& Other Mysteries of Flight What Makes a Kite Fly & Other Mysteries of Flight

The Kite Runner Story of two friends Amir and Hassan Young boys in Afghanistan Participated in “kite fighting” Amir – well-to-do boy kite flyer Hassan - poorer of the two Designated the “runner” Retrieved kites that “got away”

The Art of “Kite Fighting” Common hobby of Afghans before Russian invasion sport banned by current authorities Sport that became an art form Matter of honor to compete

Official “Kite Fighting” Rules The Unit 2 persons 1 to fly the kite (leader) 1 to feed wire from spool many X’s blamed for losing fight

Official “Kite Fighting” Rules The Kite Gudiparan (flying doll) many sizes 12” dia. to human size average fighter 3.5’ wingspan materials tissue paper bamboo flexibility

Official “Kite Fighting” Rules The Wire (Tar) glass-coated cutting line most flyers make their own secret recipe: ground glass, glue, mushed rice, etc. wire coated, dried and wound on drum connects kite to leader determines success of fight quality varies greatly materials and cost

Official “Kite Fighting” Rules The Drum (Charkha) primarily for wire storage crucial part of kite fighting rapid release critical light – for ease of use normally made of wood cutting line on drum may weigh over 9 lbs at least 1,000 feet of wire

Official “Kite Fighting” Rules The Hazards dangerous sport for children many children cut to the bone wrapped leather around index finger many would climb on roof best view and access to wind many would fall break bones or loss of life

Official “Kite Fighting” Rules The Fight (Jang) 2 or more kites / close proximity sometime more than 25 wires touch fight begins fight length split second to ½ hour depending on wind, tar quality and skill general concept release wire – as fast as possible greater release per second better chance of winning generally one with experience and patience will win

Official “Kite Fighting” Rules Loser of Kite Fight wire would be cut kite released into air following direction of wind opportunity for someone else to catch and own it the position of Hassan the Kite Runner

Chapter 6 – kite flying ‘ In Kabul, fighting kites was a little like going to war’. Annotate and decorate your kite in pairs referring to p43 -45. ‘The Hindi kid would soon learn what the British learned earlier in the century, and what the Russians would eventually learn by the late 1980s: that Afghans are an independent people. Afghans cherish customs but abhor rules’.

Chapter 7 Hassan’s Dream – the monster in the lake – Amir’s cruelty – is Hassan aware? Discuss in pairs referring to p52- 54. P53 ‘The streets glistened with fresh snow and the sky was a blameless blue/’ P55 ‘Next to me Hassan held the spool, his hands already bloodied by the string.’ (reversal at end of novel, Amir has bloodied hands for Sohrab) P58 ‘You won, Amir agha.’ ‘We won! We won!’ p59 reread in pairs and be prepared to comment in 5 minutes

Qargha Lake

‘For you a thousand times over ‘For you a thousand times over.’ – Amir says to Sohrab at end of book, echoing Hassan’s words to him. Amir gets his redemption through patiently waiting on Hassan’s son and taking a beating for him. P62 THE ALLEY That winter Amir becomes what he is. What is that? Coward? Deserter? Judas? Or just a little boy who is scared?

p.63/64 Assef, Wali and Kamal trap Hassan in the alley, he wants the kite for Amir; they want revenge. ‘Before you sacrifice yourself for him, think about this. Would he do the same for you?’ ‘I opened my mouth, almost said something. Almost.’ ‘I just watched. Paralyzed.’ ‘I bit on my fist. Shut my eyes.’ Amir trades Hassan for the kite.

Homework Prepare to feedback on how Hosseini describes the rape/ how the narrator relates the information. P62 THE ALLEY That winter Amir becomes what he is. What is that? Coward? Deserter? Judas? Or just a little boy who is scared? Be prepared to discuss this with quotes to back up your points. Prepare Chapter 8