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Shorawi were defeated and long gone (Kabul belonged to Massoud, Rabani, and the Mujahedin)
It was not safe though because "the infighting between the factions was fierce and no one knew if they would live to see the end of the day." (212)Although the Showari were defeated, the fighting still proves Kabul to be dangerous. Many of the people that are accustomed to the sound of gunfire reveal how much the factions were fighting. -
Hassan is violated by Assef
Amir had two choices either to help Hassan or run, and "in the end, [he] ran" (76). This event is really important because it affects Amir later in the story. The guilt he has of this event causes him to wish to atone for his sins to make it up to Hassan. Helping Sohrab was his repayment to Hassan for all the things Hassan did for him. -
Ali and Hassan leave Baba and Amir
The day when "Baba took Ali and Hassan to the bus station" (108) was rainy. The setting provides a mood of sadness and grief which is what the character's were feeling as they prepared to leave. After this one day, life was never the same in Kabul because Hassan and Ali were like family to Amir and Baba. -
Soviet Union Invasion
The Soviet Troops invaded Afghanistan to "assist Babrak Karmal" who replaced the old Afghan leader Hafizullah Amin, whom Karmal overthrew, since Hafisullah "lost their trust." Soviet troops stayed for "nine years" (2) -
Baba and Amir leave Kabul
Aside from the text saying it was 1981, we find out that Amir was 18 because he states, how "you weren't supposed to get sick wheny ou were eighteen." (111) This example shows us how old Amir is compared to the last time we were told about Amir's age. This is important to show how much time has passed since Ali and Hassan left. -
Amir graduates highschool
When Amir graduated at age 20 during the summer of 1983, Baba was "moftakhir... proud" and Amir "liked being on the receiving end of that look." (131) The example reveals how much Baba has changed since he moved to America. Not only does this show Baba's change, but it also shows how the change has made Amir feel. -
Amir speaks to Soraya for the first time
When General Sahib is away from the booth, Amir goes to chat with Soraya. At first the conversation is on the location of Soraya's father but soon Amir asks "Would you like to read one of my stories?" (147) The book revealed later how asking a question shows interest in the person. The quote demonstrates this idea that Amir was interested in Soraya which is one of the many things that led to their marriage. -
Amir and Soraya get married
Baba spent his "life savings on the wedding ceremony" (169) which made the wedding even more special because of the effort Baba put into it. The skipping of the honeymoon shows the consideration of Soraya and Amir as they knew Baba didn't have long to live. -
Baba dies
A lot of people came to Baba's funeral and had different things they had to say about Baba such as "...no one else to turn to and he lent me..." (174) This example shows how much of an impact Baba's life had and how much he was going to be missed. Baba's death also helped Amir to realize he had to find his own way, which terrified him. -
Amir publishes his first novel
After finishing his first novel, Amir sends letter to agencies hoping to get requests, and he finally "found a request from a New York Agency" (182) This is the first step into his career as a writer, which makes him known a little by others. Being known gives Amir a sense of success and accomplishment which also gives him some power in the Afghan community. -
Soviet Troops leave Afghanistan
"Peace talks moderated by the United Nations" (2) was what finally convinced the Soviet trooops to leave. -
Amir and Soraya find out they can't have babies
After trying multiple times to have a baby, Amir and Soraya decide to go to the doctor which told them that what they had was called "unexplained infertility." (185) Soraya was devastated, but without this event the whole plot would be different. Because Amir and Soraya have always wanted a baby, bringing Sohrab to America was the perfect opportunity to have the child they never got to have. -
Mullah Omar has many followers
Has "nearly 12,000 followers and created a "popular movement in a country weary of corruption and brutalisty" (2) -
Pakistan intervenes
Intelligence officers from Pakistan started to "funnel arms, money, and supplies to Omar's men as well as military advisers." (3) -
Taliban rolled in and put an end to daily fighting
After hearing the news on the radio, Hassan said, "God help the Hazaras now, Rahim Khan sahib>" (213) What Hassan said could be seen as a foreshadow the event in which Hassan and Soraya were shot by the Tailiban. It is important that the Taliban came because many of the huge events later in the story have to do with the Tailban. -
Massacre in Mazara in which Assef participated in
The event occured "just after the Taliban took over Mazar." (277) From the example, it shows the effect the Taliban had on Kabul and what damges it caused. Assef, who was part of the Taliban, believed that killing was okay only because it was God's work, which is Assef using religion to justify his wrongdoing, -
When Amir arrives back to America with Sohrab
When Soraya first meets Sohrab, Amir is able to have a "glimpse of the mother she might have been, had her own womb not betrayed her" (358). Sohrab coming to America gives Soraya a sense of motherhood which she would never have experienced because of her womb. This is important because it allowed Soraya and Amir to feel complete with a family they could consider their own. -
9/11 Attack
There was an "attack on the World Trade Center" (3) -
General Sahib calls Sohrab a Hazara boy
After the statement, Amir defends Sohrab saying "You will never again refer to him as Hazara boy in my presence." This shows how much Amir has changed since he was a child because he never really cared if people called Hassan a Hazara boy. One time, Amir even justfied one of his actions by stating that Hassan was just a Hazara boy. -
Karzai Government
Hamid Karzai was named "chairman of interim government" and "replaced the defeated Taliban" causing him to become the leader of Afghanistan. -
Afghan gathering at Lake Elizabeth Park
Amir and Sohrab participated in a kite tournament at the gathering. After Amir cut down a kite he asks Sohrab if he wants Amir to run that kite down for him. When Sohrab nodded yes, Amir says "For you, a thousand times over." This demonstrates how Amir was trying to fully repay for his sins by being loyal to Sohrab just like Hassan. The words mean a lot because it is a phrase Hassan has constantly stated to show his loyalty to Amir. -
Karzai Took office
Karzai physically took office in 2002 hoping to "secure peace for Afghanistan and win the country international trade" (3) -
5 year term
Karzai was elected to a "five year term as president" (3) -
General Patreus
Takes charge for the "United States Central Command" with responsibility over the military actions around region. -
Speech from Obama
Occuring at West point, Obama announces "his plan to deploy 30,000 additional troops." (4) Troops would come back in 2011, but that was moved to the end of 2014 depending on how effective the operations are against the Taliban.