1. Introduction and Context
The Kite Runner
Introduction and Context

2. Section Details Prose Question of Unit 1 Assessment Objectives (AOs)
25 marks
60 minutes

3. Vital Statistics Author: Kahled Hosseini Year: 2003 Country: America
Genre: Historical fiction, Drama
Setting: Kabul, Afghanistan, Pakistan (mostly Peshawar), and San Francisco Bay Area, California
Adaptations:
Movie (2007)
Play (2007)
Graphic Novel (2011)
Accolades:
- #1 New York Times Bestseller
- South African Boeke Prize (2004).
- Reading Group Book of the Year for (2006 & 2007)
- Penguin/Orange Reading Group prize (UK).

4. Hosseini’s Life and Influences
AO3
Hosseini’s Life and Influences
Hosseini was born in Afghanistan in 1965
Hosseini’s family applied for asylum in the United States because of the Soviet War. They moved to California.
He worked as a doctor for ten years.
Hosseini was 38 before he revisited Afghanistan
Hosseini works with organizations that aid refugees and those displaced by conflict in Afghanistan and other areas.
Hosseini flew kites as a child and was heartbroken when he heard the Taliban had banned kite fighting.

5. Main Cultural Influences
AO3
Main Cultural Influences
Islamic
Afghan
American

6. Key Historical Influences
AO3
Key Historical Influences
the rebellion against King Zahir Shah,
the Soviet War in Afghanistan,
the Cold War,
the Taliban in Afghanistan,
the massacre of the Hazaras,
the September 11 attacks, and
the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan.
Brainstorm anything you know about these events

7. Reviewing your ideas
We will learn more about these historical events and their significance as we read and analyse the novel.

8. Main Characters Amir (narrator) Hassan Baba Rahim Khan Soraya Sohrab
Assef

9. AO2
Themes
Betrayal
Fathers and sans
Violence
Memory
Redemption
War

10. Context and Meaning
Hosseini uses a lot of symbolism and imagery in his novel. It is important for AO1 and AO2 to analyse the meaning. You should also connect your analysis of meaning, AO2 to your discussion of context, AO3. Here are some examples.

11. Green AO3 AO2 This is a colour associated with Islam. hope
new beginnings.

12. Kites
AO3
Kite fighting was part of Afghan culture and was later banned by the Taliban.
AO2
Childhood
Redemption
Freedom

13. Hassan’s Cleft Lip AO2 AO3
-Hassan’s bravery in spite of the odds against him.
- social and economic difference between him and Amir.
AO3
As a Hazara, Hassan is deemed to be of a lower social standing to Pashtuns like Amir. His cleft lip is a physical reminder of how superficial such class divisions are, that is, they can be removed if you choose to remove them.

14. Read chapters 1-4 for the next lesson
Homework
Read chapters 1-4 for the next lesson