The use of the slingshot in "The Kite Runner".

Authors Avatar

Masad

Ryan Masad

Mrs. Dunlap

Contemporary Literature

10 October 2011

Slingshots Only Harm

From the beginning of time weapons were used to solve conflicts, to defend against enemies, and to defeat your foes. While weapons have constantly changed, one weapon somehow remains; the slingshot. Although primitive in nature, it can be deadly and helpful in next to any situation. In The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, the slingshot plays a vital role in shaping the lives of Amir, Hassan, and Sohrab. The slingshot defeats Assef and seems to save Amir from pain and maybe even death. Although the slingshot may have helped Amir in the short run, in the end the slingshot only hinders him. The slingshot is always used for Amir’s own personal gain and because of that; Amir does not grow up until well into his adulthood. The slingshot prevents Amir from saving his family until it disappears, unable to save him or anyone else, Amir finally grows up.

Early in the novel, the slingshot was used for the entertainment of Amir and Hassan. While the slingshot seemed to be used for good reasons, in the long run it hinders Amir. In Amir’s early years, he loved to climb the poplar trees in his front yard, “Sometimes, up in those trees, I talked Hassan into firing walnuts with his slingshot at the neighbor’s one-eyed German shepherd....” (3-4) The slingshot was used for Amir’s own benefit and whenever Hassan and Amir were caught, Amir didn’t take responsibility for it. It seems as though the slingshot and its wielder always took blame for what was not their own responsibility. Willingness to take blame is a primary step in growing up. If you are punished for bad actions, you will stop breaking rules that society has set forth for you, and you will begin to learn to take responsibility where responsibility is due. The slingshot only hinders Amir, because he learns to let others take responsibility for his actions, and begins to relinquish his ability to mature.  In every ill fated situation that Amir got himself into, the slingshot was always there to save him, and he never worried about anyone else, and he never cleaned up the mess he created behind him. The slingshot also ends up saving Amir from a world of pain via the brass knuckles as, “Hassan held the slingshot pointed directly at Assef’s face.” (42) While the slingshot saves Amir from pain, it also prevents him from experiencing it. He lets the slingshot protect him like a mother protects her child. He never had to take a hit because the slingshot was always there to save him from that pain. The slingshot only prolonged the time it took Amir to stand up for a friend or even a family member, it may have even prevented him from growing up at all. Amir could have stood up to Assef and took a beating for his best friend, but he acts cowardly because something always saves him. The slingshot ends up saving Amir and Hassan from immediate pain, but harms both of them in the long run. Overall, the slingshot only prolonged the time it takes Amir to learn to stand up for himself.

Join now!

The slingshot, although indirectly also caused Amir’s friend, Hassan a world of pain. The one time Hassan doesn’t have the slingshot, Assef says to him, “‘Where is your slingshot, Hazara?’ Assef said, turning the brass knuckles in his hand.” (71) Hassan is raped by Assef and Amir convinces him that it was a sacrifice he must make in order to obtain Baba’s approval and love. Instead of standing up for his friend and gaining Baba’s approval through this selfless action he turns around and runs away because he never was able to learn how to stand up for others. He ...

This is a preview of the whole essay