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Chapter 1- Rahim Khan 's phone call
December 2001
Introduces a flashback to winter of 1975- significnt day. Amir's past changed him as a person & he cannot escape it. (flashback creates suspense).
Changes back to present with RK's phone call asking Amir to come back to Pakistan- "There is a way to be good again." -
Chapter 2- Introduction of Hassan (1960s)
sets scence in Afghanistan -> one that the reader doesn't know of/used to hearing about (peaceful & fun- contrast to the unsafe war zone when Taliban took over) Hassan is idealised/romantisiced by Amir - seems perfect "face like a Chinese doll"
Introduces their racial diffs- Hazara (slanted eyes & flat nose) & Pashtun. -
Chapter 2- Hassan & Amir's relationship
Introduces the nature of their relationship- Hassan's loyalty "if I
asked, really asked, he wouldn't deny me" "But he never told on me" Amir's small cruelties are shown - Amir makes Hassan fire walnuts at the dog against his will & moral judgement. -
Chapter 2- Baba & Amir's relationship
Mentions death of Amir's mother- died giving birth to Amir. Amir feels guilty/responsible- perhaps the reason Baba doesn't love Amir. Amir took Baba's "princess" away from him. Baba & Amir have a distant strained relationship. They have notng in common as Baba idealies masculinity and strength whereas Amir prefers academic skills (writing) -> not valued by Amir.
Baba shuts Amir out leaving him desparate for his fathers attention & love (root cause of jealousy) -
Chapter 2- First incident of racism (Hassan & Ali)
A group of soldiers spotted Hassan. Made sexul comments about his mother. only acceptable to target and offend a young Hazara -> never would racially abuse a pashtun. Amir isn't as bad as he presents himself- comforts Hassan when he gets upset. "He took you for someone else." Ali is racially targeted- chased & mocked on the street (Hazara and disfigured from polio) "flat-nosed Babalu" -
Chapter 2- Amir & Hassans relationship
Not just friends - brothers
Raised as brothers & treat equally by Baba -> "a brotherhood between people who fed from the same breast, a kinship that nt even time could break." -
Chapter 3- Child Amir's views of Baba
Amir narrates childhood memories of Baba. Makes Baba seem larger than life -> force of nature/unstoppable power. "I can never tell Baba from the bear." Amir fights for Baba's attention- root cause of jealousy- feels as if Baba favours Hassan due to his athletic, masculine charcteristics. Causes a rift as Amir finds himself resenting Hassan- becomes clear that Amir will do anything for Baba's attention/affection.
"but I lied and told him that Hassan had the runs" "I wanted Baba all to myself." -
Chapter 3- Baba as an individual/ expectations of Amir
Baba is a strong, wealthy influence in the Afghan community. He has very controversial views nd his on set of morals/expectations- doesn't adhear to those set by society. Won't be told what to do or think. e.g. drinks despite it being frowned upon. Holds himself so highly as the symbol for Afghan masculinity- Amir feels a sense of shame as he cannot fullfill his father's expectations "There is something missing in that boy."
"If I hadn't seen the doctor pull....I'd never believe he's my son." -
Chapter 4- A&B's small cruelties towards Hassan & Ali
Starts with flashback to 1933- story of Ali. Baba never calls Ali his friend- parallel with Amir as he never calls Hassan hhis friend.
Amir is cruel to Hassan- teases him/make fun of innocence(illiterate). H trusts A wouldn't treat him like that -> A takes advantage of his power over H (can read).
A reads to H under pommegranite tree- favourite is Rostam & Sohrab carve into tree- origns of H's son's name.
Riddles "stopped reading those when I saw he was far better at solving them than I was" -
Chapter 5- First encounter with Assef/ Initial signs of conflict & war
Chapter opens with gunfire & sirens. Even Baba afraid.
Assef- 1/2 german, 1/2 pashtun- racist/facist, supports Hitler's idealogies. "They dirty our blood"
H defends A with slingshot- loyalty & bravery (unlike A)
Foreshadows rape and suffering to come "This doesn't end today, believe me." -
Chapter 6- Preparations for Kite tournament
Only thing that connects Amir & Baba is kites.
