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Hassan is raped
Amir witnesses Hassan get raped by Assef. It is significant to the story because at the beginning of the novel, Amir states, "I became what I am today at the age of twelve, on a frigid overcast day in the winter of 1975" (Hosseini 1). When Amir made the choice to not stand up for his friend in his time of need, Amir believes that that has shaped him. Since then, Amir has always thought little of himself, which influences the things that he does. -
Soviets Invade Afghanistan
The first Soviets to land were to assist, "Babrak Karmal, who had become president in a coup within the Afghan Communist leadership" (New York Times 2). -
Ali and Hassan leave
After Amir frames Hassan for stealing his watch, Ali states that Hassan and himself "...can't live here anymore" (Hosseini 106). It is assumed that Hassan has told Ali about the raping, and that is why they must leave. Ali wants what's best for Hassan, and he know Hassan doesn't feel safe there anymore. -
Rahim Khan visits Hassan
When Rahim Khan visits Hassan because he is lonely, he is pleased to find a happy man, and pregnant wife. Years later, he tells Amir that "...I asked Hassan to move to Kabul with me" (Hosseini 206).Rahim Khan feels like Hassan would be happier with a nicer house with more space. Later, after Hassan hears of Baba's death, he agrees. I think this is because he realizes he needs to keep tabs on people he cares about, and doing that is eaiser with Rahim Khan. -
Soviets left Afghanistan
After a peace talk with the United Nations, "...the last Soviet troops left Afghanistan in February..." (New York Times 2). -
Mullah Omar created a popular movement
Omar won many voters with his "promise of restoring the centrality of Islam to daily life..." (New York Times 2). -
Pakistan aids Mullah Omar's Men (Taliban) and they take control
With the aid from Pakistan, the Taliban take over Afghanistan, where they enforced laws such as, "...banning movies and music and forcing women out of schools and into all-enveloping burqa clothing" (New York Times 3). -
Hassan and his wife are executed
Shortly after Rahim Khan leaves the Hazara family, they move into Baba's house. Soon after, the Taliban came and ordered them to move out. Hassan refused and "...they took him to the street...and shot him in the back of the head" (Hosseini 219). Amir is left mortified, because now, he believes there is no way to redeem himself of his sins. Even though he drifted away from Hassan, he was still Amir's best friend. He loved Hassan, and now he was gone, and it is partly his fault. -
Baba dies
After Baba dies in his sleep, Amir realizes the fact that now, "...he was gone...[and couldn't show him] the way anymore..." (Hosseini 174). -
Amir and Soraya can't have children
After Amir and Soraya go to the doctor and are diagnosed with Unexplained Infertality, Amir wonders if this was his "...punishment" (Hosseini 188). After Amir witnesses Hassan being raped, Amir asks Hassan to punish him by pelting pomegranates at him. He wanted to feel even with Hassan so the guilt wouldn't be as heavy. Now, he believes he has received his punishment, which is why he wasn't as devastated as Soraya was. -
Rahim Khan calls saying he's sick
Shortly after Baba's death, Rahim Khan calls Amir asking him to come visit him in Afghanistan. He pulls Amir in when he says that there "...is a way to be good again" (Hosseini 192). It is clear that Rahim Khan knows about the raping, and urges him to do the right thing. He says this because he is aware that Amir seeks a clearer conscience. -
Bush demands Mr. bin Laden
Because the Taliban are providing a haven for Mr. bin Laden, President George W. Bush, "...gave the Taliban an ultimatum to hand over Mr. bin Laden" (New York Times 3). -
Amir learns that Hassan was his half brother
When Rahim Khan explains to Amir that Sanaubar and Ali didn't have Hassan, Amir figures out that all this time, he had "...had a brother" (Hosseini 225). Amir feels broken, because the Hazara boy who lived in a run-down shack behind his house, who defended him, and who loved him like no other, was his brother. They were equals, and all that time he had treated Hassan like he was less. Life would have been different if they had both known that they were related, which is why Amir is devastated. -
Amir learns that Sohrab was taken by the Taliban
