Answers
Textual Analysis of The Kite Runner, chapter 7 (answers)

1. a) How does Hosseini’s word choice in the opening paragraph create an unsettling mood on the morning of the kite tournament?

The final sentence in the opening paragraph creates the unsettling mood as it tells us that there is a ‘monster’ in the lake and that it has been swimming at the bottom, ‘waiting’. The idea that there is a monster is already unsettling as we see these as something disturbing and not to be trusted. It is a malevolent being. It is made worse by the point that the monster is ‘waiting’. There is a sense that it is lurking there, biding its time before it launches an attack or take some innocent.

b) Show how this mood changes in the telling of the rest of the dream.
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The mood changes from unsettled to happy and exultant. The word choice demonstrates this – we read the people are ‘clapping’ for Amir and Hassan telling us they are applauded for their actions and therefore revered. The idea of them being revered and celebrated is also suggested in the name-change for the lake, it becomes the ‘Lake of Amir and Hassan, Sultans’. Here they are viewed as heroes and their actions catapults them to the highest rank in the land of ruler.
c) How does this dream mirror a later event in the chapter?
In the dream Amir and Hassan work together to prove there is no monster in the lake and are applauded by the adoring crowd. In the kite tournament, Amir and Hassan win, and are congratulated by the tournament audience. The monster however, comes to represent Assef. He is the lurking danger in the two boys life and although he shouldn’t really be a problem he is the thing that splits the two boys up.

2. Comment on the significance of the description of the snow covered scene on p. 57 in terms of later events. Look closely at word choice and imagery.

The snow in this scene is significant because it comes to represent purity and innocence. We are told that everything ‘glistened with fresh snow’ and that it was a ‘blinding white’. The snow should be seen to represent Hassan. The alliteration of the ‘blameless blue’ drags your attention to the odd word choice. The word choice suggests an event is going to happen for which someone should have taken responsibility. We know this event will be Amir’s betrayal of Hassan.
Building on this Amir notes that Ali “always said a prayer when his son left the house” – Ali knows Hassan is in permanent danger of discrimination because he is a Hazara. It is important that this is mentioned now. It gives a sense of foreboding to the chapter.
Both of these phrases are at odds with the purity image, suggesting something bad is going to happen.

3. Explain how the writer conveys the thrill of kite flying on p. 60

The section on kite flying conveys how thrilling it is in several ways. First of all Amir says a prayer – ‘koran ayat’ – before he plays. This is like a charm to protect himself. A series of similes are used to reinforce the thrill of kite-flying. He says the players are like Olympic athletes showing their gold medals. This suggests that they have gone through a tough competition to get where they are and suggests feelings of victory. The kites are also described as “paper sharks roaming for prey”, this makes it sound like the game they are playing is deadly and dangerous, again ramping up the sense of adrenaline. The last simile is that the kites looked “like shooting stars”. This tells us how beautiful they were to watch.

4. Show how sentence structure helps to reinforce how focused Amir is on winning both the tournament and his father’s approval on p. 61

There are a series of short sentences used which demonstrate Amir’s focus like ‘the blue kite’. His thoughts are becoming very centred on winning. In particular he tells us and convinces himself that “I was going to win”. A colon is used to add information that the competition is near an end point and that now there is only two of them left.
Parenthesis also adds that all Amir was thinking about was winning.
The use of ‘I’ and ‘me’ at the start of sentences demonstrates Amir is aware of only himself and the tournament.

5. Study Hosseini’s description of Amir’s ‘out of body experience’ on p. 62. How does this momentary pause motivate Amir into action?

This pause allows Amir to see what he needs to do. He can see himself and he smiles at himself which pushes him onto victory.

6. Comment on the effectiveness of the structure of the sentence beginning “and that right there was the single greatest moment…” p. 63

A list is used to build up a sense of Amir’s emotions. The sentence begins with the conjunction ‘and’ which tags it on to the rest of the paragraph and emphasises that this is a separate but linked point which expresses this is the happiest Amir had been up until that point. The placement of “at last” at the end of the sentence emphasises just how long Amir had been waiting for Baba’s approval.

7. What is the significance of Hassan’s final word to Amir on p.63

Hassan’s final words to Amir are “for you a thousand times over” shows the extent of Hassan’s devotion to Amir. Also becomes a motif throughout the novel of one’s devotion to another.

