Symbols are utilized by Khaled Hosseini throughout his novel The Kite Runner. Color, and various objects such as the kite are just a few examples of these symbols. However, the symbol of the lamb seems to be the most important one Hosseini uses. He compares it to the characters as well as show the importance of the lamb in the Afghan religion. To understand how Hosseini uses the symbol of the lamb as a sacrifice, one must first understand the significance of the lamb, then how it symbolizes Hasan, and finally, how it symbolizes Sohrab.
A greater understanding of the lamb can be achieved by learning the background of how the symbol came to be, and what it means in the Afghan religion. Every year on October 15, Afghans participate in the first …show more content…
Hassan is, to Amir, the lamb in which he manipulates to acquire various things, including happiness and affection from his father. There is evidence of this when Amir says, “Maybe Hassan was the price I had to pay, the lamb I had to slay to win Baba” (77). When Baba sacrifices the sheep at the celebration of Eid al-Adha, Amir cannot help but notice the look of the lamb. The look of acceptance and understanding that it knows it is being sacrificed for a higher purpose. It does not fight back, it does not make a noise, but rather simply accepts that it is being sacrificed for the greater good. This look is associated with Hassan when he is being raped. “Saw the reignition in [Hassan’s face]. It was the look I had seen before. It was the look of the lamb” (76). Hassan accepts that he is being raped. He does not struggle, nor does he call for help, but rather endures it knowing that Assef is more powerful than he is. Like the sheep, he believes that this sacrifice is for a higher purpose, and this purpose is Amir. Shortly after the rape, Amir sees Hassan and the first thing he notices is Hassan’s hands clutched around the blue kite (78). Hassan sacrifices his own body instead of giving up the kite, not only because he promised Amir he would bring it back, but also because of his subconscious understanding that he is, in fact, Amir’s
A greater understanding of the lamb can be achieved by learning the background of how the symbol came to be, and what it means in the Afghan religion. Every year on October 15, Afghans participate in the first …show more content…
Hassan is, to Amir, the lamb in which he manipulates to acquire various things, including happiness and affection from his father. There is evidence of this when Amir says, “Maybe Hassan was the price I had to pay, the lamb I had to slay to win Baba” (77). When Baba sacrifices the sheep at the celebration of Eid al-Adha, Amir cannot help but notice the look of the lamb. The look of acceptance and understanding that it knows it is being sacrificed for a higher purpose. It does not fight back, it does not make a noise, but rather simply accepts that it is being sacrificed for the greater good. This look is associated with Hassan when he is being raped. “Saw the reignition in [Hassan’s face]. It was the look I had seen before. It was the look of the lamb” (76). Hassan accepts that he is being raped. He does not struggle, nor does he call for help, but rather endures it knowing that Assef is more powerful than he is. Like the sheep, he believes that this sacrifice is for a higher purpose, and this purpose is Amir. Shortly after the rape, Amir sees Hassan and the first thing he notices is Hassan’s hands clutched around the blue kite (78). Hassan sacrifices his own body instead of giving up the kite, not only because he promised Amir he would bring it back, but also because of his subconscious understanding that he is, in fact, Amir’s