Question Six

Why do I believe that Amir recalls the memory of the sacrificed sheep when he witnesses Hassan's tragedy in the alleyway? Well, Amir says that he "imagines the animal understands," and then he says that he "imagines the animal sees that its imminent demise is for a higher purpose." This is what Amir feels when he witnesses Hassan in the alleyway. He doesn't stop Hassan from getting hurt because he sees the tragedy as something for a higher purpose, the higher purpose being that Amir will finally be able to get the attention he wants from Baba. Although, unlike when the sheep is being sacrificed, Amir can't watch Hassan get rapped. To me, this is a sign that maybe Amir does have a little more feeling for Hassan than he says. Although, by Amir not watching, Amir could be saying that he doesn't think this is right but proving to his father that he is more than just blood is more important to him than stopping Assef and the boys. You can really tell that when Amir sees Hassan for the first time. Instead of asking if he was ok or if he needed anything, Amir looks directly at the kite to make sure that there was no hole in it. As for the image in the novel, I really don't see anything. Maybe I need to read the second time that the sheep is brought up.