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In 1921, "The British, beleaguered in the wake of World War I, are defeated in the Third British-Afghan War (1919-21), and Afghanistan becomes an independent nation. Concerned that Afghanistan has fallen behind the rest of the world, Amir Amanullah Khan begins a rigorous campaign of socioeconomic reform."
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In 1933, "Zahir Shah becomes king. The new king brings a semblance of stability to the country and he rules for the next 40 years."
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In the year 1933, "Baba was born and Zahir Shah began his 40 year reign of Afghanistan"(24). This quote shows that Baba grew up in a time that major changes were about to happen. This is significant because it foreshadows what is to come later on in the novel.
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In 1947, "Britain withdraws from India, creating the predominantly Hindu but secular state of India and the Islamic state of Pakistan. The nation of Pakistan includes a long, largely uncontrollable, border with Afghanistan."
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In 1956, "Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev agrees to help Afghanistan, and the two countries become close allies."
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In 1957, "As part of Daoud’s reforms, women are allowed to attend university and enter the workforce."
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In 1963, "The Afghan Communist Party secretly forms. The group’s principal leaders are Babrak Karmal and Nur Mohammad Taraki."
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Both their first words are revealed, "[Amir's] was Baba. [Hassan's] was Amir"(11). This quote foreshadows what is to come in the winter of 1975. This is significant because it shows how important Amir is to Hassan, and how important Baba is to Amir.
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"The small hut in Amirs backyard is where "Hassan was born in the winter of 1964"(6). This shows that Hassan was born in a small shack, and therefore must be a servant. This is significant because Hassan grew up as a brother to Amir, but was still considered a servant.
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in 1973, "Khan overthrows the last king, Mohammed Zahir Shah, in a military coup. Khan’s regime, the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan, comes to power. Khan abolishes the monarchy and names himself president. The Republic of Afghanistan is established with firm ties to the USSR."
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After telling a story to Hassan, Amir "[writes his] first story. It took [him] thirty minutes(31). This signifies the start of Amir writing career. This is important because it shows that Amir had a passion for writing from an early age.
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After Hassan is raped, he approaches Amir, "he stopped, swayed on his feet like he was going to collapse. Then he steadied himself. Handed me the kite"(78). This is significant because it shows the fear, and shock Hassan experiences. It also shows that Hassan is hiding that he knew Amir saw what had happened to him.
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After meeting Hassan at the pomegranate tree, Amir "hurled the pomegranate at him. It struck him in the chest, exploded in a spray of red pulp"(92). This quote is significant because it shows the guilt that Amir feels. It also shows Amir is trying to get Hassan to hurt him so he doesn't have to live with the guilt anymore.
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After witnessing Hassan being raped, Amir feels that he can't live with the guilt anymore, he tells Baba "what [he] hoped to be the last in a long line of shameful lies"(104). This is significant because it shows the power that guilt had over Amir. This is important because it causes a major shift in events.
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After Amir lies to Baba, Ali makes his decision, "we are leaving, Agha Sahib"(106). This quote is important because it changes everything. Amir does not expect this, and many events are affected by this decision.
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Between 1975-1977, "Khan proposes a new constitution that grants women rights and works to modernize the largely communist state. He also cracks down on opponents, forcing many suspected of not supporting Khan out of the government"
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After only 5 years of being president, "Khan is killed in a communist coup. Nur Mohammad Taraki, one of the founding members of the Afghan Communist Party, takes control of the country as president, and Babrak Karmal is named deputy prime minister. They proclaim independence from Soviet influence, and declare their policies to be based on Islamic principles, Afghan nationalism and socioeconomic justice."
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A few years later, Amir and Baba leave for America. Amir thinks to himself, "I thought of the way we had left the house, where i had lived my entire life"(112). This is significant because it shows the the sadness that Amir feels about leaving his home. This also shows that Hassan and Ali's absence made a difference.
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Starting in 1982, "Some 2.8 million Afghans have fled from the war to Pakistan, and another 1.5 million have fled to Iran. Afghan guerrillas gain control of rural areas, and Soviet troops hold urban areas."
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Amir and Baba get to America, Amir realizes that "Baba loved the idea of America. It was living in America that gave him an ulcer"(125). This is significant because it shows that America is extremely different for Baba. This is important because Baba is not used to being lower class, and America is not what he was hoping it would be.
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Amir "graduated high-school at the age of twenty, by far the oldest senior"(131). This shows that the work that Amir put in finally payed off. This is important because although Amir made many mistakes throughout his life, he was still able to succeed in school.
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After visiting the doctor, it is revealed that the chemo "wouldn't change the outcome, just prolong it"(156). This shows that Baba has cancer that cannot be cured, and he does not have long to live. This is important because Amir is deeply affected by this.
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After getting married, "it was Soraya who suggested she move in with Baba and me"(172). This is significant because it is Soraya who takes care of Baba until he dies. This also shows Soraya's love for Amir.
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A month after the wedding, Soraya puts Baba to bed, and "he never woke up"(173). This is significant because Baba was surrounded by people who loved him. This is important because after everything Baba went through, and after all his mistakes, he still left in peace.
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After Rahim Khan calls Amir, he says to Soraya, "I have to go to Pakistan"(191). This is significant because it shows the urgency he feels, and the need to go back. This is also important because it leads to an important series of events that leads to the atonement for his mistakes.
