The Kite Runner

Foreign Word Definitions for Chapters 6-9

Qurma- (pg.48)- a type of beef stew made with a yogurt sauce.

Kursi- (pg. 57)- electric or coal heater under a low table covered with a quilt.

Naan- (pg.60)- type of bread or light cake.

Ayat- (pg.62)- arabic word for sign or miracle—typically referring to verses of the
Koran.

Diniyat- (pg.62)- religion or religious.

Inshallah-(pg.66)- word meaning the phrase “God willing”.

Chapan- (pg.66)- a traditional coat for men popular among the Turkic population of
northern Afghanistan, but worn also by other Afghans. It is a long, buttonless caftan
with knee-length sleeves which in warm weather is worn open with a sleeve thrown
over a shoulder. In cold weather fur-lined or quilted chapans are worn, tied around
the waist with a cummerbund. It comes in various colors, often striped, and is
fashioned of cotton or silk.

Tashakor- (pg.67)- word meaning the phrase “Thank you”.

Laaf- (pg.84)- praise; boasting; self-praise; bragging.

Tandoor- (pg.85)- traditional oven for bread making.

Name _____________________________ Class pd. ___________

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini READING QUESTIONS for CHAPTERS 6-9 (Pages 48-109)
CHAPTER 6
1. What is “tar”? Why do boys in Kabul have gashes on their fingers?
"Tar" is a black, sticky substance used to cover the strings of kites for kite-fighting tournaments

 The boys in Kabul have gashes on their fingers from controlling the sharp kite strings during these competitions.

2. How does Amir feel about Hassan?

He is confused on one hand he admires Hassan's physical bravery, loyalty, and unwavering devotion

to him. On the other hand, he also feels jealous and resentful of Hassan's seemingly effortless ability to

please people. He struggles to come to terms with his own feelings of guilt and shame over betraying

Hassan in the past.

3. What does Amir mean by "my life as a ghost" ( p. 56)?

when he says "my life as a ghost" he said that because he feels like he is

invisible and disconnected from the world around him

4. How does Hassan show that he knows Amir well and can read him?

Hassan shows that he knows Amir well and can read him by correctly guessing that Amir is

worried about his father's affection and by offering to eat dirt if it would make Amir feel better.

CHAPTER 7
5. What does Ali say when Hassan leaves the house?
Ali tells him to be back before dark and to be carful
 6. Did you find the following quote from page 66 significant? “We won! We won!” Explain.
Yes, the quote "We won! We won!" is significant in Chapter 7 of The Kite Runner. It is significant because this is Amir's first time winning

the kite fighting tournament, which is an important moment for him. It is also significant because it is the last time that Amir and Hassan

share a moment of pure joy and happiness together before the traumatic events that will change their lives forever.

7. According to Amir on page 73, “I opened my mouth, almost said something. Almost. The rest of my
life might have turned out differently if I had.” What do you predict of the rest of Amir’s life?
Based on this quote, it's suggested that Amir missed an opportunity to speak up and make a

different decision that could have altered the course of his life. It needs to be clarified precisely

what the situation is, but the event likely has significant consequences for Amir in the future. 

8. Did Amir only run because he was a coward?

Amir's decision to flee during Hassan's assault was not solely due to

cowardice. He was grappling with various complex emotions, such as fear,

guilt, and shame. In addition, he struggled with feelings of jealousy towards

~The Kite Runner film
Hassan and an intense desire to earn his father's approval. All of these factors

contributed to his decision to run.

9. How do you explain the two memories and dream presented on pages 73 to 74? What is the
significance?

The two memories and dreams presented on pages 73-74 show the internal conflict Amir is experiencing regarding his relationship with Hassan

and his guilt for not standing up for him. The first memory is of Hassan's unwavering loyalty and protection towards Amir, while the second is

Amir's betrayal of Hassan. The dream is a manifestation of Amir's guilt and desire for redemption. The significance of these memories and dreams is

that they highlight the complex emotions and conflicts Amir grapples with and foreshadow his journey toward redemption.
CHAPTER 8
10. How does Amir and Hassan’s relationship change? What about Amir and Baba’s relationship?

Amir and Hassan's relationship changes after the incident in the alley. Amir feels guilty and

ashamed about what happened and can no longer face Hassan. He becomes distant and

ignores Hassan, which causes Hassan to become confused and hurt. Amir and Baba's

relationship also changes as Baba becomes more distant and cold towards Amir, which

makes Amir feel even more isolated and alone.

11. What does Amir ask of Baba that makes Baba angry? What does Baba say in response?
Amir asks Baba if he has ever thought about getting new servants because he does not like

Ali and Hassan. Baba becomes angry and lectures Amir, telling him that he is not man

enough to make his own decisions and that he needs to learn to stand up for himself. Baba

also tells Amir that he is ungrateful for all that Ali and Hassan have done for their family, and

that they have been loyal and faithful servants for generations.

12. What does Assef give Amir for his birthday?

Assef gives Amir a biography of Hitler for his birthday.

13. What story does Rahim tell Amir? Why does Rahim say the following? "In the end, the world
always wins. That's just the way of things" (p. 99).

Rahim tells Amir about his past and how he had known Baba and Ali before Amir was

born. He reveals that Hassan is Baba's son, making him Amir's half-brother. Rahim says

the world always wins because he believes that eventually, everything catches up to

people, and they can't escape the consequences of their actions.

14. Why doesn’t Amir tell Rahim everything?
Amir doesn't tell Rahim everything because he is ashamed of what he did to

Hassan, and he wants to keep the secret buried. He is also afraid of how Rahim

might react or what he might think of him if he knew the truth. Additionally, Amir

doesn't want to face the consequences of his actions, and telling Rahim the truth

would mean confronting his guilt and shame.

CHAPTER 9
15. What does Amir put under Hassan’s mattress? Why does he do it?
Amir puts his new watch and a handful of Afghani bills under Hassan's mattress. He does it to frame Hassan for stealing,

hoping that Baba will get rid of him and that their complicated relationship will come to an end. (THAT'S AN A** MOVE!!!!)

16. When Baba confronts Hassan about #15, what does Hassan say? Why does Hassan say this? What
realization does Amir have?
Hassan admits to stealing the watch but says he did it willingly to ease Amir's burden. He says this because he wants to protect Amir, even if it means taking the blame

for something he didn't do. This realization causes Amir to feel guilty and ashamed of himself, as he realizes that Hassan would do anything for him, even take the

blame for his mistakes.

17. On page 105, what does Amir mean by “the monster in the lake”?

Amir uses the metaphor of "the monster in the lake" to describe his guilt and shame over what he did to Hassan. 

18. What does Baba do that shocks Amir?

Baba forgives Hassan for stealing and tells him that he and Ali can stay. This shocks Amir

because Baba has always been a strict disciplinarian and has never shown such leniency.
19. What did Hassan and Ali decide? How does Baba react?

Hassan and Ali decide to leave Baba's house. Baba reacts by pleading with them to stay, but they

refuse and leave anyway. Baba is visibly upset and sheds tears, which surprises Amir because he

had never seen his father cry before.

~Maps World CN