What does the narrator say is wrong to believe about the past?
That it can be buried
Who calls the narrator one day last summer, and what does that caller want?
Rahim Khan - asked narrator to come see him
Where does the narrator live?
San Francisco
As the narrator looks at the kites, what does he hear Hassan say?
For you, a thousand times over
What was something Rahim Khan said just before he hung up with the narrator?
There is a way to be good again
What are some details of Hassan's appearance?
Face like a Chinese doll, flat broad nose
What is Hassan "deadly" with?
Slingshot
Who is Ali, and what is he like?
Hassan's father, he was gentle
Who is Baba?
Narrator's father
What is the setting of chapter 2?
Northern part of Kabul, Wazir Akbar Khan district
Who is Rahim Khan?
Baba's best friend and business partner
What happened to the narrator's mother?
Died giving birth to narrator
How do Ali and Hassan's family have a different lifestyle from the narrator and Baba's family?
Ali: live in a mud shack
Narrator: live in a mansion
What happened to Hassan's mother?
Ran away with performers
How were Hassan's mother and Ali seen to have little in common?
One was wealthy, Shiat Suni
What ethnic group is Hassan (and his parents)?
Hazara
What is Ali's disability?
Polio
What ethnic group is the narrator?
Pashtun
What are the religious affiliations of Pashtuns?
Sunni
What are the religious affiliations of Hazaras?
Shi'a
How does the narrator's history book describe the history of the Pashtuns and Hazaras?
That the Pashtuns had persecuted and oppressed the Hazaras
How does Sanaubar react to Hassan after his birth?
She laughed and called him an idiot child, then left 5 days later
What is a cleft lip?
Leaves gum where bone didn't form
What was the narrator's first word?
Baba
What was Hassan's first word?
Amir
What is the legendary story about Baba?
He once wrestled a black bear with his bare hands
What was Baba's famous nickname?
Toophan agha (Mr. Hurricane)
What is Baba's physical description?
Towering Pashtun specimen. Thick beard, curly brown hair
What does Baba decide to build in the 1960s?
Orphanage
Why doesn't Amir invite Hassan to Ghargha Lake with him and Baba?
Wants Baba all to himself
What does Amir narrate of his mother's background?
Highly educated, beautiful, respected
What does Baba tell Amir about the lessons he's learning from the mullahs (religious teachers) in school?
That he is confusing it with actual education
According to Baba, what is the only sin, and how does he explain all sins come from that one?
Theft: Murder is stealing life, etc.
How did Baba's father die?
Stabbed in the throat by a thief
Why does Amir say he feels like Baba has hated him a little?
Killed his beautiful wife
How does Amir say he escapes his "father's aloofness"?
Dead mother's books
What does Amir witness at the yearly Buzkashi tournament?
A rider fall to his death
What does Amir overhear his father saying to Rahim Khan that night?
There is something missing in that boy
What does Baba mean when he says, "There is something missing in that boy?
A mean streak
How did Ali (Hassan's father) and Baba get to know each other as children?
Grew up together
According to Amir, what word does Baba never refer to Ali as?
Friend
What is the explanation for why Amir and Hassan do not think of each other as friends?
Ethnic and religious differences
What kind of movies are Amir and Hassan's favorite?
Westerns
How are Amir and Hassan's daily routines different?
Amir goes to school, Hassan stays and does chores
What does Amir carve into a pomegranate tree?
Amir & Hassan, the sultans of Kabul
What do Amir and Hassan do under the tree?
Amir reads stories because Hassan is illiterate
What does Amir feel guilty about with Hassan?
Told him that imbecile means smart and intelligent
What is the boys' favorite story, and what is the story about?
Rostam & Sohrab - Tale of a warrior and his horse
What is Hassan's reaction to the story that Amir makes up and tells him?
He clapped and said it was the best story yet
What is Amir's first written story about?
Man who finds a magic cup - his tears in it turn to pearls
How does Baba react when Amir tells him he has written a story?
Feigned interest
How does Rahim Khan respond to Amir's story?
Very encouraging, tells him to hone his talent
What does Amir wish about Rahim Khan? Why does he vomit after his wish?
