The kite runner Chapters 7-9

Chapter 7 Now that you have read chapter 7, have your impressions changed for Amir? Assef? Hassan?

Chapter 7 What does Hassan’s dream at the beginning of the chapter mean? (59) What does this quote mean?: “And that right there was the single greatest moment of my twelve years of life, seeing Baba on that roof, proud of me at last” (66). What is the significance of Hassan’s quote to Amir: “For you a thousand times over” ? (67) What is the significance of Amir’s dream? (76) Why does Assef commit the unspeakable act? (Hosseini 77) Why does Amir decide to not intervene? (77)

Make inferences Looking back at chapter 1, what was Rahim Kahn referring to when he said, “there is a way to be good again”? List three possibilities for what is to come in the later half of the book: 1. _____________________________ 2. _____________________________ 3. _____________________________

Chapter 7-9 Notes After Assef’s attack on Hassan, Hassan’s face is described as having “The look of the lamb”. Hosseini is using imagery to describe the shape, coloring and expression of Hassan’s face. In his retelling of his betrayal to Hassan, Amir reveals the reason for his abandonment. “Maybe Hassan was the price I had to pay, the lamb I had to slay, to win Baba.”: meaning Amir was wanting his father’s approval. Amir is having physical reactions to Hassan after the attack: headaches in his presence and insomnia at night. We can infer that this is a cause of his guilt for not have prevented Assef’s attack on Hassan.

Chapter 7-9 notes Assef appears at Amir’s 13th birthday party. Amir presents him with a book that is a biography of Hitler. This encounter is extremely painful for Amir because of the way that Baba treats Assef and Baba seems to prefer Assef to his own son, Amir. Baba has an odd reaction to Hassan’s admission to stealing Amir’s watch. Even though Amir placed it under the mattress and Hassan did not steal the watch, Hassan admits to stealing the watch. Baba’s response is unexpected because earlier in the novel the audience learns what Baba believes is the one true sin, stealing, and Hassan admitted to stealing the watch.