Name: Andrea Yao

Period: 2

The Kite Runner: Digital Annotations and Reading Schedule

“It may be unfair, but what happens in a few days, sometimes even a single day, can change the
course of a whole lifetime...”
― Khaled Hosseini, The Kite Runner

Reading Schedule

Chapter Page # Reading Due Date Annotation Check (10 pts).

1-9 1-100 Jan 5. Jan. 8

9-13 100-167 Jan. 11

13-18 167-225 Jan. 15 Jan. 15

18-23 225-292 Jan. 19

23-end 293-370 Jan. 25 Jan. 25

Annotations are a way for you to record your thinking about a book. They also are a place to develop
key ideas, connections to other texts, and thinking about the core concepts of IB Literature. We will
complete digital annotations on this text because of the virtual learning environment.

Area of Exploration: Time and Place

Core Concepts: Representation, Culture, Identity

Key ideas and motifs to track as you read:

- The Pomegranate Tree - Kites
- Stories and storytelling - Violence
- Scars - The lamb
- Redemption
Name: Andrea Yao
Period: 2
Instructions: For each section of the text, identify at least six quotes for analysis. Then, record your
thinking. You can include things like connections to other texts, the world, or yourself, reactions, or
analysis of character development, author style, or literary devices. Remember to develop at least one
discussion question. Feel free to add more lines to the table as you read.

Chapters 1-9

Key Quotes (insert image or type it in) Page # Thoughts/Analysis

I became what I am today at the age of 1 Foreshadow

twelve, on a frigid overcast day in the
winter of 1975. “Pat unatoned sins”: Amir describes his
feelings in the future chapters and admits that
I knew it wasn't just Rahim Khan on the he will do questionable things (especially his
line. It was my past unatoned sins. thoughts about Hassan).

Then I glanced up and saw a pair of kites, 1-2 Personification

red with long blue tails, soaring in the sky.
They danced high above the trees on the The kites danced above in the sy indicating
end of the park. the object flying. Kites running is a huge
aspect of this novel since it’s connected
through Amir and Hassan’s relationship.

….a face like a Chinese doll chiseled from 3 Simile

hardwood.
Hassan is described as a perfect doll except
Where the Chinese doll maker’s for that one mistake: his feature. Hosseini
instrument may have slipped or perhaps compares Hassan to a Chinese doll because
he had simply grown tired and careless. of his Hazara features.

But he never told on me. Never told that 4 Characterization

the mirror, like shooting walnuts at the
neighbor’s dog, was always my idea. Hassan treats Amir like his brother/close
friend. Amir mentions how Hassan will never
say anything bad about any situation (no
matter how bad it can be).

Why can’t Amir do the same for Hassan if

they know each other so well? What is the
meaning of trust behind their friendship?

“Hey Babalu, who did you eat today? They 9 Racism

barked to a chorus of laughter. “Who did
you eat, you flat-nosed Babalu?” Babalu is a name/term to ridicule
someone.There would be side comments
relating to Hassan’s features: eyes and nose.

“That’s one thing Shi’a people do well”, he 10 Racism

said, picking up his papers. “Passing
themselves as martyrs.” He wrinkled his One of Amir’s teachers treats Shi’a people like
nose when he said the word Shi’a, like it they were objects or diseases. The teacher
was some kind of disease. jokingly ridicules what it’s like being a Shi’a.

On a high mountain I stood 11 Juxtaposition

And cried the name of Ali, Lion of God.
Name: Andrea Yao
Period: 2

O Ali, Lion of God, King of Men, The italicized statement juxtaposes Ali’s
Bring joy to our sorrowful hearts. position because he isn’t the king of men or
lion god. Ali is a server for Amir’s family.

With me as the glaring exception, my 15 Character Foil

father molded the world around him to his
liking. The problem, of course, was that Baba expects great achievements from his
Baba saw the world in black and white. son because he wants Amir to do the same
exact things he did as a child. The contrast
between Amir and Baba’s relationship show
different character traits/development.

“….All this talk about sin has made me 19 Verbal Irony

thirsty again.”
Baba tells Amir a brief history about cultural
aspects since Amir asked for a clarification.
Baba reminds Amir that the biggest sin is
stealing something and the cost you need to
pay for.

Theme: Redemption and control

“Children aren’t coloring books. You don’t 21 Metaphor

get to fill them with your favorite colors.”
Kids aren’t objects because you still need to
nurture them. Hosseini compared children to
color books with a use of metaphor. Rahim
Khan tells Baba that he shouldn’t be
expecting the great achievements from Amir
since he’s only a child.

Never mind that we spent entire winters 25 Racism and Cultural Norms
flying kites, running kitties.Never mind that
to me, the face of Afghanistan is that of a “the face of Afghanistan….” is not a Pashtun,
boy with a thin-boned frame, a shaved but rather a Hazara. This statement shows
head…. cultural differences and describes Hassan’s
physical attributes.
Never mind any of those things. Because
history isn’t easy to overcome…. Amir mentions that he is a Pashtun which
makes him somewhat different than
In the end, I was a Pashtun and he was a Hassan—a Shi’a. He also says that nothing
Hazara, I was Sunni and he was Shi’a, will change their cultural differences.
and nothing was ever going to change
that. Nothing. Is Amir stating this because he can act
different towards Hassan? Is Hassan truly his
friend if he admits the fact that “nothing” will
change their beliefs?