Buying kites-> B buy both A & H the best kites (equal)- A is jealous as he wants to be the favourite.
Kite Running reflects afghan culture/national pride- rough, fighting, can be dangerous.
H is the best kite runner- A feels humiliated/ full of shame as H is better than him.
-> clear that A is desperate to win th kite s he believes it will win B's love & affection (motivation for betrayal of H) -
Chapter 7- H's Dream
Dream has a significant meaning-> monster represents Amir
A is cruel to H/ jealous
Hassan nurtures the idea that one day Amir may rid himself of resentment/jealousy- allow them to have a better relationship
Foreshadows Amir's betryal of Hassan. -
Chapter 7- Rape 1975
Win kite tournament
H runs kite for A
H cornered by Assef and his friends- loyal & refuse to hand over the kite
H raped & A watches then runs away like a coward -
Chapter 8- Amir's relationship with Baba improves
Spend more time with B but hardly sees H
Baba only ever talks about A winning the kite tournament
A resents other people spending his well earned/fought time with B
Cannot feel whole/happy-> feels empty due to guilt
Can 't stand to see H because reminds him of his cowardice -
Chapter 9- Final betryal
A hides money & watch- accuses H of theft. H lies to protect A & B's relationship (sacrifice)
B forgives H but H & Ali leave despite B's begs and pleads as Ali now knows he truth about the rape and betrayal.
1st time Baba cries -
Chapter 10 - Baba & soldier
At checkpoint a Russian soldier demands 30 mins with an Afghan woman
Baba stands up to the soldier & is willing to sacrifice his life to protect a stranger
-> parallel to Amir as he was unable to stand up and protect someone he considers a brother. -
Chapter 10- Fast forward to March 10 1981
Amir & Baba leaving Kabul due to war breaking out in Afghnitan as Taliban takes control -
Chapter 11- Fremont California 1980s
Tensions of middle eastern politics transplanted into Afghan-American culture- B still controversial.
B lost everything- status & wealth , now works at a gas station.
B physically weaker/ attituded softened towards A-> more understanding/accepting.
A graduates and goes to major English- B disapproves but accepts -
Chapter 11- Fremont California 1980s
B struggle to adapt to American life whereas A thrives
B still full of Pashtun pride & controversial in Afghan-American community /
B lost status & welath- now works at a gas station.
Physically weaker/tired and attitude hs become softer- more accepting/ understanding of A -
Chapter 11- Fremont California 1980s
Amir graduates and goes on to study English (foreshadows Amir's writing career. -
Chapter 11- 1980s
Meets Soraya for first time at flea market. -
Chapter 12- Falls in love with Soraya asks to marry her
B asks the general if A can marry Soraya- he accepts.
Soraya shares her past with Amir - ran away with a man so is no longer a virgin-> ruined in eyes of Afghan community so recieves predjudices and is gossiped about (shameful) -
Chapter 12- Baba becomes sick (lung cancer)
Refuses treatment as the doctor has Russian herritage. -
Chapter 13- Soraya and Amir get married
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Chapter 13- Baba dies
Amir left to fill his role
Transition from child to man
takes on responsibility> married, 1st novel published -
Chapter 14- June 2001 back to RK's phone call
RK's final words "There is a way to be good again"
RKi aware of Amir's betrayal to Hassan -
Chapter 15- Amir flies back to Pakistan & goes to Kabul to see RK
RK has been living in B's house since 1981- looking after it for him.
RK is very ill e.g. coughing up blood. -
Chapter 15- Life in Afghanistn has changed-> Taliban
RK has a scar over his eye -> at a football match the man next to him cheered loudly and a Taliban guard thought it was him so smashed him with the butt of his rifle.
Lots of destruction, unrest, war & no longer safe/peaceful. -
Chapter 15- RK's Favour (June 2001)
RK s aware of how ill he is so asks Amir to tell him everything about Hassan.