The Kite Runner
By Khaled Hosseini
Introduction and Context
About the Author
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Source: Khaled Hosseini Website
http://www.khaledhosseini.com/,
accessed 17 February 2008.
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Khaled Hosseini was born in Kabul,
Afghanistan in 1965.
His mother was a teacher and his
father a diplomat.
His family left Afghanistan for a posting
in Paris in 1976, well before the
Communist coup and the Soviet
invasion. They intended to return, but
sought political asylum in the US in
1980.
He now lives in California, where he
works as a doctor.
(Sherman 2006, p.5)
About The Kite Runner
“largely fictional“
“autobiographical
elements“
“assimilating into
a new culture“
About The Kite Runner
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Hosseini ‘wanted to write about Afghanistan before the Soviet war
because that is largely a forgotten period in modern Afghan history.
For many people in the west, Afghanistan is synonymous with the
Soviet war and the Taliban.’
He explains: ‘I wanted to remind people that Afghans had managed to
live in peaceful anonymity for decades, that the history of the Afghans
in the twentieth century has been largely peaceful and harmonious.’
(Newsline Publications 2001 in Sherman 2006, p. 5)
About The Kite Runner
Afghanistan before
Soviet Occupation
“long school days in
summer“
Afghanistan after
Soviet Occupation
“war“
“Cinema Park“
“kite fighting“
“landmines“
“picnics“
“big parties“
“famine“
Afghanistan
Source: http://media.maps.com/magellan/Images/AFGHAN-W1.gif Accessed 17 February 2008.
Geography
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Terrain – rocky and dry, mountainous
in the central part of the country
Climate – hot summers, cold winters
Geography – borders Iran, Pakistan,
Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikstan
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Introduction to Afghanistan
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An ethnically diverse country.
Pashtu and Dari are considered the
official languages of Afghanistan and
are spoken by 85% of the people.
Numbers....
Population 
2012 estimate 30,419,928
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1979 census 15.5 million
The people of Afghanistan
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About 99% of the population is Muslim, and of these
Muslims, 84% belong to the Sunni sect.
There has been a long history of an ethnic hierarchy
within Afghanistan. It has created imbalances in wealth,
influence and education within its society.
Traditionally Pashtuns have dominated the country
because they are the presumed majority of the
population.
As a result, many of the other ethnic groups have not
had a strong voice within the society.
(Amnesty International USA The Kite Runner Companion Curriculum.
http://www.amnestyusa.org/education/pdf/kiterunnerhigh.pdf Accessed on 17 February 2008)
Ethnic Groups
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Pashtuns
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Tajiks
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Majority ethnic group at 42%
27% of population
Hazaras
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A minority ethnic group 9% of
Afghanistan’s population
Other Ethnic Groups
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12% of the population is comprised or the
Turkmen (3%) and Uzbeks (9%).
The remaining 10% of the population is comprised
of the Nuristans, an ancient people of
Mediterranean descent, the Fariswan, the ethnic
Shi’a Persians, the relatively few in number
Baluchis of the south and the scattered members
of the Kuchi and Aimaq nomads.
Hazara
• The Hazaras are most easily identified by their tendency to have
light colored and almond shaped eyes and round faces.
• They are possibly direct descendents of Genghis Khan, who
invaded Afghanistan in the 13th century.
• Thus, they are seen as “invaders” and not true Afghanis.
Hazara (cont.)
The Hazaras typically function as the servant class and
partake in few of the freedoms enjoyed by the Pashtun
upper-class.
Characters
• Amir – the main character; narrator
• Baba – Amir’s father; wealthy Afghani
• Rahim Khan – Baba’s best friend and
business partner; an uncle to Amir
• Hassan – Amir’s best friend; servant
• Ali – Hassan’s father
Pashtun Hazara
Politics –
Soviets
invade
1979
Mujahideen
take power
1992
A very simple timeline!
Civil War
Taliban
come to
power
NATO
arrive
1993
1996
2001
The Taliban
• Under the Taliban’s rule, human rights
and civil liberties were slowly peeled
away.
• The Taliban instituted cruel and
inhumane treatment of those who
opposed them in order to solidify their
power over Afghanistan’s citizens.
How does this relate?
• In the beginning of The Kite Runner, the
monarchy is still in place and the country is
relatively calm. However, chaos starts to
erupt as the king is overthrown by his
brother.
• In the second half of The Kite Runner, the
Taliban is in power, creating a much more
volatile and dangerous Afghanistan.
Links
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzAJIXwc49A
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=413285888858
6976866&ei=uUasSOenA4fy4ALz5Qi&q=about+the+Kaaba+mecca&vt=lf
Info on Islam
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/muslim
s/etc/faqs.html
Afghani Words in the book
• jan – a term of endearment often used
after a person’s name: Baba jan
• agha – leader, ruler, master, lord
• sahib – friend (original), lord
• naan – bread
Using context in your analysis
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When reading the book make sure you pay attention
to the cultural and historical details.
How is Amir informed by his Afghan heiritage and
changed by his adopted US home?
How do these conflicting cultures influence events
and characters in the book?
As you read, consider the following...
• Is it ever appropriate or necessary to remain a silent
bystander when someone is being hurt (physically or
emotionally)?
• Is it possible to atone (make amends) for our wrongdoings?
• Do we have an obligation to be loyal and truthful to our
friends and family members?
Homework
Read Chapters 1 to 4