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Page 1: The Kite Runner

Anintroduction

Page 2: The Kite Runner

Set in Afghanistan (approx1970-81; 2004)and the US (1984

Coming-of-age novel or story of personal redemption

Page 3: The Kite Runner

Amir – central character – a Pashtun boy who betrays and is betrayed; finds escape from his sins in the US; has to come to terms with them

Hassan: Hazara boy – he is self-sacrificing and “true”; courageous and loyal.

Baba: father of Amir – hypocrite(!) and victim; courageous and cowardly

Rahim Khan – Baba’s friend, Amir’s conscience and father-figure

Soraya: Amir’s wife – victim of a patriarchal society (and like her mother) of a patriarch! Rescued by Amir.

Sohrab: Hassan’s son; rescued(?) by Amir

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Assef – psychopathic bully of German/Pashtun parentage; persecutor of Hassan and Amir

Farid- Taxi driver who takes Amir back to Kabul

General Taheri – Soraya’s father Khanum Jamila Taheri – Soraya’s mother Sanaubar – Hassan’s mother

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the central concept of loyalty and betrayal – how could Amir leave Hassan in the alley with Assef?

the concept of growing up and accepting yourself, your limitations and the limitations of your heroes

the concepts of love and jealousy between fathers and sons

the concept of redemption – ‘there is a way to be good again’

the concept of patriotism – what it means to love a country and its culture ... but to also live in another country and maintain your identity

racism and its consequences. courage – what is it?

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Afghanistan of the 70’s: ◦ a monarchy that becomes a republic that turns to

Communism ...◦ a society split by a racial hierarchy

Patriarchy, and the role of, and treatment of women.

Contrast and compare with the US

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Patterns – “sin and redemption” Slingshot – the hare-lip;

Sanaubar/Soraya; theft (watch and money); Assef;

Running the Kites Fathers and sons