The Kite Runner

Chapters 1-7

Chapter 1

Introduces the main character and the conflict. Fiction Elements – Foreshadowing and FlashbackSymbolism – Kites - betrayal – eyes looking down. Main question – How can you be good again?Theme – betrayal

Chapter 2

Atmosphere, mood and tone. Sensory details – sight, sound, taste, smell, feelSetting – Afghanistan in the 1970’sConflict – man vs. man Comparison – Amir / Hassan Social status – Pashtun / Hazara Character development Theme – discrimination

Chapter 3

Symbolism – Baba wrestling the bear.

Atmosphere / Setting

Conflict – Baba / Amir

Character development – Baba

Quotation page 19 (my text)

Socio-cultural context – religion

Foreshadowing – Baba comments on how Amir never fights back and Hassan fights his battles for him

Chapter 4

Character development – background information Similarities between Baba and Ali, and Amir and Hassan Religion / History – why Amir and Baba never saw Ali and Hassan as equals. Caste system Atmosphere – nostalgic – yearning for the pastAllusions – references to the movies. Rio Bravo, Bullitt (American influence)Symbolism – Pomegranate Tree. Allusion – page 38

Chapter 5

Conflict – Man vs. Man – Amir vs. Hassan – envious

Ironic – page 46

Background information – constitutional monarch to a republic

Character development – Assef page 49 – 50

Allusion – Hitler – symbolizes Assef

Irony – surgery to fix his face.

Chapter 6

Symbolism – winter / snow

Point of View – Amir – we know what he saw and experienced

Metaphor – comparing the kite to a gun

Simile – comparing kite running to war.

Kite Running is symbolic of the difference between the classes.

Atmosphere / Tone

Chapter 7

Hassan’s dream – symbolism Foreshadowing / omen / Symbolism Kite Running – mind drifting – symbolicQuotation page 93Quotation page 100Symbolism – snowLoyalty – betrayal – theme. We learn about one of the sins Amir is referring to in the first chapter. Kites are symbolic of betrayal to Amir at this point.