To help with your reading of the plot, I have uploaded this "journey map" to follow during the novel.
THE KITE RUNNER Journey map
To use this you must first download Google Earth (use this link to download the correct version: download Google Earth ).
While you read you can click on each chapter and follow the guide, consider the questions that are asked and understand the geographical and cultural context of the novel.
CHAPTER ONE: Summary Ciara Little
The opening paragraph of the novel has the sole purpose to entice the reader in wanting to unravel the mysteries within. With Khaled Hosseini’s cunning use of proleptic irony paired with finely detailed descriptions and vivid use of imagery any potential reader cannot help but begin questioning who this character is? What was he before? And what has he become today?
Khaled Hosseini from the very opening line, “on a frigid overcast day in the winter” shows a clear focus on nature and the seasons. This trend continues throughout the page chapter. For example:
· “Frozen creek”
· “Last summer”
· “Spreckles Lake”
· “The early-afternoon sun sparkled on the water”
· “Propelled by a crisp breeze”
· “Near the willow tree”
Although the entire chapter is less than one full page long the theme of nature is clear. Not only is it used to describe the characters surroundings but the seasons are also used to mirror the situations they hold. For example, “crouching behind a crumbling mud wall, peeking into the alley near the frozen creek” hold both the essence of physical and emotional coldness. Although we are made aware that this passage occurs during winter its general hostility and eerie atmosphere, that withholds the mysteries of his past, complies with the recognised associations of winter. This use of pathetic fallacy is then contrasted in the characters new life, “after I (he) hung up” leaving his “past of unatoned sins” the “early-afternoon sun sparkled on… San Francisco, the city I (he) now call(s) home”. This juxtaposition of ideas divides his past with his present in a very clear way for readers to follow.
The detailed descriptions offer the reader a vivid imagery of his surroundings creating a setting and also building relationships with a more Western audience who may be familiar with “Golden Gate Park” San Francisco. Although we still remain a stranger to the character himself and his own appearance we are offered instead the view through his eyes. His outlook on life creates a sense of escapism for the reader into his world.
The sentence structure within this first chapter uses a majority of short sentences. They give only a snippet of information at any one time, emphasising again a sense of mystery. As an example, the extract, “there is a way to be good again. I looked up at those twin kites. I thought about Hassan. Thought about Baba. Ali. Kabul.” To the audience these words as of yet mean nothing but already it is accentuated further with the repetition, that these words hold great importance that may create the path to revealing the story within the mystery.
podcast:
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
