1. Introduction and Context
The Kite Runner
By Khaled Hosseini
Introduction and Context 1

2. About the Author
Khaled Hosseini was born in Kabul, Afghanistan in 1965.
His mother was a teacher and his father a diplomat.
His family left Afghanistan for a posting in Paris in 1976, well before the Communist coup and the Soviet invasion. They intended to return, but sought political asylum in the US in 1980.
He now lives in California, where he works as a doctor.
(Sherman 2006, p.5)
Source: Khaled Hosseini Website accessed 17 February 2008.

3. HIGHLIGHT THIS ON YOUR HANDOUT!
About The Kite Runner
“autobiographical elements“
“largely fictional“
“assimilating into a new culture“

4. About The Kite Runner
Hosseini ‘wanted to write about Afghanistan before the Soviet war because that is largely a forgotten period in modern Afghan history. For many people in the west, Afghanistan is synonymous with the Soviet war and the Taliban.’
He explains: ‘I wanted to remind people that Afghans had managed to live in peaceful anonymity for decades, that the history of the Afghans in the twentieth century has been largely peaceful and harmonious.’
(Newsline Publications 2001 in Sherman 2006, p. 5)

5. WRITE THIS INTO YOUR NOTEBOOK!
About The Kite Runner
Afghanistan before Soviet Occupation
Afghanistan after Soviet Occupation
“long school days in summer“
“war“
“Cinema Park“
“landmines“
“kite fighting“
“picnics“
“famine“
“big parties“

6. Afghanistan
Source: Accessed 17 February 2008.

7. Geography
Terrain – rocky and dry, mountainous in the central part of the country
Climate – hot summers, cold winters
Geography – borders Iran, Pakistan,
Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikstan 7

8. Introduction to Afghanistan
An ethnically diverse country.
Pashtu and Dari are considered the official languages of Afghanistan and are spoken by 85% of the people.

9. Numbers.... Population - 2012 estimate 30,419,928
1979 census 15.5 million

10. The people of Afghanistan
About 99% of the population is Muslim, and of these Muslims, 84% belong to the Sunni sect.
There has been a long history of an ethnic hierarchy within Afghanistan. It has created imbalances in wealth, influence and education within its society.
Traditionally Pashtuns have dominated the country because they are the presumed majority of the population.
As a result, many of the other ethnic groups have not had a strong voice within the society.
(Amnesty International USA The Kite Runner Companion Curriculum. Accessed on 17 February 2008)

11. Ethnic Groups Pashtuns Tajiks Hazaras Majority ethnic group at 42%
27% of population
Hazaras
A minority ethnic group 9% of Afghanistan’s population

12. Other Ethnic Groups
12% of the population is comprised or the Turkmen (3%) and Uzbeks (9%).
The remaining 10% of the population is comprised of the Nuristans, an ancient people of Mediterranean descent, the Fariswan, the ethnic Shi’a Persians, the relatively few in number Baluchis of the south and the scattered members of the Kuchi and Aimaq nomads.

13. Hazara
• The Hazaras are most easily identified by their tendency to have light colored and almond shaped eyes and round faces. • They are possibly direct descendents of Genghis Khan, who invaded Afghanistan in the 13th century. • Thus, they are seen as “invaders” and not true Afghanis. 13

14. Hazara (cont.)
The Hazaras typically function as the servant class and partake in few of the freedoms enjoyed by the Pashtun upper-class. 14

15. WRITE THIS INTO YOUR NOTEBOOK!
Characters
• Amir – the main character; narrator
• Baba – Amir’s father; wealthy Afghani
• Rahim Khan – Baba’s best friend and business partner; an uncle to Amir
• Hassan – Amir’s best friend; servant
• Ali – Hassan’s father
Pashtun Hazara 15

16. Politics – A very simple timeline!
WRITE THIS INTO YOUR NOTEBOOK!
Politics – A very simple timeline!
Soviets invade
Mujahideen take power
Civil War
Taliban come to power
NATO arrive
1979
1992
1993
1996
2001

17. The Taliban
• Under the Taliban’s rule, human rights and civil liberties were slowly peeled away. • The Taliban instituted cruel and inhumane treatment of those who opposed them in order to solidify their power over Afghanistan’s citizens. 17

18. How does this relate?
• In the beginning of The Kite Runner, the monarchy is still in place and the country is relatively calm. However, chaos starts to erupt as the king is overthrown by his brother. • In the second half of The Kite Runner, the Taliban is in power, creating a much more volatile and dangerous Afghanistan. 18

19. Links http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzAJIXwc49A
Info on Islam 19

20. Afghani Words in the book
• jan – a term of endearment often used after a person’s name: Baba jan • agha – leader, ruler, master, lord • sahib – friend (original), lord • naan – bread 20

21. Using context in your analysis
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Using context in your analysis
When reading the book make sure you pay attention to the cultural and historical details.
How is Amir informed by his Afghan heiritage and changed by his adopted US home?
How do these conflicting cultures influence events and characters in the book?

22. As you read, consider the following...
WRITE THIS INTO YOUR NOTEBOOK!
As you read, consider the following...
• Is it ever appropriate or necessary to remain a silent bystander when someone is being hurt (physically or emotionally)? • Is it possible to atone (make amends) for our wrongdoings? • Do we have an obligation to be loyal and truthful to our friends and family members? 22

23. Homework
Read Chapters 1 to 4