Question

english 11 midterm review packet (by25.2n) name:
baba
ali
sohrab
assef
rahim kahn
farid
sanaubar
soraya
general taheri
jamila
kamal
sharif
sofia akrami
wahid
wali

Explanation:

To answer this, we analyze each character from The Kite Runner:

Baba

• Role: Amir’s father. A wealthy merchant in Kabul, known for his strength and sense of honor. He feels guilt over his past (hid his affair and Hassan’s true parentage) and tries to be a good father, though his expectations weigh on Amir.

Ali

• Role: Baba’s loyal servant (and Hassan’s biological father, though this is hidden). He’s a Hazara, disabled (lost a leg), and has a gentle nature. He’s devoted to Baba and raises Hassan as his own, though he endures discrimination.

Sohrab

• Role: Hassan’s son, Amir’s nephew. After Hassan and his wife are killed, Sohrab is sent to an orphanage, then rescued by Amir. He’s a skilled kite - runner, and his trauma (from abuse in the orphanage) mirrors Hassan’s story. He connects Amir to his past and helps Amir find redemption.

Assef

• Role: The main antagonist. A sadistic bully in Kabul, later a Taliban official. He rapes Hassan as a boy and later threatens Sohrab. He represents the cruelty of ethnic prejudice (Pashtun superiority over Hazaras) and the corruption of the Taliban regime.

Rahim Khan

• Role: Baba’s friend and business partner, a father - figure to Amir. He reveals the truth about Hassan’s parentage and urges Amir to rescue Sohrab, driving the plot toward redemption. He’s wise and compassionate, guiding Amir’s journey.

Farid

• Role: A driver/guide who helps Amir in Afghanistan. A former mujahideen, he’s initially skeptical of Amir but grows to respect him. He represents the struggles of ordinary Afghans after the Taliban takeover, balancing cynicism with loyalty.

Soraya

• Role: Amir’s wife. From a respected Afghan family in America, she’s open about her past (ran away with a boyfriend, which was scandalous). She supports Amir, especially in his decision to adopt Sohrab, and represents a modern, more open - minded Afghan - American woman.

General Taheri

• Role: Soraya’s father, a former Afghan general. He’s proud, traditional, and concerned with social status. He initially disapproves of Amir (seeing him as a “writer” without status) but later accepts him, representing the old Afghan elite in exile.

Excluded Characters (Crossed Out)

• Sanubar, Jamila, Kamal, Sharif, Sofia Akrami, Wahid, Wali: These are either minor (e.g., Sanubar is Hassan’s mother, who abandoned him; Jamila is Soraya’s mother) or serve smaller narrative roles (e.g., Kamal is a childhood acquaintance who meets a tragic end; Wali is Assef’s friend, a bully).

Answer:

s (Character Descriptions)

• Baba: Amir’s father, wealthy Kabul merchant, struggles with guilt, embodies honor/strength.
• Ali: Baba’s loyal servant, Hassan’s (biological) father, disabled, gentle, endures discrimination.
• Sohrab: Hassan’s son, Amir’s nephew, kite - runner, traumatized, key to Amir’s redemption.
• Assef: Antagonist, sadistic bully, Taliban official, symbol of ethnic prejudice/cruelty.
• Rahim Khan: Baba’s friend, Amir’s mentor, reveals truth, urges Sohrab’s rescue.
• Farid: Amir’s guide in Afghanistan, ex - mujahideen, represents post - Taliban Afghan struggles.
• Soraya: Amir’s wife, open about past, supportive, represents modern Afghan - American woman.
• General Taheri: Soraya’s father, former general, traditional, concerned with status.
• (Crossed - out characters: Minor or smaller - role figures, e.g., Sanubar (Hassan’s mother, abandons him), Kamal (tragic childhood acquaintance), etc.)