THE KITE RUNNER Arizona Theatre Company Play Guide 1

THE KITE RUNNER
DISCUSSION
Imagine you are the character Hassan. Write a brief journal entry describing a typical
day, before the tragedy of your attack. Focus on the relationship you have with Amir.
Now, still imagining you are Hassan, write a brief journal entry describing your day
after you have left Amir’s home. Continue to focus on that relationship. Use what
you observed about Hassan’s behavior in the play as the basis for your writings. Some
things to consider: Are there differences in Hassan’s feelings about Amir How do you
think Hassan felt about Amir’s change in behavior What are the variety and mixture of
feelings one would have in his situation
Write an expository essay comparing and contrasting the life Amir led in Afghanistan
and the life he found in the United States. Consider both the sensory differences (i.e.,
the differences in terrain, the differences in quality of life) as well as the differences of
thought and attitude.
Draw a simple diagram of a kite. Be sure that there are four sections to the kite. Pick
three characters from the play. Pick a section in the kite for each character and write
their name next to that section. Often, those things that we cling to are the very things
that prevent us from being able to fly, like your kite. In each section, decide what you
think most impeded each character from reaching his or her full potential, that thing that
they held onto and couldn’t release. Write this into their section of the kite. Save the
fourth section for yourself. After you have completed this, write a brief description of
flying the kite that you created, with a close friend. Be sure to end your description with
letting the kite go.
Write a research paper about contemporary Islam in Afghanistan. Why are there
different sects of Islam How did that come about What are the major differences
between the Sunnis and the Shias What are the similarities How does this major world
religion impact social class in Afghanistan today Use specific examples.
Related Assignments for Post-Performance
(Based on the Theatre Arts and Language Arts State Standards)
Group Improvisation based on The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
• Groups improvise scenes from the book that are not in the play
o Students divide into groups and choose a scene that is in the book but is not in the play.
o Students discuss how they will plan the script for the scene, which dialogue to use, and
how to organize their action.
o Students will first perform their scenes silently with an outside narrator telling the story
o The groups discuss what could have been more clear in telling the scene
o Re-perform the scenes still using the narrator but also adding in character dialogue
where necessary
o Finally, ask students to prepare and perform brief improvised scenes without a narrator,
not necessarily written out but well planned out
Arizona Theatre Company Play Guide 35