Podcast
Questions and Answers
Describe Amir's and Hassan's behavior on the week following Assef's attack.
Describe Amir's and Hassan's behavior on the week following Assef's attack.
They spend less time together and Amir is distancing himself from Hassan. Amir seems to feel very guilty.
Where does Amir ask his father to take him? What happens to Amir on the trip? How is Amir's expectation of the trip different from the reality?
Where does Amir ask his father to take him? What happens to Amir on the trip? How is Amir's expectation of the trip different from the reality?
Amir asks Baba to take him to Jalalabad. Amir gets carsick. Amir expected to spend time with Baba, but his guilt overwhelmed him; in reality, Baba invited his own friends.
How does Amir treat Hassan during the rest of the winter of 1975?
How does Amir treat Hassan during the rest of the winter of 1975?
Amir keeps his distance and feels guilty; when they reconnect, he changes his mind about reading to Hassan.
How does Amir initially try to solve his 'problem' with Hassan? How does Baba react?
How does Amir initially try to solve his 'problem' with Hassan? How does Baba react?
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Briefly describe what happens when Amir and Hassan go to pick pomegranates.
Briefly describe what happens when Amir and Hassan go to pick pomegranates.
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Respond to the following questions about Amir's thirteenth birthday party: (a) the type of celebration, (b) his gift from Assef, (c) his gift from Rahim Khan, (d) his gifts from Baba, (e) his gift from Ali and Hassan, (f) what he does with these gifts.
Respond to the following questions about Amir's thirteenth birthday party: (a) the type of celebration, (b) his gift from Assef, (c) his gift from Rahim Khan, (d) his gifts from Baba, (e) his gift from Ali and Hassan, (f) what he does with these gifts.
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What does Rahim Khan reveal to Amir about his own past? Why do you think he does this?
What does Rahim Khan reveal to Amir about his own past? Why do you think he does this?
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How does Amir ultimately solve his 'problem' with Hassan? How do Hassan, Baba, and Ali react? How does that make Amir feel?
How does Amir ultimately solve his 'problem' with Hassan? How do Hassan, Baba, and Ali react? How does that make Amir feel?
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What type of transportation takes Baba and Amir on the first stage of their escape from Kabul? What is their final destination?
What type of transportation takes Baba and Amir on the first stage of their escape from Kabul? What is their final destination?
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What happens at the first checkpoint? How does Baba react? How does the confrontation end? What do you think Baba's reaction reveals about him?
What happens at the first checkpoint? How does Baba react? How does the confrontation end? What do you think Baba's reaction reveals about him?
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How do Baba, Amir, and the other refugees get to Peshawar, Pakistan? What happens to Kamal and his father on this phase of the journey?
How do Baba, Amir, and the other refugees get to Peshawar, Pakistan? What happens to Kamal and his father on this phase of the journey?
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How does living in America affect Baba? What causes him to lash out at the Nguyens? Why does Baba refuse to return to Peshawar? What is Baba's job in California?
How does living in America affect Baba? What causes him to lash out at the Nguyens? Why does Baba refuse to return to Peshawar? What is Baba's job in California?
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How old is Amir when he graduates high school? How do he and Baba celebrate the occasion? What gift does he receive from Baba?
How old is Amir when he graduates high school? How do he and Baba celebrate the occasion? What gift does he receive from Baba?
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What does Amir plan to study in college? How does Baba react to Amir's decision? Why?
What does Amir plan to study in college? How does Baba react to Amir's decision? Why?
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What business venture do Baba and Amir undertake? How does this affect Baba? Who does Amir meet as a result of this venture?
What business venture do Baba and Amir undertake? How does this affect Baba? Who does Amir meet as a result of this venture?
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What does Amir call Soraya? How do her parents react to his interest in her?
What does Amir call Soraya? How do her parents react to his interest in her?
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As a child, whom did Soraya teach to read? How does her experience with this person differ from Amir's experience with Hassan?
As a child, whom did Soraya teach to read? How does her experience with this person differ from Amir's experience with Hassan?
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How does Baba's illness begin? What are the diagnosis and prognosis? How does Baba react? How does his reaction differ from Amir's?
How does Baba's illness begin? What are the diagnosis and prognosis? How does Baba react? How does his reaction differ from Amir's?
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What is Baba's last 'fatherly duty'? What is the result?
What is Baba's last 'fatherly duty'? What is the result?
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How much does Amir and Soraya's wedding cost? Who pays for this?
