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Lily Manchester
Ms. Beach
Honors English 10
26 October 2011
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
SOAPSTone
Speaker

Amir

First Person, “I”

Pashtun, Sunni Muslim

Khaled Hosseini, the author, portrays himself in many aspects through the character
Amir.

Amir is a privileged Afghan boy born in 1963. Hosseini was born in 1965 also in
Afghanistan.

Most of Amir’s childhood is consumed in the Wazir Akbar Khan district of the northern
part of Kabul, similarly to Hosseini, whose boyhood was spent in Kabul.

Amir’s father, Baba is a wealthy and successful businessman. Hosseini’s father worked
for the Afghan Foreign Consul.

Amir’s mother, Sofia Akrami, to whom he never knew, taught classic Farsi literature at
the university like Hosseini’s mother who taught Farsi and history at an all girl high
school in Kabul. Similarly, Soraya’s mother also taught Farsi and history at Zarghoona
High School for girls in Kabul.
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
Amir and Hassan’s friendship symbolizes that of Hosseini and Hossein’s.

Amir possesses a strong friendship with his servant’s son, Hassan. The two play, laugh,
and create many memories together throughout the early years of their lives. Khaled
Hosseini’s relationship with Hossein Khan is exemplified through Amir and Hassan’s
ironic friendship.

Hassan is a servant for Amir and his family for he often participates in the daily chores
for the Sahib’s. Hossein Khan did this too. He was a cook for Hosseini’s family and
originated from the rugged mountains of central Afghanistan.

Amir and Hassan’s daily agenda is often filled with hobbies of all sorts, however one in
particular is reading. Amir frequently reads poems, riddles, and stories to Hassan, as did
Hosseini to Hossein. Hosseini even taught Hossein to read and write.

Amir and Baba depart for the United States in March of 1981 after the Russian invasion
of Afghanistan. Being a diplomat at the Afghan Embassy Hosseini moved throughout the
1970’s. However, when the 1980’s arrived along with the Russians in Afghanistan,
Hosseini’s family also fled to the United States of America.

Amir ends up in Freemont California, while Hosseini in San Jose.

Amir and Baba receive a new life in America and are forced to start over facing many
obstacles concerning money, sickness, and food. Amir’s father over works himself as an
assistant manager at a gas station, in order to overcome these obstacles. Khaled Hosseini
faced similar hindrances. Because they had lost their property in Afghanistan and had to
begin a new life in America, his father juggled many jobs in order to eventually get their
family back on their feet.
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
In 1983, Amir graduates from high school, a year prior to Hosseini’s in 1984. Following
high school, Amir attends Ohlone Junior College in Fremont. He then attends San Jose
State to pursue his passion for writing as an English major. Hosseini attended Santa Clara
University followed by medical school at the UC San Diego School of Medicine where
he received his medical degree.

Amir finishes his first novel in 1988, achieving his dream of becoming a writer. His story
is about a father-son relationship set in Kabul. Hosseini publishes his first book, The Kite
Runner in 2003.

With many Afghans in need after the extensive period of political oppression, upon
request, Amir decides to project manage a hospital in Rawalpindi to treat Afghan
refugees. Similarly, The Khaled Hosseini Foundation was established by Hosseini
himself. It was a result of a life-altering journey he made in 2007 and 2009 to
Afghanistan. The foundation also collaborated with the UNHCR to fund projects
benefiting Afghan refugees, as well as the women and children who had majorly
suffered.

Amir lives in San Francisco with his wife Soraya and his nephew, Sohrab. Khaled
Hosseini lives in Northern California with his wife and two children.
Larger Occasion

The Declaration of Independence of Afghanistan declared the nation independent in
1919.

From 1919 through 1929 King Amanullah introduced reforms with the purpose to
modernize Afghanistan. Revolts occured in response by Conservative religious groups.

After, Amanullah abdicated, Nadir Shah became king on October 17, 1929.
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
September 6, 1953, King Zahir Shah (Nadir Shah’s son) succeeded the throne.

Former Prime Minister Daoud deposed King Zahir Shar and proclaimed Afghanistan a
republic. In July of 1973, Daoud became president.

