Name: Milia McCoy

Period 3

6The 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

Essential Question: What is redemption, and is it possible to achieve it?

Reading Schedule

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

1-9 1-100 Jan 5. Jan. 7

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: Milia McCoy
Period 3

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.

Class Conflict Race Conflict

“But in none of his stories did Baba ever refer to “Because history isn’t easy to overcome...I was a
Ali as his friend. The curious thing was, I never Pashtun and he was a Hazara, I was Sunni and
thought of Hassan and me as friends either.” 25 he was Shi’a, and nothing was ever going to
change that. Nothing.” 25

“That Hassan would grow up illiterate like Ali and
most Hazaras had been decided the minute he
had been born, perhaps even the moment he had
been conceived in Sanaubar’s unwelcome
womb-- after all, what use did a servant have for
the written word?” 28
“It also said some things I did know, like that
people called Hazaras Mice-eating, flat-nosed,
load-carrying donkeys. I had heard some of those
kids in the neighborhood yell those names to
Hassan.”
“That’s one thing Shi’a people do well.” he said,
picking up his papers, “passing themselves as
martyrs.” He wrinkled his nose when he said the
word Shi’a like it was some kind of disease.” 9

Chapters 1-9

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

“Then I glanced up and saw a pair of kites,
red with blue tails, soaring in the sky. They
danced high above the west end of the
park..floating side by side like a pair of
eyes looking down on San Francisco, the
city I now call home.”
1 This quote is drawn from the first page and
chapter of the story, significant in laying the
foundation for themes of guilt and childhood.
What first caught my attention to this quote
was the use of “kites” as it relates to the title
of the novel. This draws connections with the
motifs of kites and the associations between
them. Moreover, kites evokes a childlike
imagery within the text, foreshadowing the
influence of the narrator’s childhood on his
outlook on life. Moreover, this quote allows
Hosseini to use atmosphere and descriptive
imagery to elaborate upon the theme of guilt
this character feels relating to his childhood.
The use of a “pair of kites” both connects the
narrator with Hassan, his close companion
growing up and acts as “eyes looking down.”
The imagery of eyes watching the narrator in
his new “home” establishes the theme of guilt
as his childhood seems to watch over him,
making the narrator feel haunted by his past
almost as if it is inescapable. With all of these
layers, the quote foreshadows and adds a
layer of themes and characterization to
contrast the actions of the past and
perspective of the narrator now.
Name: Milia McCoy
Period 3
“Mine was Baba.
His was Amir. My name.
Looking back at it now, I think the
foundation for what happened in the winter
of 1975- and al that followed- was already
laid in those first words”
“But in none of his stories did Baba ever
refer to Ali as his friend. The curious thing
was, I never thought of Hassan and me as
friends either.”
“That Hassan would grow up illiterate like
Ali and most Hazaras had been decided
the minute he had been born, perhaps
even the moment he had been conceived
in Sanaubar’s unwelcome womb-- after
all, what use did a servant have for the
written word?”
“He referred to Assef as ‘Agha,’and I
wondered briefly what it must be like to
live with such an ingrained sense of one’s
place in a hierarchy.”
“He had the blue kite in his hands; that
was the first thing I saw.”
11 This quote foreshadows the relationship and
events in the novel. By reinforcing the
relationship, Hosseini emphasizes themes of
loyalty, desire, relationships, and fate (the idea
that things are bound to happen before birth).
Juxtaposing the first words and reinforcing
their close relationship is tragic and
heartbreaking for readers that know what has
happened, specifically seeing Hassan’s loyalty
towards Amir.
Moreover, I find Hosseini’s repetition of “the
winter of 1975” as an excellent way to create
a haunting, suspenseful feel for the event that
will take place. By keeping it in the forefront of
the reader's mind, the register of the book
reveals a menacing and suspenseful tone.
23 Hosseini reveals themes of friendship and
loyalty within an examination of Baba and Ali’s
relationship and compares it to the
generational similarities of Amir and Hassan.
This connects to themes of fate and
generational discrimination- admitdly adding a
layer to the characters and their willing
discrimination superficiality of people they
love. Additionally, themes of friendship
foreshadows the confrontation and rape of
Hassan who finds Amir to be his friend.
28 I find this quote reveals important aspects of
both class and race within Afghanistan. The
narrator's blunt questioning of Hassan allows
the readers to see the interconnectedness of
race and class. This establishment of
connectedness allows readers who are
unknowing of Afghanistan established rules
and world building, allowing a dimension of
the characters and how they perceive others.
Moreover, diction detailing the birth and
conception of Hassan insinuate themes of
fate.
42 Similarly to the third and fourth annotation,
this quote reveals themes of class and
culture, highlighting the connection to
generational understanding. Moreover, the
character Assef is introduced as the main
