Dedicated To The One Of The Greatest Novels Ive Ever Read THE KITE RUNNER by KHALED HOSSEINI Done by: Abdurahimova Mahfuza Faculty: English Literature. - презентация

1 Dedicated To The One Of The Greatest Novels Ive Ever Read THE KITE RUNNER by KHALED HOSSEINI Done by: Abdurahimova Mahfuza Faculty: English Literature

2 Khaled Hosseini For You a Thousand Times over…..

3 Source: Accessed 17 February

4 KABUL 1960

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6 Pashtuns Majority ethnic group at 42% Tajiks 27% of population Hazaras A minority ethnic group 9% of Afghanistans population

7 12% of the population is comprised or the Turkmen (3%) and Uzbeks (9%). The remaining 10% of the population is comprised of the Nuristans, an ancient people of Mediterranean descent, the Fariswan, the ethnic Shia Persians, the relatively few in number Baluchis of the south and the scattered members of the Kuchi and Aimaq nomads.

8 Soviets invade Mujahideen take power Taliban come to power Civil WarNATO arrive

9 A landlocked country located in central Asia, focal point of regional trade and migration s: Buffer state in rivalry between British Indian Empire and Russia. 1919, 1924: Declared full independence and first constitution is established. Through 1970s: Ruled by monarchy then constitutional monarchy – 1973: King Mohammad Zahir Shah reigned during the longest period of stability.

10 1973: Kings brother-in-law waged a coup and declared a republic. 1978: People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan organized an coup détat, promoted freedom of religion and womens rights. 1979: USSR invaded, killed the president and up to 2 million civilians. Over 5 million fled the country. 1989: U.S. sent aid to the mujahideen to stop communist expansion, Soviets withdrew.

11 Since 1979, Afghanistan has been in a continuous state of open warfare. There are various ethnic groups: Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras and others. Pashtu and Dari are considered the official languages. Approximately 99% of the population is Muslim; of those 84% are of the Sunni sect. There has been a long history of an ethnic hierarchy. Traditionally, Pashtuns have dominated the country.

12 The world Taliban is the plural of and Arabic word, Talib or someone who seeks religious knowledge before he becomes a preacher in a mosque They were the sons of Afghan refugees in Pakistan and attended Pakistani schools of theology Became active in October 1994 in Qandahar and continued there advances in the country with help of Pakistan By 1997 they held about 90 percent of the Afghan territory, including Kabul THE TALIBAN ACHIEVEMENT They brought relative peace and security in the country

13 The banished the warlords and forced to the northeastern corner the country and formed the Northern Alliance Restored law and order but through rigorous enforcement of Islamic punishment: public beating, flogging, amputation of hands, and stoning to death The Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Suppression of Vice was the powerful arm of the Taliban government. The ministry issued strict religious decrees that denied people the right to freedom of expression, association, the right to work, and the right to education They prohibited games such as kite flying, chess, music, cassette

14 No one can listen to music. No one can watch television, movies or videos. No citizen can have a non- Islamic name. Men may not shave or trim their beards. No one may fly kites. In any sporting event, no one may clap. Anyone who converts from Islam to any other religion will be executed. No burying of anyone who was killed by the Taliban. Bodies must remain in the streets as examples to other wrongdoers. Source: Amnesty International USA The Kite Runner Companion Curriculum. Accessed on 17 February 2008, p

15 May not work outside the home. May not participate in any activity outside the home unless accompanied by her husband or male relative. May not be treated by male doctor. May not study at any institutions, including schools and universities. Must wear the long veil (burqa) which covers them from head to toe. If found guilty of adultery, will be publically stoned to death. May not laugh loudly – no stranger should hear a womans voice. May not wear high heels – no man should hear a womans footsteps.

16 Khaled Hosseini was born in Kabul, Afghanistan in His mother was a teacher and his father a diplomat. His family left Afghanistan for a posting in Paris in 1976, well before the Communist coup and the Soviet invasion. They intended to return, but sought political asylum in the US in He now lives in California, where he works as a doctor. (Sherman 2006, p.5) Source: Khaled Hosseini Website accessed 17 February

17 largely fictional autobiographical elements assimilating into a new culture

18 Relationship: Khaled taught Hossein Khan, the familys racial Hazara cook to read and write despite the social injustice and racial bias imposed by their society.Hossein Khan Memories: Fond recollections of pre-Soviet era childhood in Afghanistan. Literature: Persian stories and poems, characters and themes presented in John Steinbecks The Grapes of Wrath.

