Psychopaths In The Kite Runner

Even though neither one is Hazara, Assef treats them almost as if they were. Psychopaths are dangerous at best, and absolutely sadistic at worst. The things that a psychopath yearns for most are control and impulsivity. On top of this, they possess a predatory instinct, and will actively attack someone rather than as a reaction to confrontation. “He picked up a rock…hurled the stone at the blindfolded man in the hole…the man in the hole was now a mangled mess of blood and shredded rags” (271). Being stoned to death is a terrifyingly slow and painful way to die, and the act of stoning someone to death is beyond cruel and unusual, it is vicious. That Assef happily and even proudly stones this man to death shows just how cruel and unfeeling he

To the cat the mouse is nothing but an object to be used for its own benefit and amusement. Similarly, psychopaths enjoy toying with their victim and see them as objects, like a television or a bookcase, useful but unimportant. Before Assef rapes Hassan he offers to let him go, for a price, even though Assef knows Hassan would never agree to his deal. “But today is your lucky day, Hazara, I’m in a mood to forgive…it’s only going to cost you that blue kite” (71). Assef also toys with Amir when they meet to discuss Sohrab. He tries to scare Amir, which he knows will be easy because Amir was always a coward. “I could have you arrested for treason, have you shot for it even. Does that frighten you” (278). On several occasions Assef refers to the people that he sees as being beneath him as animals. He calls Hassan both a dog and a donkey in the span of just a few pages. “A loyal Hazara. Loyal like a dog” (72). “And there’s nothing sinful about teaching a lesson to a disrespectful donkey” (75). Assef also calls the Shorawi who took him and his parents from their home at gunpoint dogs. “The same dogs who weren’t fit to lick my shoes before the Shorawi came were now ordering me at gunpoint” (283). Many serial killers like to keep “souvenirs” of the crimes they

In the same vein of thought psychopaths will sometimes leave souvenirs with their victims as a reminder of the pain that was caused to them, and as a way to continue to cause their victim pain. Assef did this when he allowed Hassan to keep the blue kite. “I’m letting you keep the kite, Hazara. I’ll let you keep it so it will always remind you of what I’m about to do” (73). Psychopaths get enjoyment out of causing pain and suffering. After raping Hassan Assef is seen to be laughing as if nothing is wrong. “Assef and the other two sprinting by, laughing as they hurried down the deserted lane” (77). When talking to Amir