The characters of Assef, Wali and Kamal

Assef
Assef is the neighbourhood bully. He is part of the gang of boys who bully Ali, Hassans father, and is the most relentless. He dislikes Amir and threatens him because he is friends with Hassan, who is Hazara, and Assef does not approve of Hazara people. He has very strong views on the Hazara's and how they do not belong in Afghanistan, that Afghanistan should be just for the Pashtuns. Assef seems to enjoy threatening and hurting people, and is known for savagery. Amir thinks it is possible he may not be completely sane.

Wali
There is not much of a description of Wali, other than that he is one of Assefs wingmen. Him and Kamal follow him around and do as he tells them. In chapter 5 he is described as their 'god'. In chapter 7 however he does seem to stand up for himself a little, saying his father would be disappointed, but still helps Assef with raping Hassan.

Kamal
Kamal is very much the same as Wali in that he seems to have no personality of his own but just follows Assef round, helping him hurt innocent people.Him and Wali try to act as though they are the same as Assef by saying things they think he would say, and always agreeing with him when he is threatening people.

The only reason Kamal and Wali follow Assef around is because they are scared of him. If they left him not they don't know what he would do to them. They also have no idea what he is capable of and do not want to find themselves on the end of it.

In the book they play the role of the 'baddies'. They cause the main complications and they are the enemies of Amir and Hassan, so are instantly disliked by the reader. Assef is intimidating, so we do feel some sympathy for Wali and Kamal, who are dragged into being Assefs wingmen through fear.