Symbols

Kite

“I wondered if that was how forgiveness budded; not with the fanfare of epiphany, but with pain gathering its things, packing up, and slipping away unannounced in the middle of the night.” -Amir

The kite can be viewed as a symbol for achievement through sacrifice.  Amir had always secretly envied Hassan for earning Baba’s attention and pride, and wanted Baba to be proud of him too. In order to win over his father, he won the kite fighting tournament and had Hassan bring the kite home, at the cost of Hassan’s well-being. Amir wanted so badly to win the kite and his father’s affections that he didn't stop Assef from violating Hassan, because he knew that Assef was stronger than he was and that he could lose the kite if he interfered. That day, Hassan’s dignity was lost and Amir gave up his integrity in favour of pride. Another instance where the symbolism of the kite is particularly noticeable is at the end of the book when Amir is flying a kite with Sohrab. Amir had to risk his own life to save Sohrab, but in the end he prevailed and in a way, he earned Hassan's forgiveness.

Pomegranate Tree

“There was brotherhood between people who had fed from the same breast, a kinship that even time could not break. - Amir” 

Amir and Hassan have always been close as brothers, even though they were never aware of it. The pomegranate tree was sort of a sanctuary for them; a place where childish naivety and carefree imaginations ran rampant and their understanding of each other deepened. The pomegranate tree symbolizes childhood, innocence and loyalty. During their childhood years, the pomegranate tree flourished, like their friendship, and bore many fruit. Amir and Hassan even carved their names into the bark: “Amir and Hassan, the sultans of Kabul,” demonstrating the reckless lack of fear that often comes with being a child. There was also that time when Amir threw pomegranates at Hassan under that tree to try to invoke Hassan’s anger to atone for his own sins, but Hassan, being loyal to Amir, merely squashed a pomegranate onto his own face. However, when Amir returned to Kabul and learned that Hassan had died, he found that the pomegranate tree was now withered and almost dead and bore no fruit. Amir and Hassan’s childhood was long gone, but Amir is still connected to Hassan through his need to rescue Sohrab.

The Slingshot

“His hand was cocked above his shoulder, holding the cup of the slingshot at the end of the elastic band which was pulled all the way back. There was something in the cup, something shiny and yellow. I blinked the blood from my eyes and saw it was one of the brass balls from the ring in the table base. Sohrab had the slingshot pointed to Assef’s face”

Hassan is most adept at using his slingshot to defend Amir. It is almost like his signature item. Unlike Assef with his brass knuckles, Hassan wields his slingshot to uphold justice and with caution. The slingshot is a symbol for justice and standing up for others. Just like how Hassan defended Amir against Assef when they were children, Sohrab also protected Amir from Assef with his slingshot when Amir was trying to rescue him. Sohrab might not have known who Amir was, or the history between him and Assef, but even a child like him can sense that what Assef was doing was wrong and that he should be punished for it. Sohrab, like his father, knew how and when to stand up to people who abuse their power.