Allusions

A brief, usually indirect reference to a person, place, event, or piece of literature—real or fiction—that somehow emphasizes the theme of a work.

Dominate

Allusions in “The Kite Runner”Literary and Philosophical References Cain and Abel (throughout) Omar Khayyám (3.28, 8.94, 20.52) Hãfez (3.28, 3.29, 8.94, 20.52) Masnawi, Rumi (3.28) Rumi (3.29, 20.52) Saadi (3.29, 20.52) Victor Hugo (3.29) Victor Hugo, Les Miserables

(24.195, 24.198) Jules Verne (3.29) Mark Twain (3.29) Ferdowsi, Shahnamah (4.23, 8.45,

9.16, 11.89, 16.39, 17.7, 25.37, 25.39)

David and Goliath (5.53, 22.136-22.153)

Ibrahim (7.134) Sir Walter Scott, Ivanhoe (8.48) Jesus Christ (12.15, 21.82) Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights

(12.35) Beydel (20.52) Jami (20.52) The Virgin Mary (24.219)

Historical References Nadir Shah (2.7, 10.7, 19.105) Ali ibn Abi Talib (2.33) Henry Kissinger (3.44, 3.45) Mohammed Zahir Shah (4.1, 5.8,

8.97, 11.5, 11.7, 25.119) Mullah Nasruddin (4.12, 4.13,

21.48, 21.50, 21.51, 21.54, 25.120) Mohammed Daoud Khan (5.8, 5.33,

6.49, 6.52) Adolf Hitler (5.38, 5.39, 8.125) Jimmy Carter (11.5) Leonid Brezhnev (11.5) Ronald Reagan (11.5, 11.72) George H. Bush (11.72) Hussein bin Talal (13.7) Aisha bint Abu Bakr (23.4, 23.9,

23.99) Dan Rather (25.106) Tom Brokaw (25.106) Hamid Karzai (25.106, 25.119)

Dominate

Themes

Unifying or dominant ideas, lessons, or morals found within a work which make a statement regarding human nature.

Dominate

Dominate

Themes in “The Kite Runner”RedemptionGuiltForgivenessFriendshipComing of AgeCowardiceSearch for

IdentityEthnic Tensions

Fathers and Sons

BetrayalGoodness Immigrant

ExperiencePowerThe American

Dream

Motifs

Recurring structures, objects, contrasts, images, themes and literary devices that can help to develop and inform the text’s major themes.

Dominate

Motifs

A reoccurring object, symbol, concept, or structure in a work of literature. A motif may also be two contrasting elements in work such as good and evil.

Motifs are important because they allow one to see main points and themes that the author may be trying to express. This should help one interpret the piece more accurately.

Dominate

Motif as an Image:animals, money, plants, objects

“Lord of the Flies”

Dominate

Motif as an Archetype

Heroes, damsels in distress, evil sorcerers, faithful sidekicks, families

Dominate

Motif as an Abstract Idea: emotions and ideas

Power Struggles, Search for identity, etc.

Eternity and Time Secrets and Innocence

Dominate

Common Motifs

•Clothing•Seasons•Colors•Separation•Serpent•Trickery•Floods•Revenge•Tree•Journey of Escape•The Lost•Savior/Sacrificial Friend•Inward Struggle•Madness•Garden•Importance of Threes

Dominate

Motifs in “The Kite Runner”

Scars Trees

Kites Weapons

Dominate

Annotations

As you continue reading, you will responsible for

annotating, paying special attention to allusions, themes, and motifs.

Dominate

Annotations: Allusions

Write down the following directions in the inside cover of your book (or on a sticky note).

Identify at least three allusions within the text of “The Kite Runner.” In your annotation, explain the significance of the allusion, describing how it relates to the text.

Dominate

Annotations: Themes Dominate

Write down the following directions in the inside cover of your book (or on a sticky note).

Select five themes from the previous slide relating to the themes in “The Kite Runner.” Track these themes throughout the novel. Find at least two quotes to support each theme and explain how these quotes advance the theme. (Total of 10 quotes)

Annotations: Motifs Dominate

Write down the following directions in the inside cover of your book (or on a sticky note).

Select three motifs from the previous slide relating to the motifs in “The Kite Runner.” Track these motifs throughout the novel. How do the motifs advance the mood of the novel? What is the mood?

Ticket out the Door

What motif reoccurred throughout my slide presentation and what does it mean to you?