KITE RUNNER
Name: ______________________
Chapters 1-5 (pp. 1-47)
READING QUESTIONS
1. The novel begins with a flashback. What do you think is its purpose? What do you learn about the
narrator?
The description of the winter day in 1975 making me imagine he is hiding from something. He is trying to
bury his past, but states that it always claws its way out. (foreshadowing)
He moved to San Francisco to get away from his past.
2. Who is Hassan? Describe him physically:
Harelipped kite runner – childhood playmate of the narrator (Amir)
Round face like a China doll
Flat, broad nose
Slanting, narrow eyes that looked gold, green, even sapphire in the right sunlight
Tiny, low-set ears
Pointed stub chin that looked like a meaty appendage (unusual projecting part)
Cleft lip
3. What is a cleft lip?
Birth defect that usually appears as a missing part of the upper lip extended toward the nose. People call
this “harelip” which is now generally considered offensive.
4. Describe Hassan by his relationships with Amir:
Never told on his friend, easily persuaded to do things even when he knew his dad would get mad
5. Why do you think Amir gives such an elaborate description of his family’s home? What do the
details of the family pictures in Amir's house reveal?
I think he goes into detail to give the reader a vivid description, but also because he is reflecting upon his
memories of growing up there. It seems like a safe, happy, wonderful place to live.
Pictures:
Grandfather and King Nadir Shah – 1931 – two years before the King’s assassination
Parents wedding night – happy picture
Baba (Father) and his best friend and business partner standing outside the house – neither of them
smiling – Amir is a baby in the picture and his dad is holding him looking tired and grim (dad is holding
him but he is holding onto the finger of Rahim Khan)
6. Who is Sanaubar? How is she contrasted to Amir's mother?
Hassan’s mother ran off with a clan of traveling singers and dancers after his birth
Amir’s mother hemorrhaged during childbirth with him and died.
Sanaubar was nineteen years younger than Hassan’s dad. She had a dishonorable reputation and was
her husband’s first cousin. She was beautiful and scandalous.
7. Who is Ali? What do the neighborhood children call him? What does it mean? Why do they call him
this?
Ali (Hassar’s dad) was called Babalu, or Boogeyman, by the kids. He had polio so he walked with
difficulty and he had paralysis on the lower part of his face that prevented him from smiling.
8. What does it mean to be Hazara, Shi’a Muslim, Afghanistan’s minority group? Who, in the story
thus far, is Hazara?
They look like Chinese people.
Ali, Hassan, and Sanaubar were part of the Hazara
9. What does it mean to be Pashtun, Sunni Muslim, Afghanistan’s majority group? Who, in the story
thus far, is Pashtun?
Pashtun people persecuted and oppressed the Hazaras. They also drove them from their lands, burned
their homes, and sold their women.
Amir’s family is Pashtun
10. What does the book Amir finds in his dad’s study tell him about the history of Hazara and
Pashtun?
Amir learned all about this in a book he found in his dad’s study. The book said part of the reason
Pashtuns had oppressed the Hazaras was that Pashtuns were Sunni Muslins, while Hazaras were Shi’a.
People called Hazaras Mice-eating, flat-nosed, load-carrying donkeys.
11. How does Sanaubar react to Hassan when he was born? How does she treat her husband Ali?
What effect do you think this had on Hassan and Ali?
She took one glance at Hassan, saw his cleft lip, and barked a bitter laughter. She refused to even hold
him and said to Ali, “Now you have your own idiot child to do all your smiling for you!”
Ali’s self esteem has to be zero. What an awful thing to say. I hope Hassan does not know that.
12.What was Hassan’s first word? Why do you think that may be important?
Amir. I feel that Hassan has a love and obedience to Amir that no one can break.
13. How does Amir feel about his father in these chapters?
Calls him a force of nature, describes his glare as something that would “drop the devil to his knees
begging for mercy.
Respects his ability to build and open an orphanage on his own.
Love him, but also fears him.
