1. The Kite Runner
Do-Nows:

2. “Fatwa City” p. 242-245 1. Read “Fatwa City”
2. Then answer the comprehension questions that follow on p (#s 1-5)

3. Do-Now
In what ways has our society “regulated morality?” With a partner, list and describe at least 5 examples.
Hint- what freedoms have we lost? Think of censorship and limitations in terms of freedom of speech as evidenced on TV, radio, social media, etc.

4. Morality Police
In your opinion, is it a good thing or a bad thing that our society tries to “police” the morals of its citizens? Using the examples from our discussion, write an argumentative paragraph defending your beliefs. You may argue both, but justify your reasons using specific examples.

5. Pashtun vs. Hazara
1. Read and annotate the article about Pashtuns and Hazaras.
2. With a partner, demonstrate the differences between Pashtuns and Hazaras using examples from The Kite Runner’s plot to demonstrate the social class disparity between the two subcultures. Use at least THREE examples from the book to prove your points. Write your responses in ONE person’s journal.

6. Kite Runner: Do-Now
Write about your first friend that you remember from your childhood. What specific details do you remember about this person and about your friendship? How did the friendship affect your life in some way? Even if you didn't stay friends, how does the memory of this friendship still linger in your memories in some way? 
What details does Amir remember about his friendship with Hassan from his childhood?

7. Kite Runner: Ch. 1 & 2
1. What is the mood/tone of the first chapter of the novel? Quote a line to demonstrate your point. 2. What is foreshadowed in the first two chapters of the novel? 3. What inferences can you make about the friendship of Amir and Hassan from the second chapter? 4. What is the symbolism behind Amir's line on p. 8, "People say that eyes are windows to the soul. Never was that more true than with Ali...”

8. Journal- Kite Runner Ch. 1-5
Amir is often looking for approval from his father, but doesn’t gain the validation he is seeking. However, he has Rahim Khan, his father’s friend, to support him and his love of writing.
Write about an experience or a time when someone believed in you when others didn’t. How did this person impact your future goals and your life? If you don’t have such a person in your life, write about someone YOU support and believe in even though others don’t.

9. Journal- Kite Runner Ch. 1-5
1. What characterization can you make about Amir from his treatment of Hassan on the top of page 29? Why do you think Amir treats Hassan this way? Think deeply about his motives and his insecurities as a character as you explain your beliefs.
2. In what ways has Amir “let down” his father, Baba? Give several examples to prove your points. Do you think Amir truly has let his father down, or has Baba let Amir down in some way? Explain.

10. Do-Now: Kite Runner Ch. 6-7
1. Turn to a partner (or partners if you are working in a group of three) and discuss your quotes from the close reading analysis homework.
2. Share your reactions about the events of Ch What are your feelings about what happened to Hassan? What is Amir’s responsibility in the aftermath of what happened to Hassan? Is he partially to blame for standing back and not defending Hassan? Was his reaction understandable considering the traumatic nature of the experience? Why do you think he didn’t actually say anything to Hassan afterwards? Be prepared to share your thoughts with the class.

11. Kite Runner Ch. 6-7 Pair-Share
1. You and your partner will be assigned ONE of the questions (#4, 5, 8, 9, or 10) on the Ch. 6-9 Pair-Share worksheet.
2. Answer that question by recording the answer in ONE partner’s Do-Now journal. You will have about FIVE minutes.
3. When time is called, you and your partner will pair up with another group and share your answers. Each pair is responsible for recording a summary of the other group’s findings after having a brief discussion of the new question. Write in ONE partner’s notebook.
4. Choose another NEW question to answer (either #4, 5, 8, 9, or 10). Repeat step #2. Write answer in the OTHER person’s journal.
5. Repeat step #3 when time is called.

12. Culture of Afghanistan Article
Write down TEN facts that you found interesting in the article and reflect on what the facts tell you as the reader about the culture, morals, values, etc. of the people of Afghanistan. If you can relate the facts to any plot from the story so far, please record your observations.

