Aim How can we characterize the relationship between

Aim: How can we characterize the relationship between the narrator and Hassan? Do Now: In your notebooks, write about the person you considered your best friend when you were a child. Is that person still your best friend? What made that friendship so special?

Based on Chapter 1, what do we know about our narrator? He is now a grown man, 38 years old. He has a past of unatoned sins. He now lives in San Fransisco. Something big happened to him during the winter of 1975 that changed him and made him into what he is today.

Ethnic Groups Pashtun Hazara • High status in society • Population majority • Sunni Muslims • May have European origins • Our narrator, Baba, Rahim Khan • Low status in society • Population minority • Shi’ite Muslim • May have Mongolian origins • Hassan, Ali

Narrator Hassan Ali Baba Rahim Khan

Characterization: Find a quote from the text that provides insight into each character • The narrator • Hassan • Baba • Ali Insight: the ability to understand people and situations in a very clear way

Baba How can we characterize Baba? What kind of man is he? What kind of reputation does he have?

Discussion Questions • How does Amir differ from his father? • Which sin does Baba say is worse than any other? How does he explain why this act is so wretched? • Why does Amir think his father hates him? • In what ways is Baba disappointed in Amir? • Why does Amir snap at Hassan at the very end of Ch. 3? • How does Amir’s jealousy of Hassan reveal itself in Ch. 3?

Themes • Can you identify two themes (main ideas) that are presented in Chapter 3? OR • If someone were to ask you what Chapter 3 is about in terms of big ideas, what would you say?

Aim: How does Amir’s talent for writing give him new confidence? Do Now: Provide sentences for the following words: Immersed, vehemently, perpetually Quiz on Chapters 1 -5 on Monday

Conflicts For the following situations, indicate which type of conflict is presented, Man vs. Man, Man vs. Self, Man vs. Nature, Man vs. Society. Amir is always upset that he can’t achieve his father’s love. Amir wishes that Ali or Rahim Khan was his dad. Ali and Hassan are look down on because they are Hazaras. Baba and Rahim Kahn arguing over Amir. The story Amir reads to Hassan, Rostam mortally wounds Sohrab in battle.

Themes • Can you identify two themes (main ideas) that are presented in Chapters 1 -4? OR • If someone were to ask you what Chapters 1 -4 are about in terms of big ideas, what would you say?

Amir as Writer • Amir discovers that he has a talent for writing. Rahim Khan praises his writing and writes, “But the most impressive thing about your story is that is has irony. You may not even know what that word means. But you will someday. It is something that some writers reach for their entire careers and never attain. ” • Do you remember stories where irony was employed?