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Kite Runner: Chapter 4
Element

Notes

Plot summary

This chapter describes how Ali came into Baba’s life, mirroring
the relationship between Hassan and Amir
...
We see how Hassan triggers Amir’s love of writing
short stories, which is received in different ways by Baba and
Rahim Khan
...


Themes and
features

Ali and Baba grew up together as “childhood playmates”, after Ali
was orphaned and adopted by Baba’s father
...
In addition, just as Baba never referred to Ali
as his friend, Amir never refers to Hassan as his friend either
...
Like the games of “cowboys and Indians” they play,
the boys obsessively watch Westerns (especially those featuring
John Wayne)
...
This also creates symbolism
which is reflected in Baba’s film star status, shown through his
black Ford Mustang and high profile in the neighbourhood
...

Amir and Hassan have polar-opposite daily routines
...
In contrast, Amir wakes up late
and repetitively complains about his homework, apparently
unaware of the privileges he has been afforded due to his
ethnicity
...

Setting: Kabul appears to be a busy, exciting place which is safe
for children to walk through the streets
...
This may perhaps hint at how American culture is idolised indeed, the US calls itself “the land of the free” and we see how

Amir dreams of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge
...

The disused cemetery (a recurring motif) is a refuge for Amir and
Hassan - a place they escape to after school
...
This also shows how death
always has - and always will be - a part of life for the two boys
...
This is deeply ironic as it is not long
before Kabul will be turned to rubble and both Ali and Amir
struggle to start a family
...
Hassan and
Amir both carve their names into the pomegranate tree, too
...
He then
says that imbecile means “smart, intelligent” and proceeds to call
Hassan it
...

When Amir tricks Hassan and makes up a story on the spot for
him, this triggers Amir’s first story writing experience as Hassan
claps at the story and asks for Amir to read him more of it
tomorrow
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However, Rahim Khan asks to read the story
and then gives Amir feedback in the form of a note in which he
congratulates him and says that he has a “special talent”
...
This idea of the Plot Hole
angers Amir and we see how serious the racial divide is - it
cannot even be bridged by the boys’ lifelong friendship
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Context

American culture influences the boys through their consumption
of Coca Cola and love of cheesy Western movies
...
This perpetuates the cultural

and social gap between Afghans
...

Afghanis = Afghan currency
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Inshallah = 'God willing' - expressing hope for the future
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