The Kite Runner - Reading Questions for Chapters 15-20
1. In Chapter 15, Amir meets with the dying Rahim Khan. Where are they? Peshawar,
Pakistan
2. What does Amir say about clichés? Why does Amir use the cliché about "an
elephant in the room" to describe his meeting with Rahim Khan? They are usually
dead on. The elephant is the truth about Rahim Khan’s condition – he is dying and
doesn’t have much time left.
3. Afghanistan has been seized by what political group in Chapter 15? Taliban
4. In Chapter 16, Rahim tells us what happened to Hassan. What has happened?
Where is he living? Hassan went to live in a village just outside Bamiyan where
Rahim Khan finds Hassan, who tells him that Ali was killed by a landmine. Rahim
Khan asks Hassan and his wife, Farzana, to live with him. Hassan at first refuses, but
agrees after learning of Baba’s death. Their first baby was a stillborn girl. Hassan’s
mother, Sanaubar, returns to the home, starving and ill. Hassan and his wife nurse
his mother back to health. She in turn delivers Farzana’s son, Sohrab. Sanaubar dies
when Sohrab is four.
5. Who is Farzana? Who is Sohrab? Farzana is Hassan’s wife. Sohrab is their son.
6. What happened in 1998 by the Taliban in Mazar-i-Sharif ? The Taliban massacred
many Hazaras in Mazar-i-Sharif.
7. In Chapter 17, Rahim gives Amir a letter from Hassan, who wrote it six months
before. What is the tone of this letter? How does Amir react? Hassan is the same old
Hassan; a loyal friend who is concerned about Amir. Hassan wrote the letter with
excitement and pride. Hassan says he would like to see Amir again. Rahim Khan
reveals, however, that Hassan and his wife were murdered by the Taliban a month
after the letter was written. Their son, Sohrab, is now living in an orphanage in
Kabul.
8. In Chapter 18, Amir finds out that both Hassan and his wife were shot by the Taliban
while trying to protect Baba's house, as a result, orphaning their son. Rahim tells
Amir it is his job to find Sohrab in Karteh-Seh, Afghanistan, and take him to an
orphanage in Peshawar, Pakistan. What is Amir's reaction? Do you think Rahim's
dying wish is unfair? Why or why not? Amir’s reaction is of shock and anger. He
doesn’t understand why no one told him this before. Rahim’s wish is not unfair –
this is how Amir will remove the guilt and pay back Hassan for what Amir never did
in the alleyway years ago.
9. How does the cliché, "like father, like son" mentioned on page 238, relate to Baba
and Amir? Baba and Amir were more alike than he’d ever known. “We had both
betrayed the people who would have given their lives for us. And with that came
this realization: that Rahim Khan has summoned me here to atone not just for my
sins but for Baba’s too.” (209)
10. What clues hint at the secret that is revealed in Chapter 17-18? Baba had always
been so close to Hassan and it makes sense now why he loves Hassan so much.
(forgiveness of “theft”, cleft lip, threatened Amir over the “new servants” comment,
bought the same gifts for Hassan and Amir (kite) – treated them equally, wishes
Hassan was here (in America), etc.)
11. In Chapter 19, Farid is engaged to drive Amir from Peshawar to Afghanistan.
Describe his first impression of Amir. When Farid said, "You've always been a
tourist here, you just didn't know it", (page 245), what did he mean? What is Farid's
impression of emigrant Afghans who return to visit Afghanistan? Many are shocked
at the changes in Afghanistan. They are like tourists in the country, considering the
many horrible changes that have taken place. Farid believes that Amir has always
been a tourist. Amir has only known a better Afghanistan. Afghanis only come back
to sell their land and leave again.
12. What realization does Amir come to in Chapter 19? Amir realizes his life has been a
lie all along. Baba favored Hassan in the past – Amir realizes this as a sign that
Hassan is his half-brother. He also realizes he must leave to help Sohrab right away
before he talks himself out of going. This was his last chance at redemption. (195)
13. In Chapter 20, Amir sees Kabul for the first time since leaving. Describe what he
sees. Amir is shocked by the state of Afghanistan. On arriving in Kabul he discovers
it has been severely damaged by twenty years of war. The Taliban patrol the streets
looking for people to punish. Amir is advised to avoid even looking at them. Amir
feels pain and sadness at what he sees.
14. In Chapter 20, the director of the orphanage, Zaman, tells Amir that Sohrab was
taken by a Taliban official who takes children, usually girls, about once a month for
his "sexual pleasure." The official gave Zaman a great deal of cash. How does Zaman
defend his actions? He has so many other children he must take care of. If he were
not there, they would starve and die. If Zaman refuses, it could destroy the
orphanage and save others from being taken and/or killed. The money also provides
for their needs (i.e. food.).