19 Hosseini states: The story line of my novel is largely fictional. The characters were invented and the plot imagined. However, there certainly are, as is always the case with fiction, autobiographical elements woven through the narrative. Probably the passages most resembling my own life are the ones in the US, with Amir and Baba trying to build a new life. I, too, came to the US as an immigrant and I recall vividly those first few years in California, the brief time we spent on welfare, and the difficult task of assimilating into a new culture. My father and I did work for a while at the flea market and there really are rows of Afghans working there, some of whom I am related to. (Razeshta Sethna: in Sherman 2006, p. 5)

20 Hosseini wanted to write about Afghanistan before the Soviet war because that is largely a forgotten period in modern Afghan history. For many people in the west, Afghanistan is synonymous with the Soviet war and the Taliban. He explains: I wanted to remind people that Afghans had managed to live in peaceful anonymity for decades, that the history of the Afghans in the twentieth century has been largely peaceful and harmonious. (Newsline Publications 2001 in Sherman 2006, p. 5)

21 big parties famine Cinema Park war long school days in summer kite fighting landmines picnics Afghanistan after Soviet Occupation Afghanistan before Soviet Occupation

22 1. Afghanistan (Amirs childhood): Chapters 2-10 (pg3-108) 2. USA, California (Amir growing up & marrying): Chapters (pg ) Return with Sohrab: End of Chapter 25 (pg ) 3. Afghanistan & Pakistan (Amirs journey to redemption - finding Sohrab): Chapters (pg )

23 The Hazaras are most easily identified by their tendency to have light colored and almond shaped eyes and round faces. They are possibly direct descendents of Genghis Khan, who invaded Afghanistan in the 13 th century. Thus, they are seen as invaders and not true Afghanis.

24 The Hazaras typically function as the servant class and partake in few of the freedoms enjoyed by the Pashtun upper-class. Hazara (cont.)

25 Introduction Structurally the novel can be divided into two distinct parts: The first part of the novel introduces Amir and Khans typical friendship when they were still kids and just as importantly their growing fondness over kites. The second section portrays Amirs struggles to fight the guilt he feels over his betrayal over Hassan and ultimately the amazing twist of fate that allows him to redeem himself over his mistakes over the past and this live a normal life.

26 Climax The climax in the book is when Amir meets Assef who is now a Talib who has Sohrab. Amir goes to rescue him and a fight breaks out. Sohrab who is like his father before any thought saves Amir with a deadly sling shot.

27 The Turning Points At the end of chapter 9 there is a turning point as it is the end of Hassan & Amirs relationship. The is when we realize that Hassan knew Amir witnessed the raping all along & that he lied & said that it was he that stole the watch just to protect Amir. Also this is the first time Amir sees Baba cry & is surprised that Baba forgives Hassan and begs him to stay. Chapter seven begins with a dream that Hassan had about facing fear. His dream symbolises facing fears straight on.

28 Flashbacks & Foreshadowing Khaled Hosseini frequently uses flashback and foreshadowing. Most of the novel, which begins in 2001 and ends in 2002, is an elaborate flashback that brings the reader from the narrator's childhood to his young adulthood to his manhood. Within this structure, Hosseini's use of time devices provide the reader and the narrator with information about what has happened outside the action of the novel

29 The Phone Call - Redemption Living with his wife among the community of Afghan exiles in San Francisco, Amir remains haunted by a shameful episode from his childhoodhe betrayed the trust of Hassan, his playmateand longs for the opportunity to make amends for his dishonorable behavior. The chance for redemption comes when Amir receives a phone call from a family friend exiled in Pakistan who informs him that the Taliban have executed Hassan and his wife. Their son must be rescued from a Kabul orphanage.

