Symbols
The Pomegranate Tree
The pomegranate tree symbolizes Amir and Hassan's relationship through out the book. At the beginning of the book Amir and Hassan play, eat the fruit that the Tree has to offer (Pomegranates) and quite often Amir would read to Hassan. This is a place where the boys grow close to each other, they even carved their names into the tree “Amir and Hassan, the sultans of Kabul.” After Hassan is raped the boys once again visit there childhood stomping grounds where Amir tortures Hassan. Pelting Hassan with Pomegranates, Amir wishes Hassan would fight him back. Amir wishes Hassan would accuse him of betraying him(Hassan) and violently attack him. Hassan then picks up a Pomegranate and smashes it against his own head and walks away. This site which was once full of Brotherly love is in now filled with Amirs guilt, bitterness, and anger. Amir returns to Kabul to look for Sohrab, Hassan’s son. During his visit he wonders to the site of the Pomegranate tree to find it shriveled and nearly dead .
By: Sam Thompson
By: Sam Thompson
Photo used under Creative Commons from aphotoshooter