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Amir's Date of Birth
Amir "[turned thrirteen] that summer of 1976" (Hosseini 93). That implies that he was born in 1963 because 1976 minus 13 equals 1963. That was also the year his mother died, since she died when he was born. -
Hassan's Trauma
As Hassan tried to get the kite for Amir, he encountered Assef. Assef bullied Hassan. He "unzziped [Hassan's] jeans[,] [d]ropped his underwear" (Hosseini 75). Assef raped Hassan. This traumatic incident caused Hassan to become unhappy, and stop smiing. -
Winning the Kite Competition
Amir and Hassan competed in a kite contest. At the end, they "were hopping up and down, both of [them] laughing, both of [them] weeping" (Hosseini 66). They felt such emotions of joy because they won the competition. When people succeed, they can be so happy that they cry tears of joy, -
Soviet Invasion
Troops from the Soviet Union "parachuted into Kabul on Dec. 27, 1979" (Afghanistan - An Overview). This is when the invasion begins, causing Afghanistan to change. It used to be a peaceful country, but the invasion makes the country become unstable. -
Period: to
History of Afghanistan
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Leaving Kabul
Baba and Amir "left Kabul [...]. Baba [...] saw [Ami'r] car sickness as [... an] array of weakness" (Hosseini 110). They had to leave because Afghanistan was becoming unpeaceful and corrupt. Amir felt ill during the journey, and because he knew that his father thought car sickness is a weakness, Amir believes that he disappoints his father. -
Struggling to Adapt
Baba struggles to adapt to the American lifestyle. He went shopping, and had no cash, which is why he wrote a check. When he was asked for his ID, he refused, shouting that for "two years [they've] bought [Mr. Nguyen's ...] fruits [...] and the son of a dog wants to see [Baba's] license" (Hosseini 127). Baba is still used to the living in Afghanistan, and has not transitioned well into the American lifestyle. This incident caused Mr. Nguyen to ban Baba from the store. -
During the Invasion
The troops were in Afghanistan for many "years. fighting a conflict that cost them [...] 15,000 lives" (Afghanistan - An Overview). Because of this, the government had to keep an eye on the people. They had to protect the people from the invasion. -
The Spot on the Lung
Baba has become very ill. Amir takes him to the doctor, and the doctor says that Baba has "got a spot on his right lung" (Hosseini 154). Although the doctor was unsure of what the spot was, it was possible that Baba had a tumor growing in him, which developed into cancer. Since Baba most likely had lung cancer, it was caused by the smoking Baba did in Afghanistan. -
He's "Dad" (Dead) Inside
Amir took Baba to the hospital again. The doctor showed Amir CAT scans, and "Baba's brain on those pictures looked like cross sections of a big walnut, riddled with [...] gray things" (Hosseini 159). Baba's cancer has gotten worse. This event leads Baba one step closer to the day he falls dead. -
First Novel
Amir finally "finished [his] first novel" (Hosseini 182). From a young age, Amir wanted to be a writer. Altough his father disapproved of the profession, as they move to America, his father accepts that Amir wants to be a writer. -
Amir is on the Road to Success
Amir finished his novel, and"[s]ix weeks later, a man named Martin Greenwalt [...] offered to represent" (Hosseini 183) him. This means that he has an agency that could help get his novel published. His dreams are almost accomplished, as long the novel is sold. -
The U.N. Steps In
The United Nations gave peace talks, causing "the last Soviet troops [to leave] Afghanistan" (Afghanistan - An Overview). When they left, the war had ended. The war changed the country. It was no longer peaceful or stable. -
Student Movement
There was "a student movement dedicated to purifying the country" (Afghanistan - An Overview).This incident shows that students have power. Although someone, like a student, may seem small, they can do big things too. -
Rape
To help save a girl, "Mullah Omar [...] gathered a small band of men and attacked a group of warlords who had raped a girl" (Afghanistan - An Overview). Because of his bravery, he lost an eye. However, since he helped the girl, it was worth it. -
Sexism
In 1996, the Taliban "had taken control of Afghanistan, [...] forcing women out of schools" (Afghanistan - An Overview). As can be seen, the country has become so terrible that the government had to force girls to stop learning. Those girls do not get to have an education because of their gender. This is a significant event because people need to cherish the right to receive an education. -
Visiting Rahim
Amir leaves America because "Rahim Khan is very sick" (Hosseini 191). Since Rahim is an old friend of Baba, and he asked Amir to come see him, Amir listens and hops on a plane. Rahim asked Amir to do this because he wants to tell Amir something. -
Scandal Revealed
At the hospital, Rahim tells Amir that "Ali was sterile" (Hosseini 223). Although Ali was Hassan's father, Ali was not Hassan's biological father. Because of that, Amir asks who the father is. Although Rahim did not mention who, Amir figured it was Baba because Baba had always been kind to Hassan. -
Sohrab Attempts Suicide
Amir received news that he and Sohrab could go to America. He went into the bathroom to inform Sohrab, but was too late when he saw a "bloodsoaked razor [...] and [Sohrab's] eyes, still half open, but lightless" (Hosseini 347-348). Amir realizes that Sohrab used the blade to attepmt suicide. Because of the attempt, Sohrab lost a lot of blood, and Amir had to take him to the hospital. -
9/11 Invasion
Al Qaeda made an "attack on the World Trade Center in New York on Sept. 11, 2001" (Afghanistan - An Overview". The attack illustrates ow Afghanistan is corrupt. They used to stable, but recently, they lost stability. -
New Leader
Hamid Karzai "was named chairman of an interim government that replaced the defeated Taliban" (Afghanistan - An Overview). -
Takes Office
Hamid Karzai "took office as interim president in June 2002, [hoping] to secure peace for Afghanistan" (Afghanistan - An Overview). -
President
Hamid "Karzai was elected to a five-year term as president" (Afghanistan - An Overview).