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

2. 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”

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

12. Chapter 6 – kite flying ‘ In Kabul, fighting kites was a little like going to war’.
Annotate and decorate your kite in pairs referring to p
‘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’.

13. Chapter 7
Hassan’s Dream – the monster in the lake – Amir’s cruelty – is Hassan aware? Discuss in pairs referring to p
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

14. Qargha Lake

15. ‘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?

16. 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.

17. 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