The Pomegranate tree

4. The Pomegranate tree

Trees we see and touch nowadays have existed since the olden times. Trees are very useful and therefore significantly important part in human life. Trees provide food for human and Trees we see and touch nowadays have existed since the olden times. Trees are very useful and therefore significantly important part in human life. Trees provide food for human and

Trees, like human being and animals, are living things; they are alive and breathing (except instead of consuming oxygen, trees suck carbon dioxide). Even though trees cannot move from one place to another, trees can sway from side to side like they are dancing. From the ancient time, human believe that the trunks and the branches of a tree create the image of human. Trunks and branches look like arms and fingers (Crews 37). However, unlike human, when a tree is cut, a new sprout will grow out of the cut trunk. For that reason, trees are commonly symbolized with life: eternal and immortality.

Trees in literature criticism have become one crucial part. Countless literature works have included trees for its meaningful implication. For example, Baobab Tree in Antoine de Saint- Exupery's The Little Prince , the Oak tree in Harper Lee‟s The Mocking Bird, the talking tree Ents in J.R.R Tolkien‟s‟ The Lord Of The Ring, and many others.

In the novel The Kite Runner, there is one particular tree mentioned by the author over and over again, which has significant meaning for the progress of the story. This particular tree

happens to be Pomegranate tree, Amir and Hassan‟s favorite tree. “„After school, Hassan and I met up, grabbed a book, and trotted up a bowl-shaped hill

just north of my father‟s property in Wazir Akbar Khan. There was an old abandoned cemetery atop the hill…. There was a pomegranate tree near the entrance to the cemetery. One summer day, I used one of Ali‟s kitchen knives to carve our names on it: “Amir and Hassan, the sultans just north of my father‟s property in Wazir Akbar Khan. There was an old abandoned cemetery atop the hill…. There was a pomegranate tree near the entrance to the cemetery. One summer day, I used one of Ali‟s kitchen knives to carve our names on it: “Amir and Hassan, the sultans

hands on the grass, I would read to Hassan.” (Hosseini26)

Below this tree, Amir and Hassan like to spend most of their time. It‟s like their daily routine. Amir comes back from school, Amir and Hassan would meet up, grab a book, and head toward the hill where the pomegranate tree is. They would sit under the tree for hours and Amir would read stories for Hassan until the sun goes down. Sometimes, Amir toys Hassan while he is reading for him since Hassan is illiterate. Hassan would insist Amir to read one more story before they go home. Underneath this tree is where the first time Amir reads his own story for Hassan and surprises by the way Hassan amazed with the story. One day, Amir even carves both of their names on the tree to show the personal meaning of this tree for both of them. The tree is their tree. This is what the tree means to both of them.

It is interesting to examine the using of pomegranate tree as the favorite tree instead of other trees. Pomegranate tree in the Bible (Deuteronomy 8:8) as well as olive and fig tree is associated as blessings from God. Equally, the Koran mentioned that Pomegranate is a gift from God (Musselman 49). Connect it to the narration, the pomegranate tree, the place where Amir and Hassan likes to spend their time every day, can be seen as symbolizing blessing and gift from God. Under this tree, the two of them are children who share close relationship despite all the differences they have. Therefore, each of them is gift and blessing for other. Especially, the way I see it, it is Hassan as the gift and blessing of God for Amir since in the story it is described It is interesting to examine the using of pomegranate tree as the favorite tree instead of other trees. Pomegranate tree in the Bible (Deuteronomy 8:8) as well as olive and fig tree is associated as blessings from God. Equally, the Koran mentioned that Pomegranate is a gift from God (Musselman 49). Connect it to the narration, the pomegranate tree, the place where Amir and Hassan likes to spend their time every day, can be seen as symbolizing blessing and gift from God. Under this tree, the two of them are children who share close relationship despite all the differences they have. Therefore, each of them is gift and blessing for other. Especially, the way I see it, it is Hassan as the gift and blessing of God for Amir since in the story it is described

The relationship friendship between the two boys is revealed and represented by the pomegranate tree. Under the tree is the time when Amir is not ashamed of Hassan being a Hazara and a servant. Amir even said to Hassan that for Amir, Hassan is a prince and he loves Hassan.

