The Kite Runner

The Kite Runner

Exploring Individual and Cultural Identity through The Kite Runner

Summer Reading Guide

Summer Reading Guide Reminder:

Please remember, completion of the summer reading guide is optional. Your responses may be in outline, chart, or sentence format (or a combination of all three).

Essential Question One

How does the author use literary devices to impact his readers?

A) Take notes on the presence of the following literary devices (use the literary device chart to guide your note taking).

Key Literary Devices:

Characters/characterization Foreshadowing

Irony Symbolism

As you find examples of these elements, consider how the author uses these devices to engage the reader and move the story forward. Remember to note the page numbers of key quotes and events.

Essential Question Two

What are some of the universal emotions and themes that reflect the human experience?

A) Consider the following topics: Morality of silence, Redemption, and Honor. How are these present or omitted in the novel? Take notes with special attention to quotes/events that support these ideas.

B) Research the historical/cultural background of the novel’s setting. As you research, consider how the different external conflicts within the timeframe influence the progression of the plot and the main character’s internal conflicts. Also, how are some of the conflicts in the novel timeless and universal across cultures?

Character Chart

Directions: Record information about each character that helps your understanding of the character, his traits, his role in the story and his effect on other characters.

Character / Traits
(Describe the Character) / Role in the Story / Effect on other characters

Essential Question One: Notes for Literary Device Chart

Directions: Record information about each device that helps your understanding of the story and its effect on the characters. You may also use your own paper.

Device / Definition
(Describe the concept) / Role in the Story / Effect on characters
Foreshadowing / Device a writer uses to hint at a future course of action.
Irony / result or ending that is the opposite of what is expected, or situational irony
Symbolism / In a literary work or film, a person, place, thing or idea that represents something else.

Essential Question 2A: Theme Chart

Directions: Record information about each theme that helps your understanding of its role in the story and its effect on the characters. You may also use your own paper to record your own notes.

Device / Definition
(Describe the concept) / Key Quotes and/or Events (note the page #) / Effect on characters
Theme #1: Morality of Silence / The message the author communicates about life. A novel may have more than one theme.
Theme #2:
Redemption / The message the author communicates about life. A novel may have more than one theme.
Theme #3:
Honor / The message the author communicates about life. A novel may have more than one theme.

Essential Question 2B: Setting Chart

Directions: Record information about each setting that helps your understanding of the role in the story and its effect on the characters. You may also use your own paper to record your own notes.

Device / Definition
(Describe the concept) / Specifics in the Story / Effect on conflict (internal and/or external)
Setting(#1) / Where and when the story takes place. As you reflect on the setting, consider how the limitations or opportunities influence the protagonist and his conflicts.
Setting(#2)
(the setting shifts at different times in the novel) / Where and when the story takes place. As you reflect on the setting, consider how the limitations or opportunities influence the protagonist and his conflicts.

Essential Question #2B: Internal/External Conflict Progression Chart:

Directions: Retell the story of The Kite Runner with focus on the internal and external conflicts of the protagonist. Remember, an internal conflict revolves around the issue of man versus self (i.e. guilt). External conflict revolves around issues of man versus man, man versus society, and man versus nature.

Vocabulary/New word Chart

Directions: Record words, phrases and/or concepts that you encounter in your reading. As you define the words, be sure to use definitions that you understand!

Word/Concept / Page
Number / Definition / Sentence

Vocabulary Chart (continued)

Word/Concept / Page
Number / Definition/
Interpretation / Sentence