Chapters 1-3 The Kite Runner

The novel begins with a flashback.What do you think is its purpose? What do you learn about the narrator? 2. Who is Hassan? Describe him physically. What is a cleft lip? Describe him by his relationships. What was his first word? Why is that important? How did he come into Amir's life? What contrast is made between Amir and Hassan? 3. What does it mean to be Hazara, Shi’a Muslim, Afghanistan’s minority group? Who, in the story thus far, is Hazara? 4. What does it mean to be Pashtun, Sunni Muslim, Afghanistan’s majority group? Who, in the story thus far, is Pashtun? 5. How does Amir describe his home? Why do you think he elaborates this description so much? What do the details of the family pictures in Amir's house reveal? 6. Who is Sanaubar? How is she contrasted to Amir's mother? 7. Who is Ali? What do the neighborhood children call him? What does it mean? Why do they call him this?