Quotes
"Was it a fair price? The answer floated to my conscious mind before I could thwart it; he was just a Hazara, wasn't he?"
Amir
Who is Hassan's father?
Baba
How does the shift in setting from the Kabul of Amir's childhood to the war-torn Kabul under Taliban rule reflect the internal changes and need for redemption in Amir's life?
Serves as a painful mirro for Amir's internal journey from selfish to sacrificial redemption.
What is a motif?
A recurring symbol
Identify the speaker and the theme in this passage:
"'It's true. I promise.' He sighed through his nose and closed his eyes. I wish I hadn't said those last two words." (355).
Amir: Guilt
Wished he'd let me be the favorite
Amir
What is the name of Hassan's mother?
Sanaubar
How does Amir's description of his childhood home reflect his life as a kid and his relationship with Hassan?
It showcases how he is privileged and views himself as Hassan's superior.
Amir's creative writing major in college is an example of this motif
What is books?
What is the author's message in the pomegranate scene in ch. 9?
The only way to forgive yourself is by doing the right thing, and if you don't, you suffer the consequences
"There is no act more wretched than stealing"
Baba
Who are Assef's friends?
Kamal and Wali
How did Amir's life change in America?
He tried to get a fresh start
The pomegranate tree mentioned in the novel could be a motif connecting to which theme?
Amir and Hassan's friendship
What is the most impactful thing Hassan does for Amir and how does Amir repay him? What theme is this?
He lies about stealing to convince Baba to get rid of him and Amir pays him back by rescuing his son.
Theme: sacrifice
Hassan
Who is known to take joy in beating people up?
Assef
How does the bloody pomegranate contribute to the feeling of the setting?
Makes the setting feel tense and violent
Bravery
Identify the speaker and theme relating to this quote:
"I was screaming and screaming and he kept kicking me and then, suddenly, he kicked me on the left kidney and the stone passed."
Assef: Catharsis
"His right hand uncurled and bounced to the rhythm of his father's sobs. ... Allah help him breathe."
Kamal's father
Who is Wahid?
Farid's poor brother
What was the emotional purpose of Amir and Hassan's fight under the pomegranate tree?
To tie the reader and Amir's experience with the tree to the bad experiences between Amir and Hassan.
The motif of the willow tree represents what?
Strength
How does Assef follow through with his "eye-for-an-eye" with both Hassan and Amir and what them from the Pashtunwalli code does this represent?
He harms Hassan in ch. 7, beats up Amir in ch. 22 and the theme is justice.