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What Makes a Kite Fly

What Makes a Kite Fly. & Other Mysteries of Flight. The Kite Runner. Story of two friends Amir and Hassan Young boys in Afghanistan Participated in “kite fighting” Amir – well-to-do boy kite flyer Hassan - poorer of the two Designated the “runner” Retrieved kites that “got away”.

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What Makes a Kite Fly

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  1. What Makesa Kite Fly & Other Mysteries of Flight

  2. The Kite Runner • Story of two friends • Amir and Hassan • Young boys in Afghanistan • Participated in “kite fighting” • Amir – well-to-do boy • kite flyer • Hassan - poorer of the two • Designated the “runner” • Retrieved kites that “got away”

  3. The Art of “Kite Fighting” • Common hobby of Afghans • before Russian invasion • sport banned by current authorities • Sport • that became an art form • Matter of honor • to compete

  4. Official “Kite Fighting” Rules • The Unit • 2 persons • 1 to fly the kite (leader) • 1 to feed wire from spool • many X’s blamed for losing fight

  5. Official “Kite Fighting” Rules • The Kite • Gudiparan (flying doll) • many sizes • 12” dia. to human size • average fighter • 3.5’ wingspan • materials • tissue paper • bamboo • flexibility

  6. Official “Kite Fighting” Rules • The Wire (Tar) • glass-coated cutting line • most flyers make their own • secret recipe: ground glass, glue, mushed rice, etc. • wire coated, dried and wound on drum • connects kite to leader • determines success of fight • quality varies greatly • materials and cost

  7. Official “Kite Fighting” Rules • The Drum (Charkha) • primarily for wire storage • crucial part of kite fighting • rapid release critical • light – for ease of use • normally made of wood • cutting line on drum • may weigh over 9 lbs • at least 1,000 feet of wire

  8. Official “Kite Fighting” Rules • The Hazards • dangerous sport for children • many children cut to the bone • wrapped leather around index finger • many would climb on roof • best view and access to wind • many would fall • break bones or loss of life

  9. Official “Kite Fighting” Rules • The Fight (Jang) • 2 or more kites / close proximity • sometime more than 25 • wires touch • fight begins • fight length • split second to ½ hour • depending on wind, tar quality and skill • general concept • release wire – as fast as possible • greater release per second • better chance of winning • generally • one with experience and patience will win

  10. Official “Kite Fighting” Rules • Loser of Kite Fight • wire would be cut • kite released into air • following direction of wind • opportunity for someone else to catch and own it • the position of Hassan • the Kite Runner

  11. Chapter 6 – kite flying‘ In Kabul, fighting kites was a little like going to war’. • Annotate and decorate your kite in pairs referring to p43 -45. • ‘The Hindi kid would soon learn what the British learned earlier in the century, and what the Russians would eventually learn by the late 1980s: that Afghans are an independent people. Afghans cherish customs but abhor rules’.

  12. Chapter 7 • Hassan’s Dream – the monster in the lake – Amir’s cruelty – is Hassan aware? Discuss in pairs referring to p52- 54. • P53 ‘The streets glistened with fresh snow and the sky was a blameless blue/’ • P55 ‘Next to me Hassan held the spool, his hands already bloodied by the string.’ (reversal at end of novel, Amir has bloodied hands for Sohrab) • P58 ‘You won, Amir agha.’ ‘We won! We won!’ • p59 reread in pairs and be prepared to comment in 5 minutes

  13. Qargha Lake

  14. ‘For you a thousand times over.’ – Amir says to Sohrab at end of book, echoing Hassan’s words to him. Amir gets his redemption through patiently waiting on Hassan’s son and taking a beating for him. • P62 THE ALLEY That winter Amir becomes what he is. What is that? Coward? Deserter? Judas? Or just a little boy who is scared?

  15. p.63/64 • Assef, Wali and Kamal trap Hassan in the alley, he wants the kite for Amir; they want revenge. • ‘Before you sacrifice yourself for him, think about this. Would he do the same for you?’ • ‘I opened my mouth, almost said something. Almost.’ • ‘I just watched. Paralyzed.’ • ‘I bit on my fist. Shut my eyes.’ • Amir trades Hassan for the kite.

  16. Homework • Prepare to feedback on how Hosseini describes the rape/ how the narrator relates the information. • P62 THE ALLEY That winter Amir becomes what he is. What is that? Coward? Deserter? Judas? Or just a little boy who is scared? Be prepared to discuss this with quotes to back up your points. • Prepare Chapter 8

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