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Kite Runner: Chapter 2
Element

Notes

Plot summary

In this chapter, Amir describes the mischief that he and Hassan
used to get up to, including using a mirror to reflect sunlight into
their neighbours’ homes
...
Amir
describes the beauty of Baba’s mansion and gardens compared
to Hassan and Ali’s mud hut, as well as introducing Rahim Khan
using a photograph
...


Characters

Hassan, Amir, Baba, Rahim Khan, Ali and Sanaubar
...

However, Amir appears to manipulate gentle Hassan into “firing
walnuts” at a dog, although their closeness prevents Hassan
from dobbing Amir in
...
Whilst Hassan
and Ali are taunted for their appearance, the boys’ bond is
inseparable as they “fed from the same breast”, making them
more like brothers
...

Hassan is skilled with the slingshot and is very close to his father
Ali, feeling a great sense of devotion
...
However, Amir feels distanced from
Baba who always has his “grown-ups’ time” and pays little
attention to his son
...
The photo of
Baba holding baby Amir - with Amir’s fingers wrapped tightly
around Rahin Khan’s pinky - signifies the father-son relationship
Amir will develop with Rahim Khan
...

Sanaubar is presented as unloving and uncaring, as she was a
“beautiful but notoriously unscrupulous woman…” with a
“dishonourable reputation”
...
In comparison,
Amir's mother bled out during childbirth and was described as a
"princess"
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This created a “kinship
that not even time could break”, which is ironic as whilst Amir
abandons Hassan for the US, Hassan never stops loving Amir
...

Amir’s first word - “Baba” - is significant because by Baba’s
death, the pair have developed a close, loving relationship
despite their rocky start
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Hassan’s first word - “Amir” - shows his loyalty to Amir,
even when trust is broken and they’re separated
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Context

Pashtuns are the largest ethnic group in Afghanistan and are
Sunni Muslims, speaking the language Pashto
...
Hazaras are
descendents of Mongol settlers and Genghis Khan
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Their ancestry gives them Chinese-like features and
they were only granted equal rights in Afghanistan in 2004
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Whilst they share many beliefs including most of the 5 pillars and 6 beliefs of Islam - Shi’as
believe that Ali was the rightful successor to Muhammad (as
opposed to Abu Bakr)
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Polio is a viral, infectious disease which is associated with poor
living conditions and lack of sanitation
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The disease can cause paralysis and deformities
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Naan = bread
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Wazir Akbar Khan = wealthy suburb of Kabul where Amir lives

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