How much does Amir and Soraya's wedding cost? Who pays for this?
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How does Soraya help Baba during the last month of his life? What does she do that causes Amir to cry?
How does Soraya help Baba during the last month of his life? What does she do that causes Amir to cry?
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What was Soraya's 'mistake'? What did her father do about this? What is the primary reason Amir does not care about her past?
What was Soraya's 'mistake'? What did her father do about this? What is the primary reason Amir does not care about her past?
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What happens to Amir in 1989? How does he react to this? Why do you think he reacts this way?
What happens to Amir in 1989? How does he react to this? Why do you think he reacts this way?
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What is the primary concern in Amir and Soraya's marriage? How does this affect each of them?
What is the primary concern in Amir and Soraya's marriage? How does this affect each of them?
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Study Notes
Amir's Emotional State
- Following Assef's attack, Amir distances himself from Hassan due to overwhelming guilt.
- Their friendship deteriorates, and they spend less time together, affecting their bond.
Trip to Jalalabad
- Amir asks Baba to take him to Jalalabad, hoping for quality time together.
- During the trip, Amir gets carsick, which contrasts his expectations of a fun excursion with Baba.
Winter of 1975
- Amir avoids reading to Hassan, further revealing his guilt after the attack.
- Their first reconnection is awkward, influenced by Amir's internal conflict.
Amir's Response to Guilt
- Amir distances himself and expresses a desire to have new servants, which angers Baba.
- Baba reprimands Amir, illustrating Baba's strong sense of loyalty to their existing servants.
Pomegranate Incident
- During a pomegranate-picking session, Amir violently throws pomegranates at Hassan, reflecting his emotional turmoil.
Amir's Thirteenth Birthday
- The birthday celebration is large, with over 400 guests; presents include a biography of Hitler from Assef and a leather notebook from Rahim Khan.
- Amir feels detached from his gifts and discards them, except for money and a watch hidden under Hassan's mattress.
Rahim Khan's Revelation
- Rahim Khan shares his past relationship with a Hazara fiancé, providing context for Amir's experiences.
Amir's "Solution" to the Problem
- Amir frames Hassan for stealing money and a watch, leading Hassan to falsely admit guilt.
- This moment marks a critical realization for Amir about Hassan's awareness of his actions.
Escape from Kabul
- Baba and Amir escape Kabul by truck, heading to the United States, illustrating their dramatic change in lifestyle.
Checkpoint Encounter
- At a checkpoint, Baba confronts a soldier's demand, revealing his strong moral convictions and fierce protectiveness.
Journey to Peshawar
- They travel in a fuel tank, a perilous journey that leads to the tragic deaths of Kamal and his father.
Baba's Life in America
- Baba feels diminished and struggles with American life, illustrated by his explosive reaction to a simple request for ID.
- He works at a gas station, contrasting sharply with his past status in Afghanistan.
Amir's Graduation
- Amir graduates at 20, celebrated with a lavish dinner, receiving a car as a gift from Baba.
Education Conflict
- Amir's desire to study creative writing clashes with Baba's traditional views, highlighting common parent-child conflicts over career choices.
Business Venture
- Baba and Amir buy and resell items at flea markets; this leads to Amir meeting Soraya, enhancing his social life.
Soraya's Background
- Soraya is referred to as Amir's "Swap Meet Princess"; her parents have mixed reactions to their relationship.
Soraya's Experience
- Soraya teaches Ziba to read, contrasting Amir's passive reading to Hassan, showcasing different experiences with literacy.
Baba's Illness
- Baba is diagnosed with lung cancer, rejecting treatment, revealing his stubborn nature and desire to shield Amir from pain.
Baba's Last Duty
- Baba's final act as a father is asking for Soraya’s hand in marriage, showing his acceptance of Amir's life choices.
Wedding Expenses
- Amir and Soraya's wedding costs $35,000, which Baba generously covers, demonstrating his love and commitment.
Soraya's Support
- Soraya cares for Baba during his illness, greatly impacting Amir emotionally as she reads his stories to Baba.
Soraya's Past
- Soraya's young mistake causes turmoil with her father, but Amir empathizes with her due to his own complicated history.
Amir's Literary Success
- In 1989, Amir's first novel is published; he reflects on the encouragement he received from figures like Rahim Khan and Hassan.
Challenges in Marriage
- Amir and Soraya struggle with infertility, a central concern in their relationship that weighs heavily on both.
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