Something roared like thunder. The earth 36 Imagery, Personification, and Metaphor
shook a little and we heard the rat-a-tat-tat
of gunfire. “roared like thunder” and “the earth shook”
indicate that there is chaos happening
They weren’t shooting ducks after all. As it outside.
turned out, they hadn’t shot much of
anything that night of July 17, 1973. Kabul Auditory imagery: “rat-a-tat-tat”
Name: Andrea Yao
Period: 2

awoke the next morning to find that the

monarchy was a thing of the past Metaphor: ducks are innocent lives

Hosseini displays historical events throughout

his novel. *Dates normally indicate an
important event that happened in real life. He
also uses animals such as lambs, ducks, or
sheep to represent innocent lives (being taken
away or harmed violently).

“Amir agha?” Hassan whispered. 37 Repetition

“What?”
“What’s a ‘republic’?” Agha: great lord, friend, or sir
I shrugged. “I don’t know.” On Baba’s
radio, they were saying Hassan’s repetition shows that he’s scared
that word, “republic,” over and over again. about the horrific events happening to them.
“Amir agha?” He is also asking Amir for permission to
“What?” speak, therefore revealing their relationship.
“Does ‘republic’ mean Father and I will
have to move away?” Amir’s tone: somewhat annoyed because
“I don’t think so,” I whispered back. Hassan kept asking him too many questions.
Hassan considered this. “Amir agha?”
“What?”
“I don’t want them to send me and Father
away.”
I smiled. “Bas, you donkey. No one’s
sending you away.”
“Amir agha?”
“What?”
“Do you want to go climb our tree?”

I will never forget how Assef’s blue eyes 38 Foreshadow

glinted with a light not entirely sane and
how he grinned, how he grinned, as he Amir reveals how he will never forget Assef’s
pummeled that poor kid unconscious. blue eyes which indicates that something bad
will happen in the future. Hosseini also puts
an emphasis on the word “grinned”. This idea
shows dominance and taking control of
someone with weak traits.

“Your Hazara made a big mistake today 43 Racism

Amir”, he said.
“Your Hazara indicates how they treat Hassan
like he’s a property. They don’t treat him like a
proper human being.

What is the purpose of Assef’s dominance

over Hassan?

Because that winter was the winter that 47 Foreshadow

Hassan stopped smiling.
Hassan shares similar features to a doll. He’s
supposed to represent genuine traits and
kindness. Although, Amir reveals that
Name: Andrea Yao
Period: 2

something terrible will happen to Hassan

causing him to stop smiling.

Personal thought: The reason for someone to

stop smiling must be extremely traumatizing,
especially at a young age.

….for the warmth of the cast-iron stove as 49 Personification and Vivid Imagery
the wind screeched through the yards, the
streets. But mostly because, as the trees Hosseini illustrates the winter season in
froze and ice sheathed the roads, the chill Afghanistan with personification and imagery.
between Baba and me thawed a little.
Personal thought: This idea makes me feel
like I’m specifically in the area that Amir
describes.

And I wasn’t going to fail Baba. Not this 57 Foreshadow

time.
Amir is tired of Baba expecting him to do great
things. He is constantly tired of trying to make
his father proud. His story-telling skills aren't
enough to make his father smile or even
appreciate him. Amir wants to win the kite
running contest to win his father’s heart.

What does it take for Baba to appreciate his

one and only son?

Personal thought: Amir tries extremely hard to

get Baba’s attention. In the earlier chapters,
he constantly blames himself for killing his
mother. Amir constantly burdens himself with
parental issues (emotional thoughts).

But no one was swimming because they 59 Fantasy, Foreshadow, and Metaphor
said a monster had come to the lake. It
was swimming at the bottom, waiting.” Monster: a strange or horrible imaginary
creature (fantasy); a powerful person or thing
that cannot be controlled

Amir describes that there is a monster waiting

for them at the bottom of the lake. This idea
shows that there will be a rumor or event
ruining happiness.

At least two dozen kits already hung in the 63 Simile and Characterization
sky, like paper sharks roaming for prey.
“like paper sharks roaming for prey”: war-like
Next to me, Hassan held the spool, his tone.
hands already bloodied by the string.
Hassan always does the hard work for Amir.
He never questions what Amir wants him to
do even though it can be risky or dangerous.
Name: Andrea Yao
Period: 2

Why does Amir keep ignoring Hassan’s

existence?

Personal thought: Amir likes to hang out with

Hassan. They would always climb trees or
relax nearby one.

“Your father won’t find out,” Assef said. 75 Racism

“And there’s nothing sinful about teaching
a lesson to a disrespectful donkey.” Realization: these characters always call
Hassan a donkey or an insult to remind his
“It’s just a Hazara”, Assef said. unwanted existence.

“a Hazara”: treats him like an object

How do certain characters define “sin”?

I ran because I was a coward. 77, 79 Trigger Warning: Alley Scene

I forgot what I’d done. And that was good. Personal thought: This was by far the most
difficult scene I’ve read. I know everything is
fictitious but it was difficult to ignore what
happened in the alley scene. Amir admits that
he was a coward because he didn’t save
Hassan from a traumatizing event.

How do you recover from an event similar to

the alley scene?

Theme: redemption and act of violence

“There must have been a hundred kites in 83 Amir’s tone is sad and unaffected because his
the sky that day?” Baba said. “Is that fun day is ruined. In his sadness, he misses
about right, Amir?” Baba’s pride. Amir doesn’t realize how his dad
is encouraging him which rarely happens.
“I guess so,” I mumbled.
Personal thought: Why would someone ignore
compliments? Amir specifically wanted to
make Baba proud but chooses to ignore his
first conversation with his dad.