14. According to Baba, what is the one and only sin? How do you feel about this?( Agree? Disagree?)
Theft. I find his explanation very interesting. I agree, but have never thought of sin that way before.
15. Explain how the metaphor on page 21 describes Baba’s feelings toward Amir: “Children aren’t
coloring books. You don’t get to fill them with your favorite colors.”
I’m sure Amir feels like a disappointment. The thought that Amir’s birth could be viewed as a sin (stealing
his mother’s life) is so sad to me. His dad needs to accept him for who he is and quit pressuring him to be
like his dad. It is too bad that Amir overheard his dad talking about him.
16. Describe the importance of the word friend in Chapter 4:
Baba and Ali
Amir and Hassan
They do everything together as children, just as we would imagine “friends” would do. Because of their
family history they do not use the word friend because it would be considered a disgrace for Baba and
Amir to be friends with Ali and Hassan.
Ali and Hassan are servants to Baba and Amir.
17.Who is Assef? Describe his vision for Afghanistan and your opinion about this:
He is Pashtun and a bully. He beats kids up with brass knuckles. He tells Amir he is a disgrace to their kind
for being friends with Hassan. He says that Hitler had it all right and it won’t be long before Afghanistan
can rid their country of Hazara people. He blames Amir and his father for keeping Hassan and his father
around. He is about to beat up Amir and Hassan draws a slingshot and aims at Assef’s face.
This is a learned response. He is obviously brainwashed by his father and it makes me sick.
18. What does Assef threaten (foreshadow)?
He will be patient. He will see Amir again, and he’ll be sorry. Threatens to hurt him in the future.
19. Why would Amir wish he had some kind of scar like Hassan? He said,” It wasn’t fair.”
It is sad to think that Amir is so desperate for his father’s attention and sympathy that he wishes
something like a cleft lip upon himself. He is jealous of Baba’s caring nature toward Hassan.
20. What is ironic about Hassan’s birthday present?
Fixing his cleft lip allows him to smile…but his scar almost fully faded the winter he stopped smiling.
KITE RUNNER
Name: ______________________
CHAPTERS 6-9 (PP. 48-109)
READING QUESTIONS
1. What two things did winter signify for most kids in Kabul?
Schools shut down for the icy season – season to fly kites
2. Why do boys in Afghanistan during the winter of 1975 have gashes on their fingers? What is tar?
Glass coated cutting line – lines would cut into their fingers?
3. List the three Afghan rules of kite fighting:
1.) no rules
2.) fly your kite
3.) cut the opponents
4. Explain the metaphor on page 54: “he was the ant and I was holding the magnifying glass.”
Amir was always in control – he could choose to burn him or not (tease him, hurt him…)
5. Why do you think Amir says he finds it hard to gaze directly at people like Hassan, people who
mean every word they say?
It is intimidating…
6. Explain what Amir means when he says "my life as a ghost"?
He is invisible in his dad’s eye because he doesn’t feel good enough, he feels guilty that his mom died
giving birth to him (pg 56)
7. What did the dream of the lake symbolize/foreshadow?
Not being afraid and winning the kite fight
8. What does the blue kite symbolize?
Evil, Assef, trouble
9. How does Amir’s reaction to what happened to Hassan in the alley represent Amir’s true character?
(Both his reaction at the time of the Hassan’s attack and when Ali asks Amir about what happened)
I think it is awful. He only cares about himself. He is a coward and should be ashamed. How could he lie
to Ali? It makes me sad to think about what Hassan must have gone through, alone.
10. Who says, “I opened my mouth and almost said something…The rest of my life might have turned
out differently if I had.” Why are those words important?
Amir. His actions that day changed his life forever.
11. What is the cause of Amir’s car sickness in Chapter 8? Why does he compare himself to the
monster in the lake from the dream?
He admits to himself he watched Hassan get raped and did nothing. It is beginning to eat at his
conscience.
