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Baba is born
In chapter four it states, "In 1933, Baba was born" (Hosseini 24). In this quote, Baba is born which is the start to a long journey. Baba plays a significant role in the novel, therefore this event is important. -
Amir wins kite running competition.
In the winter of 1975, Amir and Hassan decide to join into the kite running competition. When Amir wins Hassan shouts, "'You won, Amir agha! You won!'" This quote is significant because that was the last time Amir saw Hassan running a kite. Also, it finally gave Amir a chance for Baba to be proud of him. Seeing Baba cheering and clapping for Amir made him happy and finally felt wanted. -
Hassan gets raped by Amir
After winning the kite competition, Hassan runs into his bully, Assef. Assef tells his friends, "'And there's nothing sinful about teaching a disrespectful donkey a lesson" (Hosseini 75). This encounter with Assef changed Hassan and Amir's relationship. Amir saw the whole thing and did not help Hassan, even though he was in need of it. This shows the lack of loyalty Amir had for Hassan -
Period: to
Time Span of Kite Runner & the History of Afghanistan
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Ali and Hassan leave Baba and Amir
After setting up Hassan, Baba, Amir, Hassan, and Ali all have a meeting. When asking if Hassan had stolen all the goods, he replies yes with loyalty in mind of Amir. Baba still begs for them to stay, but Ali states, "'Life here is impossible for us now, Agha sahib. We're leaving'" (Hosseini 106). The guilt that built up from not saving Hassan made Amir do this shameful act. Ali knew everything that had happened and as a result, wanted to leave. This led Baba to be in pain and confusion. -
Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan
On December 27, 1979, "The first Soviet troops parachuted into Kabul, to assist Babrak Karmal, who had become president in a coup within the Afghan Communist leadership. " (New York Times) -
Baba and Amir arrive in America
In order to get away from the danger in Afghanistan, Baba and Amir go to America. In the book it reads, "It was living in America that gave him an ulcer" (Hosseini 125). This demonstrates the excitement Baba had to live in America and all the new opportunities that life would give them. In America, they could get a fresh start and wait till the war in Afghanistan is over. -
Amir sees Soraya for the first time
In America, Baba and Amir go to the flea market every weekend. Amir spots Soraya, describing, "Her eyes, walnut brown and shaded by her fanned lashes, met mine" (Hosseini 141). It is evident that Amir is very interested in Soraya and is day dreaming about her. Later when finally speaking to her, he gets nervous and does not realize that it was a start to a happy marriage. -
Baba gets sick
When Baba started to catch a cold, he could not fight it off and ended up getting weaker and weaker. The book states, "Then, two weeks later, I caught him coughing a wad of bloodstained phlegm into the toilet" (Hosseini 153). This showed that Baba was in danger and had a serious illness. He was checked into the hospital where the doctors stated he had lung cancer, leading to his death. -
Soviet Union left Afghanistan
In Febuary 1989, "Soviet troops left Afghanistan" (New York Times). -
Sanauabar comes back
The book states, "None of us had seen Sanaubar since sh had eloped with a band of singers and dancers in 1964" (Hosseini 210). Sanuabar still game back for Hassan even though she was very old. Hassan was able to forgive her when she came back which was what no one expecting, since he ran out the house when he first figured out it was her. -
Sohrab is born
In that same year of 1990, "It was Sanaubar who delivered Hassan's son" (Hosseini 211). After giving birth to a still born, the second child was born alive. Sohrab plays a very important role in the novel, helping Amir out of tough times and getting into harmful situations. -
Mallah Omar, a man who stood up against the Soviet Union, gained followers all across the country.
The article states, "By the end of 1994 Mullah Omar had nearly 12,000 followers and was rolling up the warlords to the north and east" (New York Times). -
People in Afghanistan were fighting for power
The article explains to us that, “by the summer of 1994, power was anarchically divided among competing warlords and individual fiefdoms“ (New York Times). -
Pakistani officers supplied Mullah Omar with weapons and additional support.
The article says, “Pakistani intelligence officers began funneling arms, money and supplies to Mullah Omar's men, as well as military advisers to help guide them in battle“ (New York Times). -
Taliban takes control of Afghanistan
The article tell us that the "Taliban by 1996 had taken control of Afghanistan" (New York Times). -
Rahim Kahn calls Amir
One day, Amir receives a call by Rahim Kahn, who he had not heard from in a long time. Amir states, "'Rahim Kahn is very sick'" (Hosseini 190). This phone call shocked Amir because he realized that the other father figure in his life was dying. He had the urge to go to Pakistan in order to see Rahim Kahn. -
Amir goes to visit Rahim Kahn
After getting Rahim's phone call, Amir was concerned and rushed to see Rahim Kahn. There, he tells Rahim Kahn, "Let me take you home with me. I can find you a good doctor" (Hosseini 201). Rahim Kahn declines this offer, saying that America changed Amir. Amir goes to visit Rahim Kahn to make sure he is ok, so when he sees he is not, he wants to take him to America. -
Amir meets with Assef
On the mission to get Sohrab, Amir has to talk to the Taliban officer which turned out to be Assef. In novel says, "But he was already here, in the flesh, sitting less than ten feet from me, after all these years" (Hosseini 281). Assef comes back into the story, beating up Amir so bad he gets sent to the hospital. The shocking return of Assef made Amir anxious and filled with guilt after what he did to Hassan . -
Amir and Sohrab arrive in America
The novel reads, "We arrived home about seven months ago, on a warm day in August 2001" (Hosseini 357). After staying longer than Amir intended to, they finally arrive home. Sohrab never says yes or no to the offer Amir gives, so Amir takes him back to America. This was the start to Sohrab's new life, only without talking. -
Sohrab tries to commit suicide
In the hotel room bathroom, Amir was, "Screaming through my clenched teeth" (Hosseini 343) when he saw Sohrab lying, covered in blood. After this happens, Sohrab goes into deep depression. He claims that he just wants things to go back to the way they were. -
Plane crashes into World Trade Center
In the article it states, "attack on the World Trade Center in New York on Sept 11, 2001" (New York Times). -
Hamid Kazari becomes interim president
The article explains, "He took office as interim president in June 2002, saying he hoped to secure peace for Afghanistan and win the country much-needed international aid." (New York Times) -
Sohrab smiles
After bringing Sohrab to America, he doesn't talk at all. One day in San Francisco, Amir flies a kite for the first time in forever. The book states, "One corner of his mouth had curled up just so" (Hosseini 370). The importance in this quote is that Sohrab had finally shown one sign of emotion in a long time. This made Amir very happy to see the light back in Sohrabs eyes. -
Hamid Kazari was elected president
The article says,"Mr. Karzai was elected to a five-year term as president in 2004" (New York Times). -
America draws back forces from Afghanistan
The article states, "American combat forces to begin withdrawing from Afghanistan in the summer of 2011" (New York Times). -
Administration officers hope to have military officers out of Afghanistan by 2014
The article says, “Administration officials have acknowledged that the 2014 date was based on the presumption that the American military would be successful enough in fighting the Taliban that significant withdrawals would be under way by then“ (New York Times)