….Hassan was smeared in red like he’d 93 Simile and Tone

been shot by a firing squad. I fell to my
knees, tired, spent, frustrated. Specific tone: dark/depressive/morose

Then Hassan did pick up a pomegranate. Hassan cannot bring himself to hurt Amir.
He walked toward me. He opened it and
crushed it against his own forehead. Amir constantly changes his mood toward
“There,” he croaked, red dripping down his Hassan. Sometimes, Amir would treat him like
face like blood. his brother or best friend. Sometimes, he
would treat him like a servant. Is there a
“What am I going to do without you, reason for his changing behavior?
Hassan?”
Personal thought: How can someone face a
Name: Andrea Yao
Period: 2

person who just suffered tremendously?

In one of those brief bursts of light, I saw 100 Personification and Racism
something I'll never forget: Hassan serving
drinks to Assef and Wali from a silver Hassan can do nothing but serve Amir’s guest
platter. The light winked out, a hiss and a because that’s his main purpose/job for the
crackle, then another flicker of orange family. Amir feeds on his own fault and
light: Assef grinning, kneading Hassan in resentment.
the chest with a knuckle.
Theme: servant/master relationship,
Then, mercifully, darkness. dominance, self-awareness issues

Vocab Word Definition

furtive attempting to avoid notice or attention,

typically because f quilt or a belief that
discovery would lead to trouble; secretive

contrite feeling or expressing remorse; affected by

guilt

entourage a group of people attending or surrounding an

important person

trepidation a feeling of fear or agitation about something

that may happen

unscrupulous conscienceless; without principles

scruples principles or beliefs;feelings of doubt or guilt

about a suggested action

congenital present at birth but no necessarily hereditary

reveries daydream; state of being lost in one’s

thoughts

garrulous talkative, rambling

veracity truthfulness, accuracy

chasm a deep opening in the earth's surface

roil be agitated

curt said or done in a quick and impolite way

affable friendly and easy to talk to

lorries motor truck (British word)

Your Question:
Name: Andrea Yao
Period: 2

- To what extent does Hosseini use literary devices to illustrate the setting of his novel,
especially taking place in Afghanistan?
- What is the purpose of Amir’s shifting tone in various events? *One day he will say
something bright, then the next day it would be dark and unpleasant.
- What is the purpose of Amir and Baba’s character foil? Why is Amir’s relationship with
him difficult?
- How do certain characters in the novel treat Hassan differently? How does racism in the
novel affect relationship status?
- How does Hosseini depict masculinity, especially through Baba’s character? Why is Baba
against Amir’s passion for writing?

Additional Comments:

Allah-u-Akbar Allah “God” is the greatest

Laaf Afghan tendency to exaggerate

Toophan Agha Mr. Hurricane

Masnawi A verse in the Persian Koran

Bazarris Bustling Crowds

Mard Huge man

Mashallah Respect or appreciation

Sultan Ruler

Mullah Title of Islamic clergy

Shah Iranian Kings

Quwat “What”

Kasseef Filthy, dirty

Salaam alaykum Peace

Agha Sahib Great lord, friend

Jan Dear (formal), endearment

Ishallah God-willing

Tashakor Thank you

Bas Enough

Pomegranate Trees (or trees in general) “One summer day, I used one of Ali’s kitchen
knives to carve our names on it: Amir and Hassan,
the sultans of Kabul.” -pg 30
Name: Andrea Yao
Period: 2

“The tree was ours.” -pg 30

In the first eight chapters of the novel, Amir and

Hassan’s friendship constantly shifts moods and
tones. There would be a day where Amir treated
Hassan like a servant. Although, most of Amir’s
stories display his fondness toward Hassan. Amir
often treats Hassan like his brother or best friend.
The tree is their usual hang-out spot; the two
characters would show their sincerity toward one
another.

Redemption and Violence Personal thought: The alley scenes display these
two main themes because of its emotional impact
and character development. The true events in
Afghanistan are also being depicted through
Hosseini’s metaphors and similes.

Connection: Alley scene is similar to the events in

Alice Walker’s The Color Purple

Hosseini further emphasizes the tension between

Amir and Hassan’s character development. Amir’s
internal monologue displays his raw emotions
toward Hassan’s traumatizing occurrence.

Animals Irony

Hassan is often harassed with filthy comments,

especially the word “donkey”. It seems that
Hassan shows a lot of perseverance and
strong-willed traits. On the contrary, Amir never
stands for anyone including himself, but nobody
calls him for his actions.

Pashtun and Hazara differences

Connection

Animals indicate innocent lives including both

Amir and Hassan. Hosseini uses certain animals
to depict the youthfulness in his characterization.

Essential Question: What is redemption, and is it - The definition of “Redemption” varies from
possible to achieve it? person to person. In my personal opinion,
this word means: redeeming yourself from
the feeling of guilt or something you’ve
done wrong. It can also indicate a change
in your action or behavior to better
yourself. Redemption is possible because
people change all of the time. I feel that
certain people will remember what they’ve
Name: Andrea Yao
Period: 2

done wrong in the past. Redemption can

be an act of restoring justice or peace.
Although on other occasions, redemption
cannot happen. Some situations are
impacted with so much hate or anger that
it’s impossible to restore justice or peace.
Some people specifically cannot redeem
themselves from a past event. Sometimes
I’d like to think that you can’t buy
someone’s forgiveness back. Once you’ve
traumatized someone deeply, it’s
extremely difficult to change them to their
original optimistic self. Redemption allows
you to heal a relationship with another
person. I think it’s natural for humans to
redeem themselves, but you need to
forgive yourself first.