When Amir and Farid arrive at the orphanage, they learn that the Taliban swoop in and take children in exchange for money. The orphanage director, Zaman, explains that Sohrab was taken "...a month ago" (Hosseini 257). When Amir witnesses Farid explode in outrage, he takes a calmer route, and is determined to find the child. He does this because he is thirsty for redemption and a clearer conscience. He needs to find this boy, because it's his only option. -
Assef kills a man and woman with stones
When Amir and Farid visit Ghazi Stadium to find the Taliban leader who bought Sohrab, they witness a man and women get pelted with "...stones..." (Hosseini 271). Here, Amir realizes how awful Afghanistan really has become under the Taliban. The pair die slowly, and what Farid is disgusted by the most, is that the Taliban believe what they're doing is right and God's will. -
Amir and Assef meet again
When Amir goes into the Taliban leader's office, he doesn't expect to find that he is Assef. As Amir desperately tries to bring Sohrab with him, Assef asks what Amir will do with Sohrab, with "...a coy smile..." (Hosseini 285). Assef just assumes that everyone has the same nasty mindset that he has, and thinks that Amir will rape Sohrab as well. This is why Assef is such a hated character. He only sees the bad in people, and he enjoys things that would often sicken others. -
Amir realizes he has to take Sohrab home
When Amir and Farid are seeking out the couple Rahim Khan said would take Sohrab in, Farid discovers that there "...never was a Thomas and Betty Caldwell in Peshawar...they never existed" (Hosseini 308). Rahim Khan made this couple up and he wanted Amir to take Sohrab to America. Rahim Khan wanted Amir to redeem himself by taking in the child, and Amir realizes what he has to do. Instead of bursting out in anger directed at Rahim Khan for lying to him yet another time, he sees Rahim Khan's view. -
Amir asks Sohrab if he wants to live with him
As Amir and Sohrab are having a heart to heart conversation, Amir drop the bomb and asks Sohrab, "Would you like to come live in America with me and my wife?" (Hosseini 320). Life has been hard on Sohrab, and Amir knows it would be easier for him in America. But so much has happened in Sohrab's short life, and he can't take any more stress. Even though Sohrab doesn't give him an immediate answer, I think they both know they don't have any more options. -
US joins rebel groups against Taliban
When the Taliban refused to hand over Mr. bin Laden, the US supported a rebel group, known as the Northern Alliance. With their help, an "...air and ground campaign began that drove the Taliban out of the major Afghan cities by the end of the year" (New York Times 3). -
Sohrab attempts to commit suicide
After Amir breaks the news to Sohrab that he might have to go to an orphanage, Sohrab slits his wrists while in the tub. When Amir bursts through, he was screaming until he though his "...throat would rip and... [his chest would] explode" (Hosseini 342). When Amir sees the tub filled with Sohrab's innocent blood, he screams because there is another person's blood on his hands. He was somewhat guilty in Hassan's death, and now he believes that Hassan's son has died on his watch. -
Taliban are defeated by US funded rebel groups
After the US joined forces with anti-Taliban rebel groups, they drove the Taliban out of cities and remnants "...if Al Qaeda and Taliban leadership retreated to Tora Bora in the mountains along the Pakistan border..." (New York Times 3). -
Sohrab gives Amir hope
After Sohrab and Amir arrive in America, Sohrab is depressed and no longer speaks. When Amir buys a kite and flies it, Sohrab watches. When they defeat the other kite, Sohrab smiles. Amir knows "It was only a smile, nothing more" (Hosseini 371). Even though it was minuscule smile, it meant the world to Amir. Why? Because hope is not lost, and for Sohrab, there is a way to be happy again. -
Karzai becomes President of Afghanistan
First, Karzai was put as chairman of an interim government. He ran for office in June 2002, "...saying he hoped to secure peace for Afghanistan and win the country much-needed international aid. Mr. Karzai was elected to a five-year term as president in 2004" (New York Times 3). -
Taliban continued to grow
As the US was distracted with the invasion of Iraq, the Taliban "regrouped and began to extend its influence in the southern part of Afghanistan" (New York Times 3). -
Obama desires to deploy troops in Afghanistan
President Obama makes a speech announcing, "...his plan to deploy 30,000 additional troops [into Afghanistan]" (New York Times 4).