The carving on the bark written by Amir “Amir and Hassan, the sultans of Kabul” is also a significant part to observe. In my opinion, this carving positions the two boys at the same level.

There are no things to discern the two boys: Pashtun nor Hazara, Sunni nor Shia, master or servant. Conversely, there are two sultans of Kabul, two same statutes, hence, possess same level of power over Kabul.

One day after Kabul‟s government changes from monarchy to republic, Hassan worries whether republic means his father and him must leave Kabul or not. He keeps asking Amir about

this. Then, he asks Amir if he wants to go climb the tree. In the narration, it is described that Amir smiles because Hassan always knows the right time to say the right things. Offering to go to their tree (pomegranate tree) seems like the most proper thing to do for both of these two boys. In my opinion, this is because the pomegranate tree at the hill is a perfect spot for them to do activities which will distract their young minds from the chaos happens around them.

Pomegranate in Arabic is called rumman, while in Hebrew it is called rimmon. These two has the same meaning: fruit of Paradise. Therefore, connecting it to the story, the pomegranate tree can be also a paradise for them both. Something like a getaway for them. I consulted the meaning of paradise in the dictionary. Paradise, according to Merriam-Webster Electronic Dictionary, is 1. a very beautiful, pleasant, or peaceful place that seems to be perfect, 2. a place Pomegranate in Arabic is called rumman, while in Hebrew it is called rimmon. These two has the same meaning: fruit of Paradise. Therefore, connecting it to the story, the pomegranate tree can be also a paradise for them both. Something like a getaway for them. I consulted the meaning of paradise in the dictionary. Paradise, according to Merriam-Webster Electronic Dictionary, is 1. a very beautiful, pleasant, or peaceful place that seems to be perfect, 2. a place

The description about pomegranate as fruit of paradise, however, is contrary with the concept of pomegranate in Greek myth. When we are discussing about pomegranate in the Greek myth context, it will relate to the story of Persephone and Hades. The story is about Persephone, daughter of Demeter (goddess of fertility) who is seduced by Hades, the god of the underworld, and brought to the underworld. During the time when she is the underworld, Hades deceives her to eat pomegranate. As the result, she has to stay in the underworld for three months and she can spend another nine months with her mother. Therefore, it is believed that the time when Persephone is in the underworld causes winter time. In addition, consuming pomegranate makes her has to stay in underworld, hence, she is connected with death(Luke Roman,Monica Roman391-392).The story can be seen as an allegory representing the cycle of growth, decay, and regeneration of vegetation, the time in the underworld representing the resting period of the seed during the winter.

The friendship between Amir and Hassan is starting to loose after Hassan is rapped by the neighbor bully, Assef. Amir is there when the rapping happens, but does nothing about it. He prefers to become a coward and pretend he sees nothing. Even so, his heart cannot deny there a guilty feeling inside him but too timid to admit his weakness. In order to redeem himself, he request Hassan to accompany him to the hill where their tree is. Hassan, being as innocent as he always is, accepts the request with please. It can be seen from the way he rushes his chore to be able to play again with Amir, especially because Amir has been trying to avoid him lately. What

Hassan doesn‟t know is right after they reach their tree, instead of reading him stories, Amir hits Hassan doesn‟t know is right after they reach their tree, instead of reading him stories, Amir hits

Hassan‟s respond is unsuspected. He doesn‟t hit Amir. Instead, he puts the pomegranates and crushes them toward his forehead. “‟There,‟ he croaked, red dripping down his face like blood.

Are you satisfied? Do you feel better?‟ He turned around and started down the hill. Their friendship is breaking.