Chapters 9-18

Key Quotes (insert image or type it in) Page # Thoughts/Analysis

I didn’t want any of it–it was all blood 101 Dark Tone
money; Baba would have never thrown
me a party like that if I hadn’t won the Amir never cared for things that served him no
tournament. purpose. He cares deeply about intangible
things because he can’t truly process his
emotions.

Rahim Khan gifted him a notebook which later

influenced him to publish a story.

“You like it?” Baba said, leaning in the 102 Repetition

doorway to my room. I gave him a
sheepish grin and a quick “Thank you.” I “...only halfhearted one.”: shows the mutual
wished I could have mustered more. nature of Amir’s relationship with Baba.

“We could go for a ride,” Baba said. An “Thank you”: to show reassurance and
invitation, but only a halfhearted one. comfort
“Maybe later. I’m a little tired,” I said.
“Sure,” Baba said.
“Baba?”
“Yes?”
“Thanks for the fireworks,” I said. A
thank-you, but only a halfhearted one.

I stepped back and all I saw was rain 109 Simile

through windowpanes that looked like
Name: Andrea Yao
Period: 2

melting silver. The simile shows a relationship melting away

because Amir and Hassan are going to be
separated for a long period of time.

I wondered where Hassan was. Then the 113 Character Development

inevitable. I vomited on a tangle of weeds,
my retching and groaning drowned in the MiG: a Russian fighter jet
deafening roar of the MiG.
The thought of Hassan makes Amir regret the
event that happened in the past. He vomited
after the thought of resentment. This idea is
also shown through Hosseini’s use of auditory
imagery after Amir’s evaluation

Baba sighed behind me and dropped the 119 Tone: hopeful

bags.
Karim told us it should be a matter of a Amir thinks about his freedom and stays
couple of short days before the truck was hopeful because he’s overwhelmed with
fixed. Then we’d be on our way to traumatic incidents.
Peshawar. On to freedom. On to safety.

Panic. 121 Claustrophobic Imagery (Vivid)

You open your mouth. Open it so wide
your jaws creak. You order your lungs to Hosseini’s repetition of the words “now” and
draw air, NOW, you need air, need it “panic” display Amir’s claustrophobia. It
NOW. But your airways ignore you. They seems that he can’t do anything with his body
collapse, tighten, squeeze, and suddenly because he’s shocked and his body refuses to
you’re breathing through a drinking straw. respond quickly.
Your mouth closes and your lips purse and
all you can manage is a strangled croak.
Your hands wriggle and shake.
Somewhere a dam has cracked open and
a flood of cold sweat spills, drenches your
body. You want to scream. You would if
you could. But you have to breathe to
scream.
Panic.

Baba loved the idea of America. 125 Motif: medical issues like ulcer or cancer is
It was living in America that gave him an being utilized
ulcer.
Baba doesn’t actually like the United States
as a whole; he only likes the idea of living
there.

“He’s not fit to run this coun- 126 Simile: to prove Baba’s point about
try. It’s like putting a boy who can’t ride a incompetence.
bike behind the wheel of
a brand new Cadillac.” What America and Baba criticizes the US and compares it to an
the world needed was a inexperienced “boy”. This idea connects with
hard man. A man to be reckoned with, Amir’s self-awareness in the beginning
someone who took action chapters.
instead of wringing his hands.
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And that was how Baba ended those 131 Simile: shows Baba’s importance in honor
humiliating food stamp moments at the
cash register and alleviated one of his Motif: medical issues like tumor
greatest fears: that an Afghan would see
him buying food with charity money. Baba
walked out of the welfare office like a man
cured of a tumor.

“I wish Hassan had been with us today,” 133 Tone: gentle

he said.
Baba shows a kind and favorable gesture
when he thinks of Hassan again. This is also
a reminder of a past event that happened a
long time ago. Amir keeps thinking of Hassan
to bring him more comfort.

She had thick black eyebrows that 140 Personification: Soraya’s eyes flying away
touched in the middle like the arched after meeting Amir.
wings of a flying bird, and
the gracefully hooked nose of a princess Vivid Imagery: Amir described Soraya’s
from old Persia—maybe feature with great detail because he’s never
that of Tahmineh, Rostam’s wife and felt for anyone (especially a woman) before.
Sohrab’s mother from the
Shahnamah. Her eyes, walnut brown and
shaded by fanned lashes, met mine. Held
for a moment. Flew away.

After I met Soraya Taheri, every night of 143 Metaphor: shows how much he loves her
the week became a yelda even though they only saw each other
for me. And when Sunday mornings came, recently.
I rose from bed, Soraya
Taheri’s brown-eyed face already in my
head.

I had won at the genetic lottery that had 149 Metaphor: it is better to be a man; this idea
determined my sex. indicated gender inequality because Amir is
comparing his male standards as a genetic
lottery (winning something valuable).

I tossed in my sheets and stared at the 150 Hyperbole: to show Amir’s affection for
ceiling, dismayed at the thought of six Soraya
laborious, interminable nights of yelda
until I saw her again.

The visit with the pulmonologist, Dr. 155 Racism and cultural differences: Baba
Schneider, was going well until Baba doesn’t trust any Russian even though the
asked him where he was from. Dr. doctor was raised in the United States.
Schneider said Russia. Baba lost it.

