Introduction and Context The Kite Runner Introduction and Context

Section Details Prose Question of Unit 1 Assessment Objectives (AOs) 25 marks 60 minutes

Vital Statistics Author: Kahled Hosseini Year: 2003 Country: America Genre: Historical fiction, Drama Setting: Kabul, Afghanistan, Pakistan (mostly Peshawar), and San Francisco Bay Area, California Adaptations: Movie (2007) Play (2007) Graphic Novel (2011) Accolades: - #1 New York Times Bestseller - South African Boeke Prize (2004). - Reading Group Book of the Year for (2006 & 2007) - Penguin/Orange Reading Group prize (UK).

Hosseini’s Life and Influences AO3 Hosseini’s Life and Influences Hosseini was born in Afghanistan in 1965 Hosseini’s family applied for asylum in the United States because of the Soviet War. They moved to California. He worked as a doctor for ten years. Hosseini was 38 before he revisited Afghanistan Hosseini works with organizations that aid refugees and those displaced by conflict in Afghanistan and other areas. Hosseini flew kites as a child and was heartbroken when he heard the Taliban had banned kite fighting.

Main Cultural Influences AO3 Main Cultural Influences Islamic Afghan American

Key Historical Influences AO3 Key Historical Influences the rebellion against King Zahir Shah, the Soviet War in Afghanistan, the Cold War, the Taliban in Afghanistan, the massacre of the Hazaras, the September 11 attacks, and the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan. Brainstorm anything you know about these events

Reviewing your ideas We will learn more about these historical events and their significance as we read and analyse the novel.

Main Characters Amir (narrator) Hassan Baba Rahim Khan Soraya Sohrab Assef

AO2 Themes Betrayal Fathers and sans Violence Memory Redemption War

Context and Meaning Hosseini uses a lot of symbolism and imagery in his novel. It is important for AO1 and AO2 to analyse the meaning. You should also connect your analysis of meaning, AO2 to your discussion of context, AO3. Here are some examples.

Green AO3 AO2 This is a colour associated with Islam. hope new beginnings.

Kites AO3 Kite fighting was part of Afghan culture and was later banned by the Taliban. AO2 Childhood Redemption Freedom

Hassan’s Cleft Lip AO2 AO3 -Hassan’s bravery in spite of the odds against him. - social and economic difference between him and Amir. AO3 As a Hazara, Hassan is deemed to be of a lower social standing to Pashtuns like Amir. His cleft lip is a physical reminder of how superficial such class divisions are, that is, they can be removed if you choose to remove them.

Read chapters 1-4 for the next lesson Homework Read chapters 1-4 for the next lesson