1. Unit 4: The Kite Runner
Note #1

2. Learning Goals
To demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the themes of the novel
To analyse the various themes in the novel
To make connections between the text and the real world
To communicate thinking both orally and in writing
To create an informative presentation
To write a compare and contrast essay

3. Background Information
The Kite Runner is a work of fiction, but it incorporates various true historical events.
The novel takes place in Afghanistan over the span of several decades(1970’s to 2001)
Some scenes take place in the United States

4. Background Information
Most of the early parts of the novel take place here
Portions of the novel are set here

5. Background Information
Chapter 1 takes place here. Baba and Amir live here

6. Historical Events
, Afghanistan was a monarchy ruled by King Zahir Shah.
July 17th 1973 Mohammad Daoud Khan seized power. While the coupe was nearly bloodless it was a fearful time as the people heard riots in the streets and shooting. We see this event through Amir’s eyes in the novel.
April 27, 1978 People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) overthrew Daoud– killing him and his family.

7. Historical Events
PDPA was a communist party that held close ties to the Soviet Union.
PDPA instituted many political and social reform including abolishing religious and traditional customs. Afghans began to challenge the government
1979– Soviet Union entered and occupied Afghanistan for a decade. The Soviet Occupation is when Baba & Amir leave.

8. Historical Events
Throughout the Soviet occupation, internal Muslim forces put up a resistance.
Mujahedins are men engaged in war on the side of Islam. Farid is an example in the novel
1989 –Soviet troops withdrew from Afghanistan
PDPA remained in control for 3 more years
1992 the collapse of the Soviet Union meant there was no more support for the PDPA

9. Historical Events 1992 -Afghanistan became an Islamic State
Life was still unsafe as there was infighting between various militia groups
1996 –The Taliban took control- After so many years of violence and insecurity the people welcomed and celebrated this group as they saw an end to the daily violence.
Rahim Khan comments specifically on these days in the novel– Look for it as you read!

10. Historical Events The Taliban were a group of :
Pashtun supremacists who banded together
Took almost complete control of the country.
Sunni fundamentalists supremacists
Taliban
Pashtun Man

11. Historical Events The Taliban: Enacted fundamentalist laws
Banned music and dancing
Restricted women’s rights
Systematically massacred Shiites including the Hazara people. Hassan is a Hazara.
Used violence and terror to rule
Made the daily life of the Afghans dangerous
Hijab
Burka

12. Attack on the World Trade Center
Historical Events
September 11, 2001 – Terrorist attacks on the USA
2001 the United States invaded Afghanistan and overthrew the Taliban.
The end of The Kite Runner occurs in 2002, when a provisional government was in place.
Attack on the World Trade Center

13. Perspective
The novel is told by Amir. He is looking back on his childhood.
He is recalling these events
Consider:
What impact does it have that Amir is the narrator?
Do you trust him as a narrator?
Does the fact that he is looking back on the events change our perspective?
We will talk about this as we read

14. Topics
As you read think about the following topics and ask yourself “what message does the reader receive about the topic”:
Friendship
Family
Loyalty
Deception/lies
Secrets
Honour
Forgiveness & Redemption

15. Topics The resilience of the human spirit The role of a mother
Atonement
Human nature
Courage
Nature vs Nurture
Choices
Class differences
The roles of women
Good vs Evil
Inhumanity
Value and morals

16. Literary Terminology Review
The following terms should be review:
Symbol: an object that is used to represent a great idea, concept or feeling
Theme: the message the author is trying to convey
Metaphor: a comparison between two unlike things
No need to write these down

17. Literary Terminology Review
4. Simile: a comparison between to unlike things using like or as 5. Imagery: Using words to create a vivid picture. 6. Connotation: the emotional response the reader has to a word 7. Irony: the opposite of what you logically expect to happen
No need to write these down

18. Literary Terminology Review
8. Nemesis: is the attribution of just rewards or punishment.
No need to write these down