What is the significance of Alis first wife? Baba also has his own strong moral sense. He puts his safe, comfortable life in America on the line to return to Afghanistan and rescue Hassans son, Sohrab. When they reached a checkpoint, a Russian soldier demanded to sleep with one of them, a married woman. He told Amir, "There is a way to be good again." Amir and Sohrab play cards to pass the time. Amir watches as Kamal and Wali hold Hassan down and Assef rapes him. They learn that a Taliban official comes to the orphanage often, brings cash, and usually takes a girl away with him. Amir has a vision of Baba fighting a bear in Baluchistan, a story that is supposedly true. In 1933, the same year Baba was born, two intoxicated young drivers struck and killed a Hazara couple. He loves Baba's strength and culture. for a group? The way the content is organized. [25] Said Tayeb Jawad, the 19th Afghan ambassador to the United States, publicly endorsed The Kite Runner, saying that the book would help the American public to better understand Afghan society and culture.[9]. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. After the Russians invade Afghanistan and executions become commonplace, Amir and Baba flee the turmoil and danger destroying their home country. She can be strong-willed like her father, General Taheri, and deplores the way women are often treated in Afghan culture. I left a few things ambiguous because I wanted to drive the book clubs crazy. SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. Teachers and parents! WebFull Book Analysis. He graduated high school at the age of twenty and planned to enroll in junior college. Friend of Baba and Amir. At the American Embassy, an official named Raymond Andrews told Amir that it would be near impossible to get Sohrab a visa. Hassan proves himself a loyal friend to Amir repeatedly, defending Amir when he is attacked and always being ready to listen. Amir's ability to stand up to Assef his own personal bear marks a change in Amir's perception of self. Sorayas uncle. Read more about The Kite Runner and the Taliban. As a child, he enjoys storytelling and is encouraged by Rahim Khan to become a well-known writer. Amir recalls an event that happened twenty-six years before, when he was still a boy in Afghanistan, and says that that made him who he is. Rahim Khan is dying and wishes to spend his last days alone, not raise Sohrab or explain his actions to Amir. (including. Ali, meanwhile, is dutiful, modest, and quiet. 30. In fact, he admires Sorayas courage in telling him her truth. Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. But things are never so convenient in the world of, Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. You'll be billed after your free trial ends. Amir is the sensitive and intelligent son of a well-to-do businessman in Kabul, and he grows up with a sense of entitlement. Why does Amir sometimes treat Hassan badly in childhood? The last king of Afghanistan, who rules for 40 years. He doesnt always listen to religious authorities either, evidenced by the fact that he disregarded Mullah Fatiullah Khan saying it is a sin to drink alcohol. [5] Reviews were generally positive, though parts of the plot drew significant controversy in Afghanistan. [8] Later, when writing his second novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns (then titled Dreaming in Titanic City), Hosseini remarked that he was happy that the main characters were women as it "should put the end to the autobiographical question once and for all."[9]. [24], In the first two years following its publication, over 70,000 hardback copies of The Kite Runner were sold along with 1,250,000 paperback copies. He was seriously ill and was living in Peshawar. Assef idolized Hitler and hated Hazaras. [14] In 2013, Riverhead released the 10th anniversary edition with a new gold-rimmed cover and a foreword by Hosseini. Eventually, he received the good news that Sohrab was alive. He was a huge and imposing man who was rumored to have wrestled a bear. Five days after Hassan was born, she ran away with a group of traveling performers. Amir tells himself that having Hassan leave Babas household would lessen both Hassans and his own suffering. for a customized plan. You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. 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. After hiding in a basement in Jalalabad, they departed for Peshawar, Pakistan in the filthy tank of a fuel truck. Why does Amir ask Baba if he has seen Amirs new watch? 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. Farid has become a loyal friend on Amirs journey. 2. However, after finding the kite, Hassan encounters Assef in an alleyway. Baba and Amir's life in Fremont, California was very different from their life in Wazir Akbar Khan. 27. WebAmir usually flew a kite while Hassan ran kites for him. Lastly, theres Hassan, who is a loyal and courageous friend. Soraya is steady, intelligent, and always there for Amir when he needs her. Alis leg was damaged by polio and his face paralyzed since birth, and Hassan was born with a cleft palate (a harelip, as Amir describes it). Sohrab is being kept at Assef's house as a dancing boy. The theme is introduced primarily through Baba, who worries that if Amir cant stand up for himself as a young boy, he may not be able to stand up for what is right as an adult. Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. Amir even throws pomegranates at Hassan while yelling at him, trying to make Hassan angry enough to throw pomegranates at him in return. Subscribe now. \"Your friends, this John and Betty Caldwell, they aren't in Peshawar,\" Farid said. Sohrab was made to watch as Assef beat Amir nearly to death. At first, Amir tells himself he doesnt help Hassan because hes afraid of being hurt by Assef if he intervenes: I ran because I was a coward. Dont have an account? Later, Amir learns the Caldwells never existed. Among other injuries, Amir suffers from a ruptured spleen, seven broken ribs, a punctured lung, lacerations, and a fracture of the eye socket bone. WebClear rating. Contact us They have only their fathers and each other. Chapter four opens with the story of how Ali became a part of Baba's family. Amir has now lost another father-figure in Rahim Khan. Afghanistan is a divided country and two childhood friends are about to be He offered to run the kite for Sohrab and as he ran off, he shouted, "For you, a thousand times over.". [9] He rediscovered the manuscript in his garage in March 2001 and began to expand it to novel format at the suggestion of a friend. The Question and Answer section for The Kite Runner is a great Amir accepts Soraya even after she tells him of her past because he, too, has done something seriously wrong and doesnt feel he can judge others. creating and saving your own notes as you read. As Assef straddled Amir, preparing to punch him again, Sohrab aimed his slingshot at Assef's eye and begged him to stop. Wed love to have you back! [2] The latter was unintentional; Hosseini developed an interest in the theme while in the process of writing. Why does Amir accept Soraya even after she tells him of her past? Amir tells Baba his watch is missing, knowing that later he is going to frame Hassan for stealing it. Instant downloads of all 1725 LitChart PDFs A former mujahedin fighter, Farid is at first gruff and unfriendly. He pretended not to know what happened and did not tell Ali the truth when he asked. The man with the Clark Gable moustache is Dr. Faruqi, who tells Amir that he is in a hospital in Peshawar. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! "[2][11] Regardless, he maintains that the plot is fictional. He even told Amir that he had never been a real Afghan because he grew up with so many privileges. Rahim Khan knew that if and when Amir returned with Sohrab, Amir would realize the lie and bring the boy to him. What are Ali and Hassan's distinct physical characteristics? Amir embarks on a successful career as a novelist. Amir explains how Ali and Baba knew each other. for a customized plan. [35] While reviews were generally positive, with Entertainment Weekly deeming the final product "pretty good",[36] the depiction of ethnic tensions and the controversial rape scene drew outrage in Afghanistan. What does Amir ask his father while they are planting tulips? Shortly after, Baba dies peacefully. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. Amir runs away, and later both he and Hassan pretend nothing has happened. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. Khaled Hosseinis main audience for the book is not Afghan, and he familiarizes his readers with life in Afghanistan by explaining some basic facts. Then he announced that he and Amir would fight to the death and none of his guards were to intervene. Though nobody thought he would marry well because he wasnt from a prominent family, he married Amirs mother, Sofia Akrami, a beautiful, intelligent woman who came from a royal bloodline. 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. What would you have done if you were Amir? Baba is diagnosed with terminal cancer but is still capable of granting Amir one last favor: he asks Soraya's father's permission for Amir to marry her. Sanaubar was nineteen years younger than Ali, beautiful, and reputedly immoral. Discount, Discount Code She took care of him until the night he died peacefully in his sleep. Amir told Soraya he still wanted to marry her. The first night, Amir woke up to find Sohrab gone. Afterwards, Amir keeps distant from Hassan; his feelings of guilt prevent him from interacting with the boy. Very soon after, Amir asked Baba to go khastegari, to ask for Soraya's hand in marriage. Baba tells him that there is only one sin: theft. We're sorry, SparkNotes Plus isn't available in your country. At the end of Meanwhile, Hassan and his father, Ali, lived in a small mud hut on the grounds of Babas estate, and Ali worked as Babas servant. Even though Amir has no desire to go back into the danger place, Kabul, he is willing. Rahim Khan is Babas closest confidant, and the one man who knows all of Babas secrets. Every Sunday, Baba and Amir make extra money selling used goods at a flea market in San Jose. Their beef is, 'Why do you have to talk about these things and embarrass us? Hassan refuses to give up the kite, and Assef humiliates him by assaulting him both physically and sexually. [28] Zekeria Ebrahimi, the 12-year-old actor who portrayed Amir, had to be removed from school after his Hazara classmates threatened to