Discovering
Afghanistan
A Teaching Guide for:
The Kite Runner
Grades 6-8, 9-12
Jeanine Matone
UnderWriting Media with Research and Pedagogy
Curriculum Standards
NJCCS Standard 6.2 World History/Global Studies
6.2.A Civics, Government & Human Rights
• How have economic, political, and cultural decisions
promoted or prevented the growth of personal freedom,
individual responsibility, equality, and respect for human
dignity?
6.2.B Geography, People and the Environment
• How do physical, geography, human geography, and the human
environment interact to influence or determine the
development of cultures, societies, and nations?
6.2.D History, Culture, and Perspective
• How can the study of multiple perspectives, belief
systems, and cultures provide a context for
understanding and challenging public actions in a diverse
and interdependent world?
Getting Started
Prior to showing the film,
build background information…..
• Map Skills
• Historical Time Line
• Ethnic Groups in Afghanistan
– Pashtuns
– Hazaras
– Tajiks
Ethnic Groups of
Afghanistan
Movie Summary and Trailer
Based on the book by Khaled Hosseini
Film by Marc Forster
In the 70's in Afghanistan, the Pushtun boy Amir and the Hazara boy Hassan, who is his
loyal friend and son of their Hazara servant Ali, are raised together in Amir's father house,
playing and kitting on the streets of a peaceful Kabul. Amir feels that his wise and good
father Baba blames him for the death of his mother in the delivery, and also that his father
loves and prefers Hassan to him. In return, Amir feels a great respect for his father's best
friend Rahim Khan, who supports his intention to become a writer. After Amir winning a
competition of kitting, Hassan runs to bring a kite to Amir, but he is beaten and raped by
the brutal Assef in an empty street to protect Amir's kite; the coward Amir witness the
assault but does not help the loyal Hassam. On the day after his birthday party, Amir hides
his new watch in Hassan's bed to frame the boy as a thief and force his father to fire Ali,
releasing his conscience from recalling his cowardice and betrayal. In 1979, the Russians
invade Afghanistan and Baba and Amir escape to Pakistan. In 1988, they have a simple life
in Fremont, California, when Amir graduates in a public college for the pride and joy of
Baba. Later Amir meets his countrywoman Soraya and they get married. In 2000, after the
death of Baba, Amir is a famous novelist and receives a phone call from the terminal
Rahim Khan, who discloses secrets about his family, forcing Amir to return to Peshawar, in
Pakistan, in a journey of redemption.
When the Taliban Ruled Afghanistan
When the Taliban Ruled Afghanistan. Discovery Education. 2004.Discovery Education. 16 October
2009<http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/>
QuickTime™ and a
Sorenson Video 3 decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
(5:38 min)
Following the withdrawal of the Soviet Union from Afghanistan in
1989, civil war erupted among rival groups seeking power. The
Taliban, seized power and brought order to most of Afghanistan.
Their stated goal was to create a strict Islamic state that was based
on Afghanistan customs and the tenets of Islam. As a result, life
changed dramatically for the people, especially women, as all
traces of western influence were removed.
A Matter of Human Rights
Taliban’s War Against the Women
of Afghanistan
• Ban on women’s work outside the home
• Complete ban on women's activity outside the home
unless accompanied by a mahram (close male
relative such as a father, brother or husband).
• Ban on women studying at schools, universities or
any other educational institution.
• Females must wear a long veil (burqa) which covers
them head to toe
Links for further reading:
U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/6185.htm
Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA)
Some of the Restrictions Imposed by Taliban on Women in Afghanistan
http://www.rawa.org/rules.htm
Challenges Facing the
Woman of Afghanistan
QuickTime™ and a
Sorenson Video 3 decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Taliban: Abuses of an
Oppressive Regime
In the scene where Amir goes back to Afghanistan
and reaches Ghazi Stadium, he witnesses the
Taliban’s public executions on the soccer field.
Questions for Thought:
What are human rights?
Who has human rights?
Whose responsibility is it to bring about solutions to
human rights issues? Individuals? Organizations?
Governments? All of the above? None of the above?
In the Kite Runner, we meet Amir and Hassan, two boys
who share a deep and incredible friendship. Yet from the
beginning it is clear that all is not equal.
“For you, a thousand times over.”
Questions for Thought:
How were the two boys lives different?
Are there circumstances or influences that can keep people
from being true friends?
Kite Running
QuickTime™ and a
YUV420 codec decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Work Cited
The Kite Runner Companion Curriculum
http://www.amnestyusa.org/education/pdf/kiterunnerhigh.pdf
The Kite Runner Movie - Official Site
http://www.kiterunnermovie.com/
Afghanistan and the War on Terror
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/indepth_coverage/asia/afghani
stan/index.html
Ethnic Groups of Afghanistan
http://www.afghan-network.net/Ethnic-Groups/