13. Journal Reflection:
1. How did Amir attempt to get rid of his guilt after the violent incident Hassan suffered? Discuss several examples as you explain your point.
2. Why do you think Amir didn’t attempt to help Hassan? Do you think Amir is a coward, or was he just paralyzed by his fear? Explain your beliefs.
3. Why does Hassan’s kind, selfless, and loyal nature get Amir so angry?

14. Kite Runner Journal: Ch. 9
1. Write about a time when you were a martyr and took the blame for someone else or vice versa? How did it make you feel? Was it worth sacrificing yourself for someone else? Or, if someone else took the fall for you, how did that make you feel? Explain.
2. What sacrifices did Hassan make for Amir over the last few chapters and why? What are your feelings about the sacrifices he has made for his beloved friend? Were they worth it? Is he a noble martyr, or a used doormat? Explain.

15. Do-Now: Regret and Guilt
1. Write about a time you regretted not taking action when you knew you should have. Explain. If you have never been in this situation, write about a time when you wish others would have taken action when they didn't. 
2. Do you sympathize with Amir at all knowing that he must live with such guilt for the rest of his life? Why/why not?

16. The Stigma of “Telling”
After reading the article about the victim and accuser in Afghanistan, consider Amir and Hassan’s reasons for staying quiet. Why do you think didn’t tell Baba or Ali or confront Assef afterward the rape? Do you think Amir is a coward, or was he just paralyzed by his fear? Was his inaction because of his fear of reprisal, shame, or fear of disappointing Baba?
Why didn’t Hassan tell Amir what happened after the rape? Why didn’t he tell Baba or Ali? Would he have endangered his life further by telling the truth about what happened, or was he better off keeping it to himself to avoid reprisal? Which is worse? Explain your beliefs.

17. Journal: Ch
Baba told Amir, “It may be unfair, but what happens in a few days, sometimes even a single day, can change the course of a whole lifetime, Amir” (142).
Do you agree with Baba’s statement? How does this relate to Baba, Amir, and the nation of Afghanistan as a whole?
How does this quote relate to YOU in your own life? Explain a moment or day that changed your life forever. (It can be something positive- it doesn’t have to be bad as in Amir’s case!)

18. Theme: The Powerful Dominate the Powerless
Afghanistan has been overpowered by Afghan communists and Russian soldiers. More violence ensued
The Afghan people have turned against each other and the weak are subjugated by the powerful few 
Communist party overthrew President Daoud Khan- many who opposed the new regime were executed
Kamal (who once helped Assef assault Hassan) was raped by a gang of boys 
Russian soldier at checkpoint stops car and tries to use his political power to assault a female in the vehicle
Similarly, Afghanistan has been "raped" by violence and oppression and lost its innocence and identity 

19. Theme: Deterioration of Morals/Values in Afghanistan
Afghanistan has been overtaken by communist forces and people now turn others in and betray their own people for money or political favors 
Karim the driver lies about being able to get his brother to drive the group the rest of the way to Pakistan 
Baba has a hard time dealing with the lack of honor and dignity of Karim, who manipulated the passengers in order to make money driving them half way (he strangles Karim to put him in his place for being so corrupt) 
Baba protects the meek and is deeply angered by the indignity and immorality of the Russian soldier. He is willing to be shot in order to protect the woman in the car.
Baba's morality and strong moral principles are in conflict with the lawlessness and lack of human decency that has taken over Afghanistan 

20. Soviets in Afghanistan
1. What reason did the Soviets have for “intervening” in Afghanistan?
2. Who is Mohammed Daoud? What influence did he have on Afghanistan politics? How did the US feel about Daoud’s politics?
3. What happened to Afghanistan once Daoud was killed? How did this affect US/Afghan relations and Afghanistan’s politics as a whole?
4. How did Taraki’s politics affect Afghanistan?
5. What involvement did the US have after the murder of Taraki? Why did the US involve itself in Afghanistan’s struggle in the first place?
6. Who came into power once the Soviets left Afghanistan?

