Kites
The kites are a symbol of Assef. At Amir’s birthday party, Assef’s family was talking with Baba, “[He] smiled. It was creepy how genuinely sweet he made it look.” (101) Baba was pulled right into the show that Assef put on. He believed Assef’s imitation of himself.
The kites used in the kite tournaments are made out of bamboo and paper and the string is soaked in a mixture of glass and glue, making a glass-coated cutting line. As the kite is slowly released into the air, it looks like it’s chasing the clouds. The peaceful act of soaring makes the kite seem amicable and friendly. However, once another kite approaches, it slices through the air, cutting the intruder and knocking it from the sky. Just like the kites appear unreserved, Assef’s facade made him seem harmless to the adults around him. They believed that he was just a child; void of any evil. However, just like the graceful kites cut through one another, Assef had the ability to twist the adults opinions of him and hide his true character.
When Assef was cornering Hassan in the alley, he decided, “There’s nothing sinful about teaching a lesson to a disrespectful donkey.” (80) Assef’s true colours are shown here. He is racist and completely insane. He compared the Hazaras to donkeys and reasoned his actions by stating that he was teaching Hassan a lesson. Assef felt that self-defence was only allowed when he was on the other end of a fist. However, somehow Assef managed to hide his true identity from the adults in his life (other then his parents) and yet still raped Hassan in the process.
The kites used in the kite tournaments are made out of bamboo and paper and the string is soaked in a mixture of glass and glue, making a glass-coated cutting line. As the kite is slowly released into the air, it looks like it’s chasing the clouds. The peaceful act of soaring makes the kite seem amicable and friendly. However, once another kite approaches, it slices through the air, cutting the intruder and knocking it from the sky. Just like the kites appear unreserved, Assef’s facade made him seem harmless to the adults around him. They believed that he was just a child; void of any evil. However, just like the graceful kites cut through one another, Assef had the ability to twist the adults opinions of him and hide his true character.
When Assef was cornering Hassan in the alley, he decided, “There’s nothing sinful about teaching a lesson to a disrespectful donkey.” (80) Assef’s true colours are shown here. He is racist and completely insane. He compared the Hazaras to donkeys and reasoned his actions by stating that he was teaching Hassan a lesson. Assef felt that self-defence was only allowed when he was on the other end of a fist. However, somehow Assef managed to hide his true identity from the adults in his life (other then his parents) and yet still raped Hassan in the process.