antagonist. Initially, I was going to write about
how Assef is a foil to Hassan, but I actually
think that this interaction reveals that Amir is
actually a foil for Hassan, adding a layer of
depth to their relationship.
78 There is a lot to unpack. I know that isn’t the
strongest opening annotation but that
Name: Milia McCoy
Period 3
Vocab word: “Agha”
“Inshallah”
Your Question: What does the creation and sharing of stories symbolize and provide for the
characterization of Amir?
What do disabilities represent in The Kite Runner? Specifically the contrasting disabilities of Ali
and Hassan?
To what extent is violence and rape representitive of ideologies and themes?
To what extent does the relationship between Hassan and Amir represent the insecurities and
mindset of the narrator? How is that relationship explored in the pomegranate scene?
Chapters 9-13
Key Quotes (insert image or type it in)
“‘Tell him I’ll take a thousand of his bullets
before I let the indecency take place,’
Baba saud. My mind flashed to that winter
day six years ago… Sometimes, I too
wondered if I was really Baba’s son.”
passage, and the events before it is a lot.
Reading about the narrator’s blunt, infatuation
with the kite is depressing, disgusting, and yet
makes sense. Hosseini uses the juxtaposition
of the kite and and Hassan as a tragic motif to
heighten the horror of what has happened and
reveal the tragic characterization of both Amir
and Hassen. Symbolically, (at least thus far)
the kite represents the dream or desire a
character wants to achieve and exposes what
each character is willing to sacrifice to get it.
In context to Amir, the blue kite meant a
sacrifice of Amir’s values and humanity. At a
pivotal point of his morality and friendship, he
chose to, “to win Baba.”
Moreover, it reveals the extent to which
Hassen is willing to remain loyal to Amir and
yet demonstrates the unwillingness of Amir.
This realization, all emphasized by the kite
motif honestly, makes me so distraught. As
much as I hate to re-read and analyze this
relationship and scene, Hosseini wrote it to be
that way and evoke those emotions.
Definition: “an honorific title for a civilian or
military officer, or often part of such title”
“God willing.”
Page # Thoughts/Analysis
116 By including this scene, Hoesseni ironically
compares the reaction of rape to Amir and
Baba. This further emphasizes the turmoil and
regret, Amir feels toward his inability to act
whilst characterizing Baba as a strong willed
person. While Amir’s morality is finicky,
running away from his own friend’s assault,
Hoesseni contrasts his actions with Baba’s
willingness to die for a stranger.
In recognizing their conflicting ideologies,
Amir questions the validity of him and his
fathers relationship, a sentiment Baba himself
expressed.
Name: Milia McCoy
Period 3
“Then he told Baba about Kamal. I caught
only snippets of it: Should have never let
him go alone… always so handsome, you
know...four of them….doesn’t talk
anymore...just stares…”
“America was a river, roaring along,
unmindful of the past. I could wade in this
river, let my sins drown to the bottom, let
the waters carry me someplace far.
Someplace with no ghosts, no memories,
and no sins.”
“Wuthering Heights. ‘Have you read it?’”
“Sad stories make good books.”
“I envied her. Her secret was out. Spoken.
Dealt with. I opened my mouth and almost
told her how I betrayed Hassan, lied,
driven him out, and destroyed a forty-year
relationship between Baba and Ali. But I
didn’t. I suspected there were many ways
in which Soraya was a better person than
me. Courage was just one of them.”
120 Within this quote, Hosseini insinuates a rape
between Kamal and four male figures. By
revealing Kamal, a bully who assisted in
Hassan’s rape, as a victim of the same
assualt, represents Hosseini’s take on
conformism and Asfghanistan. Additionally,
we see the effect rape has on Kamal,
reemphasizing the trauma of sexual assault.
As a major theme in the novel, Hosseini’s
subtle reveal reminds the audience of the
nature of assault.
136 Since guilt and redemption are prominent
themes in the novel, it is important that
Hosseini utilizes the environment to push this
narrative. Hosseini characterizes the new
American setting Amir lives in and how his
escape reflects his connection to America.
Not only is it a place to seek solace from war
and violence, but escape the “sins” and
wrongdoings of Amir’s past. However, like the
river analogy, Amir’s sins may sink, but they
eventually resurface. Moreover, this connects
to the characterization and identity of Amir’s
cowardness, his association with running.
Amir’s America, like a river, is a way to leave
behind the past and run away from
wrongdoings.
147 I included this quote as it references another
text, moreover, the “sadness” of its story.
Considering the tragic nature of The Kite
Runner, the story implies parallels with
Wuthering Height. Intertextuality can be used
to foreshadow or insinuate themes within a
novel, as it connects to existing archetypes in
other literary works. With that being said, I
have personally not read Wuthering Heights,
so the connection is lost. However, in the
context it is brought up in, I imagine the novel
follows similar themes of friendship,
redemption, and love.
165 This quote references how despite Amir’s
insistence that he has abandoned the past,
his past ultimately influences his relationships
and everyday life. Amir, filled with regret and
longing to repent, is unable to embrace his
