Activity Overview
Storyboarding is an excellent way to focus on types of literary conflict. Have your students choose an example of each literary conflict and depict them using the Storyboard Creator. In the storyboard, an example of each conflict should be visually represented, along with an explanation of the scene, and how it fits the particular category of conflict.
Literary Conflict in The Kite Runner
MAN vs. MAN
Assef tells Amir that he will have to fight him to earn Sohrab’s freedom. He slips on his infamous brass knuckles and proceeds to beat Amir almost to death, until Sohrab brings the fight to a halt by aiming his slingshot at Assef and demanding him to stop. When Assef lunges for Sohrab, he shoots his eye out with the slingshot, and Sohrab and Amir are able to escape.
MAN vs. SELF
After witnessing Hassan’s rape but being too scared to step in, Amir avoids Hassan out of shame and guilt. He eventually tries to get Hassan to hit him with a pomegranate, in a desperate attempt to get Hassan to show some anger towards him so that he can assuage his guilt. But Hassan refuses to throw anything back at Amir, and eventually takes a pomegranate and crushes it against his own forehead.
MAN vs. SOCIETY
Assef, an older boy who is a racist and a sociopath, corners Amir and Hassan and pulls out his brass knuckles to beat Amir because Amir is friends with Hassan, a Hazara. Amir thinks to himself that Hassan is not his friend; he is his servant. The thought of admitting that a Pashtun is friends with an Hazara is unforgivable in Amir’s social circle.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows at least three forms of literary conflict in The Kite Runner.
- Identify conflicts in The Kite Runner.
- Categorize each conflict as Character vs. Character, Character vs. Self, Character vs. Society, Character vs. Nature, or Character vs. Technology.
- Illustrate conflicts in the cells, using characters from the story.
- Write a short description of the conflict below the cell.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | Try Again | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conflict Identification | Student identifies correct major conflicts and uses strong, clear textual evidence to support choice. | Student identifies correct major conflict and uses few or unclear details to support their choice. | Student identifies incorrect major conflict, and uses some details from the text to support their choice. | Student does not attempt to identify major conflict or identifies incorrect major conflict with no explanation. |
| Understanding Outcome | Student clearly shows the outcome of the conflict and its effects on the protagonist with evidence from the text. | Student shows the outcome of the conflict and its effect on the protagonist, but some evidence is unclear. | Student shows the outcome of the conflict, but does not examine its effect on the protagonist and uses some vague textual evidence. | Student does not clearly show the outcome of the conflict or use textual evidence. |
| Character | Storyboard includes all required characters and clearly names them. Goes above and beyond by adding additional details. | Storyboard includes all required characters and clearly names them. | Storyboard includes protagonist and antagonist but leaves out other required characters. | Storyboard does not include the names of required characters. |
| Storyboard | Student clearly shows effort to convey the setting the scene of the book | Student attempts to convey setting and scene of the book, but lacks some clarity. | Student does not clearly convey the setting and scene. | Student makes little or no attempt to convey the setting or scene. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Student uses exemplary spelling and grammar. There are no errors. | Student makes a minor error in spelling and grammar. | Student makes several minor errors in spelling and grammar. | Student makes many errors in spelling and grammar; little attempt at spellchecking. |
Activity Overview
Storyboarding is an excellent way to focus on types of literary conflict. Have your students choose an example of each literary conflict and depict them using the Storyboard Creator. In the storyboard, an example of each conflict should be visually represented, along with an explanation of the scene, and how it fits the particular category of conflict.
Literary Conflict in The Kite Runner
MAN vs. MAN
Assef tells Amir that he will have to fight him to earn Sohrab’s freedom. He slips on his infamous brass knuckles and proceeds to beat Amir almost to death, until Sohrab brings the fight to a halt by aiming his slingshot at Assef and demanding him to stop. When Assef lunges for Sohrab, he shoots his eye out with the slingshot, and Sohrab and Amir are able to escape.
MAN vs. SELF
After witnessing Hassan’s rape but being too scared to step in, Amir avoids Hassan out of shame and guilt. He eventually tries to get Hassan to hit him with a pomegranate, in a desperate attempt to get Hassan to show some anger towards him so that he can assuage his guilt. But Hassan refuses to throw anything back at Amir, and eventually takes a pomegranate and crushes it against his own forehead.