His shoulder blade felt like a bird’s wing 161 Simile: to show Baba’s deterioration
under my fingers. I pulled the blanket back
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up to his chest where ribs stretched his Bachem: my child

thin, sallow skin.
“Can I do anything else for you, Baba?”
“Nay, bachem. Thank you.”

You look khoshteep,” Baba said. 166 Hyperbole: to show Baba’s love and support
Handsome. for Amir’s big wedding day
“Thank you, Baba. Are you all right? Do
you feel up to this?”
“Up to this? It’s the happiest day of my life,
Amir,” he said, smiling tiredly.

Baba spent $35,000, nearly the balance of 169 Character Development

his life savings, on
the awroussi, the wedding ceremony. Baba spends his life savings to show how
much he truly loves Amir and how little time
he has left.

“Okay,” she said. She pulled up his 173 Character Development

blanket. We closed the door.
Baba never woke up. Beforehand, Baba never asked for any
morphine because he knew his time was over.
There was no need for him to live because he
died as a fulfilled man.

“Their sons go out to nightclubs 179 Gender Role

looking for meat and get
their girlfriends pregnant, they have The gender gap poses a big problem. Soraya
kids out of wedlock and no breaks down in front of Amir because of
one says a goddamn thing. Oh, they’re gender disparity. It is easy for men to get
just men having fun! I away with many things but there are many
make one mistake and suddenly expectations for women.
everyone is talking nang and
namoos, and I have to have my face Nangs and Namoos: pride, honor, or dignity
rubbed in it for the rest of my
life.”

“I am so proud of you,” she said, raising 183-184 Amir received great news about his story and
her glass to mine. “Kaka would have been his wife congratulated him afterwards. His
proud too.” story is a lot similar to his personal childhood
“I know,” I said, thinking of Baba, events. Soraya reminded him that Baba would
wishing he could have seen me. be proud because of Amir’s achievement.

That was also the year that Soraya and I Amir and Soraya wanted to test if they could
began trying to have a child. have a child. Amir questions himself if he’d be
qualified enough to enter fatherhood.

And late at night, in the darkness of our 189 Verbal Irony and Simile: Amir and Soraya
room, I’d feel it rising from Soraya and wanted a child. Amir describes Soraya’s
settling between us. Sleeping between us. sleeping position similarly to a newborn child.
Like a newborn child.
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“Rahim Khan is very sick.” A fist clenched 191 This indicates Rahim Khan’s lie because he
inside me with those words. wanted to see Amir.

Personal thought: Why is everyone getting

sick?

And dreamed of Hassan running in the 194 It wasn’t Hassan who killed their relationship.
snow, the hem of his green chapan Amir caused their relationship to end because
dragging behind him, snow crunching of the events that happened during their
under his black rubber boots. He was childhood. He dreams of Hassan which
yelling over his shoulder: For you, a indicates that Amir cannot move on from the
thousand times over! past.

I told him I had written short stories in the 198 Tone: sadness
leather-bound notebook he’d given me,
but he didn’t The notebook meant so much to Amir but
remember the notebook. Rahim Khan can’t remember anything about
The conversation inevitably turned to the the present.
Taliban.
“Is it as bad as I hear?” I said.
“Nay, it’s worse. Much worse,” he said.
“They don’t let you be
human.”

“I brought you here because I am going to 202 Foreshadow: Rahim Khan reminds Amir that
ask something of you. I’m going to ask you he needs to listen about what he’s going to
to do something for me. But before I do, I mention next. Rahim Khan questions Amir
want to tell you about Hassan. Do you more than once because he doesn’t want to
understand?” scare him away.

“Yes,” I murmured.
“I want to tell you about him. I want to tell
you everything. You will listen?”
I nodded.

Like he was preparing the house for 208-209 Simile and Foreshadow
someone’s return. Do you remember the
wall behind the row of corn your father had Hassan’s preparation shows the intensity and
planted, Amir jan? What did you and the row of corn indicates his friendship with
Hassan call it, “the Wall of Ailing Corn”? Amir.

I pray to Allah you never hear it. Allah heard Rahim Khan’s prayer and events
went downhill after his statement.

But all I could manage was to whisper 219 Repetition and Anaphora: “No”
“No. No. No” over and over again.
Amir is shocked about everything that Rahim
Khan told him. He can’t process the fact that
his only best friend is dead, right after he
began to love again.

“You bastards,” I muttered. Stood up. “You 222 Tone: angry

goddamn bastards!” I screamed. “All of
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you, you bunch of lying goddamn Interjection: puts an emphasis on Amir’s

bastards!” anger since he doesn’t know how to react
gently.

And with that, I stormed out of the 223 Tone: sad and frustrated
apartment.

Vocab Word Definition

saunter Walk leisurely and with no apparent aim

Interminable Tiresomely long; seemingly without end

amiable diffusing warmth and friendliness

reticence The trait of being uncommunicative

palliative Moderating pain or sorrow by making it easier to

bear

sallow Unhealthy looking

malady Any unwholesome or desperate condition

chagrin Strong feelings of embarrassment

meticulous Marked by extreme care in treatment of details

futility Uselessness as a consequence of having no

practical result

incessant incessant

garrulous Full of trivial conversations

proverbial Of, pertaining to, or characteristics of a proverb

Syn: accepted

Your Question:

- What does the motif of medical issues signify? (eg. tumor, ulcer, cancer, etc)
Name: Andrea Yao
Period: 2
- To what extent does Hosseini utilize vivid imagery to further illustrate different types of
mood and setting?
- What is the author’s purpose of Amir’s thoughts of Hassan in the beginning of chapter 9
through Rahim Khan’s meeting?
- What does the climax of the story reveal about Amir’s self-awareness?
- Why and How does Hosseini use pathetic fallacy to set the atmosphere/mood/tone?

