How do our
relationships shape our
identity?
“It is better to be in chains
with friends than to be
in a garden with strangers.”
--Persian Proverb
What can we intuit about the novel’s core
characters based on direct and indirect
characterization?
Physical appearance
How they act
What they say
How they treat one another
&
Discuss the similarities, differences, and
relationships between the core characters:
Amir & Hassan (sons) – Groups 1 & 4
Baba & Ali (fathers) – Groups 2 & 5
Baba & Amir – Groups 3 & 6
Chart character traits on a Venn diagram,
including quotes from the novel to support your
observations.
AMIR & HASSAN
 Amir about Hassan: “Hassan never wanted
to, but if I asked, really asked, he wouldn’t
deny me. Hassan never denied me
anything” (4).
 Amir to Hassan: “You don’t know what it
means?.. Everyone in my school knows what
(that word) means… ‘Imbecile.’ It means
smart, intelligent” (29).
 Hassan to Amir: “No. You will be great and
famous” (34).
BABA & ALI
 Amir about Ali: “Ali turned around, caught
me aping him. He didn’t say anything. Not
then, not ever. He just kept walking” (8).
 Amir about Baba: “People were always
doubting him… so Baba proved them all
wrong by not only running his own
business but becoming one of the richest
merchants in Kabul” (15).
BABA & AMIR
 Baba to Amir: “I mean to speak to you man
to man. Do you think you can handle that
for once?” (17)
 Baba to Rahim Khan: “There is something
missing in that boy” (17).
 Amir about Baba: “Baba was there,
watching, and he patted Hassan on the back.
Even put his arm around his shoulder” (14).
 What qualities do I appreciate in a
friend?
 Do any of the characters in the
novel have those qualities?
 Which characters (if any) do I see
as someone I could befriend?