For The Kite Runner, prepare responses for each seminar question (minimum of four sentences each with a specific quote from the text). Choose five out of the eight questions to respond to in complete sentences. Key Concepts: Redeem (v) – to free from what distresses or harms Redemption (n) – the act of redeeming Courage (n) – strength to survive fear or danger Circularity (adj) – events/things that occur in a circle or a cycle 1. Discuss the role of violence in the novel. How is violence seen, how does violence shape the plot, and how would the story change if there was not violence? 2. Discuss the idea of forgiveness in the novel. What is forgiveness? Come up with a definition. How is forgiveness seen, and how does it vary (change) amongst characters? 3. Discuss the idea of bravery and courage in the novel. What characters do you consider brave or courageous, and does this concept vary between characters? Who would you consider to be the most courageous character? Why? 4. Discuss how the concept of circularity (cycles) is seen in the novel. Provide specific examples from the text where cycles occur. 5. Discuss the idea of redemption. Is Amir ever able to achieve redemption (be set free) for his actions? Why or why not? 6. Discuss specific examples of quotes that recur throughout the novel. Why does Hosseini use repetition in quotations? Why are those quotes important to the novel? 7. Of all the events that occur, Hosseini chooses to title the novel The Kite Runner. Why would he choose this title and what significance does kite running have in the novel? How has kite running shaped the plot? 8. Did the ending surprise you? How would you change the ending if you could?

You have been asked to choose five of the eight options and write four sentences about each, for a total of 20 sentences. This is a fairly long assignment you have been given, and although our goal here is not to complete your homework for you, we can certainly examine some possible ways to approach a few of these options. Let's look at three here to give you a head start on the assignment. 
1. This option is about violence in the novel. If we think about the role violence plays, which is a significant one, we find that the book would be an entirely different story if the violence were removed. In fact, so much of the novel would be changed that we cannot realistically say it can be removed. Violence occurs between individuals, as in the case of Assef and Hassan. We also see it affect a society as the Taliban takes over Afghanistan, and Hassan is even murdered by the Taliban. In terms of how it shapes the plot, the plot of the story is often advanced due to violence, so taking it out would mean that the motivations of certain people or parts of the story would need to change significantly. For example, if Amir had stepped in and defended Hassan when he was attacked and raped, he would not have had a lifetime of guilt related to the incident, and that would have completely changed the relationship between Amir and Hassan. Violence shapes the characters in this novel.
5. This question asks you if Amir is ever able to achieve redemption. This is interesting because we know early on that Amir not only doesn't protect Hassan from the bully Assef, but in a response to his own guilt over that incident he asks his father to find new servants and then frames Hassan for theft when his father refuses. In short, Amir has made poor choices, feels terrible guilt for them, and then continues to victimize Hassan as a result. That makes it hard for him to achieve redemption. Later, we find that Hassan has died at the hands of the Taliban and Amir, sadly, has not achieved any type of redemption with Hassan prior to this. So, what can he do to make up for the terrible way that he treated and even abandoned Hassan? He decides to track down and adopt Hassan's son, Sohrab. This is a noble thing to do and one could easily argue it is the right thing to do given all that he owed Hassan. While he did not make up for the bad deeds he committed against Hassan, he was able to redeem himself in some way by taking care of Sohrab. What you need to determine is if that act of goodwill is enough to be considered "redemption."
8. This option asks your own opinion of the ending of the book. When Amir learns that Hassan has been killed by the Taliban, this surprises him and makes him feel guilty all over again. In fact, he even tracks down Sohrab, Hassan's son, and adopts him. Perhaps he is saving Sohrab in a way he never saved Hassan. Obviously, if Amir had not fallen out of touch with Hassan and their relationship had continued, things may have been different. Perhaps Amir could have helped Hassan. Consider what might have happened had the two not lost touch. By considering the possible options, you can provide some alternative endings to the novel.