Excerpt

Instructions: The statements below represent themes or issues related to the novel. Use the codes below to rate each statement. For the justification, supply a personal, historical, social, or literary connection.

R= Refute (disagree; challenge)

S = Support (agree; defend)

Q= Qualify (disagree and agree)

• Afghanistan, like America, is a melting pot. Justification:

• The Kite Runner portrays Hosseini’s belief that the U. S. should not have sent troops to Afghanistan. Justification:

• The novel is mainly about epic struggles. Justification:

• Sacrifice cannot bring redemption. Justification:

• The conflicting emotions of love and hate drive all of the novel’s main relationships. Justification:

• Amir and Hassan are friends. Justification:

• All true friendships require a loyalty test. Justification:

• Amir’s ultimate betrayal is not protecting Hassan from Assef. Justification:

• A person can commit an act that is beyond redemption. Justification:

• A person’s childhood, or even his infancy, determines his future. Justification:

• Hosseini stresses the ideas of free will and personal choice. Justification:

• Children reap what their parents sow. Justification:

• It is better to read a book about a specific culture written by an indigenous author rather than one written from an outsider’s perspective. Justification:

• The U.S. had an obligation to help Afghanistan after the Russians fled. Justification:

• All people have consciences. Justification:

• Most religions promote violence. Justification:

• Hosseini’s choice of Amir as the narrator over Hassan has a positive effect on the novel. Justification:

• Discrimination is part of human nature and will always exist. Justification:

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Themes and Issues Discussion for college prep students for The Kite Runner