The Kite Runner
Themes
Response to Amir’s actions
 When Amir walks away from Hassan in the alley, he
suffers from guilt. Partially for not intervening, for not
helping Hassan out of that horrible situation. But he
takes his guilt out on Hassan.
 Hassan is unaware that Amir saw what happened in
the alley, and so is confused about Amir’s withdrawal.
 Is forgiveness possible when we have wronged
someone so deeply? Must we forgive ourselves
before we can accept the forgiveness of others?
2. Pair READING
 Ch 8 page 81 (Ali
questions Amir)
 Ch 8 page 88-93
 3. In comp book,
answer:
 Why does Amir
provoke Hassan?
What does Amir
want or need?
 4. Work on
Assignment#2 for
Ch 5-7 Due
tomorrow
 5. Read and/or
work on
Assignment #3 (Ch
8-9)
Creating Your Own Kite
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An image of the most important thing in your life
An image of what you want to BE
An image that represents something you are good at
An image that represents your worst FEAR
Symbolic image representing your cultural identity
A color that best represents who you are
Equilibrium, Night, and
The Kite Runner
 Making connections between texts helps us as
readers to understand themes across genres. Novels
are about life, and as such, they discuss universal
topics that all people can relate to in some way.
 Amir’s story is similar in many ways to other texts we
have read. The society in Equilibrium wants to control
the young, indoctrinate them, so they will obey.
Compare this to Hosseini’s description of what Kabul
becomes before they flee.
Making Connections
The Kite Runner
 What is life like for Amir,
his father, and the other
refugees?
 Describe the travel
conditions in detail
 What happens to Amir’s
acquaintance, Kamal?
Night
 How is Amir’s experience like
that of Elie and his father?
 Compare Elie’s experience on
the train to Amir’s experience
in the Fuel truck
 How is Kamal’s death like that
of Juliek, Elie’s friend who dies
in the camp?
One last gift for Amir…
 Think about the sacrifice that Baba has made to bring
Amir to America. He is not happy, he misses his
country, he can’t speak the language well (and won’t
take classes), and must work at a low-paying job for
which he is overqualified.
 Write a response to this situation. How does Baba
feel about this sacrifice? How does Amir feel about
his father making this sacrifice for him?
Wed 4/17 QUIZ
1. With what disease is Baba diagnosed?
2. What does Baba do when he learns the doctor is from
Russia?
3. After his seizure, Baba is hospitalized. Who comes to visit?
4. What does Amir ask his father to do on his behalf?
5. What is the result?
6. What does Amir learn about Soraya’s past?
7. What happens to Baba?
8. What accomplishment does Amir achieve?
9. What struggle do Amir and Soraya experience?
10. Who does Amir go to see at the end of Ch. 14?
Assignment #5 Due
Study Questions for
chapters 12 & 13 due
TODAY
Interrupted Summary
 Let’s review the events of the story we learned in the
last class meeting before we move on.
 Procedure: I start with a particular event
 First student begins to summarize that part of the
story until I call STOP
 2nd student picks up where 1st student left off and
continues until I call STOP.
 Game continues until summary is complete.
It’s all in a WORD
Marriage Proposal
Wedding Traditions
 Have you ever been to a wedding? Different cultures
practice differing traditions and customs. Often,
something as important as a WEDDING will demand
adherence to a strict set of guidelines
 Think about customs in your culture that are carried
out at weddings. Write down at least 5
Traditional Christian Wedding
 On the wedding day, the bride and groom do not see each
other until the bride walks down the aisle
 Bride wears a full-length white wedding gown with a veil
that covers her face (symbolizes purity)
 Father escorts the bride down the aisle of the church
 Minister asks “Who gives this woman to this man?”
 Father answers “Her mother and I” and joins the hands of
bride and groom
 During ceremony: Scripture reading, Exchange of vows
and rings, “I now pronounce you husband and wife, you
may kiss the bride” Groom lifts the veil, kisses bride
Shotgun Wedding?
What could this possibly
mean???!!!!
The Wedding Song
 Page 170-171: In your comp book, Copy the words of
the ahesta boro:
 Make morning into a key and throw it into the well,
 Go slowly, my lovely moon, go slowly.
 Let the morning sun forget to rise in the east,
 Go slowly, my lovely moon, go slowly.
 Unpack the metaphor with your partner and record
your thoughts in your comp book under the song.
Friends Honor Baba after his
Death
 Think of the most important people in your life –
those that you love the most
 For many, it is your parents
 What will you remember about them when they are
gone?
 What will you be remembered for when you are
gone?
 What is Baba remembered for? (Page 174)
Homework
 Read through page 194 (end of chapter 14) before
class on Friday.
 ONE question, ONE comment
 Write down one good question and one thoughtful
comment generated from the assigned reading. You will
be required to share at least 1 question and 1 comment
during the next class period.
Traditional Afghan Wedding
Pair/Share the details you found
out about the traditional Afghan
wedding
Homework: Assignment #6
The Kite Runner questions for
Ch 14-17 are due Monday
So much goodness, happiness
 Amir wonders, “There was so much goodness
in my life. So much happiness. I wondered
whether I deserved any of it” (183).
 In your comp book, write a response. Does
Amir deserve all this happiness and success?
Explain why or why not.
Embed the Quote
Amir is surprised when Rahim Khan reminded him,
“there is a way to be good again,” because he realizes
that Rahim has known the truth about everything all
along.
Homework: Read to page 258 by Tuesday (next class
meeting) and do Assignment # 6 & 7 study questions.
DUE TUESDAY
Unfinished Business
Amir has come to rescue Sohrab
“John Lennon” is really Assef!
Assef “owns” Sohrab, Hassan’s son
Sohrab falls, spills the grapes, stains his
shirt with purple grape juice (285)
(review prior confrontation on p. 93)
In your comp book, explain the
significance between the two events
Group Reading
 Read pages 287 (bottom) -292
 Take turns reading. When finished:
 Discuss and Answer in Comp Book:
 1. Why does Amir feel “healed” by this
experience (289)? Explain.
 2. Explain the significance of Sohrab’s
action. What is ironic about this act? Be
specific.