The Kite Runner Questions and Answers
by Khaled Hosseini

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• The Kite Runner
  “For me, America was a place to bury my memories.  For Baba, a place to mourn his.” Explain and respond to this discrepancy between Amir and Baba in The Kite Runner.
  This is a good question. Back home Baba was an important figure. More than that he had friends and things were familiar. People knew him, knew his family; he shared a common culture and ancestry...

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• The Kite Runner
  Who was Sanaubar in The Kite Runner most like in A Thousand Splendid Suns and The Thorn Birds?
  Although Sanaubar does not occupy many pages of the novel, her character has a significant impact through her relationships with two men, Ali and Baba, and as the mother of Hassan. Her beauty and...

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• The Kite Runner
  Observations and quotations, with page numbers, illustrating the customs and behaviours associated with the cultures educational philosophy. If there are similarities in aspects of the cultures, include explanation. Afghan verse Canadian culture!...
  The education gap between Amir, who can read and write, and Hassan, who is a poor Hazara and uneducated and illiterate, reveals behaviors associated with the culture’s philosophy about education....

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• The Kite Runner
  Observations and quotations, with page numbers, illustrating the customs and behaviours associated with the cultures attitude regarding courtship customs. If there are similarities in aspects of the cultures, include explanation. Afghan verse...
  The customs and behaviors associated with Afghan courtship can be seen with Amir’s courtship of Soraya. When Amir first sees Soraya, there is an instant chemistry between them. He writes, "...I...

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• The Kite Runner
  In chapter 22 of The Kite Runner, name three "full circle" endings that occur as we reach the climax, or turning point, of the plot.
  The first "full-circle" ending that is reached occurs with Amir's return to Afghanistan - he has returned home. Details reminding him of the way it used to be here bombard him from all directions....

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• The Kite Runner
  "In The Kite Runner, Hosseini presents a world in which ethnic differences always lead to violence." To what extent do you agree with this view? Answer with quotes from the text, authorial methods, and points about context.
  In The Kite Runner, ethnic differences play a significant role in the conflict and violence that disrupts Afghan society. However, Khalid Hosseini does not show violence as an inevitable outcome of...

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• The Kite Runner
  Who was Sanaubar in The Kite Runner most like in The Thorn Birds and A Thousand Splendid Suns?
  Sanaubar in The Kite Runner is described principally in terms of the effect she has on men. Her beauty and the confidence it gives her make Sanaubar a conspicuous figure, whose influence on the...

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• The Kite Runner
  In Amir's relationship with Sorab in The Kite Runner, he is able to purge some of his guilt about his treatment of Hassan. To what extent do you agree with this view?
  Amir will never be able to purge himself completely of his guilt about his treatment of Hassan, but he does attain a measure of relief through his relationship with Sohrab. Had Hassan lived,...

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• The Kite Runner
  How are women represented in The Kite Runner?
  Women are represented as flawed characters in The Kite Runner, just as many of the men are. There are only a few meaningful women characters in the book. There is Hassan’s mother Sanaubar, his wife...

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• The Kite Runner
  Explore how various abuses of power are presented in The Kite Runner.
  One of the most glaring examples of power being abused in The Kite Runner is the Taliban's actions at Ghazi Stadium. Consistent with actual accounts from Afghanistan in the late 1990s and early...

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• The Kite Runner
  How has the political and social situation in Afghanistan during Amir and Hassan’s childhood changed over time in The Kite Runner?
  The political and social situation in Afghanistan during the late 1970s and early 1980s was a tumultuous one to say the least, and nowhere is the brutal reality of this time period in the Middle...

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• The Kite Runner
  Describe Amir's moral character in The Kite Runner. What does he believe about right and wrong? What does he stand for? What events/actions suggest this? What are the results of his actions? Who else is affected by his actions?
  Amir is portrayed as a morally ambiguous individual who recognizes the difference between right and wrong but is too selfish and insecure to uphold his morals. As an adolescent, Amir resents the...

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• The Kite Runner
  How are America and Afghanistan portrayed as being different in The Kite Runner to both Amir and Baba​? How do their experiences and transitions from Afghanistan to America contrast?
  Amir says Baba loved the idea of America but found that actually living in America was very stressful for him. Meanwhile, Amir adapts well to the new culture. He demonstrates this by graduating...

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• The Kite Runner
  What are some quotes about friendship in The Kite Runner?
  Hosseini explores the prominent theme of friendship through Amir and Hassan's complex relationship as well as Baba and Ali's complicated bond. Growing up in Kabul, Amir and Hassan would spend...

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• The Kite Runner
  Does Amir redeem himself at the end of The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini?
  Khaled Hosseini's novel The Kite Runner revolves around the sins and guilt of its protagonist, Amir. In his childhood, and at the beginning of the text, Amir witnesses the rape of his friend Hassan...

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• The Kite Runner
  Who was worse, Sanaubar in The Kite Runner or Mary Carson in The Thorn Birds?
  Sanaubar and Mary Carson have much in common. Strong, formidable women forced to survive in a man's world, they both use their intelligence to get what they want in life. Unfortunately, such...

