The Kite Runner : Chapters 8-11

1. The Kite Runner : Chapters 8-11 By: Brad, Peter, Jasmine, Megan, and Christina

2. Key Plot Points • Chapter 8 • Amir asks his father if he would consider getting new servants, that way he doesn't feel guilt when he sees Hassan everyday. This makes Baba upset and it causes a rift between the two (89). • Amir is pushing Hassan away as Hassan keeps trying to get Amir to talk or play with him (87-88). • Chapter 9 • Amir places his presents from his birthday under Hassan's mattress and then blames him for stealing them. Hassan takes the blame as one last sacrifice for Amir (105-106). • Chapter 10 • Amir and Baba escape Afghanistan because it’s no longer safe. On their rode to safety, Baba defends a women against a Russian officer at one of the checkpoints (116). • Chapter 11 • Amir and Baba arrive in America and life is still hard. Baba now works in a gas station while Amir goes to high school. But even though they are safer, Baba is still depressed about leaving Afghanistan (128-130). • Amir graduates highs school and Baba saved enough money to get Amir a new car for his graduation (131).

3. Themes • Sometimes, the people you thought were your true friends don’t turn to be who you think they are. • When you lose everything, you have to fight because life moves on. • When put in the face of death, one comes to realize that it is the little things that matter. • Guilt can overwhelm someone until the brink of collapse.

4. Motifs • Sickness– Amir is purging his memories away every time he thinks of Hassan and what happened. • Dreams and ghosts – Amir is haunted by his dreams and ghost of his past.

5. Literary Devices • Foreshadowing – “My nose caught fire with each breath. You could die in a place like this, I thought” (Amir 122). This is foreshadowing that someone in the tank is going to die. • Symbolism – The suicide of Kamal’s father after he finds his son dead is symbolic of the dying of the old life in Afghanistan and facing an uncertain future.

6. Literary Criticism Approaches • Psychoanalytical • What was Amir’s motivation behind getting rid of Hassan? What caused him to do this? What does this show you about people? • Marxist • Why does Hassan take the blame for Amir? What does this show you about his position in society? Was it surprising when Baba told Ali he was forbidden to leave? • Reader Response • In your own words, describe what you thought about the chapters and what has made the piece come together.