He is described as being tall and blonde with blue eyes. After Hassan and his wife are murdered by the Taliban, Assef takes Hassan's son, Sohrab, from an orphanage to abuse him sexually. "That's the real Afghanistan, Agha sahib. Assef says one day Hassan will wake up from his fantasy, suggesting that a Pashtun could never be loyal to a Hazara. Amir is afraid and reluctant, and tries to make excuses. Part of this involves Amir acknowledging his own male privilege, as Afghan society is in many ways divided along gender lines. This means they are an ethnic minority, and many people in Afghanistan discriminate against people of their ethnicity. This is a huge revelation for Amir, as he realizes that the loyal friend he scorned and betrayed was actually a brother, and he also realizes that Baba committed a great sin and betrayal in sleeping with his best friend's (Ali's) wife. Assef in The Kite Runner: Character Description & Analysis, Prejudice in The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini | Quotes & Examples, General Taheri in The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini | Character & Analysis, Religion in The Kite Runner: Influence & Quotes, Baba Quotes in The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini | Context & Analysis, Quotes About Gender Inequality & Roles in The Kite Runner, The Kite Runner: Internal Conflict Quotes. 'Listening to them, I realized how much of who I was, what I was, had been defined by Baba and the marks he had left on people's lives Now he was gone. Assef also states minutes before he rapes Hassan: " "A loyal Hazara. Ch 22 Assef: Despite belonging to double ethnicities, Assef becomes a bully as well as a villain of The Kite Runner. After winning the kite tournament, Amir discovered Hassan get beaten and raped by Assef and his two friends. What are four examples of metaphors in The Kite Runner? Assef says, ''I heard your father died. The trio is known for being a true menace in the neighborhood, and Assef is their leader. You couldn't trust anyone in Kabul anymore - for a fee or under threat, people told on each other, neighbor on neighbor, child on parent, brother on brother, servant on master, friend on friend', Ch 10 And this is what I want you to understand, that good, real good, was born out of your father's remorse. In his eyes, Afghanistan had always been the Pushtuns, and they were the pure afghans. The Kite Runner Friendship Quotes - 664 Words | Cram Assef symbolizes evil in The Kite Runner. He compared the Hazaras to donkeys and reasoned his actions by stating that he was teaching Hassan a lesson. His brass knuckles and his bullying makes him the bad character who demonstrates his anti-Hazara sentiments whenever an opportunity arises. Amir has just asked Soraya to marry him, and she has agreed, but she said she had something to confess to first. Assef calls him a pathetic fool for being loyal to Amir, a Pashtun, but Hassan asserts they are true friends. 'No more, Agha. However, Sohrab bravely defends Amir, just like his father did many years before. He also makes fun of Hassan's father, Ali, for having physical deformities. 71) 3. A loyal Hazara. Assef recounts to Amir the abuse he endured while imprisoned by the Taliban. The Kite Runner is the first novel of Afghan-American author Khaled Hosseini that analyze the novel from a Marxist point of view for its anniversary. Hassan and his son, Sohrab are two examples of people who were raped by Assef as they are merely poor, uneducated, and unworthy Hazaras. Ask and answer questions. Giphy Creating Your Gif Stuck, Our summaries and analyses are written by experts, and your questions are answered by real teachers. The Taliban were taking over the country and did not seem to care that they . "Afghanistan is the land of Pashtuns. I highly recommend you use this site! Betrayal He is a racist whose goal is to get rid of all of the Hazaras in Afghanistan by inflicting sexual violence and abuse on the poor and defenseless. The Kite Runner - Literary Devices and Literary Terms - The Complete List Redemption Ch 11 Likewise, the theme of violence and rape now broadens to the national scale, most obviously because of the war and violence tearing Afghanistan apart, but also because the country's violation by external Soviet forces constitutes its own kind of "rape. Why he only plays with you when no one else is around? He even engaged in pedophilia when he took Hassan's orphaned son, Sohrab, into custody to sexually abuse him. "For you a thousand times over!" The quote you have chosen is an excellent one to support the books point that Hazaras were destined for a life of servitude at this time in Afghanistans history. Assef puts on his brass knuckles with the intention of beating Amir because he is friends with a Hazara, but Hassan saves Amir with his slingshot. A few weeks later, the Taliban banned kite fighting. And this is what I want you to understand, that good, real good, was born out of your father's remorse. Come on, Babalu, give us a smile!'' Sanaubar in The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini | Who is Sanaubar? Now, bas! Accessed 4 Mar. | 2 By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. 