Wishes he could be his father; guilt
What question does Hassan have for Amir about his story? What effect does the question have on Amir?
Why did the man kill his wife - why not just smell an onion? This angers Amir.
Why does Amir feel envious of Hassan?
Ali comforted Hassan
How has their "way of life" ended in chapter 5?
Communist coup detat
What does Amir see on Baba's face for the first time in this chapter?
Fear
What has happened to the government of Afghanistan on July 17, 1973?
Civil war, Coup
Who is Assef, and what object does he always have with him?
Staff, brass knuckles
What is the English word that describes Assef, and what does it mean?
Sociopath - extreme antisocial tendencies and lack of conscience
Why does Amir think Assef usually leaves him alone?
Because Baba is his father
What historical figure does Assef admire?
Hitler
How does Hassan rescue Amir from Assef?
Threatened with a slingshot
What does Baba give Hassan for his birthday?
Plastic surgery for his cleft lip
What does Amir envy about Hassan?
Baba's affection
How does the surgery go for Hassan?
Well
What is every kid's favorite season in Kabul, and why?
Winter - schools closed
Who is Saifo, and what is his special talent?
A moochi - shoe repairman; he makes the best kites
In Afghanistan, what are the "rules" of kite fighting?
No rules, fly your kite and cut the opponents'
What is a kite runner?
Kides who chased cut kites
What makes Hassan such a great kite runner?
He could spot where they would land
What give Amir the sense that sometimes he's looking at two faces when he looks at Hassan?
That he has a second face lurking below the surface
If he wins the kite fighting tournament, what does Amir think he might be pardoned for?
For being unworthy to Baba - pardoned for killing his mom
What makes Amir sad about Hassan when they talk about the future?
Sad for who Hassan was and where he lived
When they play cards, what does Amir suspect about Hassan?
That Hassan let him win
What does Ali do whenever Hassan leaves the house?
Says a prayer
During the kite tournament, whom does Amir steal glances at?
Baba
What are some reasons winning the kite tournament would be important to Amir?
Salvation, redemption
How does Baba react when Amir wins?
Hollering and clapping
Where does Hassan go? What does he say to Amir before he leaves his side?
Runs the kite; "I will run the blue kite for you
What Amir finds Hassan, who is with him? What does Hassan have with him?
Assef, the blue kite
What happens to Hassan?
He is raped by Assef
What does Amir do when this happens to Hassan?
Bites his fist and shuts his eyes - then runs
What is the look Amir recognizes on Hassan's face?
Resignation
How does Baba react when he sees Amir? What has Amir forgotten in that moment?
Hugs Amir - Amir forgets what he'd done to Hassan
What does Ali ask Amir about Hassan? How does Amir respond?
Did something happen to him? Lies and says he doesn't know
What is different about Baba in his interactions with Amir?
He seems proud
What does Amir do on the ride into Jalalabad?
Gets carsick
How does Amir feel on the day he gets to spend with Baba?
Empty
What does Amir mean when he says, "in the silence that followed, I understood the nature of my new curse: I was going to get away with it.
With lying about knowing nothing about Hassan's rape
When Hassan attempts to rekindle his relationship with Amir, how does Amir react and why does he react that way?
He pushes away because he was raped
How does Baba react when Amir brings up the idea of getting new servants?
Baba gets angry
Why does Amir throw pomegranates at Hassan?
Wants Hassan to punish him
How does Hassan respond to Amir throwing pomegranates at him?
Refuses to hit Amir
By the summer of 1976, what is happening to the relationship between Amir and Baba?
It is cooling off
Why is Baba throwing a big party in chapter 8?
Amir's birthday
Who attends the party? What does Amir notice about the way his guest interacts with his parents?
Assef and his family - They act subservient to Baba
What present does Amir receive from Assef?
Biography of Hitler
What personal story does Rahim Khan tell Amir?
About how he was almost married
When he's talking to Rahim Khan, what does Amir almost do?
Tells him about Hassan's rape
What does Rahim Khan give Amir?
Notebook for his stories
What does Amir see in the flash of light from fireworks?
Hassan serving drinks to Assef