Lamb
The lamb is mentioned in the story through a memory. The lamb was sacrificed on the day of Eid-e-Qorban, “a day to celebrate how the prophet Ibrahim almost sacrificed his own son for God.”(81) Even though Hassan knew the risk associated with denying Assef the kite, he refused to cease his devotion to Amir. Amir wanted the kite so he receive his Father’s attention.
The lamb acted a substitute sacrifice for the prophet’s son. Hassan was also the sacrifice; a substitute for the kite that was kept so that Amir could receive Baba’s acceptation and pride. Amir recalls this day, “I watch because of that look of acceptance in the animal’s eyes. Absurdly, I imagine the animal understands. I imagine the animal sees that its imminent demise is for a higher purpose.” (82) The lamb’s devotion to this higher purpose is clear in it’s death. Hassan’s devotion to Amir was clear in the sacrifice of his innocence. Just like the unsuspecting lamb, Hassan understood the twisted myth that the death of his innocence would occur for a greater purpose. He believed that he was worth only as much as his devotion to Amir. As the story progresses, Hassan’s devotion to Amir continues as well, ““[The Taliban] told Hassan they would be moving in [your house] to supposedly keep it safe until I return. Hassan protested again. So they took him to the street…And order him to kneel… And shot him in the back of the head.” (231) Hassan believed even to his death that his purpose in life was to devote himself fully to Amir. He truly believed that Amir was the higher purpose; the one he owed his devotion to.
The lamb acted a substitute sacrifice for the prophet’s son. Hassan was also the sacrifice; a substitute for the kite that was kept so that Amir could receive Baba’s acceptation and pride. Amir recalls this day, “I watch because of that look of acceptance in the animal’s eyes. Absurdly, I imagine the animal understands. I imagine the animal sees that its imminent demise is for a higher purpose.” (82) The lamb’s devotion to this higher purpose is clear in it’s death. Hassan’s devotion to Amir was clear in the sacrifice of his innocence. Just like the unsuspecting lamb, Hassan understood the twisted myth that the death of his innocence would occur for a greater purpose. He believed that he was worth only as much as his devotion to Amir. As the story progresses, Hassan’s devotion to Amir continues as well, ““[The Taliban] told Hassan they would be moving in [your house] to supposedly keep it safe until I return. Hassan protested again. So they took him to the street…And order him to kneel… And shot him in the back of the head.” (231) Hassan believed even to his death that his purpose in life was to devote himself fully to Amir. He truly believed that Amir was the higher purpose; the one he owed his devotion to.