Kite Runner and History of Afghanistan

  • Hassan is born

    In winter Sanaubar gave birth to Hassan. A week later, Hassan lost his mother "to a fate worse than death, she ran off with a clan of traveling singers and dancers."(6) This shows that Hassan's mother didn't love Hassan at the time. She thought being disgraced in her community would be better than living with Hassan his his father.
  • Amir learns he has a talent for writing

    Amir was reading a book to Hassan because he couldn't read. All of the sudden Amir decided to "abandon to text all together" and make up his own story.(30) Hassan loved the story. Amir had a talent for creative writing. He also thinks he is better than Hassan because he played a trick on Hassan.
  • Hassan gets a birthday present

    When Baba got Hassan a gift, it wasn't the usual toy, it was a "plastic sergeon" whose '"job was to fix people's bodies. Sometimes even their faces.'" (45)This showed that baba cared for Hassan. He wants Hassan to look normal and have a better chance of not being made fun of.
  • The Kite Competion

    Amir winning the kite competion made Baba "open his arms" for him, but also made him not help Hassan in his time of need.(79) Winning made Baba love Amir and appericiate him as his own son. Amir didn't want to ruin his glory and didn't help Hassan. This ruins his friendship with Hassan because now he only feels guilt.
  • Amir's 13th birthday

    Amir's party was big because "Baba's motto about throwing a party was this: Invite the whole world or its not a party." Amir didn't really know everone there. They were mostly Baba's friends. Baba invited Assef which made Amir guilty and uncomfortable because it reminded him of how he betrayed Hassan.
  • Hassan and Ali leave Baba and Amir

    After Amir framed Hassan for taking his presents and Hassan took the blame, Baba forgives him, but Ali decides to leave and Amir knows the expression on Ali's face that Hassan "had told him everything."(106) Amir is somewhat relieved that someone else knew what happened, but also feels terrible for causing Baba's sadness. When Ali and Hassan leave it crushes Baba.
  • The Soviet Union attacks Afghanistan

    Afghanistan was at peace until the Soviet Union attacked them when "Moscow insited that the troops came."(The New York Times)
  • Baba and Amir flee to America

    Baba and Amir leave their house with "the dishes smeared with kofta piled in the kitchen sink; laundry in the wicker basket in the foyer; beds unmade; Baba's suits hanging in the closet."(112) They left the huse as it was because they had to leave quickly. They hadn't told many people about how they were leaving because you couldn't trust anyone. They had to leave before anyone noticed they were leaving.
  • Baba sold his house to Rahim Khan

    When Baba and Amir left for America "Baba had sold the house to Rahim Khan."(199) Baba only trusted his house with Rahim Khan. Rahim Khan was loyal to Baba and is willing to buy his house and take care of it.
  • Amir graduates from high school

    When Amir graduates from high school, Baba was proud of him and wanted him to go to college. Amir "would enroll in junior college that fall" and "major in English." (134) Letting Amir take the career path shows he has became less strict when he moved to America. Taking pride in Amir shows his acceptance for Amir, when he just being himself.
  • Baba and Amir meet General Taheri and Soraya

    General Taheri was an important man back in Kabul and his daughter Soraya captured the heart of Amir. When Amir first saw her his "heart quickened."(141) Amir instantly fell in love with Soraya when he saw her. He was captivated by her beauty.
  • Amir talks to Soraya for the first time

    Amir finally builds up the courage to have a conversation with Soraya. He talked to her before "he had a chance to lose his nerve." (146) He was still nervous to talk to her. Amir still really wanted to talk to her ansd he didn't let his nerves stop him.
  • Amir writes a novel

    Amir wrote "a father son story set in Kabul."(182) This shows Amir misses Baba. Also Amir is now turning his dream knto a reality.
  • The Russians retreat

    The Soviet Union left Afghanistan "devestaed by the war" and "a beacon to Islamic extremists." ( The New York Times)
  • Soraya tells her parents she can't have children

    Soraya told her parents that she couldn't have children and "kept looking down at her hand."(186) Soraya is disappointed and ashamed she can't have children. She was tired of going to the doctors to see what was wrong with her and not getting answers.
  • The start of the Taliban

    Mullah Omar started the group according to afghan forklore when "he gathered a small band of men and attacked a group of warlords." (The New York Times)
  • The Taliban Takeover

    The Taliban was a movement to pureify the country. With the help of popular support and aid from Pakistan, the Taliban took over Afghanistan "imposing strict rules." (The New York Times)
  • The Atttack on the World Trade Center

    Osama bin Laden led his terrrorist group to attack the World Trade Center and President Bush told the Taliban "to hand over Mr. bin Laden.( The New York Times) They refused and United States went to war.
  • Rahim Khan's call

    Rahim Khan called Amir and told him "there was a way to be good again."(2) This showed Rahim Khan knew of Amir's past sins. He thinks he has a way for Amir to atone for those sins. This also brings back so many bad memories that Amir has tried so hard to forget.
  • The Karzi Government

    Hamid Karzi was named leader of Afghanistan said "he hoped to secure peace." ( The New York Times) He really did nothing for Afghan economy.
  • Obama's plan

    Obama wanted to help Afghanistan he thought "war effort would be imperiled without even more troops." (The New York Times)
  • More Troops

    Obama decided the troops in Afghanistan needed more help. He "announced his plan to deploy 30,000 additional troops." (The New York Times)
  • Failure to bring home troops

    Obama decided to not bring home the troops because" aministration officials are trying to convince Afghans that the United States is not walking away and to warn the Taliban that aggressove operations against them would continue." (The New York Times)
  • Wanting to Withdraw

    The administrative officals wanted American military to be "sucessful enough in fighting Taliban" that they could leave. (The New York Times)