12. What does Assef give Amir for his birthday? What does it symbolize?
Biography of Hitler – hatred of Hazaras – hatred of Amir and Hassan
13. Explain what emotions you feel as the reader at the end of Chapter 8:
Hassan has to serve the boys that hurt him drinks at Amir’s birthday party. He does it with grace and
Assef grinning, kneading Hassan in the chest with his fist.
That makes me angry!
14. What does Amir put under Hassan’s mattress? Why does he do it? What is your reaction to Amir's
betrayal?
Money and his new watch – he falsely accuses Hassan of stealing and Hassan lies– Amir needs emotional
counseling. He is doing awful things to Hassan because he can’t cope with his own problems.
15. When Baba confronts Hassan about this, what does Hassan say?
Hassan says he did do it so Amir will not get in trouble
16. What does Baba then do that shocks Amir?
Baba forgives him.
17. What happens to Hassan and Ali?
They decide they will be leaving. Baba begs them to stay and Ali knows the truth behind Amir’s lies and
cannot stay any longer
18. How is the end of chapter nine a turning point in the novel?
Baba left to take Amir and Hassan to the bus station. Amir did not react. He did not let Hassan know how
he really felt. He just stood there and watched them leave. I don’t think this is health because he will
carry this burden forever. What will Baba do without his lifetime friend Ali? What will Baba and Amir do
with their loyal servants?
KITE RUNNER
Name: ______________________
CHAPTERS 10-12 (PP. 110-165)
READING QUESTIONS
1. How does Baba view Amir’s episodes with car sickness?
He views it as a weakness.
2. Describe Karim’s business?
People smuggler – driving people out of Shorawi-occupied Kabul to the relative safety of Pakistan
3. Why are Amir and his father fleeing Afghanistan?
Russia had invaded and no one was safe. They had spies everywhere and you couldn’t trust anyone.
4. Baba says, “War doesn’t negate decency. It demands it, even more than in times of peace.” Explain
what this means:
Decency should always be shown. They are all human and war is a time were many are vulnerable.
5. Baba stands up to the Russian officer and is nearly shot in the chest. A second Russian officer
blames the other soldier’s behavior on what?
drugs
6. If you were the husband, how would have you reacted to the Russian soldier? Would you have
stood up for her like Baba?
It would be such a difficult situation because you would risk being shot. Baba showed courage!
7. Describe the irony of what Kamal’s father tells Baba about his son while Amir was eavesdropping:
Kamal was raped and he was one of the boys that help Assef rape Hassan. What goes around comes
around – karma.
8. What happens to your senses when you read the paragraph beginning with PANIC on page 121?
It’s an awful suffocating feeling. I imagined overwhelming gas fumes and darkness. Gas fumes so strong
it takes your breath away.
9. Explain what happened to Kamal and his father?
Kamal died in the fuel truck. The fumes were too much for his weak body. His father couldn’t accept it
and he committed suicide by shooting himself in the head.
10. Describe the new setting in Chapter 11:
Fremont, California 1980s
11. Explain how Amir used to used a twig of a tree branch as a credit card in Kabul:
The bread maker would cut notches in the stick and at the end of the month Baba would pay the bill for
how many loaves of bread (notches) they “bought”
12. How did Amir make Baba proud while in America? How does the celebration end? What causes
“steel hands” to grasp Amir’s neck?
Graduating from high school - They celebrate at the bar by buying everyone rounds of drinks and
listening to music. Amir drives home and Baba surprises him with a Grand Torino car. Baba says he
wishes Hassan was there with them and it takes the special moment away from Amir.
13. “America was different. America was a river roaring along, unmindful of the past. I could wade
into this river, let my sins drown to the bottom, let the waters carry me someplace far.” This quote
from Chapter 11 is said by whom? What does it reveal? What does this metaphor mean?
Pg 136 – America was a place of hope and new beginnings for Amir. He could be whomever and go
wherever and do whatever he wanted!
14. Baba observes that “It may be unfair, but what happens in a single day can change the course of a
whole lifetime.” Whom is he speaking about? Why? What else might be significant about that quote?