fiance’s confession as it reminds him of his
inability. Moreover, Amir’s narration is self
destructive, as he speaks about himself and
his action with disgusted and shameful
diction. “Courage was just one of them,”
emphasizes the sentiment of his cowardice
and the motif of running away.
Name: Milia McCoy
Period 3
Vocab word: pulmonologist
Your Question: What does the connection between Baba’s health and America reveal about his
character? What is the motif of Baba’s health revealed?
To what extent is Soraya and Amir’s relationship similar to Hassan and Amir’s friendship?
Chapters 13-18
Key Quotes (insert image or type it in)
“And I remember wondering if Hassan too
had married. And if so, whose face he had
seen in the mirror under the veil? Whose
henna-painted hands had he held?”
“She was visibly expecting. ‘This is my
wife, Rahim Khan,’ Hassan said proudly.”
“My whole life, I had been ‘Baba’s son,’
Now he was gone. Baba couldn’t show me
the way anymore; I’d have to find it on my
own. The thought of it terrified me.”
“You smiled coming out of me, did anyone
ever tell you? And I wouldn’t even hold
you Allah forgive me. Please.”
Definition:
Page # Thoughts/Analysis
171 It is interesting to see how Amir still thinks
and is reminded of Hassan in important
moments of his life. This comparison and
pondering of Hassan is “haunting” to Amir, a
reminder that his past, and someone so tightly
bound to it is inescapable.
Moreover, it reminds the view of Hassan, and
enlists questions within the viewer.
After learning more about Hassan, it is
interesting to see how his marital relationship
acts as a foil to Amirs. Notably, the emphasis
on fertility and pregnancy. Whereas Amir and
Soraya are unable to have kids whilst Hassan
and Farzana are expecting. The prevalence of
fertility and pregnancy within marital
relationships demonstrates its significance as
a motif. The extent to which this motif is
symbolic, is something I still have yet to
understand. Perhaps it references the moral
character of each person?
174 The narration and reflection of what Baba
meant to Amir was a necessary comment on
his own identity and individuality. Throughout
the book thus far, Amir has lived and acted
upon what he deemed would be regarded by
his father. The familiar love between father
and son is a major theme throughout the
book, as it is that desire that Amir lives for.
However, Baba’s passing forces Amir to
completely grow up, finding his own identity
without Baba’s shadow. Moreover, Baba’s
death after Amir’s marriage and education is a
way for Baba to die happily, proudly
witnessing his son grow up. For the sake of
characterization, Baba’s death highlights
peace within him and the final step for Amir to
become his own person.
210 Sanaubar’s return, not only further
characterized Hassan as a forgiving, loving
person, but to act as a redemption for Amir
Name: Milia McCoy
Period 3
“He took Sanaubar’s hand in both of his
and told her she could cry if she wanted to
but she needn’t, she was home now, he
said, home with her family.”
“A few weeks later, the Taliban banned
kite fighting. And two weeks later, in 1998,
they massacred the Hazaras in
Mazar-i-Sharif.”
“his life of unrequited loyalty drifting from
him like the windblown kites he used to
chase.”
that he can never have.
Moreover, Sanaubar is a perfect example of
“there is a way to be good again,” that drives
Amir back to Rahim.
This return and ultimate redemption is one of
the first major redemptions we see within the
novel (aside from Soraya’s redemption and
forgiveness for running away and being with
another man). With the implications of
Sabaubar’s leaving and betrayal to her family,
the physical change and sorrow for her
actions, reflects the internal change within her
(once was extremely young and beautiful now
an old, dying woman). Most importantly
though, this quote allows Hosseini to
emphasize the theme of redemption as it
applies to Amir and the journey he must take.
Before this quote, Hassan’s fear for what the
Taliban may do, emphasizes Hassan’s keen
awareness around him and his profound
intelligence. I think this characterization is an
important one to include as it develops
Hassan as a smart adult. Hassan is aware of
the intentions and racism toward him, far
beyond what Afghan people may think
Hazaras may be able to comprehend.
Moreover, the banning of kite running is
symbolic in multiple ways. While kites and kite
running is a motif of multiple meanings, I
personally find the most sense in kite’s
symbolism for dreams and desire (commonly
associated with children’s dreams). The
banning of kite running from the Taliban is to
revoke children from childhood and dreaming.
Furthering that idea, the Taliban, and their
restrictive regime inhibit citizens' normal lives
and ability to follow passions and desires.
Hosseini includes imagery and draws upon
motifs of kites and kite running to describe
and visualize the death of Hassan. While
ultimately tragic and heart wrenching ( I will
admit that I cried, and I cried hard ) it is
beautifully described with gentle, almost
euphemistic diction. Additionally, the imagery
of a kite as his loyalty, drifting away is a fair
comparison of the fragility of both loyalty and
life. Perhaps Hosseini uses the childlike
connotation of kites to create a visually tragic
comparison of Hasan and childhood, but like
the symbolism of pregnancy and fertility, this
motif and connection is something I need to
further explore.
Name: Milia McCoy
Period 3

