Lories Slockbower
Kite Runner Reading Reflection
Week 4
July 31, 2009
The Kite Runner is an intense epic about the friendship between two boys, Amir and his
servant, Hassan who live in Afghanistan before the war. What begins with a childhood filled
with play, competition, and innocence ends when Amir betrays Hassan’s staunch loyalty by
doing nothing to stop his sexual assault. The guilt eats away at Amir and destroys the
relationship which always walked a thin line because Amir was a Pashtun Sunni and Hassan was
a Hazara Shi’a. I couldn’t put this book down and had to remember it is a work of fiction since it
almost reads like a memoir. The novel opened my eyes to the plight of Afghanis and how
religious, social and economic distinctions influence one’s destiny in certain cultures,
particularly Muslim. I hope it does the same for the freshman at JFK who must read it this year.
The book creates great drama by the use of kites which are sources of all sorts of
symbolism, from freedom to friendship and redemption. In the annual competition, Amir flew
the kite and Hassan was the kite runner, retrieving the last kite that Amir cut from the sky. Being
the willing servant, Hassan runs through the city to get the kite and that is where he has an
encounter with the ruthless boys who had threatened him earlier and rape him. This is such an
emotionally charged scene because Amir sees the attack but hides in fear. I wanted to shake him.
He will not risk his life or reputation for Hassan who was like a sacrificial lamb so Amir can get
the kite and please his father. I was appalled at Amir’s cowardice. Amir treated Hassan
disrespectfully because he was jealous of Baba’s love for him and because Hassan was of the
lower class. Yet, they were brothers, a startling fact for Amir to learn as an adult, and for me, as
the reader. It is one of the books many ironies which kept me turning the pages. At the story’s
end, Amir redeems himself by rescuing Hassan’s son, Sohrab, and bringing him to America
where they fly kites and Amir becomes the kite runner.
The novel also does a great job dramatizing how Amir and his father fled Afghanistan,
along with others, and their coming to the United States. I was reminded of the plight so many
suffer to get to America; whether crossing the desert border or the seas off Miami, they risk their
lives. When Hosseini brings Amir back to war-torn Afghanistan, his descriptions of the world
Amir lost gave me a deeper understanding of the heartache endured by Afghans, as well as
others who must flee their countries. As teachers, we must understand those students who have
made such a journey. They’ve lost their homes, belongings, and all that is familiar.
As the novel relates the deteriorating condition of the lives of the boys, it also describes
the deteriorating conditions in Afghanistan which went from a beautiful country to a war-torn
battlefield first invaded by Russians, then ruled by religious extremists. The many sects were
fighting each other; people didn’t know who to trust. When the Taliban came to rule, women and
children were further oppressed and freedoms removed. It’s tragic that such strong class and
religious differences could destroy millions. As I read the daily news about the Taliban, I’m
reminded of the scenes in the book, like the stoning of the woman and the fight with Assef.
When students read narratives about a certain world crisis, then that crisis has greater impact. It’s
important for the students born here to understand the sufferings outside their borders, some of
which is brought to the classroom when people come to America, as Amir and his father did.
. As teachers we must be so sensitive to the historically, deep-rooted hatred between
certain groups. In order to foster multicultural behavior, we must reach the parents. Once they
remove their bias, the students may follow. In a way, I’m glad Kennedy is making this book
required reading for freshman because it shows the consequences of jealousy and racism.