Soraya Taheri, the general’s daughter, had a man once and things didn’t go well. No one has knocked on
the general’s door for his daughter since.
Many things have already happened in (one day) that changed the course of their lives. Many more
instances will happen.
15. How did the general react to Amir talking to his daughter and giving her a copy of his writing?
He was mad. He threw the papers in the garbage and told Amir to give his father is respects, which
meant to get lost.
16. Why did the visit with the pulmonologist become unsuccessful when Baba asked the doctor where
he was from?
The doctor is from Russia. Baba won’t let him touch him!
17. What is Baba diagnosed with? How does he decide to treat it?
Cancer. He refuses chemo.
18. After his diagnosis, describe the many “firsts” Baba begins to have:
He moaned in the bathroom - blood on his pillow - calling in sick to work
19. Why does Amir ask Baba to meet with General Taheri? How does he respond?
To ask the general if Amir can have his daughter’s hand in marriage – He accepts
20. Soraya has a “skeleton in her closet” that she must tell Amir about immediately after hearing
about their father’s conversation. Explain why this is a big deal to both her and Amir. Does it change
his feelings about wanting to marry her?
She had went behind her parents backs and ran away with a man and lived with him. She wasn’t pure.
Amir was. This bothered him but didn’t change his love for her.
KITE RUNNER
Name: ______________________
CHAPTERS 13-16 (PP. 166-213)
READING QUESTIONS
1. How does Amir and Soraya’s wedding/marriage compare to current weddings?
300+people, but Baba spend $35,000 – They had never been alone together before they married
2. Describe Baba’s death. Did anything foreshadow this event?
I saw it coming when Baba was happy, kissed them both, and said he had no pain and didn’t need a
painkiller. He was ready. He died in his sleep that night.
3. What has caused ripples in Soraya’s relationship with her father?
She never feels good enough – his ego is more important and she is supposed to live up to his standards
and be the perfect little daughter and she gets mad about it
4. In your own words, explain how an empty womb can be compared to a newborn child.
Not being able to get pregnant was taking over their lives. The same way a newborn child takes up every
moment of your day.
5. Chapter 14 brings us back to the opening of the book: the telephone call from Rahim Khan. What is
Rahim asking Amir to do?
Come to Pakistan and visit him because he is ill. He knew the truth about Amir’s past and said there is a
way to be good again.
6. Amir hears about the destruction and changes that have taken place since he left Kabul. What
happened to Baba’s house? His orphanage?
Rahim bought it from Baba. The Alliance destroyed it.
7.Who lived in Baba’s house with Rahim?
Hassan
8. In Chapter 16, Rahim tells us what happened to Hassan. What has happened? Where is he living?
He lived in a poor village. He looked toughened by the sun, tall, missing front teeth, sparse strands of hair
on his chin.
9. Who is Farzana?
Hassan’s pregnant wife
10. What happened to Ali?
Ali was killed by a land mine.
11. How did Hassan mourn Baba’s death? (Immediate and long term)
He wept all night – moved back to Kabul to live in the hut he was born in – wore black for 40 days
12. Did it surprise you that Hassan chose to live in the servant’s hut and refused to live in Baba’s
house? Explain.
He was so respectful of Baba. He still “knows his place” and even if Baba is gone and he is invited into the
house he will not because he is so respectful.
13. Put yourself in Hassan’s shoes after having his precious daughter born stillborn, how do you think
he feels about Sanaubar’s return?
This moment can hardly be put in words. He would have loved to raise his daughter and his mother
walked away from him as if he was dirt. She was now old and disgusting and expected him to help her.
I’d kick her out!
14. What becomes of Sanaubar’s relationship with Hassan and his son?
They welcome her into Baba’s home and let her help raise her grandson. She loves her grandson and is
focused on him every second. She dies in her sleep when he is four
15. Explain what it was like to live in Kabul at that time:
KITE RUNNER
Name: ______________________
CHAPTERS 17-20 (PP. 214-258)
READING QUESTIONS
1. Explain the feelings Hassan put into writing the letter the Amir? What does he share in the letter
and what does he ask about?
