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First Attack on Kabul in the Kite Runner
In the Kite Runner, the first attack on Kabul happened and Zahir Shah's reign ended. Since the first battle occured ,"Afghanistan changed forever" (Hosseini 34). When Daoud Khan takes over the reign, many things begin to change and also impact the people of Afghanistan especially Assef. Afghanistan was never the same after that and it made a huge impact on both Amir and Hassan's life. -
Assef's Encounter with Amir and Hassan
Assef had a similar vision like Hitler; both blamed a certain group of people and wanted to expel them out of their country. Assef believed "Afghanistan is the land of the Pashtuns" and didn't want people who weren't pure Afghans like Hazaras in their country (Hosseini 40). Later in the book, Assef follows in Hitler's footsteps and turns out just as sinister as him. By believing in poor role models, you might imitate their actions and be a bad influence to others. -
Amir and The Kite Tournament
Amir enters the kite-fighting tournament and hopes to win for Baba. When Baba tells Amir that he might have a chance to win this year, he "wasn't going to fail Baba" (Hosseini 57). Amir desires for his father's attention so badly that he is willing to do anything even if it would destroy his realtionship with his best friend. He is blinded by his own ignorance which leads to regret later on and he wishes to redeem himself. -
Hassan's Violation
Amir just watched as Hassan was being violated by Assef for his blue kite. Instead of standing up for Hassan, Amir was a coward and ran away with his mouth shut. Hassan was as "loyal as a dog" and would always stick by Amir's side even in the toughest situations (Hosseini 72). He would be willing to do anything for Amir, but he wouldn't even be returned the favor. Because of Hassan's never-failing faithfulness to his best friend, Amir, it will also lead to the break of their friendship. -
Amir and Hassan's Fight
Amir felt guilty about his response to Hassan's violation and wanted Hassan to do something bad to him so he won't feel as remorseful. Amir threw pomegranetes at Hassan hoping that he would "Hit me back" to relieve the shame (Hosseini 92). While Hassan was trying to rekindle things between their friendship, Amir was trying to avoid it. Amir wanted to deal with his guilt by letting Hassan have revenge rather than facing it. -
Amir Betrays Hassan
On Amir's 13th birthday, he placed his wristwatch and some money under Hassan's mattress and told his father lies. When Hassan falsely admitted that he stole Amir's presents, Amir suddenly realized that Hassan only said this to cover up for him and "this was Hassan's final sacrifice" (Hosseini 105). This happens repeatedly throughout the story as Hassan always ends up standing up for Amir when he couldn't do the same. Because of Hassan's unfailing loyalty, it ends up tearing up their friendship -
The First Soviet Union Attack on Kabul
The first Soviet troops parachuted into Kabul to assist Babrak Karmal. Moscow insisted that the troops came in response from a request for assistance, but most people argue the Soviets planned "to replace Hafizullah Amin, the Afghan leader, who lost their trust." -
A Whole New Country
When Amir and Baba first arrive in America, Baba had a tough time adjusting to his new life. On the other hand, Amir praised America because it was a fresh start and allowed him to " bury my memories" (Hosseini 129). Because of Baba's low socioeconomic status, he loses his power while Amir gains some. The transition from Kabul to America shifted the relationship between both characters as Amir finally grows enough confidence to stand up for himself against Baba. -
The Call From Rahim Khan
After Baba's death, Amir receives a phone call from his old friend, Rahim Khan. Rahim told him that "there is a way to be good again" and Amir realized that Rahim knew the whole time about how he betrayed Hassan (Hosseini 192). Amir realized that he couldn't run away from his sins forever and one day he would have to face them. Instead of avoiding his wrongdoings, he should have made ammends for them. -
Revealing Baba's Secret
When Rahim Khan tells Amir that Ali was sterile and he didn't get Sanaubar pregnant with Hassan, Amir was furious. Amir felt betrayed and even more shameful when he realizes "his whole life is one big lie" (Hosseini 223). He felt even more guilty when he betrays Hassan which is his half-brother. Amir realizes that he and his father are similar because they both betrayed the people close to them. These reasons lead to Amir rescuing Sohrab and bringing him back safely. -
Falling For Soraya