kill him,[32] and Paramount Pictures was eventually forced to relocate three of the children to the United Arab Emirates. Amir and Soraya moved into their own apartment and worked towards their college degrees. Children and mothers begged on every street corner, and there were few men to be seen because so many had died fighting. One triumphant day, Amir wins the local kite-fighting tournament and finally earns Baba's praise. Baba and Amir escape to Peshawar, Pakistan, and then to Fremont, California, where they settle in a run-down apartment. He stands up for Sohrab by confronting Assefsomething he didnt do for Hassan years agoeven though it leads to his brutal beating. He notices an old man who enters the room, looks at all the patients, and then exits silently. Continue to start your free trial. (one code per order). What are Ali and Hassan's distinct physical characteristics? General Taheri is proud to the point of arrogance at times, and he places great value on upholding Afghan traditions. Soraya was very supportive and promised to call her cousin Sharif, who worked for the INS. He was motivated to write a 25-page short story about two boys who fly kites in Kabul. [8] His editor, Cindy Spiegel, "helped him rework the last third of his manuscript", something she describes as relatively common for a first novel. 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. She felt that Hosseini was too focused on fully redeeming the protagonist in Part III and in doing so created too many unrealistic coincidences that allowed Amir the opportunity to undo his past wrongs. He does not say what happened, but he says the event made him who he is. In 1988, Amir published his first novel. After the party, Amir decided to betray Hassan a second time and frame him as a thief. | Why does Amir accept Soraya even after she tells him of her past? He got such an idea from Babas friend, Rahim Khan, who once told Amir of loving a Hazara woman who was then sent away from his family. The letter from Rahim Khan serves as a direct thematic statement: "True redemption is . Then the Talib official came out and stoned them to death. Hed also have to reveal that the encounter occurred soon after Amirs mother had died. The cleft lip was a sign of Hassans lower social status, but also his purity of heart, as he was Babas other half and inherited his courage and goodness. 29. [34] Directed by Marc Forster and with a screenplay by David Benioff, the movie won numerous awards and was nominated for an Academy Award, the BAFTA Film Award, and the Critics Choice Award in 2008. There, Amir meets fellow refugee Soraya Taheri and her family. WebThe Kite Runner is the first novel by Afghan-American author Khaled Hosseini. Father of Amir and Hassan and a wealthy, well-respected businessman. Amir was furious; he told the general never to refer to Amir that way again. [29] Fabio Celoni provided the illustrations for the project and regularly updated Hosseini on his progress before its release in September of that year. He agrees and the two marry. Teachers and parents! $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% Best summary PDF, themes, and quotes. SparkNotes PLUS She had once run away with an Afghan man. Sohrab is traumatized by his sexual abuse, and so cannot let himself be touched by an adult yet. For the film, see, "Before 'The Kite Runner,' Khaled Hosseini had never written a novel. Baba believes first and foremost in doing what is right and thinking for oneself, and he tries to impart these qualities to Amir. He is in many ways the stereotypical Afghan male, both in his roles as a father and husband. After Rahim Khan left to seek medical treatment in Pakistan, the Taliban showed up at Baba's house. He even claims Hitler as a role model. The injury to Amir's lip is like a harelip, an obvious parallel to Hassan and the connection between the brothers. They are more like brothers who are on occasion reminded that one is Pashtun and one Hazara. Farzana appears only briefly, but in that time she is portrayed as a loving mother. The section additionally introduces the reader to Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, and the location of the events. Asnes, Tania. As a poor ethnic Hazara, he is considered an inferior in Afghan society, and he is the victim of racism throughout the novel as a result. Why does Amir sometimes treat Hassan badly in childhood? Hassan takes the blame because he loves Amir, and this unconditional love and willingness to sacrifice himself for those he loves are part of Hassans true nature. Though he had no training as an architect, he designed and built an orphanage. He believes it to be a fundamental part of who he is, and no matter how far he is in time or location from his childhood in Afghanistan, the events of that period are always with him. [19] Following Hassan's death at the hands of the Taliban, Amir begins to redeem himself through the rescue of Hassan's son, Sohrab. WebBaba and Amir are in Fremont, California, where they have lived for nearly two years. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. Rahim Khan asks our narrator, whose name is Amir, to come to Pakistan to see him. He also admits to feeling responsible for his mothers death.
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