As children, Hassan and Amir would visit a Pomegranate tree close to their house. Many of their greatest memories took place at this tree such as Amir discovering that he wanted to become a writer when he shared his first story with Hassan. However, after the winter of 1975, this tree began to die symbolizing how their friendship was deteriorating. Amir even blocked Hassan out of his find so he could slowly rebuild himself and tried to grow flowers. This tree appears dead as the bear bark shows because they will never be able to truly rebuild their friendship. But when given the chance for redemption, Amir goes back to Afghanistan and find Hassan's son Sohrab. Amir centers his life around Hassan and finding Sohrab when he puts Sohrab before his life. The tree is centered in the image surrounded by Amirs prior priorities. Another example is demonstrated in the image because even though Amir and Hassan's chance to rebuild their relationship died with Hassan, Amir still has the opportunity to make up for his guilt and slowly allows himself to remember Hassan. Each flower that has grown back on the tree represents the memories that Amir is now giving himself permission to remember because he has finally begun to fight for Hassan through saving Sohrab.
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ReplyDeleteI like how you guys used not only the tree itself but also its surroundings to show that, while Amir's friendship with Hassan is dying, his other priorities are somewhat flourishing. I also like how you used the fact the tree is centered in the photo to show that his relationship with Hassan is his utmost concern.
ReplyDeleteI really like how your metaphor is both literal, with the physical pomegranate tree present in both the image and the novel, and figurative. The connection between how the tree bark appears dead, like the friendship between Amir and Hassan, and the idea of the newly blossoming flowers reflecting the relationship forming between Amir and Sohrab, are really strong.
ReplyDeleteI like how you went past the obvious when writing about this image and went deeper than the surface. This image could also represent how Amir and Sohrab together are reforming the bond that he lost with his father.
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