Vocab word: unrequited Definition: “one-sided” or “not reciprocated”

Your Question: To what extent does Hosseini use infertility and pregnancy to comment on the
morality of characters? Or perhaps, What is Hosseini conceptually exploring through the motifs of
fertility and infertility?
To what extent do kites and the connotations of kites directly reflect the characterization of
Hassan?
To what extent does Hosseini use setting as a device to reflect/explore the characters?
How is Baba’s growing sickness related to the environment (America) he is in? (i.e. ulcer, sickness,
cancer)

Chapters 18-23

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

“As it turned out, Baba and I were more
alike than I’d ever known...Rahim Khan
had summoned me here to atone not just
for my sins but for Baba’s too.”
“A way to end the cycle.”
226 Amir’s reflection upon discovering Hassan
was his half brother, reveals a narrative
understanding of the sins both he and Baba
committed. With a negative connotation, Amir
contrasts the sentiment that he is not Baba’s
son with one of connection through sin. This
realization, after Baba’s death, kills the perfect
image left of Baba, developing his character
as a flawed man run by similar guilt.
The repetitive elements of “like father like
son,” emphasize themes of generational
injustice, lies, and guilt. However, Hosseini
lets this revelation be the start of Amir’s
journey of forgiveness and redemption,
reconnecting to “There is a way to be good
again.”