The Peoples Democratic Party (a party founded on Marxism) of Afghanistan executed
Daoud in 1978. Thus, a coup de’etat installed the second republic, a Communist regime,
led by President Noor Mohammed.

On December 21, 1979, partly in support of the Marxists, the Soviet Union invaded
Afghanistan.

The United States and other countries began sending arms in 1980 to Afghan resistance
groups fighting the Soviets.

In 1981, an alliance known as mujahedin formed by five Afghan resistance groups.
Followed by fighting between the mujahedin and the Soviets stationed in Afghanistan.

Beginning in May of 1988, the United States, the U.S.S.R., Pakistan, and the government
in Kabul signed an agreement that began withdrawing Soviet forces from Afghanistan.

The mujahedin then fought the Afghan government led by PDPA member, Najibullah, in
1989 through 1992.

Najibullah however resigned in 1992 and the mujahedin elected Rabbani as president.

Suppressed ethnic rivalries resurfaced after the Communists departed, therefore civil war
broke out in 1992 continuing through 1996.

General Massoud took control of the northern provinces in March of 1992.

In 1994, the Taliban, largely made up of Pashtuns, began to gather followers throughout
Southern Afghanistan.

On September 27, 1996, the Taliban took Kabul and that same year they took Jalalabad.
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
A Northern Alliance led by Ahmad Massoud and made up of non-Pashtun ethnic groups
of Afghanistan united in order to fight the Taliban in 1997.

In July of 1998, the Taliban attacked Mazar-i-Sharif, killing around six thousand
Hazaras.

On September 9, 2001, Ahmed Shah Massoud’s assassination took place and the
confirmation of the occurrence arrived on September 13.

Supported by the Taliban, Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda attacked the United States on
September 11, 2001.

The United States asked in response for the Taliban to hand over Osama bin Laden.
However, when they refuse, the United States began to bomb Afghanistan on October 7,
2001.

On November 9, 2001 after a month long of bombing, the Northern Alliance regained
control of the Mazar-i-Sharif.

The Taliban abandoned Kabul overnight on November 13, 2001, and the forces of the
Northern Alliance entered the capital.

December 22, 2001, Hamid Karzai swore in as the leader of an interim government. He
became the first person to take power in Afghanistan peacefully in thirty years.
Immediate Occasion
o Sofia, Amir’s mother, died giving birth to Amir in 1963.
o Hassan was born in 1964. The same year his mother, Sanaubar left.
o Amir was raised by his father in Wazir Akbar Khan district in the northern part of Kabul.
He spent much of his days playing with Hassan.
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o In 1974, Hassan celebrated his birthday and Baba gave him the gift of a surgery to
remove his harelip.
o July 17, 1973, Amir, Hassan, and Ali were awoken in the nighttime to the sounds of
bombs. When they awoke the morning after the scare, they found the monarchy was a
thing of the past and a republic had formed. However, the republic speaking of women’s
rights and modern technology, barely affected Kabul.
o Assef attacked Amir and Hassan, but Hassan threatened to shoot him with his slingshot
and Assef stressed it had been a big mistake.
o In the winter of 1975, Amir and Hassan won a kite-fighting tournament containing
several other districts, it had been the biggest competition in 25 years.
o The same night of the kite tournament, Hassan was raped by Assef and Amir does not
interfere.
o Amir celebrated his thirteenth birthday in 1976. He then hid Afghani bills and his new
watch under Hassan’s mattress.
o Hassan claimed to have stolen the things and although Baba forgave him, Ali and Hassan
chose to leave and go to Hazarajat where their cousin lived.
o In March 1981, Baba and Amir fled to Pakistan due to the Soviets occupying Kabul.
They believed it would be safer in Pakistan. In order to escape, they had to cross the
Khyber Pass into Peshawar.
o
Baba and Amir spent six months in Peshawar waiting for the INS to issue their visas.
They then escaped to Fremont California where their safety was more promising.
o They moved into an apartment, bought a car, and Baba began work at a gas station.
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o In 1983, Amir graduated from high school at the age of twenty, Baba bought him a Grand
Torino as a graduation gift.
o Amir enrolled in junior classes to major in English.
o In 1986, Amir married Soraya.
o Soon after the marriage, Baba died of cancer.
o Amir attended San Jose and declared his English major and in 1989 he published his first
book and went on a five-city book tour.
o Amir and Soraya tried to have a child but Soraya was diagnosed with unexplained
infertility.
o Amir and Soraya bought a Victorian house in San Francisco’s Bernal Heights.
o In June 2001, Amir received a call from Rahim Khan. Rahim told him he was sick and
Amir left for Pakistan a week later.
o Upon his arrival, Amir discovered Hassan and Farzana’s death at the hands of the Talibs.
He also learned from Rahim that Baba had been Hassan’s father, not Ali. Thus, he
returned to Kabul in search of Sohrab, his nephew.
o In Kabul, Amir was confronted once again with Assef, however this time he is forced to
fight. He was fighting to earn Sohrab and to recompensate for his previous sin against
Sohrab’s father.
o Sohrab shot Assef in the eye with a slingshot and the two escaped. Amir however faced
serious injuries to which he was hospitalized.
o Upon his departure of the hospital, Amir headed to Islamabad. There he battled the
American Embassy in attempt to adopt Sohrab.
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o Soraya and Amir got Sohrab a humanitarian visa and despite Sohrab’s attempted suicide,
the two returned back to America.
o On September 11, 2001, The Twin Towers collapsed due to an attack by Al Queda.
America in response bombed Afghanistan causing the Talibs to hide. Americans
including Amir and his family discovered a new outburst of patriotism in their country.
o
In March 2002, celebrating the Afghan New Year, Amir flew a kite again. This time
however, he did not watch Hassan run it, he ran it himself and Sohrab watched.
Audience

