The Kite Runner Study Guide

Amir

• main character and narrator
• Best friend of Hassan, son of Baba, husband of Soraya
• Makes a decision as a child which haunts him in adulthood
• Half brother of Hassan (both Baba's progeny)
• Adoptive father of Sohrab

Hassan

• Best friend and servant of Amir
• Thought to be the son of Ali, but it is revealed in chapter 17 he is actually Baba's son
• Loyal to Amir despite any impact it may have on himself
• Sohrab's father
• Was raped as a teen, Amir witnessed, This is one of the most important parts of the novel
• Dies because of a Taliban search. Killed in a back ally along with his wife

Baba

• Father of Amir (and Hassan)
• Wealthy citizen of Kabul who is known for his public works
• Has a strained relationship with his son, Amir
• Respected by citizens of Kabul
• Dies of lung cancer

Ali

• Servant of Baba, supposed father of Hassan
• Like a brother to Baba
• Leg crippled from Polio
• Poor
• Dies from a landmine explosion
• Hazara
• He can not have kids because of the Polio (Which Amir Learns Later)

Rahim Khan

• Business associate and close friend of Baba
• Has a close relationship with Amir
• Also the main reason Amir returns back to the middle east

Assef

• Antagonist
• Neighborhood bully who hates Hassan because he is of Hazara descent.
• Firm believer in the ways of Adolf Hitler.
• Future leader of Taliban
• Takes Sohrab from orphanage in Kabul

Soraya

• Afghan living in California
• Wife of Amir

Sohrab

• Orphan son of Hassan
• Enslaved and abused by Assef
• Rescued and adopted by Amir
• Amir's half-nephew
• Suffers from depression, and attempts suicide by cutting his wrist