“He pointed at an old man dressed in
ragged clothes trudging down a dirt path…
‘That’s the real Afghanistan, Agha sahib.
That’s the Afghanistan I know. You?
You’ve always been a tourist here, you
just didn’t know it.”
232 Hosseini uses this interaction to not only
startle Amir of the reality of his country, but as
a means to startle the reader. From a western
perspective, the narrator (Amir) controls the
perceptions of his country based on his
experience. Amir grows up in a home from
privilege and luxury and his experiences
become the “truth” readers understand
Afghanistan as. From a western perspective
with little to know understanding of
Afghanistan, I trusted the narration from Amir,
blindsided to the cultural aspect he missed.
The idea that Amir has always been a tourist
comes to a shock to both readers and the
narrator, juxtaposing narration to the actual
environment.

“Earlier that morning, when I was certain 242 Irony is once again used by Hosseini to
no one was looking, I did something I had juxtapose the significance of two similar
done twenty-six year earlier: I planted a events. Hosseini sets up the scene in a similar
fistful of crumpled money under a fashion, using descriptive qualities that
Name: Milia McCoy
Period 3
mattress.”
“The carving had dulled, almost faded
altogether, but it was still there: ‘Amir and
Hassan. The Sultans of Kabul.’”
“You don’t know the meaning of ‘liberating’
until you’ve done that, stood in a roomful
of targets, let the bullets fly, free of guilt
and remorse, knowing you are virtuous,
good, and decent.”
“They were slaughter sheep’s eyes”
“Sohrab screaming."
“Sohrab had the slingshot pointed to
Assef’s face...Then Assef was screaming.”
evokes imagery of Hassan’s birthday present.
This juxtaposition of then and now
demonstrates a trend of growth, revealing
characterization of Amir’s attempts to redeem
himself.
204 The pomegranate tree is a common motif
throughout the novel, symbolizing the
friendship between Amir and Hassan. When
they were younger, Amir and Hassa’s
pomegranate tree flourished with their close
companionship. Notably, the scene where
Amir throws fruits at Hassan, is a
demonstration of him manipulating their
friendship. For Amir, it reveals his ultimate
betrayal and disloyalty as he uses his
friendship to hurt Hassan. As they grew apart
the tree began to die, no longer giving fruit.
The remaining tree, with a faded engraving is
a reflection of their friendship: a relationship
only visible in memory. Ultimately, this scene
is written with a sad nostalgic tone as Amir
remances the friendship he once had.
277 Before the reveal of Assef as the taliban with
black sunglasses, this quote indicates and
foreshadows the reveal. Assef is undoubtedly
the main antagonist of the novel (besides
Amir’s self depreciation and Afghanistan
society), and this line references his flawed
morality. This quote calls back to Amir’s early
recall of him being a “sociopath.”
More importantly, I included this quote as it
explores the concept of guilt and remorse
from the perspective of Assef. Assef’s beliefs
deeply contrast with the themes of redemption
and guilt we have seen thus far as each
character, other than him, strives for
redemption in one way or another. However,
Assef, a sociopath embodying the
“id”psychoanalytic theory is shameless. This,
in conjunction to the quote, “You may have
nursed together but I’m your twin.” may
explore the idea that shame and guilt are
necessary factors of the human
understanding. While the book explores the
negative effects of them from Amir’s
perspective, it highlights the good of
acknowledging mistakes and atoning for
them.
285-291 The introduction to Sohrab, was disgusting to
say the least. To clarify, the treatment and
presentation of Sohrab was foul to say the
least. The “biting” of the earlobe, decorative
Name: Milia McCoy
Period 3

mascara that feminizes and parallels a sheep,

and the abusive undertones physically
sickened me. However it was definitely
included to establish the predatory and
abusive relationship between Assef and
Sohrab, especially with the Sheep motif as it
connects to Hassan’s relation. “Like father like
son.”
I wanted to include the “Sohrab screaming.” in
the annotation with Sohrab because of its
repetition in the fight. Amongst gory, violent
descriptions, the line “Sohrab screaming.”
Repeats, as to emphasize and remind that he
is watching. Moreover, this line is juxtaposed
with “Then Assef was screaming.” after
Sohrab shoots him in the eye. It is a
contrasting event that demonstrates a change
in power and Sohrab standing up to his
predatory abuser. In comparison to the
defenseless manner previously demonstrated,
it is powerful to see Sohrab stand up against
Assef. Additionally, the act of slingshotting
Assef’s eye is reminiscent of Hassan’s threat
nearly 28 years ago. This “father like son,”
generational theme and prophecy persists not
only in Baba and Amir’s relationship, but in
Sohrab and Hassan.

