Assef

Assef

1. Juxtaposed to Hassan, who is seen as the 'good' character, Assef is seen as the 'bad'

   • We see that Assef looks upon Hassan as an animal
   • Assef shows no remorse towards Hassan
   • Assef represents all things bad in Afghansiatn

2. What has he done? Rape, Child Molestation, murder

   • He preys on people who he believes are weaker than he is
     • Hazaras were particularly victimised in Afghan at the time therefore, Hosseini uses the relationship between Assef and both Ali and Hassan
   • He needs to in power

3. Assef is a bully in Kabul and grows up to join the Taliban idolising Hitler

   • Showing that the treatment of the Taliban towards the Afghan people is merely bullying

4. The antagonist in the novel; he is half German and half Afghan

5. Assef is constantly foreshadowed

6. He carries the brass knuckles around with him as a symbol of the type of character his is

   • His brass knuckles also foreshadow future events

7. Unlike most of the other characters in the novel, Assef does not undertake a moral change in the novel

8. Indirectly we hear that Assef inflicts pain on other children in Kabul including a disabled

9. Assef has a huge admiration for Hitler

   • Even as a child he abuses Hassan (pure evil)
     • Archetype of bad
   • This immediately spells out for the reader that he has extreme views

10. Assef is the symbol of the relationship between the Taliban and the rest of society

11. He is wears western glasses and abuses children showing that he doesn't stick to the Taliban's moral and religious code- suggesting he is using the Taliban as a cover up

12. Amir describes Assef as a 'sociopath'

    • someone who does not have any concern for the normal moral rules of society or the effects their actions have on others

13. Blue eyed, sadistic boy

14. 'One Eyed Assef'. Later on in the novel he fulfils this name when Sohrab flings a stone at him using a slingshot.