FINAL EXAM WRITING 18

Symbolism


*The blue kite represents Hassan’s loyalty to Amir. Even though he was about to be raped he held tight onto that kite for his friend and was willing to hurt himself when he could have easily handed the kite over to Assed. What would Hassan have gotten out of keeping the kite anyway? It wasn’t he who needed to prove to his father that he is a man and that he won. He did it out of his love for Amir.


*A symbol of brotherhood is established in the beginning of the novel when the author mentions that both Hassan and Amir fed at the same breast. Even though we don’t know yet that they truly are brothers, this gives a slight hint. Nonetheless it further describes how close the two boys are.


*The kite contests are symbolic of Amir’s carefree moments that either precede or follow traumatic events. The kite running tournament in the beginning of the novel is the last time Amir and Hassan share an enjoyable time together. Then, the last kite flying event was at the end of the novel with Sohrab, when the child shows a sign of opening up again. These events are symbolic to Amir because in between both events he never felt true happiness.


*The Kite running also indicates the class distinction between the two boys. Amir the Pashtun, is the one who gets a hold of the rope and fight. Hassan, the Hazara, is the one who actually must go and run after it. Amir receives all the credit for winning when in reality the both won, and on top of that Hassan must suffer to bring home the kite.


*Assef’s brass knuckles symbolize fear. In the novel, all the neighborhood children are scared of him and he is known for carrying them around wherever he goes. This symbol is really in effect at the end of the novel when Amir has to fight him. When he sees Assef reaching in his pocket he knows exactly what he is about to pull out, and this is the most frightening moment in Amir’s life.


*Hassan and Amir’s friendship is symbolized by the pomegranate tree. They carve their names in it and it is where they spend most of their time playing or reading. When the incident of Amir pelting the pomegranates at Hassan’s head occurs, it symbolizes the end of their friendship, at least for Amir.


*The slingshot represents devotion and protection. Hassan protects Amir with his slingshot against Assef when they are only kids. It is one of his many ways to show his loyalty to his best friend. Then later on in the novel, Sohrab, Hassan’s son, does the same and saves Amir’s life by shooting Assef in the left eye with his slingshot.