Khaled Hosseini
Fast Facts
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Afghanistan is part of central Asia, not the Middle
East
Due to various invasions, Afghanistan has been
influenced by many cultures: Greek, Arab (Muslim),
Persian, Mongol
Afghans are multiethnic, generally not Arabs
The Hazaras (Mongol descendents) have long been
persecuted for their ethnicity and Shiite religion;
most Afghans are Pashtuns (Sunni Muslims)
Afghanistan has a long history of interference by
foreign powers: Great Britain, Soviet Union, US
US supported Afghan rebels (mujahedin) in their fight
against Soviet invasion in 1979
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Power of God-Allah is omnipotent and
omniscient. He is merciful and deserving of
thanks for all that one has, but evil will be
judged and punished.
The Right Way to Live-Modesty is emphasized
in the dress code and sexual behavior.
Adultery is prohibited.
Charity-One must give to the poor, and care
for orphans when one is able.
Other Religions-Mohammed is the final
prophet. Moses and Jesus are earlier
prophets.
Gender Roles-Men are expected to be the
caretakers of the family and have
responsibility for taking care of their wife (or
wives). Men are allowed to have more than
one wife is they can treat them equally and
provide for all of them. Women are not
allowed to have more than one husband.
Family Values-Chastity, modesty, and charity
are emphasized.
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Amir
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Main character and narrator
Best friend of Hassan, son of Baba, husband of Soraya
Makes a decision as a child which haunts him in adulthood
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Hassan
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Best friend and servant of Amir
Introduced as the son of Ali
Loyal to Amir despite any impact it may have on himself
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Baba
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Father of Amir
Wealthy citizen of Kabul who is known for his public works
Has a strained relationship with his son, Amir
Respected by citizens of Kabul
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Ali
Servant of Baba, supposed father of Hassan
Like a brother to Baba
Leg crippled from Polio
Poor
Dies from a landmine explosion
Hazara
Rahim Khan
Business associate and close friend of Baba
Has a close relationship with Amir
Also the main reason Amir returns back to the Middle East
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Assef
Antagonist
Neighborhood bully who hates Hassan because he is of
Hazara descent
Firm believer in the ways of Adolf Hitler
Future leader of Taliban
Takes Sohrab from orphanage in Kabul
Soraya
Afghan living in California
Wife of Amir
Sohrab
Orphan son of Hassan
Suffers from depression, and attempts suicide
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Amir, a well-to-do Pashtun boy, and Hassan, a
Hazara and the son of Amir's father's servant, Ali,
spend their days in a peaceful Kabul, kite
fighting, roaming the streets and being boys.
Amir’s father (who is generally referred to as
Baba, "daddy", throughout the book) loves both
the boys, but seems critical of Amir for not being
manly enough. Amir also fears his father blames
him for his mother’s death during childbirth.
However, he has a kind father figure in the form
of Rahim Khan, Baba’s friend, who understands
Amir better, and is supportive of his interest in
writing stories.
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Assef, a notoriously mean and violent older
boy with sadistic tendencies, blames Amir for
socializing with a Hazara, according to Assef
an inferior race that should only live in
Hazarajat. He prepares to attack Amir with his
steel knuckles, but Hassan bravely stands up
to him, threatening to shoot Assef in the eye
with his slingshot. Assef and his henchmen
back off, but Assef says he will take revenge.
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The Scapegoat
The Sacrifice
The Loss of Innocence
Coming of Age (Journey to Maturity)
Sin and Redemption
Fathers and Sons
Betrayal and Loyalty
The Brutality of War
The Evil of Prejudice
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I became what I am today at the age of
twelve, on a frigid overcast day in the winter
of 1975. I remember the precise moment,
crouching behind a crumbling mud wall,
peeking into the alley near the frozen creek.
That was a long time ago, but it’s wrong what
they say about the past, I’ve learned, about
how you can bury it. Because the past claws
its way out. Now, I realize I have been
peeking into that deserted alley for the last
twenty-six years. -(Amir)
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Then he would remind us that there was a
brotherhood between people who had fed from
the same breast, a kinship that not even time
could break. Hassan and I fed from the same
breasts. We took our first steps on the same lawn
in the same yard. And, under the same roof, we
spoke our first words.
Mine was Baba.
His was Amir. My name.
Looking back on it now, I think the foundation
for what happened in the winter of 1975and all
that followed was already laid in those first
words.-(Amir)
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With me as the glaring exception, my father
molded the world around him to his liking. The
problem, of course, was that Baba saw the world
in black and white. And he got to decide what
was black and what was white. You can't love a
person who lives that way without fearing him
too. Maybe even hating him a little.-(Amir)
I wondered if that was how forgiveness budded,
not with the fanfare of epiphany, but with pain
gathering its things, packing up, and slipping
away unannounced in the middle of the night.(Amir)
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War doesn't negate decency. It demands it,
even more than in times of peace. - Baba
But that's what I'm saying to you... That there
are bad people in this world, and sometimes
bad people stay bad. Sometimes you have to
stand up to them. –(Amir)
There is a way to be good again. - Rahim
Khan
For you, a thousand times over. -Hassan,
Amir