30 jan – a term of endearment often used after a persons name: Baba jan agha – leader, ruler, master, lord sahib – friend (original), lord naan – bread Afghani Words in the book

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33 ONEDecember 2001 I became what I am today at the age of twelve, on a frigid overcast day in the winter of I remember the precise moment, crouching behind a crumbling mud wall, peeking into the alley near the frozen creek. That was a long time ago, but its wrong what they say about the past, Ive learned, about how you can bury it. Because the past claws its way out. Looking back now, I realize I have been peeking into that deserted alley for the last twenty- six years. One day last summer, my friend Rahim Khan called from Pakistan. He asked me to come see him. Standing in the kitchen with the receiver to my ear, I knew it wasnt just Rahim Khan on the line. It was my past of unatoned sins. After I hung up, I went for a walk along Spreckels Lake on the northern edge of Golden Gate Park. The early-afternoon sun sparkled on the water where dozens of miniature boats sailed, propelled by a crisp breeze. Then I glanced up and saw a pair of kites, red with long blue tails, soaring in the sky. They danced high above the trees on the west end of the park, over the windmills, floating side by side like a pair of eyes looking down on San Fransisco, the city I now call home. And suddenly Hassans voice whispered in my head: For you, a thousand times over. Hassan the harelipped kite runner. I sat on a park bench near a willow tree. I thought about something Rahim Khan said just before he hung up, almost as an afterthought. There is a way to be good again. I looked up at those twin kites. I thought about Hassan. Thought about Baba. Ali. Kabul. I thought of the life I had lived until the winter of 1975 came along and changed everything. And made me what I am today.

34 Poetic imagery used to describe Hassan – reinforces expression of love he still feels for Hassan – lyrical language associated with significant characters & key places (Kabul of childhood – comparison with later) Kinship between A & H – shared same wet nurse. First words. H taking blame for A – unquestioning loyalty, A more unsure – sets mould for events to come Lack of mothers and wives make relationships stronger – role of women characterised by absence Baba introduced as powerful man – sets pattern: quest for approval & view of intellectual abilities as sign of weakness. Wrestling bear anecdote & building of orphanage = futility of Amirs desire Roles of ethnicity & history – teasing & taunting of Hazaras, book of persecution, belonged to mother & dismissed by teacher – difference in way Amir is brought up Reading of stories (cemetery & pomegranate tree)– friendly & compassionate but A retains power – 1 st story masters irony, sad & disturbing but Hassan spots plot hole Noises of coup – change in narrative, relationship with Hassan & in traditional Afghanistan. Assefs role – foreshadowing sexual threat & As lack of self-confidence. Correction of cleft lip – love & jealousy, foreshadowing

35 Both A & H enjoy/excel – draws closer. Baba approves. Symbol of freedom & independence – one against many. Amir is usually unwilling to get hurt but will risk for something he truly believes in. Descriptions of wintertime in Kabul – reinforces freedom through poetic imagery – remembered with love, beauty of season. Eating dirt evidence of rift A feels – uneasiness at placing in superior position. Hs response shows clearer understanding of balance of power (allows A to win at cards) Pomegranate tree no longer refuge – brings feelings of guilt. Attack suggests breaking of bond as pomegranates are symbol of bond. Hits self – acceptance A saw on his face at rape – refuse to allow A to assuage guilt by fighting back. Hs dream – presented as heroes – seems like a positive omen, Hs allegiance & love for A. However, lurking monster – H conscious of cruelty hiding beneath & wishes A to banish it as he does to monster Later realisation he was monster – self-pitying & melodramatic tone. Views guilt & illness as deserved punishment just as he believed poor relationship with father was punishment for killing mother

