Chapter 4 Flashcards
How does Chapter 4 open?
with a back story of Ali and Baba
How does Amir rationalise the relationship between Ali and Baba and himself and Hassan?
through the history of region, religion and culture
How does Amir try to prove his superiority over Hassan?
through his literacy
What does the story “Shahnamah” which Amir reads to Hassan significant in doing?
in contrasting Amir to the admiral, heroic character
What is significant of the fact that Hassan and Amir appear to mirror rate relationship of Baba and Ali?
the social class of Hazara’s have determined their definitive position as inferior beings within the Afghani social hierarchy.
What are the two types of Muslims?
Sunni and Shi’a
How does Amir compare his first 12 years growing up with Hassan?
to a “long lazy summer day”
Amir compares the first 12 years growing up with Hassan to a “long lazy summer day” which contrasts to what?
to the shocking event of the winter day that moved Amir from the innocence of childhood to the harsh reality of adulthood
Instead of using a single year to symbolise stages of Amir’s life, what does Hosseini do?
he uses the seasons to symbolise different emotional states in Amir’s existence
What is the story emphasised from the Shahnamah which Amir reads to Hassan?
the story of mistaken identities and fathers and sons. supporting the thematic topic of relationships which is at the heart of the Kite Runner
What quote supports the fact that Amir did not back down to Baba when he refused to read his short story?
he stood in front of him for “one of the longest minutes of my life”
What is significant about the point that Amir did not back down to Baba when he refused to read his short story and stood in front of his for “one of the longest minutes of my life”?
he illustrated his similar strong willed nature to his father
What demonstrates Hassan’s knowledge and intelligence
the fact that Hassan says “people…. will read you stories”
What does the character of Hassan serve as?
a foil to demonstrates Amir’s shortcomings and to provide a point of comparison
What continues to build suspense as more information is revealed?
Hosseini’s style and narrative technique
What makes the Kite Runner a contemporary classic?
the recurring motifs mixed with the character and thematic development
What car does Baba drive which Amir notices was driven in the American movie “Bullitt”?
a ford mustang
What films and drinks do Hassan and Amir watch and drink?
Western movies staring American actors such as Charles Bronson
Coca Cola
What is Assef’s aim?
a culturally pure, Pashtun people which Hazaras and American culture in Afghanistan threatens
In this chapter, what does Amir realise?
his gift for storytelling
What was Hassan’s cleft lip a symbol and reminder of?
the fact that he is a poor servant boy, when it is repaired, the balance is upset
What has Amir’s guilt done?
it ended his childhood and haunted his adulthood
What theme does the story of “Rostam and Sohrab” explore?
the theme of love and tension between fathers and sons.
Why is 1933 a significant year?
as this is the year of Baba’s birth and the year that Zahir Shah started his 40 year peaceful reign of Afghanistan; this is important because the fall of Zahir Shah indicates the fall of Baba, the figure of western liberal society, and Afghanistan itself.