'section of kabul, you knew about assef and his famous stainless steel brass knuckles' C5. '"How much more do you need to see? Dont have an account? Assef exacted revenge on Hassan for having the courage to stand up to him. Why does Amir want Hassan to leave Babas household? No more rockets, no more killing, no more funerals!" I was that monster. The past is ever-recurring in the present, and this just feels like a logical continuation of Amir's experiences with Assef. The last kite downed at the end of a kite fight is a prized possession, particularly for Amir since he is the one that won the tournament. All of this information comes from people other than Lincoln. Learn about the character Assef from Khaled Hosseini's ''The Kite Runner''. Sohrab still won't speak, and seems traumatized beyond repair, but as Amir has learned, there is always a possibility of redemption and turning bad into good. (tangential). 1406 likes. It's also implied that in becoming the new "kite runner," Amir more fully assumes the good qualities that once existed in Hassan, and thus Amir becomes closer to his lost halfbrother. Have you ever wondered why he never includes you in games when he has guests? "Afghanistan for Pashtuns, I say. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. The theme of betrayal is no longer just a personal one relating to Amir, but now seems to be a part of the very consciousness of the war-torn countryviolence is everywhere, no one trusts each other, and neighbors betray neighbors for the sake of their own safety. Instruct brilliantly. Ch 12 His people pollute our homeland, our watan. Amir is still haunted by his past betrayals of Hassan, and though this is a burden that constantly weighs on him, he still hasn't found the strength or courage to confess his secretnot even to Soraya, who seemingly gave Amir an opportunity in confessing her own shameful past. Give us that kite.' These prophetic words are uttered at the beginning of the book by Assef, Hassan's attacker. 110 lessons 'All I want you weaklings to do is hole him down. A good example was the Hazaras. Amir has been trying to forget his old betrayals all his life, but now he is finally working to redeem themand part of this involves facing just how much tragedy and change Afghanistan itself has endured since he saw it last. Never mind any of these things. maar Assef is hem voor. Amir then has this opportunity to confess, and to start working towards redemptionbut he finds that he can't bring himself to tell Soraya the truth. Betrayal A great leader. The half who had inherited what had been pure and noble in Baba. Ch 13 Give us that kite.' Assef has his brass knuckles on, and Amir is unarmed, so it's hardly a fair fight (also Amir has been living comfortably in America while Assef has been fighting and murdering in Afghanistan). It was the look of the lamb." 'You pathetic fool! . In childhood, he was racist and violent, and he did not display any redeemable qualities. Psychological Research & Experimental Design, All Teacher Certification Test Prep Courses, The Kite Runner Cultural & Historical Context, The Kite Runner: Friendship & Loyalty Quotes, The Kite Runner: Quotes About the Taliban, Study.com ACT® Reading Test Section: Prep & Practice, AP English Language: Homeschool Curriculum, College Composition for Teachers: Professional Development, CLEP Analyzing & Interpreting Literature: Study Guide & Test Prep, Study.com ACT® English Test Section: Prep & Practice, English 103: Analyzing and Interpreting Literature, Technical Writing Syllabus Resource & Lesson Plans, College Composition Syllabus Resource & Lesson Plans, American Literature Syllabus Resource & Lesson Plans, 11th Grade English: Homeschool Curriculum, Relationship Between Amir & Hassan in The Kite Runner, Soraya in The Kite Runner: Description & Character Analysis, Sanaubar in The Kite Runner: Analysis, Redemption & Quotes, Relationship Between Amir & Baba in The Kite Runner, Sohrab in The Kite Runner: Analysis & Character Traits, Hassan in The Kite Runner: Description & Character Analysis, The Kite Runner Title: Meaning & Significance, Working Scholars Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community. When Hassan's father Ali was a child, he suffered from polio and developed physical deformities; Assef made fun of this and showed blatant racism towards Hassan. The town bully, Assef, feels that Hazaras 'pollute our homeland, our watan. or ''Hey, you flat nosed Babalu, who did you eat today? Now, there was a leader. he was twirling his brass knuckles' C7. Betrayal There is no neat conclusion here, and Amir's and Sohrab's future is uncertain. Enter Assef, Kamal, and Wali. 3. This character is evil, cruel, sociopath, having no conscience at all. He knew about Assef, the kite, the money, the watch with the lightning bolt hands. Believed to be trespassers and not gainfully employed, they are murdered in the street. flashcard sets. The Taliban (an Islamic fundamentalist group) finally drove out the Soviet forces, and many Afghans (like Rahim Khan, here) felt hopeful that peace would come at last. The past is always repeating itself in the present, but now that his past pain has been partially healed, Amir no longer has to flee his memories of flying kites with Hassanhe can embrace them, while also looking forward to the potential of a better future with Sohrab. 