Ali and Baba's Relationship

This image represents the relationship between Baba and Ali. Baba is the sink on the right, and Ali is the sink on the left. Baba’s higher position on the wall represents his moral standing, as well as the fact that he has a higher standing in society. Because of both his ‘superior’ Pashtun culture, as well as his popularity within Afghanistan and his ability to own a mansion, Baba is able to tower over Ali. His higher water pressure and longer range represents that Baba has made more impact than Ali, who has only made an impact on the house. This shows how, although Ali is a servant and loyal to Baba, Baba is loyal to much more than just Ali; his influence spreads all over Afghanistan. The water in the sink represents the connections between Baba and Ali. They share the same source of water, as sinks have one waterline that splits into two. Both men had been friends since their childhood, and had grown up with many similar experiences. However, because of Baba’s superior social standing, his experiences were able to branch away from Ali’s, shown by the separation of the waterline to flow into the two different fountains. The metal mount that connects the two fountains represents what is both a connecting and dividing factor in their relationship: Hassan. The two are connected by the boy through a similar idea of loyalty and love, carried on from their childhood friendship. However, the secret that Baba has about Hassan, that he is actually the boy’s father, keeps the two at a very small distance, creating a divide between them. Baba’s stream also faces away from Ali’s stream, as Baba does not pay as much attention to Ali as Ali pays attention to Baba. Baba is in a superior social standing, as he is the Pashtun master of a Hazara servant. As a result, Baba tries to face away from Ali.