Daily Reflection Prompt The Kite Runner Daily Reflection Prompt

Prompt #1 The Kite Runner 1-23 On page 22, in regard to his son, Amir, Baba says, "I wasn't like that at all, and neither were any of the kids I grew up with." Explain what Amir is like. Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

Prompt #2 The Kite Runner 24-47 Based on the reading, respond to the following quote: "Never mind any of those things. Because history isn't easy to overcome. Neither is religion. In the end, I was a Pashtun and he was a Hazara, I was a Sunni and he was a Shi'a, and nothing was ever going to change that. Nothing" (page 25). What does this say about Amir and Hassan's friendship?

Prompt #3 The Kite Runner 48-79 Reread the first line of the book: “I became what I am today at the age of twelve, on a frigid overcast day in the winter of 1975” (page 1). What does this have to do with your assigned reading? In other words, how did the events in the chapter shape the character of Amir?

Prompt #4 The Kite Runner 80-109 If you had only one word to describe the motivation for Amir's actions in this part of the book, what word would you choose? Give a definition for your word, and then show examples from the text (you may want to include some of Amir's own words and actions) that demonstrate the accuracy of your word choice. Try to judge Amir by either defending or condemning his actions.

Prompt #5 The Kite Runner 110-142 In chapters 10 and 11, we find that Baba and Amir have had to flee Afghanistan. They suffer through some harrowing incidents. Try to put yourself into this situation. How would you handle all of the things they experience? What do you think of Baba at this point in the story? Contrast his character with Amir's. What are the similarities and differences at this point?

Prompt #6 The Kite Runner 143-165 Reread pages 156 and 157. Baba is given the option to get chemotherapy for his cancer. He decides he doesn’t want it. Explain what motivates this decision. Please write about how Amir reacts to Baba’s decision as well. Put yourself into these positions. How would you react if you were the father in this situation? How would you feel if you were the son?

Prompt #7 The Kite Runner 166-189 Is it a coincidence that as Baba’s life ends, Amir’s life (to some extent) begins? Amir is married and trying to have a child. What is Amir’s reaction to his father’s passing? Find his words in the text to show you recognized his emotions (starting p. 174). How does he feel when he finds out he cannot make a baby with Soraya?

Prompt #8 The Kite Runner 190-202 Amir gets a call from his old friend, Rahim Khan, who tells him, “There is a way to be good again.” Explain what you think this will mean. How does this apply to the themes and ideas present in the novel?

Prompt #9 The Kite Runner 203-223 On page 211, Rahim Khan states, “It always hurts more to have and to lose than to not have in the first place.” Alfred, Lord Tennyson writes in his poem "In Memoriam" that “Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.” (http://home.att.net/~tennysonpoetry/27.htm.) Using ideas from The Kite Runner and/or from your own life, choose one of the quotations and explain which you prefer. Make sure you have evidence to support your claim.

Prompt #10 The Kite Runner 224-258 Now you know that Baba is also Hassan’s father. How do you feel about Amir’s reaction to this information? Try to compare and contrast the relationship between Baba and Ali with Amir and Hassan’s friendship. If you need additional guidance, turn to the back of your text and look at the words in all CAPITAL LETTERS in white. You can also read Discussion Question #17 in the back of your book.

Prompt #11 The Kite Runner 259-292 Is it too coincidental that Assef reappears at this point in the story? Were you surprised? Does it seem natural that he is the person in charge? Explain your reaction to the violence and graphic descriptions of torture and brutality in these last pages.

Prompt #12 The Kite Runner 293-310 What is Amir going through at this point in the story? What is he seeing? What is he thinking? How does Rahim Khan’s letter affect him?

Prompt #13 The Kite Runner 311-343 Explain what happens in the reading for today related to making promises. Why are keeping promises so important to the characters? Raymond Andrews says, on page 332, "It's a dangerous business making promises to kids.” Why is this significant in this part of the reading?

Prompt #14 The Kite Runner 344-371 Read the praise from The Washington Post Book World on back of your book. Compare it with the quote on the front of the book from Isabel Allende. “Salvation” means deliverance from sin and its consequences and “redemption” means the action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil. Discuss to what extent you agree with these quotes. Use your text or specific examples to prove your point.