell him? If he had not found out from Rahim Khan, do you think he would he have ever found out? Why or why not? Katie Boit

 

Do you think he went to get Sohrab purely out of guilt and to once and forall be able to get past the things he did to Hassan when they were younger, including watching him get raped? Please explain. Katie Boit

 

Taking Amir's past into consideration, how do the elements of it affect his present and future?  Tiffany Stroh

 

If Amir and Hassan had been of the same ethnic group and social status, do you think they would have still developed the same relationship?  William Gladue

 

Do you think Amir will ever be completely satisfied with what he has done with his life?-Amy Wardinski

 

Was is fate that Amir and Soraya couldn't have children?-Amy Wardinski

 

It is without question Amir faces multiple antagonists throughout this story.  Are his antagonists all concrete characters in this story?  Which, in your mind, is the toughest challenge he faces?   -Amy Larson