Chapter 05 and 06

Brief Plot Summary Ch 05

• The coup and a night of terror

• The encounter with Assef

• Hassan the protector

• The surgery for Hassan

Brief Plot Summary Ch 06

• The importance of kites and kite fighting

• Amir and Hassan get the same kites from Baba

• The discussion between Amir and Hassan while waiting for the kite

• Pressure to win from Baba

• The night before the tournament

Literary Elements

Foreshadowing

• Assef’s attack on Amir and Hassan

• Baba’s unusually generous gift for a servant’s son suggests there is more going on in this relationship.

• Hassan predicts they will do well.

Themes

• Man’s inhumanity to man

• Strength of character

• Relationship between fathers and sons

• Loyalty and devotion

• Discrimination, bigotry, and class structure

Character Development

• Amir

• Hassan

• Baba

• Ali

• Assef

Symbolism

• The Slingshotprotection

• Brass knucklesViolence

• The KiteHope

Significant Passages

• Ali and Hassan (38)• Baba and Amir (39)• Amir defends Hassan? (44)• Hassan’s defense (45)• The surgery (49 - 50)• Buying the same kites (54)• Amir’s and Hassan’s relationship (57 - 58)• Winning for his father (60)• Hassan’s devotion to Amir (62)

Closing thoughts