Additional Comments/Personal Thoughts:

Setting: Pakistan After Amir’s big part, we transitioned to their

refugee period. Hosseini included numerous vivid
imagery when it came to describing the
surroundings (people and room).

Event: suicide

Personal thought: Somewhat similar to the alley

scene

I was expecting something traumatic to happen

because foreshadowing is heavily utilized in this
novel. It’s difficult to ignore the fact that Kamal’s
father killed himself with a gun, especially with
Hosseini’s story-telling approach.

Setting: United States Amir and Baba moved to the United States to
receive better opportunities. They couldn’t live in
Afghanistan because of the war. Baba criticized
numerous events that happened in the US.

Personal thought: It was interesting to read their

live change drastically. Baba and Amir appeared
to be closer than ever. He finally showed his
affection towards his only son.

Tone: extremely bittersweet and somewhat

optimistic

Character: Soraya Personal thought: Amir and Soraya’s radiating

love comes off naturally. I found it interesting how
Amir never grew up with any motherly figure in his
life but treats Soraya with respect. His character
development contradicts his younger self even
though there will be times where he mentions
gender gap issues.

Violence Widely employed to further emphasize both

historical events and Amir’s self-awareness.

Shown through:
- Afghanistan’s true war events
- Suicide
- Hassan’s horrific death
- Verbal and physical abuse
Name: Andrea Yao
Period: 2

- Taliban
- Rahim Khan’s past stories to Amir

Chapters 18-end

Key Quotes (insert image or type it in) Page # Thoughts/Analysis

The sun had almost set and left the sky 224 Pathetic Fallacy
swathed in smothers of purple and red.
Hosseini uses pathetic fallacy to describe the
weather throughout the novel. In this case, he
mentions that the skies include purple and red
tints.

There is only one sin. And that is 225 Flashback

theft...When you tell a lie, you steal
someone’s right to the truth. Amir remembers what Baba told him about
lying. A flashback occurs about the time
where he learns about the meaning behind
sins; the worst of them all would be lying.

Again, the car sickness. By the time we 228 Juxtaposition

drove past the bullet-riddled sign that read
THE KHYBER PASS WELCOMES YOU, Hosseini juxtaposes the idea of a place
my mouth had begun to water. welcoming someone (WELCOMES YOU) and
Amir’s mouth watering. This idea indicates
that Amir doesn’t want to go to the next place
he’s going but he needs to move on anyway.

Looked from me to the photo and back 237 Foreshadow and Inner Monologue
again. “This boy?”
I nodded. Amir reminds himself about what Baba used
“This Hazara boy.” to tell him. Amir also knows that Hassan has a
“Yes.” son and it’s his time to protect Sohrab in the
“What does he mean to you?” future. Both Amir and Hassan never learned
“His father meant a lot to me. He is the the fact that they are half-brothers; Amir
man in the photo. He’s dead now.” sounds proud that Hassan turned out to be his
Wahid blinked. “He was a friend of yours?” brother anyway.
My instinct was to say yes, as if, on some
deep level, I too wanted to protect Baba’s
secret. But there had been enough lies
already. “He was my half-brother.” I
swallowed. Added, “My
illegitimate half brother.” I turned the
teacup. Toyed with the handle.

His hands are tied behind him with roughly 239 Vivid Imagery and Surrealism (Dream)
woven rope cutting through the flesh of his
wrists. He is blindfolded with black cloth. Amir dreams about Hassan, and he reminds
He is kneeling on the street, on the edge Amir that he will do anything for him “a
of a gutter filled with still water, his head thousand times over”.
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Period: 2

drooping between his shoulders. His

knees roll on the hard ground and bleed Surrealism: The novel transitions to a
through his pants as he rocks in prayer. It dream-like event. The description is also vivid
is late afternoon and his long shadow and somewhat gory because they talk about
sways back and forth on the gravel. He is body and flesh.
muttering something under his breath. I
step closer. A thousand times over, he
mutters. For you a thousand times over.

“You were wrong about one thing.” 253 Foreshadow

“What?”
“He’s great with the slingshot.” Sohrab is apparently amazing with the
I smiled. slingshot just like his father. There will be an
“He’s inseparable from that thing. He tucks event in the later chapters where Sohrab will
it in the waist of his pants everywhere he save Amir from a fight.
goes.”

I saw a dead body near the restaurant. 259 Imagery

There had been a hang-
ing. A young man dangled from the end of Amir describes Afghanistan like it’s a horrible
a rope tied to a beam, his face puffy and place. The setting is nowhere close to the
blue, the clothes he’d worn on the last day same setting in the beginning of the novel.
of his life shredded, bloody. Hardly anyone Amir describes how there is a dead body on
seemed to notice him. the streets and a dead man who hung himself.