“For the first time since the winter of 1975,
I felt at peace.. I’d been looking forward to
this…I felt healed.”
289 As acknowledged by the narrator, the
confrontation between Assef and Amir was
inevitable and necessary in his redemption.
The delayed confrontation between the Assef,
the abuser, dismissed Amir from the entire
problem. As much as I want to believe Amir
could overcome his guilt without violence,
confronting Assef, and his brass knuckles
seemed important for his self healing.
In retrospect, I wonder if it actually benefited
Amir’s growth. Beyond having Sohrab, I really
wonder if the beating was necessary for self
growth. After this confrontation, Rahim and
the narrative push the idea that redemption
and forgiveness come when pain and guilt are
accepted. I now wonder if the assault still fits
into the old Amir’s ways. Amir, feeling
immense guilt may have wanted to be
physically beat because he felt it was what he
deserved. This is referenced as early as the
pomegranate scene where Amir wants
Hassan to stand up for himself. Perhaps,
Assef’s violent brutalization was what Amir
wanted to feel punished for his past sins.

Vocab word: 290 Definition:

Bas “Enough” or “forgiven”
Name: Milia McCoy
Period 3
naswar
Your Question: In conjunction to How to Read Literature like a Professor, what does the violent
confrontation between Assef and Amir symbolize?
What is Hosseini’s message in including literary violence?
What, if anything, does the motif of brass knuckles symbolize?
Chapters 23-end
Key Quotes (insert image or type it in)
“The worst laceration was on your upper
lip...The impact had cut your upper lip in
two...Clean down the middle. Like a
harelip.”
“What you did was wrong, Amir jan, but do
not forget that you were a boy when it
happened.”
“I believe, is what true redemption is, Amir
jan, when guilt leads to good.”
“There are a lot of children in Afghanistan,
but little childhood.”
“Powdered, smokeless tobacco.”
Page # Thoughts/Analysis
297 The scar down the middle of Amir’s lip,
references the similar imagery associated with
Hassan and his childhood. After the fight with
Assef, Amir feels “healed,” as the
confrontation acts as a catalyst for internal
redemption. The scar on the lip, similar to
Hassen's, signifies a transformative process
internally and externally. By standing up for
Sohrab Amir earns a quality associated with
Hassan (the selflessness of standing up for
others). By indicating a physical change that
mimics Hassan, Hosseini implies an adaption
to Hassan’s morality within Amir.
302 Rahim acts as the source of guidance for
each character in the novel. For Baba,
Hassan, and Amir he acts as a character who
both understands and provides advice to. I
liked how Rahim clarified that while Amir’s
actions were unacceptable he was a troubled
boy with problems he still has yet to
understand. Acknowledging the age of Amir
does not excuse his actions but clarify the
shortcomings of his judgment. Moreover,
Rahim’s final sentiment has an optimistic
diction, encouraging goodness comes from
guilt. This juxtaposition of ideas confirms that
guilt is not an entirely evil thing as long as you
act upon it and use it for good. Furthermore,
this characterizes the actions of Baba and
why he tries to be an outstanding person.
318 I found this quote to be profoundly depressing
and yet encompassing of the themes within
the book. As a result of the setting, culture,
and violent exposure in Afghanistan, children
suffer. Themes of violence, betrayal, war, and
assault work in conjunction to explore
innocence and the lack of it. While different
children have different reactions to this
exposure, the theme is prominently negative.
Considering the loss of childhood and lack of
Name: Milia McCoy
Period 3
“My hands are stained with Hassan’s
blood; I pray God doesn’t let them get
stained with the blood of his boy too...I
pray. I pray that my sins have not caught
up with me they way I feared they would.”
“It's a dangerous business, making
promises to kids.”
“You promised you’d never put me in one
of those places, Amir agha.”
“‘I promise.’.. I wish I hadn’t said those last
two words.”
“‘For you a thousand times over,’ I heard
myself say. Then I turned and ran. It was
understanding we see how trauma in children
like Kamal and Sohrab lead to self harm,
image, and silence. Moreover, the recurring
action of sexual assault and specifically rape
of minors may be Hosseini commenting on