When Amir first sees Soraya, he is attracted to her, but didn't have the guts to talk to her. One day, Amir starts a conversation with her and she was surprised that a man would talk to her. Amir knew of "the Afghan double standard that favored my gender" and had a lot of courage by taking a chance (Hosseini 146). Amir finally manned up and no longer cared what people thought unlike in the past. By taking a risk with Soraya, it was all worth it as they both shared a life together in the end. -
Assef's Fight
While Assef was beating Amir, he started laughing which confused and angered Assef. Even though Amir was beaten and dying, he "felt at peace" (Hosseini 289). After all the pain and regret Amir went through from Hassan, he finally felt peace and wouldn't feel as guilty as he did before. Amir knew that if he died, he would die happy because he finally made up for his sins and would die trying to save someone's life. -
Sohrab Attempts Suicide
When Amir looks inside the bathroom, he sees Sohrab in the bathtub with blood and a razor. Once Sohrab is in the hospital after attempted suicide, Sohrab tells Amir that he was "tired of everything" and wanted his "old life back" (Hosseini 354). Ever since the Taliban took away his mother, father, Rahim, and Sasa away, he was depressed and yearned for his life to be the way it was before. This event changed Sohrab dramatically as he became more depressed and quiet which concerned Amir. -
Death Of Baba
After Amir's wedding, Baba passed away from cancer. Amir was still shocked that his father was gone because he "couldn't show me the way anymore; I'd have to find it on my own" (Hosseini 174). Throughout most of Amir's life, he had to rely on his father to make decisions for him. Once Baba is gone, Amir has a tough time realizing he has to make his own decisions without his father's guidance. -
Retreat of Soviet Troops
After both countries toned down and negotiated, the last Soviet troops left Afghanistan. "They left behind a country that was not only devastated by the war", but also a hotspot to Islamic extremists. -
Aftermath of Retreating Soviet Forces
After Soviet forces left, Afghanistan's power and land was divided among warlords, "but one group would eventually gain control." -
Rise of Taliban
Mullah Omar had nearly 12,000 followers and overpowered warlords. His movement was powerful and motivated many others with his promise of restoring Islam back to the way it was before. Despite the popular support, "the Taliban might have withered were it not for the intervention of Pakistan." Pakistani officers helped the Taliban by providing weapons, money, supplies, and also military advisors for battle. -
Laws Made By the Taliban
The Taliban imposed strict enforcement of the fundamental Islamic law, "banning movies and music and forcing women out of schools and into all-enveloping burqa clothing. -
Arrival of Osama Bin Laden
The Taliban provided refuge for Osama and Al Qaeda. Al Qaeda helped persuade Mullah Omar to order the "destruction of the 800-year-old Buddha statues at Bamiyan, an act condemned around the world." -
Hassan's Death
After Rahim Khan left for Peshawar, the Taliban entered Baba's house. When they told Hassan that they were moving in, "Hassan protested again" which resulted in them ending his life (Hosseini 219). Even in the toughest situations, Hassan is still willing to sacrifice himself for Amir. Even though Amir left him and wasn't there for him when Hassan needed him the most, he would be willing to do anything for him even if it costed his life. -
Attack on Al Qaeda
U.S. led an invasion after the attacks by Al Qaeda. The 2001 invasion was succesful in driving out the Al Qaeda "and removing the Taliban from power." -
America To The Rescue
President George W. Bush gave the Taliban a chance to hand over Osama Bin Laden. When they refused, the U.S. joined forces with rebel groups who never accepted Taliban rule and "drove the Taliban out of the major Afghan cities that year." -
Amir and Sohrab Running the Kite
Amir showed Sohrab how to cut the green kite with Hassan's old lift-and-dive trap. Amir saw Sohrab smile a little and do what Hassan did years before, run the kite for him saying "For you, a thousand times over" (Hosseini 371). This quote reoccures in many scenes throughout the book; it often mentions Hassan saying these words to Amir when he is willing to do anything for him. This time it is the other way around when Amir uses this quote to prove his loyalty and to sacrifice anything for him. -
Afghanistan's New Leader
Hamid Karzai replaced the defeated Taliban which made him the leader of the country. He took office as interim president hoping to secure peace in Afghanistan and receive aid from other countries. Mr. Karzai's popularity plunged when he "faced an Afghan population that blamed him for the manifest lack of economic progress." -
Resolving the Problems
Obama announced his plan to deploy 30,000 additional troops in a speech. "He vowed to start bringing American forces home from Afghanistan in the middle of 2011," saying America couldn't afford the consequences.