36 Rape scene – event story hangs on (foreshadowed & referred back to). Narrative interrupted by memories – suggests difficulty in dealing with reality – mind, as a boy, tried to distance. Few details given increase our horror at scene Juxtaposition of tournament & attack – winning contrasted with losing (latter outweighs) as witness must choose between friend & father. Describes Hs expression – same as eating dirt = direct comparison to bully. Alley = dark, rarely used, illicit & secret – viewing like sexual voyeurism – possible to dismiss as not in mainstream life Clear winters day – sun & clear blue sky described as blameless. Winning = glorious event makes rape all the more disturbing – has dirtied clean snow white day Aftermath = pretends not occurred – anger at H being missing, denies & avoids – trips & trying to get rid of servants = distancing. Car sickness & insomnia signs of weakness, guilt physical Assef at party = shadow/spectre of Hitler. Symbolic link between Assefs bullying & Amirs. Final vision = Assef bullying & A failing to stop it. Presents – guilt overshadows joy (profits of sin) 2 significant: notebook reward for writing, storybook – reminds of what lost, provokes guilt Framing H – attempt to remove, not relieve, guilt. Realises should have been honest – likens to film but too late. Ali knows, similar to son – protects but refuses to relieve guilt. Baba cries = affection and forgiveness unexpected. Pathetic fallacy of rainstorm – rare in summer – Amirs symbolic tears

37 Baba & Amir contrasted – As car sickness = weakness against Bs bravery/strength – contrasts with actions in alley. Leap forward in time – contrast earlier positive Kabul with emigration from dangerous country. Russian sings Afghan wedding song – sign of presence but also lack of respect Husband of woman B protects kneels & kisses hand = respect which is absent in driver. Traditional Afghanistan contrasted with new. Vivid description of basement (claustrophobic) contrasts with house = change in status. Pg105 change to present tense = immediacy of oil tanker & final leg. Death of Kamal = symbolic of chance for A to escape without baggage of past. Chap 11 echoes events of Chap 3 = Babas reputation & events demonstrating stature but attributes different in American context A fits in better – placates grocery clerk & graduates. B not adapted so well – illness = reaction to not being in Afghanistan – pining as he wastes away but visitors = high regard Bs natural abilities in evidence - best friends of customers during celebration of As graduation. Market = success against odds in new context. Continuation of spirit – As narrative shows same regard – holding onto heritage

38 Meets Soraya – beautiful & makes instant impression. Her past (pg123-4) – sentiment A can relate to. Descriptive language recalls poetic lang. used to introduce H & describe Kabul in winter. S taught servant to read – contrasts As refusal to teach H. Echoes of mother & reflection of person he wishes he could have been Amir doesnt go to ask for hand in marriage = respect for father but also continued timidity. Wedding traditional – final attempt to make B proud. Wedding song = safety of USA, A growing into heritage but past not escaped – looking in mirror = intimate moment is thinking of Hassan Bs death – relinquish hold on life – son has become man. Reading stories – putting to rest As constant need to make proud. Funeral realises how large a figure & gap left to fill. RK knew secret – powerful influence. Offered way to be good again pg168 Publishing of novels = like rape – trading one success (fatherhood) for another. Success contrasts with change in fate of Afghanistan – civil war & infighting Childlessness – dreams of H = juxtaposed. Suggests cannot have children until debt paid – memories of friendship & loyalty, repetition of For you, a thousand times over pg169 = poignancy to futility of act of lovemaking with wife. Mysterious infertility also sign of Afghans failing to thrive away from homeland – like migraines & hypochondria of Sorayas parents – A does not hold in high regard – in contrast A & S happy & healthy

39 Farids comment about him always having been a tourist in his own country. Sees Taliban in flesh for first time – stares – as though on T.V., cannot connect with reality of situation. Spectacle of stoning – juxtaposed with football match so seen in same light. Afghan people used to violence – A only one with strong emotion/reaction – naïve/childlike hiding face – not desensitized to violence. As chance to finally grow up & difficulty doing so RK & Hs letter – other voices verify points made by Amir – bring us up-to-date with state of Kabul. H stayed behind & grown/changed with country, A in suspended animation – Afghanistan more damaged than he imagined RKs voice more considered & thoughtful – different tone & sentence construction. Brought up-to-date with story of H. Return of H as character rather than symbol of guilt Deaths precipitate changes in A – RKs imminent death more significant as he was clearer guide & knew secret – offers means to overcome it. A changes from scared boy to strong man