8. In light of later events, how do these words seem poignant?

Hassan refuses to give up the kite, proving he meant what he said. Amir’s loyalty to Hassan does not work like this though as he betrays Hassan by not stepping forward.

9. How do word choice and sentence structure reinforce Amir’s buoyant mood in the first paragraph on p. 64?

colon – to expand on how he plans the scene in his head
One word sentences – places a great deal of importance on these things. This shows how much Amir wants them from his father.
Rhetorical questions – Amir doesn’t know what else will happen. He has not planned beyond that point of celebration.
Elipses – a moments pause whilst Amir and the reader envision the scene.

“warrior”, “hero” – word choice, victorious champions of violence .
“prized trophy” – treasured reward for which one worked hard
“bloodied hands” – pride in his wounds, which prove his might
“worthiness” – deserving of his father’s attention.
“grand entrance” – dramatic scene
“Rostram and Sohrab” – pictures a happy ending to the tale, over the sad.
Vindication, salvation, redemption. – everything will be fine now

You should have read the book by now. Below are some quick notes to get you thinking about how Hosseini has created characters, setting, themes and symbols.

In chapter 7 Hassan is abused by Assef and his friends whilst defending a kite. Whilst Assef attacks Hassan, Amir shuts his eyes and pictures the Eid sacrifice. This sacrifice is part of the Islamic festival called Eid al-adha. Muslims will sacrifice a goat or sheep and divide the parts amongst their family, friends and the poor. It is done in remembrance of Abraham and his son, Ishmael. Abraham was asked by God to sacrifice Ishmael and Ishmael accepted this fate. When Abraham went to cut Ishmael’s throat he found instead a dead ram. Ishmael’s willingness to die proved his love of God. In much the same way, Hassan’s acceptance of the rape demonstrates his deep love and loyalty to Amir and reflects his earlier statement that he “would eat dirt for [Amir].”
Amir however, does not stick to Hassan’s earlier claim that Amir would never ask him to do this as he stands by and allows his best friend to be raped by their biggest enemy. We can question to what extent Amir can be blamed for these events. Amir is several years younger than Assef and his friends, he knows that he and Hassan will be outnumbered three to two and he has been stranded in a neighbourhood where everyone else seems to have deserted the streets for the main Eid festival celebrations. He is unable to call for an adult for help. Amir knows that if he confronts Assef he will probably be beaten up quite severely. However, Assef feels able to sexually assault Hassan here because he thinks there are no witnesses. If Amir were to interrupt it is likely that Assef would only have beaten up the two younger boys. Also Assef knows that Amir is likely to tell his father which would result in Assef getting into a lot of bother. Baba knows Assef’s father quite well and Baba believes that the Hazara community should be treated with respect. We can accept then that Amir faces a big dilemma at this point.

Amir decides in Chapter 9 that he will plant his birthday presents in Hassan’s room so that Hassan gets into trouble. Amir hopes that by doing this, Hassan will be sent away (and that Amir’s guilt at not intervening will also disappear). Instead, Baba calls a meeting between himself, Amir, Hassan and Ali. Hassan is questioned about the ‘stolen’ goods. He admits to stealing them, which leaves Amir gobsmacked. Baba then tells Hassan that he forgives him. Ali reveals that he and Hassan were going to leave Kabul anyway, as Ali no longer feels the city is safe for him or his son.
Baba’s reaction to Ali’s decision is startling. He becomes greatly distressed and is practically begging his old friend to stay. He even goes so far as to forbid Ali to leave. In fact, you could argue it is almost like Baba feels someone is trying to take his child from him! (Plot spoiler: Someone is trying to take his child from him!)

At the end of chapter 16 Amir has gone back to Pakistan to hear what Rahim Khan has to say, he finds out that Hassan has died at the hands of the Taliban, and worse, his death has left his son alone in Afghanistan. Rahim Khan tells the story in a specific order: it is clear from the telling that Hassan’s life had mirrored Amir’s. He had given himself some form of education, he had found a wife and he had seen the death of his father. Where Amir and Soraya had failed to conceive a child, Hassan and his wife had Sohrab. The build-up of the story would also suggest it was leading to a happy ending, instead it takes a horrific turn with the death of Hassan and his wife.

