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Kite Runner & the History of Afghanistan
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Daoud's Reforms
PBS says, "As part of Daoud’s reforms, women are allowed to attend university and enter the workforce." -
Afghan Communist Party
In the article, it states, "[In 1965], the Afghan Communist Party secretly forms. The group’s principal leaders are Babrak Karmal and Nur Mohammad Taraki." -
Overthrowing the King
IN PBS' article, they state, "Khan overthrows the last king, Mohammed Zahir Shah, in a military coup. Khan’s regime, the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan, comes to power" -
Plastic Surgery
When Hassan finds out what Dr. Kumar does, Hassan, "Touched his upper lip" (46). Hassan gets bullied for having a cleft lip. By going through plastic surgery, he won't get bullied for it anymore -
Hassan is Raped
After Hassan ran the final kite, Amir sees Hassan, "With his chest pinned to the ground" (75). Amir witnesses Hassan being raped, but does nothing about it. Amir didn't help his friend, and even says to himself later he is a coward for it -
We are the Champions
After knocking down the last kite, Amir shouts, "We won! We won!" (66). Before Amir said this, Hassan was saying 'You won Amir agha!' Amir then changed it to 'we,' showing he cares for Hassan and wants him to be happy as well -
Goodbye
While Baba begs Hassan and Ali to stay, Ali says, "We are leaving, Agha sahib" (106). After trying to get rid of Hassan, Amir realizes he is more important than he thought. Hassan admitted to stealing Amir's stuff in order to save Amir's integrity and to keep him grounded -
Long Live the New KIng
The article from PBS says, "Khan is killed in a communist coup. Nur Mohammad Taraki, one of the founding members of the Afghan Communist Party, takes control of the country as president, and Babrak Karmal is named deputy prime minister." -
The U.S. Gets Involved
PBS states, "The USSR invades Afghanistan on Dec. 24 to bolster the faltering communist regime. On Dec. 27, Amin and many of his followers are executed." -
A New Life
When Amir talks about moving, he says, "Baba loved the idea of America" (125). Although being highly respected and honored in Kabul, Baba wanted to get away from there. This shows the impact of the taliban and how they changed Afghanistan for the worst -
Working the Market
Amir talks about, "Early Sunday mornings [he and Baba] drove to the San Jose flea market of Berryessa, rented a spot, and sold the junk for a small profit" (137). This hustle that Amir and Baba have is a great bonding experience for the two. Since Amir never felt accepted by Baba when he was young, working together with him helps him feel closer to him. -
Love is in the Air
While talking to Soraya, Amir says, "I want us to marry" (165). This is a major milestone in Amir's life. He has questioned himself and his identity around many different people, but found someone he feels comfortable around as himself -
Supplying a Future War Zone
The article from PBS says, "The Mujahadeen are receiving arms from the United States, Britain and China via Pakistan" -
Baba Passes
After saying goodnight to Baba, "[He] never woke up" (173). With Baba's passes, Amir is never able to fulfill the relationship he wanted with his dad. He never felt as if his dad accepted him, although making steps to get to that point. -
Aspiring Author
Amir gets a call saying he, "Was going to be a published author" (183). This is significant because it's what Amir has always dreamed of. Beginning with stories for Hassan, Amir always loved writing, even though his dad was not a fan of it -
Peace Accords
PBS says, "The U.S., Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the Soviet Union sign peace accords in Geneva guaranteeing Afghan independence and the withdrawal of 100,000 Soviet troops" -
Sohrab is Born
Although there not being a quote of this happening, Sohrab's birth is a major event. Because of Amir's sin, he wants to atone to Hassan. With Hassan eventually passing, Amir believes saving Sohrab from the taliban is his only way to atone for what he's done -
Attacking the Capital
PBS talks about, "The Mujahadeen and other rebel groups, with the aid of turncoat government troops, storm the capital, Kabul, and oust Najibullah from power -
The Taliban
The article from PBS states, "Newly formed Islamic militia, the Taliban, rises to power on promises of peace. Most Afghans, exhausted by years of drought, famine and war, approve of the Taliban for upholding traditional Islamic values." -
Hassan Dies
When Rahim Khan is talking to Amir about Hassan's death he tells him, "[They] shot him in the back of the head" (219). With Hassan's death, Amir feels he won't be able to atone for his sins. He has wanted to atone for walking away from Hassan, but now that he is gone, he feels it is impossible to atone. -
Rahim Khan Calls
After getting call from Rahim Khan, Amir tells Soraya, "I have to go to Pakistan" (191). By listening to Rahim Khan, it shows Amir's trust in him. This is significant because it foreshadows later events of the book -
Amir Saves Sohrab
After talking to Assef and taking a beating to save Sohrab, Amir, "Passed out" (292). Amir taking this beating shows how much he cares for Hassan. Since he couldn't atone directly to Hassan, he felt that saving Sohrab was his way to atone, and that's what he did -
Sohrab tries to Kill Himself
When Amir finds Sohrab in the bathtub, bleeding, he, "Was on [his] knees, screaming" (343). Sohrab is so sad that he wasn't going to be able to get to America that he reached an extreme low. This shows how the Taliban turned Afghanistan for the worse. -
9/11
PBS talks about, "Hijackers commandeer four commercial airplanes and crash them into the World Trade Center Towers in New York, the Pentagon outside Washington, D.C., and a Pennsylvania field, killing thousands. Days later, U.S. officials say bin Laden, the Saudi exile believed to be hiding in Afghanistan, is the prime suspect in the attack. -
AMir and Sohrab Fly a Kite
After Sohrab knocks down the other kite, Amir asks, "Do you want me to run that kite for you?" (371). This quote shows the new bond between Amir and Sohrab. At first, their relationship is rocky based on their circumstance. But when they are able to settle down with no worries, they build a bond that will last forever
