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Hassan is Raped by Assef
Amir narrates, "Maybe Hassan was the price I had to pay, the lamb I had to slay, to win Baba"(Hosseini 77). Amir ran away even though he knew what was happening to his "friend". He told himself Hassan was the sacrifice he had to pay in order to gain approval of his father. Amir's thought process displays the side of him that is cowardly, weak, and selfish. Throughout the rest of the book, he is guilty for this moment which displays that one event can influence one's life choices forever. -
Hassan and Ali Leave
Ali states, "'We are leaving Agha sahib . . . Life here is impossible for us now'"(Hosseini 106). Ali understands that Amir's actions suggest that if they continue to live in that house, Amir will be out to get them. Ali also can never see Amir the same way after he has knowledge of the betrayal that went on. Ali does make the choice not to tell Baba about Amir's disgraceful actions, whether to protect him or not it displays Ali's universally good heart even when he dislikes Amir. -
Amir winning the kite tournament
Hassan exclaims, "You won, Amir agha! You won!" while Amir states, " We won! We won!" (Hosseini 66). In the quote one can see the divide where Hassan gives all the credit to Amir without hesitation. Hassan is shown to be selfless and worthy of Baba's love. -
First Soviet Troops Arrive
According to the article,"The first Soviet troops parachuted into Kabul on Dec. 27, 1979, to assist Babrak Karmal, who had become president in a coup within the Afghan Communist leadership" -
Amir and Baba Flee Kabul
Amir narrates,"My innards had been roiling since we'd left Kabul just after two in the morning. . . I knew he [Baba] saw my car sickness as yet anoother of my array of weakness"(Hosseini 110). This demonstrates Baba being disappointed in Amir once again. This is another example of Amir's thoughts of Baba's judgements consuming is mind. His whole life he has built is personality to try and gain the acceptance of his father -
Amir graduates high school
"that summer of 1983, I graduated from high school at the age of twenty, by far the oldest senior tossing his mortarboard on the football field that day" (Hosseini 131). Amir's determination to make something of his life got him through high school. In America, Baba is more understanding of Amir's choice to be a writer because of the emphasis on education in the new setting. This helps Baba and Amir relationship immensely because Amir finally feels accepted by his father. -
Amir and Soraya get married
General Taheri says,"I welcome you into my home as a son, as the husband of my daughter"( Hosseini 168). Amir and Soraya get married and the general becomes part of the family.This event is crucial to Amir's life because he finally has someone who can offer an equal amount of love as he's giving. His relationship with Baba showed that Amir cared more for Baba then Baba cared for Amir and Hassan loved Amir much more than Amir could ever return. Therefore Soraya was important for Amir's wellbeing. -
Baba Dies
"My whole life, I had been 'Baba's son.' Now he was gone. Baba couldn't show me the way anymore. . . The thought of it terrified me"(Hosseini 174). Baba dying gives Amir time to thik for himself and not always try to please his father every chance he gets. Amir is scared because his entire life has been based around Baba. Once Amir thinks for himself he understands that he can atone for his mistake by taking Sohrab in. -
The Soviet Troops Left
The article states,"Soviet troops stayed in the country for more than nine years, fighting a conflict that cost them roughly 15,000 lives and undisclosed billions of rubles, while undermining the cherished image of an invincible Soviet Army. . . the last Soviet troops left Afghanistan in February 1989" -
Sanaubar Returns
Sanauabar says," ' I have walked far and long to see if you are as beautiful in the flesh as you are in my dreams . . . And I wouldn't even hold you. Allah forgive me' " (Hosseini 210). Sanaubar wants to atone for her sins and she wants to get rid of the guilt she has had for years. Her coming back means that she has changed and wants a relationship with Hassan. -
Hassan's Son is Born
The book states,"I remember Sanaubar came out of the hut holding her grandson, had wrapped him in a wool blanket. She stood beaming under a dull gray sky, tears streaming down her cheeks" (Hosseini 211). Sanaubar had definitely changed since she had rejected Hassan. Sanaubar was so happy and wanted to get back all the lost time. Sanaubar and Amir are very similar since they both hold guilt with them for many years and eventually start to atone for their wrongdoings. -
