Kite Runner Characters Flashcards

Study Notes

Main Characters of "The Kite Runner"

Amir: Protagonist; son of Baba and Sofia; half-brother to Hassan, struggles with guilt and redemption.
Hassan: Amir's loyal friend and servant; brotherly bond leads to tragedy; victim of Assef’s violence; biologically Baba's son.
Baba: Amir and Hassan's father; builds an orphanage; serves as a complex father figure with a hidden past.
Ali: Hassan's father; servant to Baba; embodies loyalty and hardship; physical disabilities from polio.
Rahim Khan: Baba's close friend; serves as a father figure to Amir; reveals the truth about Amir and Hassan’s relationship.
Assef: Antagonist; sociopath who becomes a Taliban leader; represents brutality and moral decay; rapes Hassan and Sohrab.
Sanaubar: Hassan’s mother; begins as an unfaithful wife to Ali; eventually seeks forgiveness from Hassan.
Sofia Akrami: Amir’s mother; died during childbirth; educated in classic Farsi and of royal lineage.
Homaira: A Hazara girl; once in a romantic relationship with Rahim Khan.
Tanya: Assef’s mother; portrayed as nervous and small; of German descent.
Sohrab: Son of Hassan and Farzana; endures trauma; ultimately adopted by Amir and Soraya, closely resembles his father.
Soraya: Amir's wife; comes from a family of military background; has a rebellious past marked by a runaway attempt.
General Sahib/Iqbal Taheri: Soraya's father; represented by dual names; authoritative figure.
Khala Jamila: Soraya’s mother; has suffered a stroke; plays a nurturing role.
Farid: Amir’s loyal driver; assists in finding Sohrab; represents resilience amidst the chaos of Afghanistan.
Karim: Bus driver who aids Baba and Amir in their escape from Afghanistan.
Kamal: Assef’s friend; partakes in the assault on Hassan; ultimately meets a tragic end.
Kaka Sharif: Soraya’s uncle; instrumental in aiding Amir with legal processes related to Sohrab’s adoption.
Farzana: Wife of Hassan; mother of Sohrab; represents strength and tradition.
Wali: Assef’s accomplice; guilty participant in the assault on Hassan.

Supportive Characters

Mullah Fatiullah Khan: Amir's religious teacher; focuses on moral lessons, including the topic of sin.
Ziba: Young girl taught to read and write by Soraya; symbolizes hope for education.
Dr. Schneider: Russian doctor whom Baba refuses to consult; represents Baba’s pride.
Dr. Amani: Iranian doctor favored by Baba; provides a cancer diagnosis.
Ahmad: Childhood neighbor of Amir; suffers from epilepsy; represents vulnerability.
Dr. Rosen: Fertility doctor in the narrative.
Kaka Homayoun: Amir's uncle; has resources in Jalalabad.
Ahmad Zahir: Influential figure in Afghan music; revolutionary impact.
Thomas and Betty Caldwell: Fictional characters created by Rahim Khan, projected as potential caregivers for Sohrab.
Dr. Kuman: Surgeon who repairs Hassan's harelip; signifies compassion in healthcare.
Nguyens: Vietnamese couple running a grocery store; cause awareness of Baba’s background.
Mrs. Dobbins: Represents societal challenges faced by the less fortunate.
Wahid: Farid’s brother; extends hospitality to Amir during his journey.
Dr. Rasul: Former teacher turned beggar; connects past and present struggles through the character of Sofia Akrami.
Zaman: Director of an orphanage; embodies the struggles of the displaced children.
Aisha: Amir’s nurse following surgery; reflects care and kindness in times of hardship.
Dr. Armand Furuqi: Operative who performs surgery on Amir post-confrontation with Assef.
Mr. Fayyaz: Hotel owner where Amir and Sohrab stay; provides insight into Amir's current life.
Raymond Andrews: American Embassy representative; highlights bureaucratic challenges in Sohrab’s adoption.
Omar Faisal: Suggests temporary solutions regarding Sohrab’s future; represents practical thinking in dire situations.

Description

Test your knowledge of the main characters in 'The Kite Runner' with these flashcards. Each card highlights important details about key figures like Amir, Hassan, and Baba, providing essential insights into their roles and relationships. Perfect for fans of Khaled Hosseini's powerful novel.