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• The Kite Runner
  Reflect on Rahim Khan's explanation to Amir in The Kite Runner about the way Hassan was treated due to his mother’s past, and why Baba refused to admit Hassan was his biological child.
  In chapter 17, Rahim Khan elaborates on reuniting with Hassan as a grown man and inviting him to live in Baba's home with his small family. According to Rahim, Hassan's distant mother, Sanaubar,...

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• The Kite Runner
  Who is good and who is bad and who is in the middle amongst the female characters in The Kite Runner?
  To answer the question of who is good and who is bad and who is in the middle among the female characters in The Kite Runner, it is important to keep in mind that most of the characters are...

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• The Kite Runner
  In "Kite Runner", what is the significance of the irony in the first story of Amir? After hearing Amir's story, Hassan asks, "Why did the man kill his wife? In fact, why did he ever have to feel sad to shed tears? Couldn't he have just smelled...
  The irony in the story is that, in order to satisfy his own greed, the man destroys that which he realizes too late is most dear to him. It is significant because it is a metaphor for Amir's own...

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• The Kite Runner
  Who was Ali in The Kite Runner like in A Thousand Splendid Suns and The Thorn Birds?
  Ali can be likened to Tariq, because both have physical disabilities. Ali was crippled by contracting polio as a boy and experiences paralysis in his lower face. This physical handicap caused him...

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• The Kite Runner
  Explain the similarities and differences between the end, the message, and Sohrab in the book and the movie The Kite Runner. What importance does the writer's background, born and partially raised in Afghanistan, have on the story?
  Please note: The post contains two requests. The eNotes Homework Help policy allows for one question per post. This answer addresses the second request. Khaled Hosseini’s personal heritage and...

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• The Kite Runner
  Who is more of a Christ-like character, Hassan in The Kite Runner or Dane in The Thorn Birds?
  Both Hassan and Dane have characteristics similar to those of Christ. It is ultimately up to you to decide based on the evidence from the novels. The Kite Runner and The Thorn Birds provide plenty...

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• The Kite Runner
  Who redeemed himself more—Amir in The Kite Runner or Ralph in The Thorn Birds?
  That's a very good question. Father Ralph de Bricassart in The Thorn Birds attempts to redeem himself for his many sins by donating large sums of money to the Cleary family. This is largely out of...

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• The Kite Runner
  What are some big similarities and differences between the book and movie versions of The Kite Runner? I need deep explanations. Why do they choose to do something different in the film, and what consequences does it have for the story?
  The movie leaves out a lot of detail, in an attempt to "soften" the story and make it more suitable for kids. Even though the novel is about kids, it is not really a kids' book, whereas the movie...

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• The Kite Runner
  What are the similarities and differences between the book and film versions of The Kite Runner with regards to the end, the message, and Sohrab?
  Regarding the end of the narrative, there are several similarities between the book and the movie. Amir, Soraya, and Sohrab are all in Golden Gate Park celebrating the Afghan New Year by playing...

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• The Kite Runner
  Who is more of a villain, Aseef in The Kite Runner or Luke O'Neil in The Thorn Birds?
  Both of the characters mentioned are portrayed as having more bad qualities than good ones. Luke O’Neill in The Thorn Birds is a more rounded character than Assef in The Kite Runner. Luke is...

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• The Kite Runner
  Discuss the themes of guilt, sacrifice and redemption as presented in The Kite Runner. How are these developed and reinforced?
  The intertwining themes of guilt, sacrifice, and redemption are present throughout The Kite Runner. Both Amir and his father, Baba, live with tremendous guilt. Amir finally redeems himself by...

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• The Kite Runner
  Who was Luke O'Neil in "The Thorn Birds" more like in The Kite Runner: Amir or Aseef?
  I'm not sure Luke O'Neill can be compared with either character from The Kite Runner, but given the choice, I would say Asef. Amir, the privileged protagonist of The Kite Runner, is essentially a...

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• The Kite Runner
  Explain the following quote: “I understood the nature of my curse: I was going to get away with it.”
  Amir makes this statement to himself not long after witnessing Hassan be raped. It's clear from his words that he's not just traumatized by what he saw, but also by his failure to intervene. Amir...

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• The Kite Runner
  How is the theme of the 'past affecting the present' shown by different characters in The Kite Runner?
  Khaled Hosseini explores the theme of past affecting the present in his celebrated novel The Kite Runner through Amir and Baba's journey to seek redemption. Baba and Amir both betray their best...

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• The Kite Runner
  Compare and contrast how Khaled Hosseini and Tennessee Williams present the past affecting the present in The Kite Runner and A Streetcar Named Desire.
  The two works—one a novel, the other a play—are set in very different times and places, and feature characters of different national, ethnic, and religious heritages. However, there are some...

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• The Kite Runner
  What is your opinion on the redemption of the human spirit as depicted in The Kite Runner?
  Khaled Hosseini's celebrated novel The Kite Runner is considered a heart-wrenching redemption story that chronicles Amir's journey to seek redemption and atone for his past sins. As a child, Amir...