“Amir agha?” Farid said, startling me from 267 Repetition

near sleep.
“Yes?” Farid asks Amir why did he go back to
“Why are you here? I mean, why are you Afghanistan, and Amir replies that he came
really here?” back for Sohrab (but he doesn’t know what
“I told you.”
he’ll do to Sohrab yet). He keeps repeating
“For the boy?”
“For the boy.” the word “boy” because the main focus will
Farid shifted on the ground. “It’s hard to turn to Sohrab in the later chapters.
believe.”
“Sometimes I myself can hardly believe
I’m here.”
“No . . . What I mean to ask is why that
boy? You come all the way from America
for ...a Shi’a?”

I had read about the Hazara massacre in 277 Racism

Mazar-i-Sharif in the
papers. It had happened just after the There was a Hazara massacre in the news
Taliban took over Mazar, one of the last and Amir found out about the deadly events
cities to fall. I remembered Soraya happening in Afghanistan at that time. The
handing me the article over breakfast, her
event is extremely similar to Hassan’s death
face bloodless.
because he was killed simply for being a
Hazara.
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Period: 2

“Bia, bia, my boy,” the Talib said, calling 280 Repetition

Sohrab to him. Sohrab went to him, head
down, stood between his thighs. The Talib Bia: to lead along
wrapped his arms around the boy. “How
talented he is, nay, The word “Bia” is repeated since they’re
my Hazara boy!” he said. His hands slid calling for Sohrab. He acts like a servant and
down the child’s back, then up, felt under the description reveals that they’ve somehow
his armpits. One of the guards elbowed showed sexual dominance over Sohrab.
the other and snickered. The Talib told
them to leave us alone.

“WHAT’S SO FUNNY?” Assef kept roaring 289 Repetition

with each blow. His spittle landed in my
eye. Sohrab screamed. Assef repeats “WHAT'S SO FUNNY?” to Amir
“WHAT’S SO FUNNY?” Assef bellowed. because he started laughing out of nowhere.
Another rib snapped…. Assef and Amir started fighting over their past.
Amir wanted to pay for his past sin, especially
the alley sin. Amir started laughing because
he feels no emotions during the fight and
Assef can do whatever he wants to do.

The tears broke free. Sohrab shook his 290-291 Repetition and Interjection
head. “Please, Agha,” he said. “Stop.”
“Put it down.” Sohrab asks Assef to put down the weapon
“Don’t hurt him anymore.” and stop hurting Amir because the scene is
“Put it down.” causing a lot of violence for everyone. The
“Please.”
interjection indicates that Sohrab is telling
“PUT IT DOWN!”
“Bas.” Assef to “Put it down” with force and honesty
“PUT IT DOWN!” Assef let go of my throat. in his voice.
Lunged at
Sohrab.

The slingshot made a thwiiiiit sound when 291 Auditory Imagery

Sohrab released the cup. Then Assef was
screaming. Sohrab’s slingshot made a thwiiiiit sound.

Farid was still repeating, “Bismillah! 292 Repetition

Bismillah!”
It was about then that I passed out. Bismillah: in the name of Allah

As for me, it is time to go. I have little time 302 Nostalgia (Final Letter)
left and I wish to spend it alone. Please do
not look for me. That is my final request of Rahim sends a final letter to Amir. The tone of
you. the letter is extremely sad and honest at the
I leave you in the hands of God. same time. Amir, on the other hand, is
Name: Andrea Yao
Period: 2

Your friend always, confused with his life and what he wants to do
Rahim next. Rahim was also never seen after this
specific letter.

When you tell a lie, you steal a man’s right 310 Tone: Sad and Confused
to the truth. Rahim Khan on the phone,
telling me there was a way to be good Rahim tells Amir that there is a way to be
again. A way to be good again . . . good again. Amir is still clueless with Sohrab
and what he plans to do next. Although Amir
fights Assef because of the alley scene, he
needs to keep Sohrab and nurture the child.

His face twisted and strained to stay 318-319 Nostalgia/Flashback Thoughts

composed. “Father used to say it’s wrong
to hurt even bad people. Because they Tone: Honest
don’t know any better, and because bad
people sometimes become good.” Amir tells Sohrab that Assef is a bad guy and
he can never turn himself around. Amir feels
“Not always, Sohrab.” somewhat nostalgic with Sohrab’s honesty
He looked at me questioningly.
because Hassan taught him to be kind and
“The man who hurt you, I knew him from
many years ago,” I gentle. Amir also reminds Sohrab that Hassan
said. “I guess you figured that out from the was a brave man and he was always there by
conversation he and I had. He . . . he tried his side (childhood events).
to hurt me once when I was your age, but
your father saved me. Your father was
very brave and he was always rescuing
me from trouble, standing up for me. So
one day the bad man hurt your father
instead. He hurt him in a very bad way,
and I ...I couldn’t save your father the way
he had saved me.”

I struggled out of bed and crossed the 324 Tone: Happy

space between us. I sat beside him. “I
won’t ever get tired of you, Sohrab,” I said. Connection: Soraya is always Yelda
“Not ever. That’s a promise. You’re my
nephew, remember? And Soraya jan, Amir reassures Sohrab that he will never get
she’s a very kind woman. Trust me, she’s tired of him. Amir tells Sohrab about Soraya
going to love you. I promise that too.” I and how she will be glad to take care of
chanced something. Reached down and
Sohrab (and possibly treat him like a son).
took his hand. He tightened up a little but
let me hold it.

