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Winter Hassan's Tradgedy Occured In
In this time, " In the winter of 1975, I saw Hassan run a it for the last time" (55). Hassan was raped by Assef when he went to run a kite for Amir. This event left a long-lasting scar in both Amir and Hassan. Throughout the whole book we see how the guilt eats Amir and affects many things he does. -
Hassan and Ali Left
Baba was completely torn apart because pf Hssan and Ali leaving,"It scared me a little, seeing a grown man sob, Fathers weren't supposed to cry. 'Please,' Baba was saying, but Ali had already turned to th edoor, Hassan trailing him" (107). Hassan and Ali left the house and this completely broke Baba. But, Amir simply had to get rid of him because the guilt was eating him alive. -
Soviet Invasion Ends Peace in Afghanistan
Afghanistan has been known for it's peace until the invasion of the Soviets. According to the article Afghanitsan "...has know little peace since 1979, when the Soviet Union invaded." (1) Source: "Afghanistan- An Overview." Editorial. New York Times. 6 Dec. 2011: 1-4. Print. -
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Events in Afghanistan's History
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Soviets invade
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How Soviets Invaded
When the Soviets invaded, they "... parachuted into Kabul... to assit Babrak Karmal, who had become president in a coup within the Afghan Communist leadership" (2) Source: "Afghanistan- An Overview." Editorial.New York Times. 6 Dec. 2011: 1-4. Print. -
Amir and Baba leave the Country
Amir and Baba have to leave Kabul because it is no longer safe. Everything was being taken over and they had to be careful, " Even at the dinner table, in the privacy of their own home, people had to speakin a calculated manner-therafiqs were in the classroom too: they'd taught children to spy on their parents, what to listen for, whom to tell"(113). Soviets had taken over their country and it wasn't safe for anyone anymore so they had to get out and go somewhere safer. -
Baba and Amir head to Kabul
The author states that, "Even at the dinner table, in the privacy of their own home, people had to speak in a calculated manner-the rafiqs were in classrooms too; they'd taught children to spy on their parents, what to listen for, whom to tell" (113). Clearly somone has invaded this area and now people have to be very watchful of what they say. It seems to me that any small action of rebellion would result in severe punishment. -
Karmal kills Himself
After Karmal'sson dies because of the gas, 'But before any of us can say or do anything, Karmal shoved the barrel down his own mouth. I'll never forget the echo of that blast. Or the flash of light and the spray of red" (124). Clearly witnessing this event affected Amir greatly. It disturbed him severely, and he felt the awful pain of the father that lost his son, amd it stuck with him. -
Amir Graduates from Highschool
Amir gradates from highschool at the age of 20 and his father was ," Proud. His eyes gleamed when he said that and I liked being on the recieving end of that look"(131). After all the work Baba has gone through to get them to the US his action have greatlt paid off for Amir. Even though Baba does things that makes me think otherwise, Baba cares so much about his son. He goes through a great amount of trouble just to make sure Amir could have a nice life. -
Amir meets a Girl
As Amir is having a conversation with General Taheri his daughter brings him tea and catches Amir attention right away, "She was standing right behind us, a slimmed hip beauty with vevety coal black hair... I blinked my heart quickening" (140). Instantly, Amir's attention was caught by Genral Taheri's daughter,Soraya. He is clearly interested by her and has love for her at first sight. -
Amir and Baba in California
Amir thinks about all of the things he notices about Fremont , ' I remember the two of us walking through Lake Elizabeth Parnk in Fremont, a few streets down from our apartment, and watching boys at batting practice, little girls giggling on the swings in the playground" (125). This quote shows how California is completely at piece. At this time in California there was no war or anything that would make people feel unsafe. I'm assuming Amir and Baba came here to finally be at peace. -
Baba is Diagnosed with Cancer
Baba went to the doctor and Amir found out that, "...like Satan, cancer had many names. Baba's was called 'Oat Cell Carcinoma' Advanced" (156). Baba has reaaly bad cancer and has refused treatment and he also doesn't want anyone to find out about it. He doesn't want anyone to feel sorry for him. He just to live his life as if nothing bad was happenong to him. -
Soviets realize being in Afghnastan is not helping them.
