1 / 17

What Makes a Kite Fly

Follow the story of Amir and Hassan, two young boys in Afghanistan, as they participate in the thrilling sport of kite fighting. Explore the rules, materials, and dangers of this ancient art form, and witness how it impacts their lives. Will their friendship withstand the test of time?

sharonrhodes
Download Presentation

What Makes a Kite Fly

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. What Makesa Kite Fly & Other Mysteries of Flight

  2. The Kite Runner • Story of two friends • Amir and Hassan • Young boys in Afghanistan • Participated in “kite fighting” • Amir – well-to-do boy • kite flyer • Hassan - poorer of the two • Designated the “runner” • Retrieved kites that “got away”

  3. The Art of “Kite Fighting” • Common hobby of Afghans • before Russian invasion • sport banned by current authorities • Sport • that became an art form • Matter of honor • to compete

  4. Official “Kite Fighting” Rules • The Unit • 2 persons • 1 to fly the kite (leader) • 1 to feed wire from spool • many X’s blamed for losing fight

  5. Official “Kite Fighting” Rules • The Kite • Gudiparan (flying doll) • many sizes • 12” dia. to human size • average fighter • 3.5’ wingspan • materials • tissue paper • bamboo • flexibility

  6. Official “Kite Fighting” Rules • The Wire (Tar) • glass-coated cutting line • most flyers make their own • secret recipe: ground glass, glue, mushed rice, etc. • wire coated, dried and wound on drum • connects kite to leader • determines success of fight • quality varies greatly • materials and cost

  7. Official “Kite Fighting” Rules • The Drum (Charkha) • primarily for wire storage • crucial part of kite fighting • rapid release critical • light – for ease of use • normally made of wood • cutting line on drum • may weigh over 9 lbs • at least 1,000 feet of wire

  8. Official “Kite Fighting” Rules • The Hazards • dangerous sport for children • many children cut to the bone • wrapped leather around index finger • many would climb on roof • best view and access to wind • many would fall • break bones or loss of life

  9. Official “Kite Fighting” Rules • The Fight (Jang) • 2 or more kites / close proximity • sometime more than 25 • wires touch • fight begins • fight length • split second to ½ hour • depending on wind, tar quality and skill • general concept • release wire – as fast as possible • greater release per second • better chance of winning • generally • one with experience and patience will win

  10. Official “Kite Fighting” Rules • Loser of Kite Fight • wire would be cut • kite released into air • following direction of wind • opportunity for someone else to catch and own it • the position of Hassan • the Kite Runner

  11. Chapter 6 – kite flying‘ In Kabul, fighting kites was a little like going to war’. • Annotate and decorate your kite in pairs referring to p43 -45. • ‘The Hindi kid would soon learn what the British learned earlier in the century, and what the Russians would eventually learn by the late 1980s: that Afghans are an independent people. Afghans cherish customs but abhor rules’.

  12. Chapter 7 • Hassan’s Dream – the monster in the lake – Amir’s cruelty – is Hassan aware? Discuss in pairs referring to p52- 54. • P53 ‘The streets glistened with fresh snow and the sky was a blameless blue/’ • P55 ‘Next to me Hassan held the spool, his hands already bloodied by the string.’ (reversal at end of novel, Amir has bloodied hands for Sohrab) • P58 ‘You won, Amir agha.’ ‘We won! We won!’ • p59 reread in pairs and be prepared to comment in 5 minutes

  13. Qargha Lake

  14. ‘For you a thousand times over.’ – Amir says to Sohrab at end of book, echoing Hassan’s words to him. Amir gets his redemption through patiently waiting on Hassan’s son and taking a beating for him. • P62 THE ALLEY That winter Amir becomes what he is. What is that? Coward? Deserter? Judas? Or just a little boy who is scared?

  15. p.63/64 • Assef, Wali and Kamal trap Hassan in the alley, he wants the kite for Amir; they want revenge. • ‘Before you sacrifice yourself for him, think about this. Would he do the same for you?’ • ‘I opened my mouth, almost said something. Almost.’ • ‘I just watched. Paralyzed.’ • ‘I bit on my fist. Shut my eyes.’ • Amir trades Hassan for the kite.

  16. Homework • Prepare to feedback on how Hosseini describes the rape/ how the narrator relates the information. • P62 THE ALLEY That winter Amir becomes what he is. What is that? Coward? Deserter? Judas? Or just a little boy who is scared? Be prepared to discuss this with quotes to back up your points. • Prepare Chapter 8

More Related