The Kite Runner
Reading Questions
Chapter Four (26-37)
1) What story does the narrator recount at the start of the chapter?
Summarize it in 1-2 sentences.
2) Baba never mentions Ali as a “friend,” but the two grew up as “childhood
playmates” (27). What other kind of relationship might work like this?
3) What do Amir and Hassan carve on the pomegranate tree? Why do they
do this?
4) Briefly summarize two instances of Amir’s “mean streak” in this chapter.
5) What is the barrier between Amir and Hassan? Have we seen this kind of
barrier earlier in the novel?
6) What is Hassan’s favourite book? Who are the main characters?
7) Why can’t Amir see the “tragedy in Rostam’s fate” (32)? What might this
say about Amir’s relationship with Baba?
8) How does Amir feel when he offers his story up for Baba to read? Who
“saves” him, and how?
9) Give a brief definition of the following words:
a. Imbecile
b. Fascinating
c. Irony