Afghanistan's Government went into chaos
The article says,"by the summer of 1994, power was anarchically divided among competing warlords and individual fiefdoms . . . By the end of 1994 Mullah Omar had nearly 12,000 followers and was rolling up the warlords to the north and east. With his promise of restoring the centrality of Islam to daily life, he created a genuinely popular movement in a country weary of corruption and brutality. " -
Sanaubar Dies
Amir narrates," She just did not wake up. She looked calm, at peace, like she did not mind dying now"(Hosseini 211). Sanaubar had atoned her biggest sin by coming back for Hassan. It therefore put her at peace with herself and her life. She felt accomplished by the end of her life. -
The Taliban Have Power in Government
The article says," the Taliban by 1996 had taken control of Afghanistan, imposing strict - enforcement of fundamentalist Islamic law, banning movies and music and forcing women out of schools and into all-enveloping burqa clothing" -
The Taliban Responded to the Ulitmatum
According to the article,"The Taliban also provided a haven for Mr. bin Laden, who arrived by chartered jet at Jalalabad Airport in May 1996, " -
Hassan and Farzana are killed by Taliban
Rahim Khan narrates,"Hassan protested again. So they took him to the street ... and shot him in the back of the head ... Farzana came screaming...[they] shot her too"(Hosseini 219). Afghanistan changed into a war zone and with the Taliban in power there were no rules. The Taliban orphaned young Sohrab because they were Hazaras, which therefore justified their actions, and they wanted the mansion. This event demonstrates the unjust life Hassan had, and despite he is still the most genuine person. -
US involvement
"The United States has been militarily involved in Afghanistan since 2001. . . The 2001 invasion succeeded in dislodging Al Qaeda and removing the Taliban from power" -
Amir brings Sohrab to America
Amir says to Sanaubar back in America,"I can't wait for you to see Shorab"(Hosseini 334). Amir brings Sohrab to live with him and his wife in order to atone for the betrayal that took place with Hassan many years before. Amir tries to gain forgiveness by taking in Hassan's orphaned son. This act demonstrates Amir's growth throughout the story, where at the start, he was cowardly and impulsive, and by the end he is careful with his actions. -
Amir takes Sohrab Kite racing
Amir says to Sohrab," ' So you want me to run this kite for you? . . . For you a thousand times over' "(Hosseini 371). This quote emphasizes the way Amir tries to atone for his mistakes by helping Sohrab since Hassan said the words earlier in the book. Amir's growth is also shown because of his new trait loyalty. He would never have said that at the beginning of the book because of his immature manner. -
twin towers fall down because of the Taliban
The article states, "After the attack on the World Trade Center in New York on Sept 11, 2001, President George W. Bush gave the Taliban an ultimatum to hand over Mr. bin Laden." -
A new Afghan Government
The article says,"In December 2001, Hamid Karzai, a supporter and relative of Mohammad Zahir Shah, the exiled former king of Afghanistan, was named chairman of an interim government that replaced the defeated Taliban, making him the leader of the country" -
The Taliban were defeated for the time being
According to the article,"Despite their defeat in 2001, the Taliban continued to wage a guerrilla warfare from a base in the mountainous and largely lawless tribal area on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border" -
Amir goes to Vist Rahim Khan
The book states,"Checked the address on the piece of stationery paper in my palm. Knocked. Then, a thing made of skin and bones pretending to be Rahim Khan opened the door"(Hosseini 197).This illustrates the amount of time that passed where Amir doesn't recognize the old man in front of him. Amir looked up to Rahim throughout childhood and seeing him at his weakest is unexpected. Amir expected the tall, understanding, kind-hearted Rahim, not what he saw in that doorway. -
Amir finds out Baba is Hassan's father
Rahim states,"Ali was sterile . . . It was a shameful situation. All the man [Baba] had back then, all that he was, was his honor, his name"(Hosseini 223).Rahim reveals that Hassan is Baba's son because Ali was sterile and could not give his wife a child. Baba didn't tell anyone because if people knew he associated with a Hazara in that way, his social economic status (SES) would decrease. In Afghanistan at that time SES was crucial to a person's life. -
Mr. Karzai takes office
The article states,"Mr. Karzai was elected to a five-year term as president in 2004"