Discussion Question 6

As Amir remembers an Afghan celebration in which a sheep must be sacrificed, he talks about seeing the sheep's eyes moments before its death. "I don't know why I watch this yearly ritual in out backyard; my nightmares persist long after the bloodstains on the grass have faded. But I always watch. I watch because of that look of acceptance in the animal's eyes. Absurdly, I imagine the animal understands. I imagine the animal sees that its imminent demise is for a higher purpose." Why do you think Amir recalls this memory when he witnesses Hassan's tragedy in the alleyway? Discuss the image in the context of the novel.

As Amir watches the sheep he sees the surrender and wonders if the animal holds a deeper understanding about its fate and purpose. This is likely to be a subconscious wish that Amir has, who wishes that the trauma for Hassan happened for a reason and has a purpose. It may be a struggle of faith that Amir is obviously involved in as he stands between Baba and the Mullahs. It seems that after the kite tournament, Amir has made up his mind and decided that there is a God. However, now that the incident in the alley has happened, he again doubt the existence of a God, since he has learned that everything happens for a reason and God has his reasons. Amir has a great difficulty seeing the reason and purpose though, which is why he clings to his memory which in a way is similar to this, and is a moment when he saw purpose.
The sheep was without a doubt a terrifying thing for Amir, but necessary for him to see that everything has a purpose, which is later explained in the book when they say that part of the sheep is given to the poor. This way it is shown that nothing is entirely bad or evil, that everything bad also brings something good.