Final Blog Post

7.Figurative Language: Symbol

Undergoing constant criticism for bearing a "thin-boned frame, shaved head, and low-set ears,"(32) his distinctive Asian-like Hazara features, Hassan is also unfortunately burdened with a facial deformity of a cleft lip. Perpetually illuminated by a grin, this harelip symbolizes contentment.

Hassan's happiness is derived from a constant positive outlook which is observed through his unwavering loyalty towards Amir although he accuses of him of stealing, his keen interest for story novels despite his lack of literacy and being surrounded by riches when having next to none. Despite his misfortunes, his lips always stretch upwards, grinning. From a father's secret love, Baba hires a plastic surgeon to mend the skin and cure the face on his birthday so Hassan can jovially acquire a normal appearing lip. However, the effect is opposite. The operation tattoos a permanent scar where the harelip once was, but also upon his soul inflicting darkness. Soon after the procedure, Hassan encounters Assef who pridefully bears his brass knuckles and pummels him out of hatred for his Hazara race; consequently, relentlessly raping him. From that moment forth, Hassan's scarred lips have not smiled since.

Over a grueling course of twenty-six years, battling the restless buildup of emotion, Amir finally relieves his pain and is "healed at last" (289) upon receiving countless injuries including a scarred lip of his own. For this Pashtun, the disfigurement signifies redemption. The battle against Assef is a prolonged fight long overdue since his childhood when he selfishly observed his best friend being tortured without any intervention. Overcome with guilt, Amir could not forgive himself for not meddling with Hassan's brawl, the poor treatment to his faithful friend, and deserting him to fend for his own with his handicap father during his childhood which haunts him until adulthood in America. Every beating he faced in Assef's office was for Hassan. By rescuing his best friend's and half-brother's son from the Taliban and impoverished orphanages, Amir has at last redeemed himself.

4.Theme: Father-Son Relation   
Forever in his father's looming shadow, Amir seeks approval and acceptance from Baba as he yearns to follow his profound path of success. Each attempt in being the ideal son is accompanied with failure. The theme of an unrequited father and son relation blooms throughout the novel, as Amir desperately strives for Baba's love, in which he sacrifices his best friend being the cowardice Baba feared he would become. 

On the soccer field Amir is a "pathetic blundering liability"(25) who is highly disinterested with the sport, and instead discovers a passion for literature, frequenting the works of brilliant novelists including "Victor Hugo, Jules Verne, Mark Twain, and Ian Fleming."(25) However to Baba's dismay, "real men did not read poetry"(25) and as always he remains the "glaring exception."(19) Amir believes only notable achievements can earn his father's appreciation. However, contrary to these beliefs, Baba worries than his son cannot defend himself because he is constantly returning home with scrapes on his face which he nonchalantly passes off as an accident although the verdict is that Amir lacks the confidence in himself and will late morph into a man who "can't stand up to anything." (29) In the alley, Amir should have nobly defended Hassan who maintains loyal allegiance with him "all those times in the past"(77) however, he flees. He escapes so Hassan can safely retrieve the kite which will be pridefully presented to Baba, but ironically, rescuing his friend would have resolved his father's main concern for him being the cowardice, which by escaping only exemplifies his point. 

Jealously, Amir battles to claim his father's attention from Hassan. Unknowingly to this Pashtun, Hassan is also Baba's biological son because it was he, not the sterile Ali who impregnated Sanaubar which is why he treats him equally to Amir and flourishes him on his birthday. From Amir's perspective, Hassan naturally gains their father's love without accomplishing "anything to earn Baba's affections"(60) except being born "with that stupid harelip"(60) which contrasts with this envious child's own futile attempts to please him. Consequently, this only elevates the non-existent strain between Baba and Amir.