21. Afghan Marriage/Courtship Rituals**

22. Wedding Rituals/Customs
What other wedding rituals and customs can you think of from America and/or other countries?
What similarities and differences do you notice? List several examples

23. Journal: Emotional Growth
1. How has Amir evolved emotionally as a character as seen through Ch with his new life in America? Give some examples.
2. How has Amir’s relationship with Baba changed? Give some examples.
3. How have YOU evolved and changed emotionally from freshman year to senior year of high school? Explain.

24. 1. Amir has become confident and self-assured
2. He is now a published author and his book gets signed
3. He has become forgiving- he looks at Soraya’s “shame” and doesn’t condemn her running off with another man
4. He asserts himself and follows his heart, regardless of what Baba wants for him- he pursues Soraya, a degree in writing
5. He compares himself to Baba less and accepts the fact that Baba is a stronger man than he is on some levels
6. He learns to live life without Baba’s guidance and becomes a man/husband
7. He no longer yearns for Baba’s approval the way he used to and instead guides Baba as he takes him to the doctor and pushes him to get medical treatment
8. He has become more independent and finds a home in America that is not centered around personal guilt, regret

25. 2. - Amir helps Baba sell items at the flea market where they are a team as they work together. Baba relies on Amir now.
- Baba needs Amir now more than ever to take care of him in his state of declining health
- Baba trusts Amir to make decisions on his own- he trusts in Amir’s feelings for Soraya and approves of their marriage
- Baba is proud of Amir’s writing ability and finally brags about his son in a deserving way that makes Amir feel good
- Baba feels pride in Amir and shows his love more openly. He reads Amir’s book. He is overjoyed when Amir marries Soraya
- Amir has become the strong one- he has found his voice in America whereas Baba is now the underdog here
- Amir feels genuinely close to Baba and has become the independent man Baba wanted him to become

26. Foreshadowing & Symbolism
1. Foreshadowing: Make a list of at least FIVE examples of plot that occurs early in the novel that ended up being foreshadowing of events that happened later.
2. Symbolism: Make a list of FIVE examples of symbolism in the novel. Briefly explain what each symbol (object, item) might represent
3. Character Archetypes: What characters are symbolic of particular archetypes in literature? List at least THREE characters and briefly explain the symbolism of each character on your list. (Ex- martyr, spiritual guide, hero, the innocent, the villain/evil force, the “everyman” (human character with flaws), etc.)

27. Dual Symbolism in The Kite Runner
Kites: a. Childhood and happiness and innocence
b. A reminder of betrayal and guilt
The Blue Kite:
a. Victory, success, Baba’s approval of Amir
b. Evil, sin, remorse, guilt
The Monster in the Lake:
a. Amir and Hassan beating the “monster” aka winning the kite tournament
b. Amir’s sin, guilt, and jealousy of Hassan’s relationship with Baba; Assef; Amir’s conscience

28. Afghanistan: a. Childlike innocence, happier times
b. War, violence, reminder of betrayal
Pomegranate Tree:
a. Amir and Hassan carve their names in it to symbolize their everlasting friendship
b. Bitterness, anger, and guilt-Amir throws pomegranates at Hassan to incite his anger so he can punish him/take away his guilt by hitting him back
Hassan: a. childhood/innocence, purity, honesty,
loyalty, sacrifice, goodness
b. A reminder of betrayal guilt, and remorse

29. Myth of Rostam and Sohrab
More symbolism….
Myth of Rostam and Sohrab
The character of Rostam, who acts dishonorably toward the king by sleeping with his daughter, symbolizes Amir, and perhaps Baba.
The character of Sohrab, who does not know who his father is, who becomes Hassan's favorite hero, and who meets an untimely death, symbolizes Hassan.
The Pomegranate Tree
Young and innocent Amir and Hassan- carefree childhood innocence and friendship
Amir and Hassan carved their name in the tree- it bore fruit which symbolized their relationship/friendship
After Hassan’s death when Amir is wracked with guilt, the tree still exists but no longer bears fruit. Now the tree not only symbolizes loss, but death, and the end of innocence.
*Recall Amir wanted Hassan to hit him with the pomegranate fruit in order to inflict a physical punishment on him and lessen his guilt; and instead, Hassan breaks the fruit over his own head to symbolize his sacrificing nature, loyalty, and perhaps forgiveness.