Khaled Hosseini writes to those battling inner guilt having to do with their past
 Khaled Hosseini writes to ignorant Americans

Khaled Hosseini writes to individuals who have faced political oppression
o Khaled Hossein writes to those who quickly condemn those who have committed wrongs
against others
Purpose

Khaled Hosseini writes to those battling inner guilt having to do with their past to
encourage them to seek redemption in order to overcome their nagging pain.

Khaled Hosseini writes to those battling inner guilt having to do with their past to display
the significant amount of others who fight a similar battle.
 Khaled Hosseini writes to ignorant Americans to provide them with a better
understanding of the cruelty and danger faced by individuals worldwide, especially the
Afghanis under the Taliban.
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 Khaled Hosseini writes to ignorant Americans in hopes to not only help them realize the
oppression, but to do something about it.

Khaled Hosseini writes to individuals who have faced political oppression to empathize
with those who have gone through conflicts similar to his own.

Khaled Hosseini writes to individuals who have faced political oppression to provide
them with his own perspective, helping them come to terms with their own oppression
like he does.
o Khaled Hossein writes to those who quickly condemn those who have committed wrongs
against others to discourage them from doing so and encourage them to empathize.
o Khaled Hossein writes to those who quickly condemn those who have committed wrongs
against others to promote them to step back and look at the greater situation.
Subject
 “Winter of 1975” (1)
 “kites” (1)
 “Kite runner” (2)
 “Hassan” (2)
 “Kabul” (4)
 “Pashtun” (9)
 “Hazara” (9)
 “Brotherhood” (11)
 “Amir” (11)
 “Afghanistan” (17)
 “Pomegranate tree” (27)
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 “Mashallah” (32)
 “writer” (33)
 “Russian” (36)
 “slingshot” (42)
 “scar” (46)
 “lie” (54)
 “monster” (60)
 “memory” (73)
 “look of the lamb” (76)
 “America” (136)
 “Published novelist” (183)
 “Taliban” (198)
 “Northern Alliance” (199)
 “Sohrab” (211)
 “Mazir-i-Sharif” (213)
 “polaroid photograph” (215)
 “orphanage” (251)
 “nephew” (255)
 “Ghazi Stadium” (257)
 “prayer” (269)
 “Assef” (281)
 “Suicide” (332)
 “hospital” (350)
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 “promise” (355)
 “Twin Towers” (362)
 “San Francisco” (362)
 “smile” (370)
Tone
 Resentful

“Baba took me to Gharga Lake, a few miles north of Kabul. He asked me to fetch
Hassan too, but I lied and told him Hassan had the runs. I wanted Baba all to myself”
(13).

