The Pomegranate Tree In The Kite Runner By Khaled Hosseini

Pomegranates may simply appear as a type of fruit to any ordinary person, but in The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, a significant meaning is concealed behind these crimson seeds. Amir, the narrator of the novel, grew up with the pomegranate tree that had ever so existed as a friendship memory for him and Hassan, his loyal, best friend. It was a special place where they created both lively and dreary moments together. As the relationship between Hassan and Amir degraded due to bitter events occurring, the pomegranate tree deteriorated, as well. Hosseini utilizes the pomegranate tree to symbolize the status of Hassan and Amir's friendship throughout the book.
Amir and Hassan discovered a desolated pomegranate tree that lived near the cemetery. They carved their names on it to indicate their hangout spot permanently and from them on, they read books and talked to each other. “There was a pomegranate tree… I used one of Ali's kitchen knives to carve our names in it: ‘ Amir and Hassan, the sultans of Kabul.’” (Hosseini,27) Carving the pomegranate tree made their friendship even more significant because of the permanence that had been

marked onto the tree. This marked the beginning of the pomegranate tree evolving as their friendship. Because they were both in good terms during this moment, they capable of eating fresh “bloodred pomegranates”(27) as well. The quote highlights that their friendship had been now connected with the pomegranate tree with their names carved onto its surface.
As time went by, things turned around when Amir began feeling guilty about his incapability to step forward as he witnessed Hassan being raped by a bully. His guilty conscience acts on the spot and he wants to get punished so Amir decides to throw a pomegranate at Hassan one day to provoke him to hit him back with one, too. Instead, Hassan throws it at himself in the face, making Amir feel even more guilty to have a friend like him. “Then Hassan did pick up a pomegranate.. he opened it and crushed it against his own forehead.” (Hosseini,93) The crushing of the pomegranate indicates the crushing of their friendship. Pomegranate seeds are similar to blood and since the seeds are crushed into a bloody like appearance, then perhaps their friendship is progressing to be a bloody one and soon cease to exist one day. This quote displays that the use of pomegranate seeds crushing onto Hassan’s head symbolizes the downfall of their friendship.
As an adult, Amir, who had been living in America for half his life, visits the home he was originally raised in and recalls memories of him,Hassan and his father.

Eventually, he sees the pomegranate tree and it reminds him of his childhood memories. Hassan is dead at this point and they never contacted each other since they lived too far away. “Hassan had said in his letter that the pomegranate tree hadn't borne fruit in years. Looking at the wilted, leafless tree, I doubted it would ever again.” (Hosseini,264) Ever since Amir and Hassan lost contact with each other, the pomegranate tree hasn't produced fruit at all. It’s lifeless and barren, just like Hassan and Amir’s friendship. The tree won't come back to life just like Hassan won't come back to life. No memories can be created just like how no fruit will be created from the

tree.
Hosseini continues to use the pomegranates as a symbol to represent their once alive, now deceased friendship. Hassan and Amir both grew up together as kids and made their tree a special place for them. The crumble of the pomegranate served as the beginning of the crumble of their friendship. At last, the dead pomegranate tree symbolizes the friendship that has died. Throughout the novel, the pomegranates were an important symbol displaying how their friendship went through the good and bad times together.