According to the article, "After 1986, the Soviet Air Force was also rendered largely useless by advanced Stinger antiaircraft missles supplied by the United States to the rebels" (2). Source: "Afghanistan- An Overview." Editorial.New York Times. 6 Dec. 2011: 1-4. Print. -
Soraya and Amir get Married
Amir and Soraya get married and Amir, "remeber(s) walking toward the stage, now in my tuxedo, Soraya a veiled pari in white, our hands locked" (170). Amir was now married to the love of his life and was extremely happy with her. When they were together, everything seemed to be alright. -
Baba Dies
One night Amir and Soraya say goodnight to Baba and Baba says "There is no pain tonight" (173). That night Baba died in his sleep peacfully. Amir is scared because he doesn't know what to do without Baba because he's alwayd been there for him. Now that Baba is gone he feels a litle lost and clearly misses him. -
Amir Finishes his First Novel
Amir takes on his passion for writing and he, "finishe(s) his first novel, a father and son story set in Kabul, written mostly with the typetwriter the general gave to me" (182). The fact that Amir wrote a father son story makes me think that this is him showing how he misses his dad. I also think it's trying to fill the hole of having a child because Soraya couldn't have children. -
Soviet troops leave Afghanstan
In the article it states, "Eventually, after peace talks moderated by the United Nations, the last Soviet troops left Afghanastan in February 1989, in what was in effect a unilateral withdrawal" (2). Source: "Afghanistan- An Overview." Editorial.New York Times. 6 Dec. 2011: 1-4. Print. -
Who would lead their country now?
At this time after the Soviets left, Afghanastan didn't know what to do and who would lead their country. Not knowing who would be the leader of their country, "...power was anarchically divided amoung competing warlords and individual fiefdoms" (2). Source: "Afghanistan- An Overview." Editorial.New York Times. 6 Dec. 2011: 1-4. Print. -
Who would lead them now?
The Taliban had taken over Afghanastan, "...imposing strict enforcement of fundamental Islamic law, banning movies and music and forcing women out of schools and into all- enveloping burqua clothing" (3). Source: "Afghanistan- An Overview." Editorial.New York Times. 6 Dec. 2011: 1-4. Print. -
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The Taliban Takeover
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Rahim Khan got Sick
Amir gets to Rahim Khan's house and he tells Amir everything that happened to Hassan. When he told how Hassan had an orpaphaned kid, Amir was asked to "grant an old man his dying wish" (221). Amir wants to atone for what he did to Hassan by finding his son and bringing him to a better place. He thinks that if he helps him he will feel less guilt. -
9/11 Invasion
Al Queda invades the U.S., taking down the Twin Towers in NewYork City. The same day Al Queda invaded George Bush,"...gave the Taliban an unltimatum to hand over Mr. bin Laden"(3). Instead they ran and hid. The Taliban had taken over Afghanastan, "...imposing strict enforcement of fundamental Islamic law, banning movies and music and forcing women out of schools and into all- enveloping burqua clothing" (3). Source: "Afghanistan- An Overview." Editorial.New York Times. 6 Dec. 2011: 1-4. Print -
Sohrab tries to kill himself
Amir told Sohrab he might have to back to the orphanage for a little while after he promises that he would never have to go back. But, when he finds out that he could bring Sohrab back to California he "pushed the door open...Suddenly I was on my knees, screaming...Later they said I was still screaming when the ambulance arrived" (343). Sohrab had awful expirences in the orpanages and didn't want to be alive if he had to go back. He wanted his old life back and wanted to stop suffering. -
The Karzul Government
The former king of Afghnastan became a chairman in the government. He later became the president"...saying he hoped to secure peace for Afghnastan..."(3). Source: "Afghanistan- An Overview." Editorial.New York Times. 6 Dec. 2011: 1-4. Print -
Taliban Resurgence
The Taliban still made it's way around despite the new government . In the article it says ,"...insurgenc y that grew larger, better coordinted and more deadly each year"(4). Source: "Afghanistan- An Overview." Editorial.New York Times. 6 Dec. 2011: 1-4. Print -
Sohrab smiles at Amir
After about a year without talking, Sohrab had "one corner of his mouth had curled up just so. A smile. Lopsided. Hardly there. But there"(371). This small gesture Sohrab made was the first step for Sohrab to get better. It was also the start of the journey Amir, Soraya, and Sohrab would have as a family. -
Obama's Speech
Obama gave a speech at WEstpoint and said,"... his plan to deploy 30,000 additional troops"(4). He was sending these troops to Afghnastan. Source: "Afghanistan- An Overview." Editorial.New York Times. 6 Dec. 2011: 1-4. Print