Tracking Literary Devices in The Kite Runner

1. Tracking Literary Devices in The Kite Runner College English 12

2. You have 4 topic options for this mini-project • Some students will be assigned a topic • Each has similar Technology Objectives: - Use Custom Animation to make for creative, eye-popping Slide Transitions - Embed a link that connects to an outside source of information – online research, a literary reference web site, or an article.

3. Tracker Mini-Project Topics 1. Track the various character foils in KR 2. Track the author’s use of irony, and analyze examples 3. Track the author’s use of dreams, interpret what they mean, and how they develop key themes 4. Track the symbolism of the Rostam & Sohrab story, the Persian epic that Hassan and Amir love

4. Specifications • A full spec sheet will be available 2/4, and on the class site • Final Product is a 8-slide PowerPoint, with - Title Slide - 6 Content Slides tracking your topic - Conclusion Slide - Meet Tech Objectives: - Use Custom Animation to make for creative, eye-popping Slide Transitions - Embed a link that connects to an outside source of information – online article, literary reference site, etc.

5. Topic #1 – Character Foils • See slides 12-16 for a reminder on character foils • 1-2 slides to a) explain what a character foil is; b) give a clear example from a movie or another book; c) Use an online source (and embed a link) describing the characters in part B; d) add appropriate image Identify two sets of character foils in KR, such as how Soraya is a foil to Amir • 2 slides for each pair, find 2 quotes for each pair (4 quotes total in 4 slides)  Introduce, Quote and Explain how Character A is a foil to Character B • Conclusion slide: discuss how the two foils highlight qualities of the other characters.

6. Topic # 2 – Irony in KR • Irony is an important writer’s tool, or literary device • It helps establish contrasts and spotlights conflicts, themes and characters’ personalities and motivations • Recall that types of irony include - verbal irony - situational irony - dramatic irony (Find more definitions in your notes or online references) • Irony can be funny – but it doesn’t have to be; it may be sad, even brutal

7. Topic # 2 – Irony in KR • Find three examples of irony in the novel – 2 slides for each one • For each example, one slide must contain an Intro, and Quote, and appropriate image • For each example, one slide should explain the irony of the situation, or what was said • One of your slides needs an embedded link to an outside source about irony, or the KR, perhaps literary criticism.

8. Topic # 3 – Use of Dreams • Track the author’s use of dreams, interpret what they mean, and how they develop key themes • Find 2 key dreams in the novel– develop 3 slides for each-- Introduce the scene & summarize the dream, add an appropriate graphic that helps show it-- Interpret what the dream means-- A) Identify where it comes up again (or how the dream develops later) and B) Discuss a theme each dream connects to, what lesson is added (see next slide)

9. Topic # 3 – Use of Dreams • You must also do a little research about dreams and their meaning in everyday life • One extra slide:-- Short summary on findings of research about dreams-- Embed a link to your research source • Conclusion slide

10. Topic #4 – Symbolism • Track the symbolism of the Rostam & Sohrab story, the Persian epic that Hassan and Amir love as children • Begin on page 29, with the section on Hassan’s favorite book, a 10th century epic of ancient Persian heros • In the brief description of Rostam the warrior and his long-lost son, Sohrab, look for symbols or a representation of Baba and Amir.(see next slide)

11. Topic #4 – Symbolism • Your six main content slides should contain -- 2 slides of brief research on the Rostam and Sohrab epic – where, when, what happened, what’s the message, or allegory? -- Embed a link to your research source-- 4 slides tracing the symbols throughout KR: you must find them!Hint: Hassan names his son Sohrab – is that a coincidence? What does the name suggest about Sohrab’s fate?

12. Literary Device – Character Foil A foil is a character who provides a contrast to another character, thus intensifying the impact of that other character.Pair-Share: Think of a good movie with a compelling main character. Does she or he have a friend, “sidekick,” or someone else around who provides contrast, and makes the main character stand out?

13. Character Foils in cartoons, action films Batman & Robin, Batman & The Joker ?Dora & Boots ?** THINK: How is the 2nd one so different? And what does that highlight/contrast about the 1st?Spiderman & Venom (#3)

14. Foils in Kite Runner Soraya to Amir:How is she so different than him? Recall that before they marry, she admits to a past secret ...“I think a big part of why I didn’t care about Soraya’s past was that I had one of my own. I knew all about regret” (Hosseini 180).

15. Think-Pair-Share Soraya- AmirHow is she so different than him? Recall that before they marry, she admits to a past secret ...Or in other words, what qualities in Amir does she highlight, or bring out?

16. Pair-Share-Write Identify some other character pairs who Have different or opposite qualities Highlight certain attributes in each other Can be considered a foil ? Hassan – Amir? Amir – Baba Rahim Khan –Baba?