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Baba's Birth
The author highlights the connection between Baba's birth and Afghanistan, stating, "In 1933, the year Baba was born and Zahir Shah began his forty year reign on Afghanistan" (24). The positive events throughout the book relate to the tone of the character's lives. The rule is over throne as Amir's life spirals downward and improves as Amir recovers Sohrab's life. The historical events that the author hi lights, such as this contribute to the emotions of the story. -
Baba Tells Amir the Only Sin
Baba tells Amir that "there is only one sin, only one. And that is theft" (17). Baba sets the guideline to Amir that he had strayed from in attempt to shield his son from making similar mistakes. Baba's disregard for the sin caused his own guilt to steal knowledge and respect from Amir, eventually passing on the burden of guilt to Amir. -
Amir's Writes a Story
Rahim Khan praises Amir by stating, "your story has irony ... you have achieved it with your first story" (32). Rahim Khan's words foreshadow the irony that will follow Amir throughout his overarching "story", his life. Amir's talent with words predicts his own future, one that he wrote himself. -
Hassan's Last Kite Running
Amir's words foretell the upcoming events when he states, "I saw Hassan run a kite for the last time" (55). The foreshadowing highlights the effects of the summer's events and it's gravity. The hints ease the audience into the abrupt chaos of the winter while building up to it as well.. -
Absence of Peace in Afghanistan
Afghanistan lost all peace in "1979, when the Soviet Union Invaded" (NYT). -
The Taliban Grows
The Taliban grew in popularity and strength as "Mullah Omar had nearly 12,000 followers and was rolling up the warlords to the North and East" (NYT). -
A New Leader Takes Over Afghanistan After the Taliban
Finally a new leader took control named "Muhamid Karzai... [he] was named chairman of the interim government that replaced the defeated Taliban, making him the leader of the country" (NYT). -
Soviet Troops Go to Kabul
The Soviet troops began traveling to different countries, the first troops "parachuted into Kabul... [and] stayed in the country for more than nine years" (NYT). -
Baba Helps Amir Propose
Baba helps Amir to propose to Soraya by "hobbling up the Taheris' driveway for one last fatherly duty" (163). As a member of Amir's family departs, he brings a new one into the family while following to his culture. Baba's actions keep Amir from being alone as an orphan, something he failed to do for his other son and grandson, yet his help towards Amir results in helping his other family as well. -
Amir's Guilt Weighs Him Down
Amir's hidden secret caused him to "envy [Sohrab]. Her secret was out. Spoken. Dealt with" (165). Amir's past haunts even throughout his new life in a different country and overshadows his forming relationship.The continuing impact that Amir's guilt has on himself demonstrates that he must take action to atone and make up for his actions. -
Soviet Troops Leave Afghanistan
After attempt to spread peace, "the last soviet troops left Afghanistan... in what was is effect a unilateral withdrawal" (NYT). -
Baba Dies
At Baba's funeral, Amir realizes that his "whole life [he had] been 'baba's son'. Now he was gone" (174). Baba's death occurred soon after his fall in socioeconomic status and growth in relationship with Amir. On his own, Amir is set free from Baba's weight, yet lost on important figure in his life. -
Violence in Afghanistan
Violence continued as "Afghan descended into vicious internecine strife... power was anarchy divided among competing warlords and individual fiefdoms" (NYT). -
The Taliban Takes Power
The Taliban began by seizing "control in 1996 after years of civil war" (NYT). -
Amir Fights Back
Amir's chat with Rahim Khan convinces him that he is "not too old to start doing [his] own figting" (227). Amir finally steps up to take initiative after living without parents for fifteen years. With a push from Rahim Khan, Amir realizes others have always done his fighting for him and understands that he needs to fulfill the role of Baba's courage himself. -
Amir is Atoned
Amir draws back to the turning point in his life, stating, "for the first time since the winter of 1975, I felt peace" (289). Amir's internal peace came with atonement, ironically, from the same person who inflicted the original pain. Demonstrating his good will, Amir only relieved himself after punishment, illustrating his regret and high self standards. -
Amir Decides to Find Sohrab
Rahim Khan expresses his concern for Amir, stating, "a boy who won't stand up for himself becomes a man who can't stand up to anything" (221). Rahim Khan's harmful words succeeded in convincing Amir to embark on his journey and risk himself for his friend, the way Hassan had many years ago. Rahim Khan referred to Amir through his statement, yet his words tied Baba in as well. Baba feared that he would become a coward because he failed to face his actions, setting Amir's example. -
Sohrab Stands Up to Asef
Sohrab slingshots Asef and he "put his hand where his eye had been just a minute ago" (291). Sohrab finally enacted his father's threat by making "Asef the ear eater" into "one eyed Asef". Sohrab's actions to save Amir saved himself from Asef's presence as well, but never saved himself from the internal torment of Asef's action. This was the same hardship that effected his father and drove Amir away with guilt, now bringing Amir back to atone. -
Sohrab Attempts Suicide
Sohrab's nearly fatal attempted suicide left Amir "screaming until the ambulance arrived" (343). Amir's utter horror demonstrates his care for Sohrab in possibly a fatherly way. Sohrab's actions illustrate his lack of hope as well as fear that terrorize his life enough to take it. With Sohrab's emotional state, Amir is in a perfect position to step in and help while making up for his harm towards his family. -
Afghanistan Strikes America
The inciting attack was lead towards the United States, on "Sept. 11 attacks by Al Qaeda [began]"(NYT). -
United States Fights Back
The military tension in "Afghanistan [began in] 2001, when it led an invasion after the Sep. 11 attacks by Al Qaeda" (NYT). -
Amir Begins Becoming Good Again
Amir strives to be better and "did something [he] had done twenty-six years earlier: I planted a fistful of crumpled money under a mattress" (242). Amir takes his first step in following Rahim Khan's advice that it is not too late to become god again. Amir's actions out of goodness demonstrate his willingness to change and make up for himself. -
Sohrab Smiles
Amir's hope comes back to him as he "looked gown at Sohrab [and saw] a smile" (370). The small sign of happiness highlights the importance of every moment. Before Hassan's rape, Amir took something such as a smile for granted, but finally learns how to earn it back through his old friend's son -
Amir Overcomes the Past
Amir turns to Sohrab before reenacting Hassan, stating, "for you, a thousand times over" (371). Amir's use of the words emphasized throughout the book hi light his peace with himself. The words that once racked Amir with guilt now represent the hope for his relationship with Sohrab. -
Transitioning to Afghanistan
President Obama began moving the action in the war, "drawing troops out of Iraq and increasing the number in Afghanistan by almost 50,000" (NYT).