The Kite Runner Context Author & Book GeographyHistoryCultureReligion

The Kite RunnerThe Kite Runner Context Context

Author & BookAuthor & BookGeographyGeography

HistoryHistoryCultureCultureReligionReligion

Author Khaled HosseiniAuthor Khaled Hosseini

• Born in Kabul, Afghanistan in 1965

• In 3rd grade he taught a 31-year-old Hazara man to read and write

• In 1973 he was in 4th grade when the Afghan king was overthrown

Khaled HosseiniKhaled Hosseini

• His family moved to San Jose, CA, in 1980

• He is a medical doctor

• His first novel was The Kite Runner, which has sold over 3 million copies worldwide

Khaled HosseiniKhaled Hosseini

• His second novel is A Thousand Splendid Suns

• It was published in 2007

• While The Kite Runner focuses on men, Suns focuses on women

Novel AccoladesNovel Accolades

• ALA Notable Book • Alex Award • Entertainment

Weekly's Best Book 2003

• San Francisco Chronicle Best Book of the Year 2003

What is kite running?What is kite running?

• A favorite pastime in Afghanistan for over 100 years

• Two people are involved: one holds the spool; the other holds the string

• The string is sharp because it is made with razor wire


• Competitors fight against other kites from around the city

• The goal is to cut the other kite’s string

• The kite runner collects the defeated kite that flutters to the ground


• Kites come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors

• Under Taliban rule, kite flying was outlawed in Afghanistan

• Kite running has now resurfaced

Afghanistan GeographyAfghanistan Geography

• A little smaller than Texas

• Rugged, mountainous terrain

• Population of 32 million (Texas has a pop. of 23 million)

• Life expectancy is 43, compared to 78 in the United States

Afghanistan GeographyAfghanistan Geography

• Low literacy rate:– 51% for males– 21% for females

• Official languages are Dari and Pashto

• Form of government: Islamic Republic

• Predominant religion is Islam (99%)

Afghanistan HistoryAfghanistan History

• Was invaded and conquered for years

• The Kite Runner begins in 1973, when the army overthrew the monarchy.

• Daoud Khan declared himself president, but was eventually overthrown by the same army that led him to power.

• Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979.


• A resistance group called the mujahidin (holy strugglers) fought against the socialist, Soviet leaders.

• The mujahidin was aided by the United States, Saudi Arabia, and other countries.

• Soviet army withdrew in 1989—ten years after they had invaded.

• The mujahidin takeover in 1992 resulted in civil war.


• In the 1990s the Taliban assumed control and introduced the Islamic law.

• Battles, ethnic genocide, pillage, famine, and misery followed.

• After 9/11, the U.S. entered Afghanistan.• By November 2001, the Taliban had lost

control of Kabul.• Since 2001, a new government in

Afghanistan has tried to establish itself.

Ethnic Groups: PashtunsEthnic Groups: Pashtuns

• Pashtuns make up 42% of the population

• Highest ethnicity on the social ladder

• Dominate government bodies

• Language is Pashtu• Mainly Sunni Muslims

Ethnic Groups: TajiksEthnic Groups: Tajiks

• Tajiks make up 27% of the population

• Second largest ethnic group in Afghanistan

• Live in towns and cities as well as the country

Ethnic Groups: HazarasEthnic Groups: Hazaras

• Hazaras make up 9% of the population

• Have Mongolian origins: seen as outsiders

• Decendents of Genghis Khan’s army?

• Mainly Shi’ite Muslilms

IslamIslam

• Second largest religion in the world

• 1.3 billion followers in 2006

• Fastest-growing religion in the world

• Prophet Mohammed received the word of God (Qur’an) during A. D. 610-632

• Allah is the name for God in Arabic

• People who have completed good deeds get to go to heaven

Five Pillars of IslamFive Pillars of Islam

1. Declaration of Faith

2. Five Daily Prayers

3. Giving of Charity

4. Ramadan Fasting

5. Pilgrimage to Mecca

Islam: Two SectsIslam: Two Sects*Split happened after Mohammed’s death*Split happened after Mohammed’s death

• Sunni Muslims– 80% of population– Follow the most

knowledgeable leader

• Shi’a Muslims– 19% of population– Follow the leaders

who are blood-related to Mohammed

Taliban’s Rules for AllTaliban’s Rules for All

• No one can listen to music.

• No one can watch movies, television, or videos.

• All Afghan youth must have short hair or be subject to forced haircuts.

• All Afghans must attend prayers in mosques five times a day.


• In any sporting events, onlookers may not clap.

• Anyone who carries objectionable literature will be executed.

• Anyone who converts from Islam to any other religion will be executed.

• Non-Muslim minorities must stitch a yellow cloth onto their dress to be differentiated from the majority.


• No one may use the Internet, including foreigners.

• No one may dance at weddings.

• No one may gamble.

• No burying of anyone who was killed by the Taliban. Bodies must remain in the streets as examples to other “wrongdoers.”

Punishments for Rule-BreakersPunishments for Rule-Breakers

• Public whipping• Public stoning• Amputation of limbs• Public hanging• Imprisonment• Public shooting• Public execution• Dangling of bodies from cranes• Public beatings

Taliban’s Rules for WomenTaliban’s Rules for Women

• Females may not work outside the home

• Females may not study at schools, universities, or any other educational institution

• Females must wear a long veil (burqa) which covers them from head to toe

• Females whose ankles are visible will be whipped in public


• Females may not use cosmetics

• Females may not laugh loudly

• Females may not wear high heel shoes. Men must never head a woman’s footsteps.

• Females may not play sports or enter a sports center or club


• Females may not ride bicycles or motorcycles

• Females may not wear brightly colored clothes

• All home windows must be painted black so females cannot be seen from outside their homes

• Females may not be filmed or photographed

Punishments for Rule-BreakersPunishments for Rule-Breakers

• Public whipping• Public stoning• Amputation of limbs• Public hanging• Imprisonment• Public shooting• Public execution• Dangling of bodies from cranes• Public beatings

Kite RunnerKite Runner movie movie

• Released December 14, 2007

• Directed by Marc Forster

• Filmed mainly in China

• Banned in Afghanistan

• Roger Ebert ranked it the #5 film of 2007

Other Marc Forster FilmsOther Marc Forster Films

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The Kite Runner Context Author & Book GeographyHistoryCultureReligion