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• The Kite Runner
  Before Hassan's rape, there are many examples of jealousy. What are some examples of jealousy after that takes place?
  As a child, Amir is jealous of Hassan because Baba seems to favor him and always wants to include him in every activity. Unlike Amir, Hassan is significantly more athletic and courageous, which are...

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• The Kite Runner
  What is the metaphorical meaning behind the "Rostam and Sohrab" story in The Kite Runner?
  Hassan's favorite book growing up is the Shahnama, which is the tenth-century Persian epic. Of the many tales in the Shahnama, Hassan's favorite story is that of "Rostam and Sohrab." In the story,...

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• The Kite Runner
  What is the main character like? How does the main character's personality impact the story?
  Amir is the protagonist and narrator of the story. He is a Pashtun, who enjoys a privileged childhood in Baba's home. Despite his wealth and opportunities, Amir desperately desires his father's...

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• The Kite Runner
  If The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini is a tragedy, who is its main tragic protagonist?
  In this novel, Amir seems to stand out as the tragic protagonist. Tragic protagonists are often good people with flaws that cause pain to both themselves and others. Amir's almost holy dedication...

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• The Kite Runner
  In The Kite Runner, which characters become evil as the story progresses?
  The most obviously evil character in the story is Assef. As a child, Assef is bullying and sadistic. He is an avid proponent of Hitler and Nazism. He rapes Hassan and later becomes a Taliban...

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• The Kite Runner
  What are some quotes focusing on deception in The Kite Runner?
  He asked me to fetch Hassan too, but I lied and told him Hassan had the runs. I wanted Baba all to myself. Amir was always envious of Baba's affection towards Hassan. He never understood how Baba...

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• The Kite Runner
  If the story The Kite Runner continued on after the ending, what do you think the lives of Amir and Sohrab would be like?
  A followup to a story should be consistent with what went before, I think, don't you? You will have your own ideas as to what happens to the characters, but that is the principle you need to keep...

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• The Kite Runner
  Describe Baba's moral character. What does he believe about right and wrong? What does he stand for? What are some actions that show this? What are the results of his actions?
  Baba is a relatively moral individual who does his best to help others in need. Although he is not a religious man, Baba's morals are strong, and he takes a stand for what he believes in. In...

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• The Kite Runner
  What is the main conflict in the novel The Kite Runner?
  One could argue the main conflict in the story is Man vs. Self as Amir struggles to atone for his past sins as an adolescent growing up in Kabul. As an adolescent, Amir struggles to please his...

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• The Kite Runner
  In The Kite Runner, how do the political events in Afghanistan shape the lives of Amir, Assef, and Hassan?
  The political climate shapes all three of these characters quite differently in The Kite Runner. In the case of Amir, he is one of the privileged members of Kabul society--the son of the wealthy,...

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• The Kite Runner
  What does the kite symbolize in the relationships between Amir and Hassan, Amir and Baba, and Amir and Sohrab?
  Good question. Kites are, of course, an important motif for the the novel, and they often represent a connection between two characters throughout the book. 1. Amir and Hassan: Kites (at first)...

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• The Kite Runner
  Who are the morally ambiguous characters in the novel The Kite Runner? (Ambiguous character meaning a character whose behavior discourages readers from identifying them as purely evil or good.)
  Unfortunately, the main character in this novel, Amir, is morally ambiguous; paradoxically, that is what makes this novel so good! Amir struggles with his dishonest, jealous, insecure nature as he...

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• The Kite Runner
  How are The Thorn Birds and The Kite Runner similar and different to each other?
  Both The Kite Runner and The Thorn Birds are novels with sweeping plots and many intrigues, but they rest essentially on the same theme: Family. Most of the similarities between the two texts...

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• The Kite Runner
  What is a short summary of The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini?
  In such a complex novel, it is difficult to give a summary. I will have to be selective. As I see it, there are four main points. First, Amir, the protagonist, is telling a story of what happened...

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• The Kite Runner
  Can the legend of The Thorn Birds be applied to The Kite Runner?
  Colleen McCullough’s book The Thorn Birds starts out with this passage: There is a legend about a bird which sings just once in its life, more sweetly than any other creature on the face of the...

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• The Kite Runner
  How are Ralph in The Thorn Birds and Amir in The Kite Runner similar and different to each other?
  Father Ralph and Amir are both portrayed as antiheroes in their respective storylines. They possess significant flaws that drive the story, eventually reconciling with these flaws in order to...

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• The Kite Runner
  What are the most significant quotes in chapter 23 of The Kite Runner, and what are their significance?
  For Amir, Chapter 23 is a time of emotional discovery and physical recovery as his beaten body mends in the Peshawar hospital. He fades in and out of consciousness for two days, and he imagines...

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• The Kite Runner
  What is the significance of summer, winter, water, eyes, houses, and mirrors in The Kite Runner?
  In The Kite Runner, Amir describes winter as his and other Afghani children's favorite time of year. School is out, and more importantly, it's time for the kite-fighting tournament. Despite this...

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