How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
Earlier, at the gravesite in the small Muslim section of the cemetery, I had watched them lower Baba into the hole. The mullah and another man got into an argument over which was the correct ayat of the Koran to recite at the gravesite. It might have turned ugly had General Taheri not intervened. The mullah chose an ayat and recited it, casting the other fellow nasty glances. I watched them toss the first shovelful of dirt into the grave. Then I left. Walked to the other side of the cemetery. Sat in the shade of a red maple. (13.60)
On an emotional level, this event must pain Amir quite a bit. Here he is trying to mourn his father – to say goodbye to his father – and the mullah and some dude are arguing about the prayer. We at Shmoop want to say to the mullah and this other guy: "Forget about the prayers – you two are the improper ones!" In the larger context of religion in the novel, though, Hosseini comments on the occasional divisiveness of religion. In the cemetery scene, both the mullah and the man miss their more important religious obligation, which is not the correct prayer, but compassion for Amir and respect for his deceased father.
Quote #5
When the prayer was done, the cleric cleared his throat. "Brothers and sisters!" he called, speaking in Farsi, his voice booming through the stadium. "We are here today to carry out Shari'a. We are here today to carry out justice. We are here today because the will of Allah and the word of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, are alive and well here in Afghanistan, our beloved homeland. We listen to what God says and we obey because we are nothing but humble, powerless creatures before God's greatness. And what does God say? I ask you! WHAT DOES GOD SAY? God says that every sinner must be punished in a manner befitting his sin. Those are not my words, nor the words of my brothers. Those are the words of GOD!" He pointed with his free hand to the sky. My head was pounding and the sun felt much too hot.
"Every sinner must be punished in a manner befitting his sin!" the cleric repeated into the mike, lowering his voice, enunciating each word slowly, dramatically. "And what manner of punishment, brothers and sisters, befits the adulterer? How shall we punish those who dishonor the sanctity of marriage? How shall we deal with those who spit in the face of God? How shall we answer those who throw stones at the windows of God's house? WE SHALL THROW THE STONES BACK!" He shut off the microphone. A low-pitched murmur spread through the crowd.
Next to me, Farid was shaking his head. "And they call themselves Muslims," he whispered. (21.79-81)
We probably don't need to remind you the cleric here is actually none other than Assef. Farid comments that Assef isn't a real Muslim – and it is difficult to square the theatricality of the punishment here with Islam. This event seems to have more in common with totalitarian regimes than with Islam in particular. Also, it's worth thinking ahead to Assef's own punishment: partial blindness by Sohrab's hand. In what ways is this an ironic punishment for Assef? Is it a punishment "befitting his sin"? However, we at Shmoop think you shouldn't consider justice in The Kite Runner too long – because it seems like there's such a short supply of it.
Quote #6
They dragged me out and he started kicking me. He had knee-high boots with steel toes that he wore every night for his little kicking game, and he used them on me. I was screaming and screaming and he kept kicking me and then, suddenly, he kicked me on the left kidney and the stone passed. Just like that! Oh, the relief!" Assef laughed. "And I yelled 'Allah-u akbar' and he kicked me even harder and I started laughing. He got mad and hit me harder, and the harder he kicked me, the harder I laughed. They threw me back in the cell laughing. I kept laughing and laughing because suddenly I knew that had been a message from God: He was on my side. He wanted me to live for a reason. (22.81)
This guy's religion is weird. In the passage, Assef recounts how communist soldiers arrested him and beat him. But during his beating, Assef comes to a bizarre realization: God wants him to purge Afghanistan of Hazaras (see 22.83 to 22.89). Because the soldier actually helps Assef pass a kidney stone, Assef laughs during what should be a painful ordeal. Certainly Assef must have seemed insane to the torturer. As he beats Assef, Assef also shouts out a phrase which means "God is great." How do pain and religious insight mix in unsavory ways here? Does this episode explain Assef's cruelty (or was he cruel long before)?