“I wished I too had some kind of scar that would beget Baba’s sympathy. It wasn’t
fair. Hassan hadn’t done anything to earn Baba’s affections; he’d just been born with
that stupid harelip” (46).

“If I changed my mind and asked for a bigger and fancier kite, Baba would buy it for
me—but then he’d buy it for Hassan too. Sometimes I wished he wouldn’t do that.
Wished he’d let me be the favorite” (51).

“’I haven’t seen much of Hassan the last few days… That’s all it is, then, a cold?’”
Questions Baba. “I [Amir] couldn’t help hating the way his brow furrowed with
worry” (82).
 Remorseful

“I wished he’d give me the punishment I craved, so maybe I’d finally sleep at
night” (92).

“My cheeks burned and guilt coursed through me, the guilt of indulging myself at
the expense of his ulcer, his black fingernails, and his aching wrists” (135).
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 Serenity

“’I don’t want to forget anymore’” (263).

“What was so funny was that, for the first time since the winter of 1975, I felt at
peace” (289).

“As I spoke, I felt something lifting off my chest” (325).
Literary Devices
 Simile
1) “I finally had what I’d wanted all those years. Except now that I had it, I felt as
empty as this unkempt pool I was dangling my legs into it” (85).

Amir strives to achieve Baba’s acceptance and love all his life, even
sacrificing Hassan’s well-being to achieve this. However, he realizes what he
thought would bring him satisfaction will not, and on top of that, he loses his
best friend. Therefore, he feels an even greater emptiness similar to the empty
pool he sits over.
2) “I felt like a man who awakens in his own house and finds the furniture rearranged,
so that every familiar nook and cranny looks foreign now” (224).

Upon Amir’s arrival to Peshawar, twenty years later, he understands the
extremities to which Pakistan has changed under the Taliban’s control. Thus,
he compares Peshawar to a completely foreign house, portraying the drastic
difference.
 Metaphor
1) “There was a monster in the lake. It had grabbed Hassan by the ankles, dragged him
to the murky bottom. I was that monster” (86).
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
Amir looks at himself as a monster after not defending Hassan against Assef
in the winter of 1975, portraying the guilt he feels for his actions.
2) America was a river… roaring along unmindful of the past. I could wade into this
river, let my sins drown to the bottom” (136).

Amir embraces America because it becomes an escape for him, a place where
he can forget the past and move on from his previous sins.
 Personification
1) “The signs had been there to see all along; they came flying back at me now” (224).

After Rahim Khan tells Amir that Hassan was Baba’s son, Amir feels a sense
of stupidity for not realizing this a long time ago. He begins to realize the
glaring details such as, Baba hiring a doctor to fix Hassan’s harelip, Baba
never missing Hassan’s birthday, and Baba barking at Amir when he had
asked if Baba had ever considered getting new servants.
2) “My heart was doing pirouettes in my chest” (162).

Baba calls General Taheri to set up a time to meet in order to ask for the
Generals permission for Amir to marry Soraya. Amir’s heart pounds very
hard, revealing his nerves regarding the question as well as the passion he
experiences towards Soraya.
 Indirect Characterization
1) “I read him poems and stories, sometimes riddles—though I stopped reading those
when I saw he [Hassan] was far better at solving them than I was” (28).

Amir’s jealousy and selfishness towards Hassan, causes Amir to stop reading
to him, portraying him as ego-centric.
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2) “’All that a man had back then, all that he was, was his honor, his name, and if people
talked… We couldn’t tell anyone, surely you can see that’” (223).

Baba cares about his pride and his image, thus he puts his well-being before
others, exposing his character as selfish.
 Symbolism
1) “I have imagined Baba’s wrestling match countless times, even dreamed about it.
And in those dreams, I can never tell Baba from the bear” (12).

Through Amir’s eyes, the bear symbolizes Baba, thus characterizing him as
vicious and persistent.
2) “Behind him, sitting on piles of scraps and rubble, was the blue kite. My key to
Baba’s heart” (71).

The blue kite symbolizes Amir’s key to Baba’s heart for Amir believes with
the kite Baba will finally be proud of him and love him.