“I love you back,” she said. I could hear 326 Hyperbole

the smile in her words.
You can’t actually hear the smile but the
expression made it seem like Amir can feel
her words.
Name: Andrea Yao
Period: 2

“You promised you’d never put me in one 341 Smile and Interjection
of those places, Amir agha,” he said. His
voice was breaking, tears pooling in his Tone: Afraid
eyes. I felt like a prick.
Sohrab sounds like he had a painful
“This is different. It would be here, in childhood, and he never wants to go back to
Islamabad, not in Kabul. And I’d visit you an orphanage. There were a lot of
all the time until we can get you out and
interjections in this specific scene because
take you to America.”
Sohrab is trying to change Amir's mind and
“Please! Please, no!” he croaked. “I’m somebody will eventually hurt him (again).
scared of that place. They’ll hurt me! I
don’t want to go.”
“No one is going to hurt you. Not ever
again.”
“Yes they will! They always say they won’t
but they lie. They lie! Please, God!”

I pushed the door open. Stepped into the 343 Hyperbole

bathroom.
Suddenly I was on my knees, screaming. Amir discovers Sohrab in the bathroom
Screaming through my clenched teeth. bleeding to death. Sohrab tried to commit
Screaming until I thought my throat would suicide because he’s tired of his life and he
rip and my chest explode.
wants to go to the US with Amir.

Amir explains that his throat would probably

get ripped and his chest would explode
because he’s screaming too much. He’s
scared because he doesn't want Sohrab to die
in his hands.

I wonder tiredly whose prayers will be 347 Claustrophobic Imagery

heard tonight, hers or mine. I picture
Sohrab’s face, the pointed meaty chin, his This event happened to Amir when he was
small seashell ears, his slanting bamboo- young (as a refugee with Baba). His throat
leaf eyes so much like his father’s. A would close and couldn’t breathe because he
sorrow as black as the night outside
blames himself constantly.
invades me, and I feel my throat clamping.
I need air.

How will I tell Soraya? 348 Hypophora

Twice, they had to revive him—
I will do namaz, I will do zakat. Amir asks himself a question: “how will I tell
They would have lost him if his heart Soraya?”
hadn’t been young and strong— He answers his own question, and he wants
I will fast. to start doing namaz and all of the praying
He is alive. traditions.
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Period: 2

It would be erroneous to say Sohrab was 361 Characterization and Metaphor

quiet. Quiet is peace. Tranquility. Quiet is
turning down the volume knob on life. Amir repeats the word “quiet” to describe
Sohrab’s mental state (he will be quiet until
the last chapter).

His graze flitted between our kite and the 369 Symbolism and Anaphora
green one.
Symbol: Green
The green kite was making its move. In Afghanistan, the color green resembles
hope, prosperity, and paradise. The green kite
The green kite drew closer yet, now rising
symbolizes the new beginnings and Amir
a little above us, unaware of the trap I’d
set for it. somewhat redeeming himself from his sins.
Anaphora: The Green Kite is supposed to get
the reader’s attention (emphasis).

“For you, a thousand times over”, I heard 371 Anaphora and Simile
myself say. Then I turned and ran.
Anaphora: I ran (sounds very similar to Iran)
I ran. A grown man running with a swarm Simile: Smile as wide as The Valley of
of screaming children. But I didn’t care. I Panjsher
ran with the wind blowing in my face, and
Amir can finally live without any hesitation or
a smile as wide as The Valley of Panjsher
on my lips. doubt because he fulfilled what he’s been
wanting to redeem (since he was a young
I ran boy).

Vocab Word Definition

atone To make amends or reparation, as for an

offense or a crime

trudge To wall, especially wearily

contemptuous Showing or expressing disdain; expressing

deep hatred

undulate To move with a sinuous or wavelike motion;

display a smooth rising-and-falling or side-to
side alternation of movement

terse Neatly or effectively concise

squalid Foul and repulsive, as from lack of care or

Name: Andrea Yao
Period: 2

cleanliness

protrusion Something sticking out

replete Filled to capacity, abundantly supplied

milieu An environment or a setting or surroundings

Your Question:

- Is redemption an idea that can happen? Can someone justify a sin?

- In the chapters 18-25, Amir tried to redeem himself by taking care of Sohrab like a son. Did
Amir finally achieve redemption or was that not enough?
- What does Hosseini mean when he brings up “For you a thousand times over”?
- What is the purpose of the flashback when Rahim Khan was telling Amir about
everything?
- What is the purpose of the alley scene flashback when Amir found out about Hassan’s
death?

Final Comments/Personal Thoughts

Sohrab After having multiple discussions with everyone in

my class, I noticed that the majority of us think
Sohrab’s character suffered through different
events. When Sohrab’s character was introduced,
we learned the fact that he saw his parents die in
front of him. On the other hand, Amir flew back to
Afghanistan to meet Rahim Khan.

Sohrab’s childhood included a lot of traumatic

events. Assef’s group also treated him poorly and
showed sexual dominance over Sohrab. When
Amir fights Assef, the scene is similar to the alley
event because there was tension surrounding two
characters.

Amir finally took Sohrab and tried to take him to

the US. Sohrab’s overwhelming life took over him
at one point since he tried to commit suicide in the
bathtub. I think this specific scene was hard to
read through since it dealt with a lot of graphic
imagery (it was nauseating).

Last Redemption When Amir flew to Afghanistan, Hosseine added

foreshadowing events to indicate what he will do
in the later chapters. I knew that he'd eventually
encounter Assef one last time because he couldn’t
forget about the alley scene.

In my opinion, Amir redeemed himself because he

realized what he’d done wrong and turned his life
around at the end of the novel. He also took care
Name: Andrea Yao
Period: 2

of Sohrab and treated him like a son.