The Kite Runner Assignment

Khaled Hosseini vividly describes Afghanistan, both the privileged world of Amir’s childhood and the stricken country under the Taliban. How did his descriptions differ from ideas that you may already have had about Afghanistan?



How is the Taliban portrayed in this film?  What specific acts of violence are committed by the Taliban in the film?

Were you surprised to learn about the racial tension between the Pashtuns and Hazaras in Afghanistan?  Why do you think racial tension exists both in the United States and elsewhere?




http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/in_depth/world/2001/war_on_terror/key_maps/ethnic_hazara.stm


http://www.pbs.org/newshour/indepth_coverage/asia/afghanistan/map_flash.html


Life for women under Taliban rule:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/episodes/a-woman-among-warlords/womens-rights-in-the-taliban-and-post-taliban-eras/66/

Life for women in Afghanistan today:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/15/worst-place-women-afghanistan-india
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/09/afghan-women-abuse-united-nations?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487