The Kite Runner Quotes

The Kite Runner

Chapter 1

1) "that was a long time ago, but it's wrong what they say about the past, i've learned, about how you can bury it. because the past claws its way out."

*the narrator is looking back on what he has once witnessed long ago, and it's haunting him, makes him feel guilty and ashamed.

2) "I thought about something Rahim khan had said just before he hung up... There is a way to be good again."

*the narrator's friend, Rahim Khan, is expressing indirectly that no matter what the narrator has done in his past, he will forgive him, and help him.

Chapter 2

1) "Hassan never denied me anything...but he never told on me. never told that the mirror, like shooting walnuts at the neighbor's dog, was always my idea."

*the narrator's friend Hassan would never tell him "no", always went along with his ideas, and never told on him, he was a very loyal friend.

2)"later, in the dark, after the movie had started, i heard Hassan next to me, croaking, tears were sliding down his cheeks."

*Hassan was crying because of the shame he felt after the encounter with the soldier who said he had slep with his mother at some point.

Chapter 3

1)"At parties, when all six-foot-five of him thundered into the room, attention shifted to him like sunflowers turning to the sun."

*Amir was very proud to have a father like Baba, who was very strong, confident, and played such an important role in the community.

2)"If i hadn't seen the doctor pull him out of my wife with my own eyes, i'd never believe he's my son."

*Baba is somehow ashamed to have Amir as a son, he's skeptical because they are so different and Amir is like his opposite in so many ways.

Chapter 4

1)"The curious thing was, i never thought of Hassan and me as friends either."

*Although they spent their childhood together, Amir was ashamed to say that Hassan was his friend because of history and religion.

2)"Some day, Inshallah, you will be a great writer... and people all over the world will read your stories."

*Hassan's positive review on Amir's first short story means the world to Amir, providing his loyalty.

Chapter 5

1)"You are right, Agha. But perhaps you didn't notice that i'm the one holding the slingshots."

*Hassan is defending himself and Amir to bullies who want to beat them up and are threatening them.

2)"I treated Hassan... like a brother...But...why, when Baba's friends came to visit with their kids, didn't i ever include Hassan in our games?

*Amir was ashamed to have Hassan involved with him when he was with others.

Chapter 6

1)"I wished i hadn't started his stupid conversation. i forced a smile. don't be stupid, Hassan. you know i wouldn't."

*Amir is feeling bad about asking Hassan if he would eat dirt for him, which he would.

2)"Inshallah...that was the thing with Hassan. he was so goddamn pure, you always felt like a phony around him."

*Hassan is always kind, positive and loyal to everyone, especially Amir, and Amir would feel bad about not returning the favor.

Chapter 7

1)"For you a thousand times over! he said. then he smiled his Hassan smile and disappeared around the corner."

*hassan is providing his loyalty by running after the kite, determined to bring back the kite for Amir, which would be the biggest honor.

2)"Where were you? I looked for you, i said speaking those words was like chewing on a rock."

*Amir was feeling guilty that he was acting as if he didn't see what just happened to Hassan.

Chapter 8

1)"A part of me was