'Fine,' Assef snapped. He forces Amir to fight him to get Sohrab back. I blinked the blood from my eyes and saw it was one of the brass balls from the ring in the table base. What are some examples of racism towards the Hazaras in After all, I had killed his beloved wife, his beautiful princess, hadn't I? he said. This poignant passage closes the book on a note of uncertainty, but also of hope. Kamal - At the beginning of the novel, Kamal is a coward who helps Assef rape Hassan. These prophetic words are uttered at the beginning of the book by Assef, Hassan's attacker. Term. Windsor Police Department Directory, copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. Memory and the Past Renews March 10, 2023 Ch 21 | Assef is mistreating and verbally abusing Amir, and Hassan, despite his status of a Hazara and Assef's hatred of the Hazaras, steps in and asks Assef to "Please leave [them] alone"(42). Like Hitler, Assef felt entitled to killing those who were not worthy of living on his land. The advisor urged the candidate to avoid and focus on his message. In the text, he states, "Now, there was a leader. Every other sin is a variation of theft..When you kill a man, you steal a life. Assef was born by a German mother and an afghan father. Baba becomes sick and passes away, and Amir returns to Kabul after many years. He continues, ''Afghanistan is the land of Pashtuns. Kite Runner Quotes Showing Courage - 814 Words | Internet Public Library Just like Assef had said, "Afghanistan is like a beautiful mansion littered with garbage, and someone has to take out that garbage" (284). This suggests that Amir has finally found a kind of redemption through his actions, and he can relive his past and memories without the pain and guilt he once felt. Reiteration of the motif of the brass knuckles. To buttress your argument, you might consider Assefs comment to Amir that has striking echoes to Hitlers ideology: "Afghanistan is the land of Pashtuns. For the next 7 days, you'll have access to awesome PLUS stuff like AP English test prep, No Fear Shakespeare translations and audio, a note-taking tool, personalized dashboard, & much more! Loyal as a dog. Ch 18 All rights reserved. Therefore, Hassan never learned to read. That is why people, like Assef, thought that they could treat Hazaras, like Hassan, any way that they wanted to. Assef and Amir fight for Sohrab, and Assef inflicts severe damage with his brass knuckles. Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. Redemption Hassan is an excellent kite runner, and is naturally intelligent, but illiterate because of his social class. His name escaped my lips: "Assef."'. Kites return as the novel's most important symbol, here representing Amir's happy past and old friendship with Hassan, and also the potential of future happiness with Sohrab, Hassan's son. Amir returns to Afghanistan to try to find Sohrab and take him to safety in Pakistan, but when he arrives at the orphanage, Sohrab is gone. What had I done, other than take my guilt out on the very same people I had betrayed, and then try to forget it all?'. Accident In Pineville, Nc Today, theme of his knuckles. Hazara In The Kite Runner - 598 Words | Studymode Amir Because history isn't easy to overcome. Why does Rahim Khan lie about the American couple? Ch 16 In the novel's second part, however, this theme expands and Hosseini connects the idea of rape to Afghanistan itself, as the country is violently violated by external forces like the Soviets and the Taliban. Redemption Didn't even whimper. Assef believes that Hazaras should "rot in Hazarajat where they belong." The crippled Ali would probably have never found a job had it not been for his close relationship with Baba. The Hazaras act as servants to their Pashtun superiors, but are also part of the family, clashing with the social norm" (Spiegel 2007).This was a courageous act since the whole Pashtun community is against the Hazaras living in his household as it violated the normal rules and expectations of the Kabul community and it would have been considered Youve successfully purchased a group discount. Though Hassan was illiterate, it did not stop him from caring about Amir. It also connects to the novel's idea of the past and memory as constantly recurring in the present. 'I envied her. Assef directs his friends to trap Hassan and says, ''I've changed my mind. He cupped his hands around his mouth. Hassan refuses. In a parallel scene, Amir laughs after he wakes up from Assefs beating, feeling relief. For several centuries, the Pashtun majority had treated the Hazara population as second-class citizens, unworthy of an education or decent employment. P.304-305 "The slingshot made a thwiiiiit sound when Sohrab released the cup. 'All I want you weaklings to do is hole him down. Quotes; All Books (1) Assef is an example of a complete devil person in the text. Chapter 7 Quotes Related Themes: this Quote "But before you sacrifice yourself for him, think about this: Would he do the same for you? His name rose from the deep and I didn't want to say it, as if uttering it might conjure him. where does blue ridge parkway start and end; heritage christian school basketball; modern business solutions change password; boise firefighter paramedic salary assef quotes about hazaras The Kite Runner Friendship Quotes. There is a way to be good again, Rahim Khan had said on the phone just before hanging up.'