An introduction

 Set in Afghanistan (approx ; 2004)and the US (1984  Coming-of-age novel or story of personal redemption

 Amir – central character – a Pashtun boy who betrays and is betrayed; finds escape from his sins in the US; has to come to terms with them  Hassan: Hazara boy – he is self- sacrificing and “true”; courageous and loyal.  Baba: father of Amir – hypocrite(!) and victim; courageous and cowardly  Rahim Khan – Baba’s friend, Amir’s conscience and father-figure  Soraya: Amir’s wife – victim of a patriarchal society (and like her mother) of a patriarch! Rescued by Amir.  Sohrab: Hassan’s son; rescued(?) by Amir

 Assef – psychopathic bully of German/Pashtun parentage; persecutor of Hassan and Amir  Farid- Taxi driver who takes Amir back to Kabul  General Taheri – Soraya’s father  Khanum Jamila Taheri – Soraya’s mother  Sanaubar – Hassan’s mother

 the central concept of loyalty and betrayal – how could Amir leave Hassan in the alley with Assef?  the concept of growing up and accepting yourself, your limitations and the limitations of your heroes  the concepts of love and jealousy between fathers and sons  the concept of redemption – ‘there is a way to be good again’  the concept of patriotism – what it means to love a country and its culture... but to also live in another country and maintain your identity  racism and its consequences.  courage – what is it?

 Afghanistan of the 70’s: ◦ a monarchy that becomes a republic that turns to Communism... ◦ a society split by a racial hierarchy  Patriarchy, and the role of, and treatment of women.  Contrast and compare with the US

 Patterns –  “sin and redemption”  Slingshot – the hare-lip; Sanaubar/Soraya; theft (watch and money); Assef;  Running the Kites  Fathers and sons