Kite Runner Discussion Questions
1. The novel begins with Amir 's memory of peering down an alley, looking for Hassan who is kite running for him. As Amir peers into the alley, he witnesses a tragedy. The novel ends with Amir kite running for Hassan 's son, Sohrab, as he begins a new life with Amir in America. Why do you think the author chooses to frame the novel with these scenes? Refer to the following passage: "Afghans like to say: Life goes on, unmindful of beginning, end...crisis or catharsis, moving forward like a slow, dusty caravan of kochis [nomads]." How is this significant to the framing of the novel? 2. The strong underlying force of this novel is the relationship between Amir and Hassan. Discuss their friendship. Why is Amir afraid to be Hassan 's true friend? Why does Amir constantly test Hassan 's loyalty? Why does he resent Hassan? After the kite running tournament, why does Amir no longer want to be Hassan 's friend?
3. Early in Amir and Hassan 's friendship, they often visit a pomegranate tree where they spend hours reading and playing. "One summer day, I used one of Ali 's kitchen knives to carve our names on it: 'Amir and Hassan, the sultans of Kabul. ' Those words made it formal: the tree was ours." In a letter to Amir later in the story, Hassan mentions that "the tree hasn 't borne fruit in years." Discuss the significance of this tree.
4. We begin to understand early in the novel that Amir is constantly vying for Baba 's attention and often feels like an outsider in his father 's life, as seen in the following passage: "He 'd close the door, leave me to wonder why it was always grown-ups time with him. I 'd sit by the door, knees drawn to my chest. Sometimes I sat there for an hour, sometimes two, listening to their laughter, their chatter." Discuss Amir 's relationship with Baba.
5. After Amir wins the kite running tournament, his relationship with Baba undergoes significant change. However, while they form a bond of friendship, Amir is still
3. Early in Amir and Hassan 's friendship, they often visit a pomegranate tree where they spend hours reading and playing. "One summer day, I used one of Ali 's kitchen knives to carve our names on it: 'Amir and Hassan, the sultans of Kabul. ' Those words made it formal: the tree was ours." In a letter to Amir later in the story, Hassan mentions that "the tree hasn 't borne fruit in years." Discuss the significance of this tree.
4. We begin to understand early in the novel that Amir is constantly vying for Baba 's attention and often feels like an outsider in his father 's life, as seen in the following passage: "He 'd close the door, leave me to wonder why it was always grown-ups time with him. I 'd sit by the door, knees drawn to my chest. Sometimes I sat there for an hour, sometimes two, listening to their laughter, their chatter." Discuss Amir 's relationship with Baba.
5. After Amir wins the kite running tournament, his relationship with Baba undergoes significant change. However, while they form a bond of friendship, Amir is still