Slingshot

"I turned and came face to face with Hassan's slingshot. Hassan had pulled the wide elastic band all the way back. In the cup was a rock the size of a walnut. Hassan held the slingshot pointed directly at Assef's face." pg 45

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The symbolic slingshot reoccurs a few times through the duration of the novel. At the beginning of the story the slingshot represents Amirs and Hassans recklessness, hitting neighbourhood animals and causing mischief and havoc. But as the story unfolds it becomes evident that there is more symbolic reasoning behind it. The slingshot then represents loyalty, courage and a weapon that supresses evil and fights against injustice.  An example of this occurs during the first confrontation of Assef’s gang with Amir and Hassan. As Assef withdraws his brace knuckles (also a symbol) and threatens to beat up Amir for his dishonesty to Afghanistan,  Hassan takes out his slingshot and stands up for Amir by being courageous and threatening to hit Assef in the eye.

    The slingshot also appears later throughout the novel and draws a parallel between Hasssan and his son Sohbrab. Amir is once again in trouble with Assef and Sohrab withdraws his slingshot Assef is threatened once again, but this time he is stricken by Sohrab.