MAN vs. SOCIETY
Assef, an older boy who is a racist and a sociopath, corners Amir and Hassan and pulls out his brass knuckles to beat Amir because Amir is friends with Hassan, a Hazara. Amir thinks to himself that Hassan is not his friend; he is his servant. The thought of admitting that a Pashtun is friends with an Hazara is unforgivable in Amir’s social circle.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows at least three forms of literary conflict in The Kite Runner.
- Identify conflicts in The Kite Runner.
- Categorize each conflict as Character vs. Character, Character vs. Self, Character vs. Society, Character vs. Nature, or Character vs. Technology.
- Illustrate conflicts in the cells, using characters from the story.
- Write a short description of the conflict below the cell.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | Try Again | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conflict Identification | Student identifies correct major conflicts and uses strong, clear textual evidence to support choice. | Student identifies correct major conflict and uses few or unclear details to support their choice. | Student identifies incorrect major conflict, and uses some details from the text to support their choice. | Student does not attempt to identify major conflict or identifies incorrect major conflict with no explanation. |
| Understanding Outcome | Student clearly shows the outcome of the conflict and its effects on the protagonist with evidence from the text. | Student shows the outcome of the conflict and its effect on the protagonist, but some evidence is unclear. | Student shows the outcome of the conflict, but does not examine its effect on the protagonist and uses some vague textual evidence. | Student does not clearly show the outcome of the conflict or use textual evidence. |
| Character | Storyboard includes all required characters and clearly names them. Goes above and beyond by adding additional details. | Storyboard includes all required characters and clearly names them. | Storyboard includes protagonist and antagonist but leaves out other required characters. | Storyboard does not include the names of required characters. |
| Storyboard | Student clearly shows effort to convey the setting the scene of the book | Student attempts to convey setting and scene of the book, but lacks some clarity. | Student does not clearly convey the setting and scene. | Student makes little or no attempt to convey the setting or scene. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Student uses exemplary spelling and grammar. There are no errors. | Student makes a minor error in spelling and grammar. | Student makes several minor errors in spelling and grammar. | Student makes many errors in spelling and grammar; little attempt at spellchecking. |
How Tos about Illustrating Literary Conflict in The Kite Runner
Engage students with a class debate on literary conflicts
Encourage students to participate in a class debate where they take sides on a major conflict from The Kite Runner. This interactive activity helps students deepen their understanding by arguing perspectives of different characters and recognizing the complexity of conflicts.
Assign roles to students for debate preparation
Divide the class into small groups and assign each group a specific character or viewpoint related to a conflict in the novel. Assigning roles helps students empathize with the characters and prepares them to present strong arguments.
Guide students in gathering text evidence
Instruct groups to find quotes or events from the novel that support their assigned character’s perspective. This step strengthens analytical skills by requiring students to justify their arguments using the text.
Facilitate the class debate and encourage respectful discussion
Moderate the debate by giving each group time to present their arguments and respond to others. Encourage students to listen actively and speak respectfully. This fosters a collaborative classroom environment and helps students practice critical discussion skills.
Reflect on the debate to connect to real-world conflicts
Lead a class reflection after the debate, asking students to relate the literary conflicts from the novel to real-life situations or current events. Making connections helps students see the relevance of literature to their own experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions about Illustrating Literary Conflict in The Kite Runner
What are the main types of literary conflict in The Kite Runner?
The Kite Runner features key types of literary conflict: man vs. man (e.g., Amir vs. Assef), man vs. self (Amir's inner guilt), and man vs. society (cultural tensions and discrimination). Each conflict shapes character development and the story’s themes.
How can I teach literary conflict in The Kite Runner using storyboards?
Use a storyboard activity where students identify scenes representing each conflict type—character vs. character, self, and society—and illustrate these with images and captions. This visual approach helps students grasp abstract concepts through concrete examples from the novel.
What is an example of character vs. self conflict in The Kite Runner?
A powerful character vs. self conflict occurs when Amir struggles with guilt for not intervening during Hassan’s assault. His internal battle shapes his decisions and emotional journey throughout the novel.
Why is understanding literary conflict important for high school students reading The Kite Runner?
Understanding literary conflict helps students analyze characters' motivations, plot development, and thematic depth. In The Kite Runner, recognizing conflicts enriches comprehension and fosters critical thinking about moral choices and societal issues.
What instructions should I give students for a literary conflict storyboard lesson on The Kite Runner?
Guide students to identify at least three types of conflict in the novel, categorize them (e.g., character vs. character), illustrate each with story scenes, and write brief descriptions explaining each conflict. Encourage creativity and textual evidence.
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