The Kite RunnerHuman Geography Project

“An epic tale of fathers and sons, of friendship and betrayal, that takes us from the final days of Afghanistan’s monarchy to the atrocities of the present.”

Introduction

The Kite Runner follows the story of Amir, the privileged son of a wealthy businessman in Kabul, and Hassan, the son of Amir's father's servant. As children in the relatively stable Afghanistan of the early 1970s, the boys are inseparable. They spend idyllic days running kites and telling stories of mystical places and powerful warriors until an unspeakable event changes the nature of their relationship forever, and eventually cements their bond in ways neither boy could have ever predicted. Even after Amir and his father flee to America, Amir remains haunted by his cowardly actions and disloyalty. In part, it is these demons and the sometimes impossible quest for forgiveness that bring him back to his war-torn native land after it comes under Taliban rule. ("...I wondered if that was how forgiveness budded, not with the fanfare of epiphany, but with pain gathering its things, packing up, and slipping away unannounced in the middle of the night.")

Though the internet is loaded with commentary on this book, none approaches the book from the geographic standpoint to help you prepare this assignment. Simply read the book, and as you do so, make notations that fit the quadrants of your kite. Please don’t ruin this wonderful story for yourself by reading ANY published remarks – it will be reflected in your grade because your kite will not have the correct information that it needs in the different quadrants.

Kite Runner: The Assignment

Using full of a sheet of poster board, make a kite that is divided into four sections. Each section will contain specific information listed below. Material for each section will need to be typed or written in ink and glued onto the kite, fitting into the triangular spaces. DO NOT LEAVE ANY PENCIL SHOWING. Be as creative as you wish on the kite, (which is a definite way to get extra credit!) but you must include the following:

Part 1– Physical Geography

Design a sketch map colored to show the relief and landforms of Afghanistan. Label, but do not show in their entirety, neighboring countries. Which neighbors are relevant to the story? Name and use dots to show location of places mentioned in the story. Add a statement about the climate of Afghanistan. Explain at least three or four ways that physical geography influences the story.*

Part 2– Cultural Geography

Identify and describe the ethnic groups who play a role in the novel. How does each group view the others? Refer to the story.*Be sure to include elements of Islam. Identify the five pillars of Islamic practice, the most important holidays of the year, and how this faith has split into major divisions over the course of history. When did this happen? When looking at the Middle East countries, which countries are largely Sunni and which ones areShite/Shia? Which is which in this particular novel?

Part 3– Population Geography

Research the demographic information of Afghanistan. Be sure to include information on the age-sex make-up, ethnic groups, population trends, etc. Identify and describe various migration trends and how they relate to the characters in the story. What were the push/pull factors for the main characters?Refer to the story.*

Part 4– Economic Geography

How does the novel suggest the levels of development of the Afghan people? (Think like a geographer!) Relate four or five examples from the novel* to indicate standards of living in the country. Collect three current statistics which show quality of life – and therefore development – of the country. Cite statistical sources on the back of your kite.

Part 5 – Political/Historical Geography

Most kites have a tail of some sort, whether it is just pieces of ribbon, bows, or some other shape. Use your tail to explain the history of Afghanistan as it relates to the story. Prepare a timeline tracing actual political events in Afghanistan during the course of the novel. Explain the “who, where, why” questions of each event. How did these events impact the book’s major characters? Does the novel faithfully match the reality of its times? Refer to the story.*

*When the instructions indicate for you to refer to the story/novel this needs to be done in the form of quotes, storylines, etc. Not referring to the novel will have a negative impact on your grade.

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