Hopeful and scared. He still seeks Amir’s approval and wants to know how he is going in America. He is
proud of his family and misses Amir.
2. Rahim Khan tells Amir some devastating news. What is the news?
Hassan and his wife were shot and killed when they tried to protect Baba’s house.
3. What memory does the news evoke? What does Amir realize about the memory?
Hassan’s surgery - Everyone around Hassan in the hospital is either dead or dying, except Amir.
4. When Rahim Khan tells Amir to go and find Sohrab, Amir doesn’t want to. Rahim says, “I think we
both know why it has to be you, don’t we?” What does he mean by this?
Rahim knows the truth about Amir’s deception as a child. He owes Hassan this! He needs to make sure
Hassan’s son is safe. Also, Baba always wanted Amir to stand up for himself and now was the time he
needed to grant a dying man his wish even if it meant doing something he didn’t want to do.
5. What secret is revealed at the end of Chapter 17?
Ali was sterile. Baba was Hassan’s father.
6. After finding out about the secret, what clues did the author give that helps support the secret as
truth?
Baba always had a soft spot for Hassan. He wanted him to join them all of the time and he said it was
okay when he “stole” from Amir. He paid for Hassan’s surgery so he could live a normal life.
7.-8. Describe the meaning of the following phrases at the end of Chapter 18:

Like father, like son:
Baba lied and led a deceitful life keeping his secret from Amir, Hassan, and Ali.
Amir lied and led a deceitful life never standing up for Hassan.

There is a way to be good again:
Amir needs to make up for hurting Hassan by helping Hassan’s son when he needs it the most.
9. What was it about Amir that made Farid say he wasn’t a “real” Aghanistan and he had “always
been a tourist”?
Amir grew up in a nice house with servants – not dirty and poor
10. Amir realizes the boys were not looking at his wristwatch in admiration. What were they looking
at? Why?
His food. They were starving and had to portion food for their visitor.
11. Describe what Kabul looked like when Amir returned:
Rubble and beggars, mainly young children – many fathers (men) had been killed in war
12. What does “How seamless seemed love and then came trouble!” mean? How does it relate to the
situation in the book?
Love is great at first. Everything is perfect and then reality hits. Everyone has problems and life isn’t
perfect.
When the people of Kabul saw the Talib they thought they were safe and free from killing and the
destruction of war. They soon realized that wouldn’t be true.
13. Describe the irony in Amir’s mother’s comments to Dr. Rasul:
She thought as if something bad would happen or something would be taken from her because she was
so happy. Like the saying, “It’s too good to be true.” She was happily married and having a baby and
then she died giving birth.
14. The orphanage is better than the streets. However, describe the conditions the children face at the
orphanage:
Not enough beds, blankets, mattresses, very little shelter, almost no food, no clothes, no clean water.
They have less than a month’s supply of rice left.
15. What caused Farid to get upset with Zaman?
He admitted to selling children – He didn’t feel like he had a choice. If he denies them of a child they will
take ten.
16. Where is Sohrab?
The bad men took him a month ago
KITE RUNNER
Name: ______________________
CHAPTERS 21-23 (PP. 259-310)
READING QUESTIONS
1. Based on what you know and learn in Chapter 21, what do you think about the black market?
It is sick and disgusting and I feel bad people have to do what they do to feed their families.
2. What special landmark did Amir use to find Baba’s house? What made it a landmark?
A pink house on the corner. It was the only brightly colored house.
3. How does the current description of Baba’s house differ from the one at the beginning of the novel?
The weeds are overgrown and the house looks unkept.Trees and shrubs were cut down. Paint was
peeling, driveway was weedy and cracking. Windows broken, roof sagged.
4. What does the pomegranate tree symbolize? (Keep in mind, it hasn’t produced fruit in years)
Life – It hasn’t bore fruit since the boys were young as if it died when their relationship died.