30. Symbolism & Metaphor The pomegranate tree p. 264
Extended metaphor on p. 246 
p. 285 simile/metaphor trash/Hazara 
Foreshadowing (the holes for the stoning of the adulterer)
Sohrab's slingshot skills
Amir's mom predicting her happiness was too good to be true.

31. Characterization & Internal Conflict
For your assigned character, (Baba, Amir, General Taheri, Jamila Taheri, or Soraya)… make a list of the following…Focus on Ch on pages
A. Two quotes revealing characterization. Quote and explain what is revealed about the character’s values, beliefs, personality, etc.
B. Two internal conflicts
C. State what your character has in common with at least TWO other characters in the story in terms of values, beliefs, experiences, background, personal conflicts, etc. Be specific with your examples.

32. Do-Now:
1. What was your reaction to Rahim Khan's revelation about Amir’s past? What signs foreshadowed this big news earlier in the story? Give some examples.
2. How are Amir and Baba more alike than Amir ever realized? Are they equally as guilty for their sins, or is one more at fault than the other?
3. Did your feelings about Baba change at all after you found out about his huge secret and betrayal? Why do you think he kept it all a secret? Explain.

33. Journal:
Amir comes back to Afghanistan to find that the life he once knew has totally changed. As we grow older, our perspectives change and the places and things we once knew no longer look the same. Write a reflection about a place you once knew that no longer seems the same to you now that you've gotten older and can see things from a different perspective. 

34. Afghanistan before the Taliban…

35. Hazara Massacre- Prezi

36. Rise of The Taliban video

37. Daily Routines/Rituals
1. Make a list of your daily rituals and routines on an average day. (What do you wear when you get dressed, where do you go, who do you interact with/hang with during the day, what do you typically eat/consume, etc., what do you do to pass the time? Hobbies, music you listen to, movies/tv, etc….)
2. Get into groups of 4-6. In your groups, appoint one group leader to read the rules of the Taliban for Afghan Men and Females (p. 41 of the packet) out loud.
3. Individually, check off each item on your list that violates a rule of the Taliban.
4. Discuss with your partners.
5. When you are finished, we will then read the rules governing females together as a class and determine which items on the list we violate in the course of any given year.

38. Taliban Rules for Women
May not work outside the home.
May not participate in any activity outside the home unless accompanied by her husband or male relative.
May not be treated by male doctor.
May not study at any institutions, including schools and universities.

39. Taliban Rules for Women
Must wear the long veil (burqa) which covers them from head to toe.
If found guilty of adultery, will be publically stoned to death.
May not laugh loudly – no stranger should hear a woman’s voice.
May not wear high heels – no man should hear a woman’s footsteps.

40. Taliban Rules for Everyone
No one can listen to music.
No one can watch television, movies or videos.
No citizen can have a non-Islamic name.
Men may not shave or trim their beards.
No one may fly kites.

41. Taliban Rules for Everyone
In any sporting event, no one may clap.
Anyone who converts from Islam to any other religion will be executed.
No burying of anyone who was killed by the Taliban. Bodies must remain in the streets as examples to other ‘wrongdoers’.