40 Destruction of orphanage = symbolic 2 nd death of Baba (strength & compassion) – personal tragedy for childless man. Childrens vulnerability = recurring motif represent breakdown of culture & family Death of H affects profoundly – structure of language breaks down as at other moments of stress = never seek forgiveness from H Male-centred narrative continues – Hs daughter stillborn but Sohrab survives. Name taken from childhood storybook – importance of storytelling & happier times. Sohrab avid reader, talented kite runner & slingshot shooter – like son of both Request to rescue S – make penance – orphanage link = something B wouldve done, become man B wished him to be. S in converted warehouse – unsuitable. Afghanistan left as vulnerable & fatherless as orphans. Talibans crimes & own compromised morals related by director = extension of this Web of responsibility revealed – H = Bs illegitimate son – harks back to importance of bloodlines discussed in Chap 13. Realises he & B not that different BUT A denied his responsibility while B did best to make amends. A has new understanding

41 A shocked & saddened by state of Afghanistan (rich description of Peshawar reminiscent of earlier Kabul but contrasts with stark city that follows). Country he abandoned connected to feelings over relationships. State = internal landscape ravaged by years of guilt Car sickness on drive to Jalalabad – only when driving through Afghanistan = sickness caused by country itself – continued sign of weakness & detachment. Banning of Kite fighting – symbolic destruction of happier times. H rebuilds Wall of Ailing Corn – symbolic of rebuilding what used to have & boundary between haven of house & war outside. Massacre of Hazaras – prejudice engrained at higher level Wahids welcome contrasted with Farid (product of new Afghanistan = cynical like truck driver) representative of traditional hospitality. Welcome leaves no food so difficulty in maintaining values. Beggar sign of old – symbol of Talibans disregard & tragedy of modern Afghanistan BUT still persists despite terrible conditions Return to pomegranate tree – out of breath so older person. Tree dead = symbol of death of physical relationship but inscription remains so friendship can exist beyond barrier of death

42 Assef represents manifestation of As childhood fears = bully – Badly frightened but finally stands up & emulates B & Hs acts of bravery – confronting fears = journey of self discovery Appropriate rise to authority – representative of social norms being broken down – those in power behave as sociopaths – fulfilling role suited to him & emulating Hitler Blood on white clothes alters symbolism – purity & peace becomes butchers apron. Blood on white sheets = loss of virginity. A engaging in fight – losing last of naivety & innocence A comments on how much Sohrab looks like H – reminder of attack on H & spurs A on. Repeats descriptive language 1 st used to describe H (p244) – but contextual language harder & less poetic reflecting harsh circumstance. Fighting Assef = fight to save H & repay debt – lay demons to rest. Assef laughs as beating helps him pass particularly painful kidney stone – A laughs as beating finally banishes pain & guilt (tried to provoke from H by throwing pomegranates Rescued by boy with slingshot again – but deserved & no reason for shame – Sohrab performs action father threatened – ends battle started in chap 5 – circular nature of narrative

43 A dreams of self wrestling bear – finally achieved stature of father – standing up way to become man father wanted him to be. Split lip = resembles Hassan physical sign of repaying debts. RKs letter = sign of ultimate death – fitting that final part of childhood cut off Journey back no car sickness – cured weakness. Panic at Sohrab missing – new chapter beginning = responsibility. Decision to take to USA ready to be father. News of rape – pulls close rather than ignoring. Sins repented & forgiven = reward of son but path not straightforward – Soraya provides simple solution Switch to present tense = immediacy & panic/worry. During recovery, Sohrab becomes separate from H – accepted as kin & responsibility. Starts to pray – important to Sohrab & reawakening of As faith & reconnection with heritage. Survival = prayers answered Farid echoes Hs phrase (p266) demonstrates loyalty F now feels – earned through actions like Baba. A runs kite (switching roles) utters Hs phrase (p323) Return to lyrical prose used to describe most significant things – loyalty & devotion to boy Return to motif of stories – way to connect with Sohrab & apologise = reconnection with H. Kite flying – weather clearing to produce sunny skies – reflects emotional tone of scene. Sohrab withdrawn but activity H shared with A & S brings closer together

44 8. Kites 6. Pomegranate Tree 4. Rape 7. The Lamb 5. The Cleft Lip 3. Irony 2. Dreams 1. Regressing in time & storytelling

45 The Slingshot Brass Knuckles Ford Car John Lennon-style sunglasses White & Red