5. Explain the meaning of the joke Farid tells to Amir in the hotel. Would Americans find that
comical?
You beat my daught;, I’ll beat your wife. An eye for an eye. I don’t think Americans view abuse toward
women very funny.
6. Briefly describe the halftime show of the soccer game. How was it different than our halftime
shows at sporting events?
A man and woman were stoned to death for committing adultery in front of the entire stadium.
7. What was the definition of “liberating” on page 277? How does this make you feel?
Massacre homes and homes of people and leaving bodies in the streets. I think he is a sick man.
8. Who is the man in the black sunglasses? (The man that has possession of Hassan’s son.)
Asseff 
9. How does Amir have to earn Sohrab?
Fight Asseff since they never got to fight the day Hassan stood up for Amir with his slingshot
10. What happens between Asseff and Amir?
Asseff beats Amir almost to death with brass knuckles
11. How does Sohrab help Amir?
He shoots Asseff in the eye with his slingshot
12. Why did the author write in short paragraphs separated by several spaces on page 294?
To show Amir fading in and out of consciousness
13. Explain the meaning of the following statement from Rahim Khan’s letter to Amir: “A man who
has no conscience, no goodness, does not suffer”
He forgives Amir for his mistakes with Hassan. If he was truly a bad person it wouldn’t have bothered
him, but because it ate his conscience daily, it proves he is a good person.
14. Does guilt ever lead good in your life?
15. When Amir asked Sohrab if he’d like to be his friend, how did Sohrab react? Why?
He flinched and walked away from him and stood by the window. He has been molested by Asseff for
years I’m afraid.
KITE RUNNER
Name: ______________________
CHAPTERS 24-25 (PP. 311-371)
READING QUESTIONS
1. In Islamabad, Amir says to Sohrab, "There are a lot of children in Afghanistan, but little childhood."
What does he mean?
They have to grow up so fast and see and deal with adult things.
2. Amir told Sohrab that he was Hassan’s brother. Do you think Baba was ever ashamed of being
Hassan’t father? Explain what Amir meant when he said he believes that Baba loved them “equally
but differently”:
He was ashamed he betrayed Ali. Baba couldn’t show his true love because it was a secret, but he tried
to treat Hassan well
3. Describe a few of the obstacles Amir may face trying to adopt Sohrab:
Death certificates for Sohrab’s parents, proof he is a true orphan, proof Amir and Ali are half-brothers…
4. Explain your reaction to the secretary’s statement about Ray’s daughter committing suicide after
Amir questioned him about having children:
It made me feel badly. I believe he gave Amir the business card after he asked him about his own children
because he realized how precious kids are. You have to be careful what you say to people because you
just never know what they have or are dealing with in their lives
5. After meeting with the lawyer, put yourself in Amir’s shoes. What would you do? How would you
react to the ridiculous options for adopting Sohrab?
I would try to smuggle him into the US! IDK… I would be very upset and mad.
6. Before you begin reading Chapter 25, how does the end of Chapter 24 leave you feeling? What do
you think Amir witnessed?
My heart is racing…I think Sohrab committed suicide…
7. How do you think people will react when they find out the truth about why Sohrab is living with
Amir and Soraya?
They will judge them because he is a Hazara, but I don’t think they will say anything to their faces.
8. What does the silence in their house symbolize?
for Sohrab?
His hatred of the way his life turned out. His wish to die. The abuse he endured. Numbness.
Death
for Amir?
Loss. Sin. Remorse for what happened in his childhood. The evil side of Afghanistan.
for Soraya?
Emptiness. Not being able to raise a child like she expected.
9. Describe the breakthrough moment Amir has with Sohrab:
They fly a kite and cut someone’s string-Sohrab slightly smiles and that hasn’t happened in a long time
10. Predict what may happen to Amir and Sohrab’s relationship after Ch. 25.
I hope Sohrab begins talking again and gets the help he needs to live a normal life.