The Kite Runner

1. The Kite Runner Chapters 21 and 22

2. Chapter 21- Overview • As Amir and Farid travel north to his father's house, they see a dead body and a man selling his artificial leg. As Amir arrives, he remembers playing with Hassan in the yard. The house is not as large and magnificent as Amir remembers, and it is in a state of disarray. Amir climbs the hill and finds the old pomegranate tree and the inscription carved into the trunk: "Amir and Hassan. The Sultans of Kabul." Amir sits and looks at the war-torn remains of the city of his youth. • After visiting his father's house, Amir and Farid head toward Pashtunistan Square. He rents a room at a small, rundown hotel. That night, Farid and Amir share stories of their lives and exchange Mullah jokes. • The next day, Amir and Farid go to Ghazi Stadium to find the man with the black sunglasses. Despite the heat, the players are wearing long pants. At halftime of the soccer game, the sign of the Taliban (the red trucks) enter the field. The entertainment is the public stoning of two people accused of adultery. Using the word of God as their excuse, the Talibs murder both the man and the woman. Although Amir is unable to watch the stoning, the noise of the crowd lets him know what is going on. In the end, Farid is able to successfully arrange a meeting that afternoon with the Talib who wears the black sunglasses.

3. Key Extracts: “I saw a dead body near the restaurant. There had been a hanging.” “One of them was hobbling on one leg, the other amputated below the knee. He cradle and artificial leg in his arms. ‘You know what they’re doing? Haggling over the leg.’ ” “How shall we answer those who throw stones at the windows of god’s house? WE SHALL THROW STONES BACK!” “Our meeting was arranged for three o’clock that afternoon. The swiftness with which the appointment was set surprised me”

4. Considerations- what has become of Kabul? • Kabul has become violence infused and dangerous. • Hosseini communicates this idea well in both the beginning and end of the chapter- through the creation of scenes that depict an unstable environment. • For Example: The ‘hanging’ outside the restaurant early on, and the public execution previously read.

5. Exam Questions: Analytical: How does the author use Language to communicate the demise of Amir’s home town? Creative: Following Amir’s meeting with the Orphanage director, he is distressed about the situation his old home finds itself in. Write a letter from Amir to his wife in the USA, Sohraya.

6. Analytical Introduction- • Give a brief overview to introduce the topic. • Never draw any conclusions in an introduction. • Discuss what the themes mean to you. • Make it interesting and personal. Main Body- • Reference the FGI advice sheet and study the systematic framework. • Check expression to ensure you’re explaining points fully and effectively.

7. Chapter 22- Overview • The meeting with the Talib in the John Lennon glasses commences in silence, and then the man tells Amir he can do away with the fake beard. Two guards pull off the beard, and their leader asks Amir if he enjoyed today's show. • Amir tells the man he is only here for the boy, and eventually the boy is called for. When Amir first sees Sohrab, there is no mistaking him as Hassan's son, even though his head is shaved, he has make up on, and he has bells attached to his ankles. After making the boy dance, the Talib sends his guards away and calls for the boy. As he holds the boy between his legs and rubs his belly, the Talib asks Amir about Babalu. The shock hits Amir — the Talib is Assef. • Amir speaks out against Assef's actions, and Assef calls him a traitor to Afghanistan. Assef claims Amir needs to earn the boy. Assefcalls the guards back into the room and commands them not to enter the room and if Amir manages to walk out of the room, he has earned his freedom. Assef beats Amir in and out of consciousness and he feels finally at peace since 1975 for letting Hassan get raped. Sohrab aims a slingshot with a brass ball in it at Assef and asks ‘Bas’ stop. To both of their surprise he fires, Assef lay screaming and they both escape.

8. Key Extracts “I glanced at Farid sitting in the car an mouthed I’ll be back, not at all sure that I would be.” “We left their bodies in the streets, and if their families tried to sneak out to drag them back into their homes, we’d shoot them too” “His name escaped my lips ‘Assef’ ‘Amir Jan’”

9. Questions Analytical : Explain how Hosseini uses language and literary techniques to illustrate violence in this chapter Write a dairy entry for Asseff’s character following the fight with Amir and Sohrab.