The Kite Runner Chapters 20 - 22

“Kabul is not the way you remember it…“ Chapter 20 “Kabul is not the way you remember it…“

WRITE THIS INTO YOUR NOTEBOOK! Commentary Though at first Farid seems to be a minor character, his presence proves invaluable to Amir in Afghanistan, in navigating the changed landscape and the changed social order. He offers warnings and suggestions on dealing with the Taliban and describe the events the led up to the present state of chaos in the city of Kabul. He provides valuable context for Amir and the reader.

WRITE THIS INTO YOUR NOTEBOOK! Commentary The author further emphasizes the injustice in Afghanistan when the director of the orphanage admits that he sold Sohrab to a government official, apparently for indecent reasons, to protect the rest of the children. In a case of further irony, the man that molests Sohrab turns out to be the same man the previously raped Sohrab's father. The sleeping dog who is actually dead serves to illustrate Amir’s naive and innocent perspective. The broken Coca-Cola sign symbolise the loss of western ideas. The director’s broken glasses symbolise the state of rationale and morality in Afghan society. It is broken, grey and complex.

‘I don’t want to forget anymore…’ Chapter 21 ‘I don’t want to forget anymore…’

WRITE THIS INTO YOUR NOTEBOOK! Commentary The sight he witnesses at the soccer match further encourages Amir to get Sohrab out of the country. Yet, Amir's heart breaks for all of his countrymen that suffer at the hands of such vicious rulers. In keeping with one of the novel's main themes, he feels a familial connection to all other Afghans. Because of this connection, he willingly overpays for a sub par hotel room, when the manager is obviously in financial need. The author uses suspense in describing the official with whom Amir needs to meet. Nothing of the description gives away the man's identity. In a way, this plays down the intended suspense, but increases the shock of the reveal.

WRITE THIS INTO YOUR NOTEBOOK! Commentary Amir risks getting in trouble to visit the old pomegranate tree (our favourite motif!). When he reaches it, he confirms what Hassan had told him seeing the tree fruitless and dead. It represents his relationship with Hassan.

“…someone has to take out the garbage.“ Chapter 22 “…someone has to take out the garbage.“

WRITE THIS INTO YOUR NOTEBOOK! Commentary When Amir enters Assef's house, he finally faces the bully that has haunted him since that day in the alley. Though he has no fighting skills against Assef, he willingly agrees, much like the lamb that he that he once compared Hassan to. The reader knows the fight will not go well, because Amir foreshadows that the grape is his last solid food for months. Once again, the author employs irony in that Sohrab saves Amir from Assef. The irony exists in many parts, in that Sohrab uses a slingshot, just as Hassan often threatened to do. Furthermore, he hits Assef in the same eye Hassan promised to take out years prior, though Sohrab knew nothing of such a threat. He even uses the decorative ball from the table, which Amir first noticed in a coffee shop in Pakistan, just as he decided to go after Sohrab.

WRITE THIS INTO YOUR NOTEBOOK! Finally, Sohrab saves Amir, though it was supposed to be the other way around. Yet, Amir feels free after his beating from Assef, as though it takes away some of the pain that Assef inflicted upon Hassan. “…someone has to take out the garbage.“