In chapter 18 Amir states ‘like father, like son’. Baba told Amir that the worst thing you can do to a person is steal from them. When you fail to be honest with someone, you are stealing the truth from that person. It has been revealed in this chapter that both men have concealed the truth in some way that has had devastating consequences: Baba failed to reveal that Hassan was his son, causing Amir to feel unexplainable resentment for his best friend and hurt between Baba and Ali. Amir fails to intervene when Hassan is assaulted and later cannot admit this cowardice or what he saw to himself or Hassan. The two characters are similar in that their ‘lies’ have knock-on effects for other people.

Hosseini reveals in chapter 20 that the orphanage has no money and cannot be run properly. Some support is provided by the local Taliban leader who provides money every so often in return for a child. The manager claims he does not know what purpose the child serves but it is implied that they probably end up abused. It turns out that Hassan’s son, Sohrab, is just the latest in a long line of victims to be removed by this terrible man. The manager claims he is sacrificing one child for the greater good of the others. By letting one child go, he is able to feed, clothe and shelter the remaining orphans. If he didn’t do this, it is highly likely that the Taliban men would simply take the children they wanted anyway. We can understand the manager’s reasons for allowing this to happen even if we do not agree with his decision.

In Chapter 21 Amir attends a football game. During half-time, the pitch is taken over by the Taliban group who lead out a woman and man, both blindfolded. The pair are buried up to their chests before being stoned to death. They have been accused of adultery. This is a shocking scene for many reasons. Firstly, one would not expect this to occur at a football match. It would seem that the pair did not have a formal trial. Lastly, this is a cruel and public death sentence. This is certainly not a fair version of justice.

The events in Chapter 22 are important as they show Amir finally redeeming himself. The fatal mistake he made earlier in his life was to not step in and help Hassan against Assef. At the Taliban headquarters he has the chance to make up for this as Sohrab is being held by Assef. He finally stands up to Assef, even though this time it will probably result in him being beaten to death. It is Sohrab who makes it possible for them to escape when he fires a slingshot pellet into Assef’s eye, blinding him. Sohrab’s actions here make him appear almost like Hassan’s ghost come to protect Amir again.

In Chapter 24, we see that Sohrab is understandably struggling to come to terms with the trauma of the past few months – the death of his parents, being held hostage by abusive Taliban men and almost witnessing Amir being beaten to death. The majority of this chapter seems hopeful that Amir will be able to adopt Sohrab and take him back to America to live as a family with Soraya. In the closing paragraphs of this chapter we discover the adoption will be a lengthy process and Sohrab will have to go back to an orphanage. Sohrab attempts suicide at this news. This adds another twist to the plot. Amir does not stop screaming the whole way to the hospital which contrasts with Sohrab’s silence.

In chapter 25 we see the psychological toll of Sohrab’s experience being suggested through his continued silence. He no longer talks to anyone and withdraws himself as much as possible from people. This is at a peak when Soraya’s parents visit for dinner. However it gives Amir the chance to show he has finally become the man his father wanted him to be. Here, the General makes a snidy comment about the ‘Hazara boy’ living with them. Amir makes it very clear that the child is his nephew and that this is what should be told to the nosy people that inquire about Sohrab. He also states clearly to the General that Sohrab is not to be referred to as the ‘Hazara boy’ in a derogatory tone ever again. Amir has finally grown a backbone.

Most people would agree that the end to this novel is largely a positive one, certainly in terms of the hope it demonstrates. Although a serious amount of trauma has been experienced by all parties involved most of the characters have found a happy ending. Amir has finally redeemed himself and stopped being a coward. He has finally become the man his father wanted him to be, whilst still being true to himself with his work as a writer. Soraya desperately wanted children despite being unable to conceive and now she has Sohrab to look after. We can imagine that the bond between these two will grow and strengthen. Sohrab, although he has lost his biological parents is at least still with family and can begin to restore himself. Some might argue that it would have been nice to find out what happened to Rahim Khan, but his elusive ending is in keeping with his fairy-godfather-esque part. There are those as well that think Assef should have suffered a much worse fate than simply losing one eye.

The Kite Runner definitely conjures scenes of the Middle East. When one delves into the book, it can seem a strange title. The book is really one story about two boys – Amir who does something wrong as a boy and must right it as an adult and Hassan who is forever good. The whole book is about Amir learning the depth of his own loyalty to his best friend and brother and it is fitting that the title of a book almost becomes an ode to this character. The Kite Runner is clearly Hassan.

So you don’t even have to read the book! You can just listen to it, if that’s what you find easier:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jS3_wA9fo3Y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yd02mKII_bw