. Betrayal . And with that came this realization: that Rahim Khan had summoned me here to atone not just for my sins but for Baba's too.'. Hassan is denied an education because ofhis Hazara heritage, only learning to read and write as an adult after "he had befriended an old Farsi teacher in Bamiyan." Hassan eventually marries Farzana, and has a son named Sohrab. I feel like its a lifeline. Chapter 6 Quotes. . '', When Amir offers to pay for Sohrab, Assef is amused. Afghans cherish custom but abhor rules. The Kite Runner Quotes Flashcards | Quizlet cian name pronunciation; 1 day in hours minutes and seconds; what label is juice wrld signed to; cierto o falso translate; switchback raceway death And so it was with kite fighting. Why does Amir ask Baba if he has seen Amirs new watch? PDF Racial Discrimination Towards the Hazaras As Reflected In But before you sacrifice yourself for him, think about this: Would he do the same for you? . You'll be billed after your free trial ends. Later, he tells of how his imprisonment by the Taliban led to a revelation that God was on his side, and that prompted him to join their cause of ethnic cleansing in Kabul. Here Rahim Khan also delivers one of the most important messages of the bookthat redemption is always possible, and good can come even out of evil. ', 'I was going to win, and I was going to run that last kite. page 73, 'It's just a Hazara,' Assef said. The Kite Runner: Assef Quotes - Video & Lesson Transcript | Study.com Assef. "I dream that someday you will return to Kabul and revisit the land of our childhood. Top Racism In The Kite Runner Quotes An art school is generated only by the intensity and heat of a common pressure. Explore the character of Assef with quotes following his evolution from a racist to a rapist to a Taliban official. Amir and Hassan enter a kite-fighting competition; in this competition, people fly kites and attempt to cut the kite strings of their competitors. Betrayal He also discovered that Assef had taken the late Hassan's son, Sohrab, into custody and was sexually abusing him. The Kite Runner Quotes | Explanations with Page Numbers - LitCharts ', 'I flinched, like I'd been slapped Then I understood: This was Hassan's final sacrifice for me And that led to another understanding: Hassan knew. This tragic passage is a clear condemnation of the war that has ravaged Afghanistan for decades, and it also continues the theme of violence and rape on a political scale. In the novel, The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini, the motif of revenge is evident as characters face consequences for their earlier actions. Why did Baba lie about Hassan being his son? . Amir It always has been, always will be. Why he only plays with you when no one else is around? Both Amir and Soraya have pasts that haunt them, but Soraya now at least doesn't have to bear the burden of secrecy along with the burdens of memory and guilt. He also lived in the mud hut at the bottom of Amir's garden which is different from Amir who lived in a luxurious home. In this case, Amir realizes that he has finally reached some closure in his relationship with Baba, but he also sees that there was no defining moment that the closure arrived. Please wait while we process your payment. Hassan had pulled the wide elastic band all the way back. Amir has rescued Sohrab from Assef, but even this feels like too little and too late when compared with Baba's life of philanthropy and generosity. Soraya has expressed her gratitude for the fact that Amir did not judge her or leave after she confessed her past relationship to him. . Did you have a school bully? He tells Amir that Afghanistan belongs to the Pashtuns. Don't ever fool yourself and think you're something more.''. Assef 'Friends?' Assef said, laughing. I'll let you keep it so it will always remind you of what I'm about to do.' page 73 'It's just a Hazara.' page 75 'It's just a Hazara,' Assef said. 'My suspicions had been right all those years. The guard begins to take Sohrab out of the room, but Assef stops him, saying, ''Let him watch. Hassan and his wife are killed by the Taliban, leaving their son, Sohrab, to be raised in an orphanage. The novel is set both in the Afghan city of Kabul and in the U.S. state of California. Join the dicussion. But he was already here, in the flesh, sitting less than ten feet from me, after all these years. Someday you'll wake up from your little fantasy and learn just how good of a friends he is. . Assef takes out his brass knuckles and beats Amir with them while Sohrab screams. He is always loyal to Amir, even when Amir betrays him. It always has been, always will be. Assefs view is representative of many other Afghani Pashtuns who believed that Hazaras were vermin that polluted their land and were only valuable in so far as they served the wealthy Afghani elite. Farid's advice clearly comes from lots of experiences of tragedy, but he doesn't know that Amir has returned to Afghanistan precisely to confront the past. It always has been, always will be.