The Kite Runner Chapter 19 Flashcards

Amir's Experience

• Amir experiences car sickness, indicating his discomfort during the journey.
• Farid shows indifference to Amir's suffering, highlighting his lack of empathy.
• Amir uses a lemon offered by Farid to alleviate his nausea but lies about its effectiveness to maintain cultural norms.

Character Descriptions

• Farid is depicted as a Tajik with a lanky physique and a distinctive smile, suggesting a blend of kindness and awkwardness.
• Amir carries an artificial black beard, crucial for disguising his identity upon return to Afghanistan.

Emotional Conflict

• After a conversation with Rahim Khan, Amir fears second-guessing his resolve, reflecting his inner turmoil about returning home.
• The journey reveals signs of decay and poverty, reinforcing Amir’s feelings of alienation as he senses being a tourist in his native land.

Themes of Home and Identity

• Amir grapples with the notion that Afghanistan will always be a part of him, establishing a deep connection to his roots despite displacement.
• Farid's perception of Afghanistan is stark, as he illustrates its struggles through the image of a man in ragged clothing.

Personal Histories and Relationships

• Amir shares that his mother died during childbirth, a statement that humbles Farid and deepens their bond.
• They arrive in Jalalabad by late afternoon, marking a significant point in their journey.
• Amir's search for sweetness symbolizes his longing for fond memories in a war-torn land.

Cultural Reflections

• Amir reflects on the warmth of relationships and feels deprived of a genuine smile from Farid, indicating a cultural disconnect.
• Bandits, known as dodz, spare Farid and Amir, recognizing them as unworthy targets.

Writing and Storytelling

• Wahid inquires if Amir writes about Afghanistan, to which Amir responds negatively, highlighting his current disconnection from his past.
• Wahid encourages Amir to document Afghanistan’s plight under the Taliban, aiming to raise global awareness of the ongoing atrocities.

Hospitality and Honor

• Wahid asserts his authority over his home when chastising Farid, emphasizing Afghan cultural values of hospitality.
• Wahid apologizes on behalf of Farid, describing him as someone whose thoughts often precede his words, illustrating the dynamics of their relationship.

Social Connections

• Amir reveals his complicated family background, acknowledging his illegitimate half-brother, which earns him Wahid's respect as an honorable man.
• The boys stare at Amir's watch, initially perceived as envy, shifts to a deeper understanding of their hunger, prompting Amir to gift it to them.

Generosity and Regret

• Amir feels compelled to offer financial help discreetly by placing money under a mattress, signifying his awareness and sympathy towards the children's hardships.
• As Amir reflects on his surroundings, he acknowledges that in a different context, the boys would not be in such need, stirring feelings of regret and responsibility.

Test your knowledge on Chapter 19 of 'The Kite Runner' with these flashcards. Explore key moments and character reactions that highlight emotional and cultural themes in the story. Perfect for reinforcing your understanding of this significant chapter.