42. Partner Activity: Ch
1. Find at least five examples from chapter 20 and 21 that demonstrate how much Afghanistan has changed since Amir's childhood. Be specific. 
2. List several examples of the Taliban's brutality in chapters that relate to the list of rules and punishments during the Taliban regime. What rules and punishments did you observe from the reading of Ch ? Be specific. Hint- Ch. 21 soccer game p. 268 

43. Taliban Human Rights Violations
For your assigned “case story” number, answer the following question numbers…
Case Study 1: #s 1, 2, 3, 4, 8
Case Study 2: #s 1, 2, 3, 7, 9
Case Study 3: #s 1, 2, 4, 8, 9
Case Study 4: #s 1, 3, 4, 5, 7

44. Hazara Massacre Video

45. Modern Day Afghanistan

46. Yahoo Video: Khaled Hosseini visits Afghanistan

47. Pair-Share: Ch. 23 Form a group of four or five.
Each group member should find significant passages within Ch. 23.
ONE person will record those examples in Do-Now Journal.
Every other group member will share an observation during whole class discussion.

48. Afghanistan’s Youth

49. Journal: Ch. 24
Amir says that he failed Sohrab by making a promise that he didn’t know if he could actually keep. In your opinion, was it a mistake to promise Sohrab that he would bring him back home to America? Why/why not? What would you have done differently if anything at all?
Personal connection: Write about a time you made a promise to someone who was younger than you that you couldn’t keep, whether it was your fault or not. Were you able to make it up to the person, or were you eventually forgiven without having to take action? Explain.

50. Orphanages in Afghanistan
Nato in Afghanistan:
Battling Corruption in Orphanages:
NBC: AFCECO Orphanage

51. Journal: Ch. 24 (p )
1. In what ways is Sohrab like his father, Hassan? What values do they have in common? Explain using examples from Ch. 24 to prove your points.
2. Find ONE quote spoken by Sohrab that especially reminds you of Hassan.

52. Amir’s Final Test…and Absolution
“I see now that Baba was wrong, there is a God, there always had been…There is a God, there has to be, and now I will pray, I will pray that He forgive that I have neglected Him all of these years, forgive that I have betrayed, lied, and sinned with impunity only to turn to Him now in my hour of need…I bow to the west and kiss the ground and promise that I will…fast during Ramadan…I will commit to memory every last word of His holy book, and I will set on a pilgrimage to that sweltering city in the desert and bow before the Ka’bah too…I will think of Him every day from this day on if He only grants me this one wish…” (346)

53. Amir’s final test….
1. Describe Amir’s state of mind in this quote. What is his tone? What is the mood?
2. What drove Amir to this point? Do you think he has finally realized the importance of faith, or is he just calling out to God in a moment of desperation?
3. What change does this reveal in Amir’s character? How has he ultimately evolved as a character? What evidence of this did we see in Ch. 24 and 25?

54. Ch. 25: An Emotional Revelation
1. With a partner, list FIVE themes of the novel in the form of complete sentences. Your themes can be life lessons or reflections on human nature or life in general.
2. Find TWO quotes from Ch. 25 that demonstrate a life lesson, moral, or theme from the novel

55. Foreshadowing
1. Amir saying that this would be the last time Hassan would smile after his lip surgery (kite tournament scarred him for life)
2. Baba never missing a gift for Hassan’s birthday (Baba’s connection with Hassan foreshadows his relation to him)
3. Baba standing up to the Russian soldier and later Amir standing up to Assef and General Taheri
4. Baba saying that a boy who can’t stand up for others can’t stand up for himself/anything in life (later Amir couldn’t stand up for Hassan or himself against Assef)
5. Hassan threatens Assef with the slingshot and later Sohrab uses it to blind Assef
6. Hassan’s dream with the monster before the kite tournament (foreshadowed Hassan’s assault from Assef)
7. Amir and Soraya couldn’t have kids and would have to adopt (later they adopt Sohrab)

56. 8. Winter of 1975- life would never be the same (kite tournament)
9. Assef threatening to get revenge on Amir and Hassan (later assaults Hassan and beats up Amir as an adult)
10. Assef’s obsession with Hitler foreshadows his later career as a Taliban officer