To be able to get more understanding about the previous explanation, I would like to quote from the prophet Muhammad, who once mentioned “Eat the pomegranate, for it purges the system of envy and hatred .” Based on this, some cultures consider pomegranate as fruit of love (The Pomegranate: A New Look at the Fruit of Paradise). This is because according the prophet, pomegranate will clean the jealousy and hatred. Bring into line it with the story, it is

Amir who is always jealous and envy that result to hatred in his heart. It is him the one who has the responsibility and the needs to consume the fruit. Still, he burdens and challenges Hassan to do it for him. Hassan accepts the challenges by crushing the fruit toward him. Hassan purges the system of envy and hatred for Hassan. Since then, playing at the hill under the pomegranate tree is never the same. Their paradise is not as peaceful as it has to be (Hosseini 87).

The idea of pomegranate tree as symbol of fecundity, longevity, and fertility that is supported in many different cultures in the worldseems like contrary to what happen between Amir, Hassan, and the pomegranate tree. As time goes by, after Hassan and his father leave as well as Amir and Baba flees to America, everything that happens becoming worse. Adult Hassan is married to a woman. His wife has miscarriage and Hassan is killed when his wife gives birth to their second son, Sohrab, who is later saved by Amir. On the other hand, adult Amir gets married to Soraya but they are not able to have children. Instead of fertility and longevity, the The idea of pomegranate tree as symbol of fecundity, longevity, and fertility that is supported in many different cultures in the worldseems like contrary to what happen between Amir, Hassan, and the pomegranate tree. As time goes by, after Hassan and his father leave as well as Amir and Baba flees to America, everything that happens becoming worse. Adult Hassan is married to a woman. His wife has miscarriage and Hassan is killed when his wife gives birth to their second son, Sohrab, who is later saved by Amir. On the other hand, adult Amir gets married to Soraya but they are not able to have children. Instead of fertility and longevity, the

However, there is one not-too-gloomy story related to Persephone. What seems to me a a relief is that even though Persephone has to stay for three month in the underworld, there will be months when she get back to her mother Demeter, goddess of agriculture. When it occurs, this means spring time has come, where new shoots, buds, or sprouts emerge. The plants that seem to die during winter time, seems like comes to live in spring. The way I see it, even though pomegranate can be mean as representing death, however, I can see there is hope and life, represented by spring time.

Synchronized with the novel, the pomegranate tree as has been explained before represents Amir and Hassan‟s close relationship. The tree is fruitful and healthy. However, years

later the tree dies, just like the pomegranate tree‟s symbolization in the story of Greek myth (Persephone and Hades) that represents death. Amir an d Hassan‟s relationship broke after rapping done by the neighbor‟s bully to Hassan. Even until they become adult, in separate countries (Hassan in Afghanistan and Amir in USA), Amir is not able to get rid of his bad past. Hassan is killed and his son is k idnapped. While in America, Amir and his wife couldn‟t be pregnant. This poor situation is represented by the dead pomegranate tree.

“Hassan said in his letter that the pomegranate tree hadn‟t borne fruit in years. Looking at the wilted, leafless tree, I doubted it ever would again. ”(Hosseini 264).

Here, Amir sits at the foot of the tree and stares at the city and memorizes how the city was during his childhood. This death and dry tree is seen as a link for Amir to see the beautiful Here, Amir sits at the foot of the tree and stares at the city and memorizes how the city was during his childhood. This death and dry tree is seen as a link for Amir to see the beautiful

The gift of God is dead: Amir‟s friendship with Hassan. Nevertheless, there is hope for Amir to redeem himself. As well as there will be spring time after winter, there will be life after

death. In order to restore his mistake in the past, Amir sav es Sohrab (Hassan‟s son) from Assef. It is Amir‟s way to restore everything that has broken as the impact of his cowardice act in the past. Therefore, in the story, after visiting the pomegranate tree at the hill, Amir decides to meet Assef in order to take back Sohrab from Assef.