The Kite Runner - Reading Questions for Chapters 6-9
1. In Chapter 6, how does Amir feel about Hassan? (Think about his conflicted feelings.)
2. What is the proudest moment of twelve-year old Amir's life as described in Chapter 7?
3. 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?
4. What is the significance of the two memories and dream presented on pages 64-66?
5. Where does the family take a trip to in Chapter 8?
6. What does Amir ask of Baba that makes Baba angry? What does Baba say in response?
7. What is inscribed on the pomegranate tree in the backyard? So, why then is it
significant that Amir tries to pick a fight with Hassan in front of that tree? (Think
symbolism.) What ends up happening?
8. What does Amir put under Hassan's mattress? Why does he do it? What was your
reaction to this?
9. When Baba confronts Hassan about this, what does Hassan say?
10. What does Baba then do that shocks Amir?
11. What happens to Hassan and Ali?
12. How is the end of Chapter 9 a turning point in the novel?
Answers:
1. Amir admires and resents Hassan. Hassan is a great kite runner, a natural athlete, and
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always knows when the kite will land before it does. Amir also wishes to be the favorite for
once, instead of always sharing his father’s affections and attention with Hassan. Amir also
notices that Hassan seems to know what Amir needs to hear. This shows a connection that
is stronger than just among a master/servant relationship.
Amir’s proudest moment of his life is seeing Baba proud of him at last, while on the roof
cheering for the win.
Amir states these lines while he’s watching the horrid act happening to Hassan. He knows
that he should have stepped in to help Hassan, but chose to run away instead. This was the
moment of truth for Amir – to prove his integrity and stand up for what’s right. Amir fails
Hassan – which then leads to a lifetime of guilt, sleepless nights, and the need for
repentance. Their relationship is never the same after this moment.
They nursed from the same Hazara woman, which is known to be a significant bonding
experience between the two boys. The memory of the fortune teller demonstrates that
something bad is going to happen to Hassan. The dream of Amir being caught in the snow
implies that the hand that rescues him is Hassan’s. Hassan gives Amir’s life color, happiness,
and warmth, but Amir does nothing to stop Assef’s attack on Hassan. The use of “lamb” is
both an allusion and a metaphor. Hassan is sacrificing himself, willingly or not, for Amir. The
sacrifice of the lamb is similar to Amir sacrificing Hassan to win Baba’s love.
The family goes to Jalalabad with other family members and Baba.
Amir asks Baba if they would ever get new servants. Baba gets very angry and explains how
Ali and Hassan are family. Ali has been with Baba for over 40 years and they two are like
brothers.
Amir and Hassan: The Sultans of Kabul. Pomegranates represent fertility and growth. Amir
had invited Hassan to go with him to resolve the conflict, so their relationship could
continue. However, the meeting does not go well, and the very symbol of growth is used as a
lever to push the two apart. The pomegranate tree, bearing sweet fruits full of seeds, is
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symbolic of life and plenty, but also of the sweetness of the bond between the two boys who
share the fruit while Amir reads to Hassan – in the past. Now, the pomegranate tree is
significant: this location is no longer the refuge from the world it used to be because Amir
brings his feelings of guilt with him. In a replay of the “eating dirt” scene, Amir attacks
Hassan with the pomegranates which used to be a symbol of their bond, thus finalizing the
breaking of the bond. By reacting as he does, hitting himself with a final pomegranate,
Hassan once more shows the acceptance which Amir saw on his face at the time of the rape
and refused to let Amir lessen his guilt by fighting back. The pomegranate juice also
represents blood – maybe the sacrificial blood of the lamb.
Amir plants a watch and money that he received for his birthday under Hassan’s mattress,
then goes to his father and falsely accuses Hassan of stealing birthday presents. He wants to
distance himself from the cause of this guilt – Hassan. He believes that Baba will never
forgive Hassan since Baba believes the greatest sin is theft.
When asked about this by Baba, Hassan admits the theft. Amir is shocked and realizes that
Hassan knows he saw the attack in the alley.
Baba forgives Hassan, despite his earlier statements about theft.
Ali and Hassan decide to leave. Baba pleads with them to stay and cries; something Amir has
never seen his father do before.
Amir watches Ali and Hassan leave. It is raining and he imagines a scene from a film where
he would run after the car and all would be forgiven, but he does not act on this. Amir
realizes that he should have been more honest about what he saw. This realization comes
too late and Amir is left with his guilty secret and the knowledge that his father was willing
to forgive Hassan for the theft, thus demonstrating again a remarkable level of affection for
his servant’s son.
Key moment: Amir realizes that Ali knows what has happened to his son and Amir’s role in
the affair – not helping Hassan. Amir notices that Ali does not tell on Amir (relieving him
from the guilt), but goes along with the lie. AIi is protective of his son – from the “monster”,
Amir.
Pathetic Fallacy:
The departure of Ali and Hassan causes Baba to cry, something which we would not expect
from the character already presented to us. This is then reflected in another moment of
pathetic fallacy in the rain storm which accompanies their departure. Amir tells us that
summer rain was rare, just as his father’s tears were rare. Amir himself does not cry, but the
rain instead provides symbolic tears through while to view this event.