Kite Runner

How does the filmmaker “frame” the story? What words, images, events appear in the beginning and at the end?

The filmmaker uses the images of kite flying to frame the story in both the beginning and the end. In the beginning, he shows the kites majestically flying over the beautiful landscape of Afghanistan, where people are happily cheering each other on and participating in this fun activity. By the end of the story, viewers have seen the destruction of Afghanistan so the author uses the American landscape to summarize the kite flying of the movie, showing a greater opportunity.

Why include the terrible rape of a child? Is rape used in metaphorical sense in the film as well?

The terrible rape was an important element to include in the movie because it shows the extreme levels of loyalty that Hassan has towards Amir, that he would do anything for him. It also draws upon Assef’s insecurities and Amir’s cowardice. This scene is important to include because it sets up the viewers emotions towards Amir and Hassan’s relationship and helps to put in perspective the extreme levels Hassan is willing to go to in order to remain a good friend to Amir.

Compare/Contrast Amir and Hassan. What is Amir’s problem? What are Hassan’s strengths? Are they friends?

Amir and Hassan’s relationship is a very interesting story line throughout the film. As it is later revealed, the two boys are brothers, bore from the same father. But throughout their childhood, Hassan remains Amir’s servant, constantly defending Amir whom is his best friend. After being told the two are brothers, it makes sense the types of affection Baba gives Hassan. Being the gentler of the two, Amir has problems with standing up for himself and speaking his mind. On the other hand, Hassan is quick to speak his mind and defend himself and Amir. Hassan is also a very good kite runner, who doesn’t even need to watch the skies. They seem to be friends but Amir’s cowardice towards the terrible rape he is aware of leads him to tear their friendship apart which is not later restored until their adult lives, after Hassan has been killed.

What are Assef’s issues? Did you expect him to return at the end of the film?

Assef has serious self-image issues. He is a bully as a child and continues to be one as an adult. Since he is so uncomfortable with himself, he finds the need to make others feel lesser of them to boost his self-moral. I did not expect him to return at the end of the film, and honestly hoped he would not after seeing the terrible things he did to Hassan. But I was glad that in the end he got what he deserved when Sohrab shot him with the slingshot.

What do you make of the relationship between Baba and Amir? Rahim Khan and Amir?

At first, I could not figure out why Baba seemed to hate Amir so much. It seemed he was always putting him down and choosing to acknowledge Hassan. Once it became known that Hassan was also his son, the thought crossed my mind that he wished he had chosen Hassan as his son instead of Amir. As the story went on, it seemed that Baba only wanted to show off Amir in his childhood when he had an event or some sort of contest that he could show off about. But when the Soviets invade Afghanistan, it becomes apparent that Baba really does care about Amir.

Rahim Khan, Baba’s business partner, is Amir’s greatest supporter throughout the movie. In his childhood, Amir looks to Rahim Khan for encouragement with his stories and even as an adult, Rahim Khan is extremely supportive of Amir and is writing unlike his father. I think that at least as a child, Amir looks to Rahim Khan as a father figure.

According to Baba, there is only one sin. What is it? What is ironic about this?

The one and only sin, according to Baba, is theft. He claims that even when you kill someone, you are stealing his or her life. This is ironic because in the beginning of the film, Amir claims that his father (baba) hates him because he killed his mother so it’s ironic that he tells Amir, his son, that this is the greatest sin.

What do Amir and Soraya have in common?

Amir and Soraya both have very controlling and traditional fathers who only want what is best for them and the appearance of their families. They also both hold secrets that would shame their families. Soraya ran off with an Afghan when she was younger until her father separated them and Amir witnessed the rape of his best friend and did not do anything about it.

List the steps in Amir’s redemption. What does he do to “be good again”?

Amir’s redemption begins when he comes to America and realizes the struggles of not being wealthy, just as Hassan was. He attends community college while his father works at a gas station and sells small goods on the side for money. Both his father and Soraya’s father constantly put him down when it comes to his writing. At the end, when he is beaten up by Assef, that is the final step of his redemption, where he must take the pain he should’ve gotten had he stood up for Hassan in their childhood. By taking in Hassan’s son, he is finally forgiven, doing a great deed for his best friend, who would have done anything for him.

What is the point of the scene with Amir, Assef, and Sohrab toward the end of the film?

The scene at the end of the film with Amir, Assef and Sohrab was a very critical point in the movie in my opinion. In this scene, Amir has come to retrieve Sohrab, Hassan’s son, in order to take him to America to have better opportunities. He goes to a house in order to talk to the head of the Taliban but instead another man is there who turns out to be Assef (!!). When Sohrab is brought into the room, Assef begins to beat up Amir claiming he must pay a price if he wants to take him. After Amir has been brutally beaten, Sohrab grabs a sling shot, similar to those his father had used to protect Amir in their childhood. He shoots the object at Assef, blinding him, and giving them the opportunity to flee. This shows the great loyalty between Hassan (and his child) to Amir.

How do the following function symbolically?

Kite Flying – Kite flying was a huge symbol throughout the movie. I found it interesting that to be a good kite flyer, it was necessary to cut others down, slightly aggressive aspect of the sport. Kite flying also symbolized a happy and healthy community. After the Taliban took over Kabul, there were no more kites flying making the town look dead and empty.

Fighting – There were many things worth fighting for throughout the movie, including Hassan and Amir’s friendship and Sohrab’s safety from the Taliban and Afghanistan.

Running – Running was prevalent when the Soviets invaded and when kite running.

Sohrab’s Name – The name of the martyr in Hassan’s favorite story that was read to him by Amir.

Pomegranates – Pomegranates were significant when Amir was trying to destroy the relationship between him and Hassan. He threw several pomegranates at Hassan hoping that he would hit him back; to help his guilt go away from witnessing the rape, but instead Hassan smashed a pomegranate on himself.

Pomegranate Trees – The pomegranate trees were where Hassan and Amir read stories and carved their names as the great men of Kabul. These trees were very significant in their childhood friendship.