Afghanistan raping children from childhood
and innocence. This larger conceptualization
of what rape means in the novel connects to
the issues prevalent in Afghanistan. Exposure
to war, violence, poverty, and racism
ultimately affect the extent to which children
can be children. For the reasons included, I
firmly believe the redundancy of assault on
children comments on the fact that childhood
was raped from Afghani children.
346 Amir’s prayer is pivotal as it follows Sohrab’s
suicide attempt. Amir, desperately wanting
atonement for his sins and for Sohrab to live,
reconnects with God in his most lonesome
hour. Previously disconnected with his own
faith, the reconnection with God is a plea for
the life of another, emphasizing the changing
selflessness within Amir. This scene
specifically is tense and fearful mimicking the
feelings Amir would have gone through.
This prayer is an important metamorphosis
within Amir to redeem himself spiritually and
mentally. His selfless pleas, whether or not
answered by a higher being, are a way for
Smir to recognize the pain he wishes to undo.
332 The US embassy ambassador foreshadowed
341 the themes of promises and suicide with
355 refrence to his own daughter’s death.
Promises, an motif of loyalty and regret
become a matter of life and death when Amir
still has yet to understand the extent of loyalty
and keeping one’s promises. However, in this
case, Amir’s inability to keep promises is well
intentioned but disregards the loyalty and
comprehension of others.
As sad and devastating as this moment was
for the relationship between Amir and Sohrab,
it was extremely grounding in characterizing
Amir. Personally, at this point in the novel I
truly felt as if Amir was the most real character
I had read. Despite all of the things Amir went
through to redeem his sins, he still makes
mistakes because he is not a perfect person.
He regrets making misplaced promises and
losing the connection he formed.
371 Recalling and referencing the assault that
happened in 1975, at the start of the novel is
Name: Milia McCoy
Period 3
only a smile, nothing more. It didn’t make
anything right. It didn’t make anything
right. Only a smile. A tiny thing… I ran. A
grown man running with a swarm of
screaming children. But I didn’t care. I ran
with the wind blowing in my face, and a
smile as wide as the valley of Phjsher on
my lips. I ran.”
Vocab word: laceration
Your Question: Dreams, like memories, are a surreal reflection of Amir’s mindset. After encountering
Assef, Amir dreams of Assef saying, “You may have nursed together but I’m your twin.” To what extent
does this quote reflect Amir’s self perception? Is there anything symbolic about this confrontation as it is
the last interaction with Assef?
Bonus Reactions:
a way to emphasize the change undergone by
Amir. Thus far, “For you a thousand times
over,” “kites,” and “I ran,” have had a negative
connotation attached to them. However, the
inclusion and optimistic diction of the final
paragraph, flip the associations with them.
“For you a thousand times over,” and the role
as a kite runner reveals the aspects of
Hassan Amir has taken on: the role of a
selfless friend.
Amir flying kites, smiling, and running
amongst children evokes a childlike
innocence lost. The ending reminded me of
Hassan’s question, “Does he still fly kites?”
which seemed silly at first but relevant
symbolically. The motif of kites can be used as
both guilt and happiness associated with
childhood. At the start of the novel, kites had a
negative connotation, but now they are a
reminder of forgiveness and joy. Because his
childhood is so intertwined with his friendship,
it reminds viewers of the bittersweet influence
Hassan has had on Amir. Writing this thinking
about the ending perfectly ties in with themes
of the book genuinely makes me cry.
Lastly, the final words, “I ran.” reference the
cowardice sacrifice Amir once made but like
the kites, change in significance. Amir runs for
happiness, chasing the good in his life rather
than his regret. The ending is a moment of
optimism despite the less than desirable
circumstances. By chasing a kite, Hosseini
chooses to end on a place of hope, enlisting
the message that forgiveness is achievable,
and life goes on.
297 Definition: “a deep cut”
Name: Milia McCoy
Period 3

This book put me through it. Cried on my book. The end.

QUESTION ABOUT ASSEF AND AMIR’S RELATIONSHIP?

REPETITION