The+Kite+Runner

Holiday Reading Assignment
As you read, use this chart to keep track of passages that comment on or exemplify the following topics.

__** Characters: **__ - **Assef**: is a boy who lives in Amir's neighborhood but treats Amir badly, also mistreats Amir's servant because he's "just a Hazara"; even raping him. Assef is according to Amir, "a strong, tall, well-dressed and well-mannered boy and striking looks" (pg.96), and is a perfect son in the outside, is athletic and educated although this hides his "madness" inside. Assef ends up joining the Taliban after fighting the Soviets, and gets Hassan's son, Sohrab, as his personal "pet". In the end, Assef gets blinded by Sohrab's slingshot. Assef stands out for his blond hair, and also for his Nazi tendencies "Assef's present (...) was a biography of Hitler." (pg. 86)

-**Sohrab**: Hassan’s son sees his parents be assasinated in front of him by the Taliban, in front of the house he lives. After going to the orphanage, Sohrab is captured by the Taliban to be Assef’s personal “pet”. Assef humiliates him by making him dance and molests him, making Sohrab a scared boy. He’s found by Amir in the Taleban commander’s house, which happens to be Assef, the sociopath from Amir’s youth. After a short fight, in which the badly beaten Amir is saved by Sohrab’s slingshot (which blinds Assef), he’s taken by Amir away from Afghanistan and those who harm him. After some days in Pakistan (in which Sohrab tries to kill himself when he’s threatened to go back to the orphanage), Amir takes him to be his “son” in America. By this Sohrab can be considered to be Hassan’s substitute: “He (Hassan) was gone now, but a little part of him lived on” (pg 227). Sohrab’s physical appearance resembles that of his father: “had his father’s round moon face, his pointed stub of a chin, his twisted, seashell ears, and the same slight frame.” (pg 246) Also, as Amir felt he had to adopt Sohrab as his son, he was backed up by Soraya: "You have to bring him home. I want you to" (pg. 326)


 * __Symbols__**

-**Slingshot**: The slingshot that Hassan carries around symbolizes his unswerving loyalty towards Amir, also his courage. For example when Hassan threatens Assef with the slingshot: “Hassan held the slingshot… on his brow” (pg 42). Not only Hassan, Sohrab, his son, also carries a slingshot around, which represents his courage to protect Amir: “Sohrab had the slingshot pointed to Assef’s face” (pg 290)

-**Kite Running**: “I opened my eyes… we smiled at each other.” (Pg 66) This quote symbolizes the kite running’s peaceful, carefree and happy moment enjoyed by Amir and Hassan.

-**Pomegranate Tree**: “There was a pomegranate tree…the tree was ours” (pg 217) this quote symbolizes the tree as a proof of friendship between Amir and Hassan.

-**Assef's brass knuckles**: "Assef slipped on the brass knuckles"(pg.41) symbolizes Assef's fear

**"For you a thousand times over!"** (pg.67)symbolizes Hassan's loyalty towards Amir

**"You have to bring him home. I want you to"** (pg. 326) symbolizes Soraya's confidence and love toward Amir

**"Assef knelt behind Hassan (...) look of the lamb."** (pg 75-76) "Maybe Hassan was the price; I had to pay, the lamb I had to slay." (pg.69) symbolizes Hassan's sacrifice towards Amir during various situations show his innocence and how he's similar to a sacrificial lamb.