57. Foreshadowing in the novel
1. Hassan and the slingshot (Sohrab later uses the slingshot against Assef and blinds him)
2. Ali always reminded Amir and Hassan that they were nursed from the same breast like brothers (later we find out they were brothers)
3. Baba always reminded Amir that he and Hassan were like brothers and wanted Amir to treat Hassan with respect
4. Kite flying as a reminder of childhood innocence and happiness at the start and end of the story
5. Assef’s obsession with Hitler foreshadows his position as a Taliban officer later (he once gave Amir a book about Hitler)
6. Amir’s mom foreshadowed her death by saying “they always take it away from you when you’re too happy”
7. Amir admits that the winter of 1975 changed his life forever (Kite tournament)
8. Amir sees the kites at the end of the novel and Sohrab smiles, foreshadowing a return to happy days ahead
9. Amir writing stories and later becoming an author
10. Amir reading the story of Rostam and Sohrab to Hassan (Hassan later names his son Sohrab and both become embodiments of the character Sohrab)

58. Themes/Morals
1. Forgiveness (forgiving others and forgiving ourselves)
2. Guilt (You can’t just forget and erase guilt- instead, you must seek repentance)
3. Loss of innocence (can alter a person’s life forever, but ultimately leads to self-awareness)
4. Closure can be attained by making things right and confronting the past instead of hiding from it
5. Loyalty and family ties are stronger than any other force in life
6. Escaping the past doesn’t mean forgetting (old Afghanistan is still a part of Amir’s life even though life and Afghanistan as he knows it have changed)
7. There’s a way to be good again- never too late to change a person’s ways and make things right again

59. Themes & Life Lessons
1. Forgiveness has many faces- self forgiveness, forgiveness from others, forgiveness in the eyes of God
2. One decision can last a lifetime
3. There is ONE major sin in life- THEFT (stealing a life, stealing someone’s happiness, freedom, etc.)
4. One good deed can make up for a bad deed (you can compensate for mistakes)
5. Mankind is sinful and imperfect

60. 7. Like father like son (the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree)
6. You are not defined by your childhood actions/mistakes
7. Like father like son (the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree)
8. Forgiveness is earned, not given
9. Redemption takes time and patience- one must prove it through actions
10. Love and family can overcome all obstacles
11. Finding one’s identity is an evolving process

61. Themes/Life Lessons
1. Perseverance: Allows a person to overcome hardships and adversity
2. Reality: life isn’t always fair- we don’t always get a happy ending
3. Family & Loyalty: A person should never abandon their roots; family gets a person through anything in life
4. Acceptance: Accept people for who they are, and accept yourself for your flaws and strengths
5. Don’t take people for granted
6. Don’t hold onto problems for too long
7. You can’t change the past, but you can make peace with it and be a better person in the future
8. Forgiveness- You must forgive yourself and others before you can be at peace
9. Redemption- it is never too late to change your ways and to redeem yourself

62. Themes 1. Forgiveness is always possible
2. Accept people for who they are
3. Friendship is valuable
4. Don’t take people for granted
5. You can’t escape the past
6. Guilt- letting go of guilt frees a person from guilt
7. Redemption is possible even for the biggest of sins
8. Life is not always what it seems

63. 9. Even people you think are perfect have flaws- no one is perfect
10. The right way is sometimes the hardest
11. Make sacrifices for loved ones
12. Never forget where you came from
13. The power of love: Love is stronger than hatred
14. Coming of age and discovering one’s true self through trials and tribulations
15. Hardships build character
16. It’s never too late to make up for sins of the past

64. Farkhunda’s Story: March 2015
Background:
Protesters:

65. Farkhunda’s Story: Female Oppression
1. As you read, underline and comment/react to the most shocking parts of the article that got your attention the most.
2. What does this story reveal about the values of the people in Afghanistan in 2015? Compare the President of Afghanistan’s reaction to the tragedy vs. that of the men and the women of Afghanistan. Put a star by passages that support your answers.
3. Do you believe the US should intervene in cases such as this? Why/why not?