Amir learns from Rahim Khan that Hassan protected a secret about Amir's past in Kabul. Rahim asks Amir to return to Kabul to address an unspecified request. Flashbacks reveal Hassan married Sanaubar and they had a son, Sohrab, but both Hassan and Sanaubar have since died. When Amir arrives in Kabul, he discovers Sohrab living in an orphanage and decides to find and rescue and care for him, seeking possible redemption for his past actions and relationship with his homeland.

1. The Kite Runner
Analysis Chapters 16-20

2. A look back: CH 11-15
Baba & Amir moving to California
Baba’s illness and death
Amir’s education
Soraya
Children
The Tahiri family
‘Return’
"I brought you here because I am
going to ask something of you.
[...]. But before I do, I want to
tell you about Hassan"

3. Chapter 16
Change of voice
Rahim Khan goes to find
Hassan
Hassan’s situation
Ali’s situation
Back to Kabul
Farzana’s child

4. Chapter 16
Sanaubar shows up
Sohrab
Why is that significant?
Sanaubar dies
Hassan as a father
In 1996, the Taliban ban
kite fighting

5. Chapter 17
Back to Amir
Envelope with 3 letters
What do the letters
show about Hassan’s
feelings towards Amir?
Hassan & Farzana
Sohrab
Baba & Sanaubar

6. Intermezzo:
themes in CH 16+17
Guilt
Racial prejudice
Injustice
Loyalty
Fathers & sons
Role of history in lives
Redemption/atonement

7. Chapter 18
Amir angry with Baba
Amir understanding the
past
"There is only one sin.
And that sin is theft […]"
Both betrayed "the people
who would have given
their lives for us"

8. Chapter 19
Amir on his way to Kabul
Conversation with Farid
At Wahid’s house
Amir’s dream
Overhearing Wahid

9. Chapter 19
Kabul has changed
At the orphanage
The selling of kids
The official buying kids
at Ghazi Stadium next
day.

10. Most important
“Responsibility” for Ali &
Hassan’s deaths.
Amir’s relationship with
“his” country.
His decision to find
Sohrab.