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Kite Running Tournament
During the winter of 1975, Amir and Hassan compete in what is dubbed as "the biggest tournament in twenty-five years" (Hosseini 55). The boys end up winning the tournament, and Amir sees "Baba on that roof, proud of me at last" (Hosseini 66). In this moment, Amir finally gains the approval of his father. This is a critical moment because it demonstrates a turning point in the story relating to Amir and Baba's relationship -
Hassan Gets Raped
While searching to catch the last kite at the tournament, Hassan runs into Assef and his friends. Assefs uses his power to overtake Hassan, and "Hassan dropped down while Assef bent behind him" (Hosseini 75). In this moment, Assef rapes Hassan because of his hatred for Hazaras, demonstrating his personality and character. This moment also breaks the realtionship between Amir and Hassan, as Hassan will never look at Amir the same way for not doing something to protect him. -
Amir's Birthday
During the summer of 1976, Amir turns thirteen and Baba throws him a birthday party because of his recent success kite running. However, Amir is was not in a good mood, wanting to "be alone in his room, with his books, away from the people" (Hosseini 97). This event demonstrates how Amir's victory has changed his relationship with Baba is a postive manner. However, it also shows how Amir was mulling over the thoughts of witnessing Hassan's rape, showing the consequence of his actions. -
Ali and Hassan Leave
A few days after Amir's Birthday, Amir decides to frame Hassan for stealing, which is the last straw for Ali and Hassan. They decide to bid their farewell, citing that "Life here is impossible us now, Agha sahib" (Hosseini 106). This moments demonstrates the consequences Amir brought upon himself through his actions. This also shows or implies that Hassan know that Amir saw the rape, creating tension between the two that will last for years. -
The Soviet Union Invades
The Soviet Union invades Afghanistan in order to "assist Babrak Karmal" (New York Times). At that time, Babrak Karmal was the current president and he gained his position through a "coup within the Afghan Communist Party" (New York Times). -
Amir and Baba Immigrate to America
Baba and Amir decide to immigrate to Fremont, California. They spend time bonding by visiting flea markets and "[packing] the car with goods" to sell for a small profit the next morning (Hosseini 137). This moment illustrate the two strengthening their relationship which had been broken after Ali and Hassan left. It demonstrates how America is changing their lives for the better and the stark differences between America and Afghanistan. -
Baba and Amir flee from Afghanistan
Because of the Soviet Invasion, life has gotten too hard for the Baba and Amir, and they deicde to join Karim who "was a people smuggler" and drove "people out of Shrowai-ooccupied Kabul to the relative safey of Pakistan" (Hosseini 111). This moments demonstrates the changing conditions in Afghanistan and how desperate people are. It also demonstrates the seriousness of the situation, as Baba is a person who would not take such drastic actions unless needed. -
Amir and Soraya get married
Amir and Soraya decide to get married, but the wedding is rushed in order to allow Baba to witness the event before his death. Nevertheless, the wedding goes well and General sahib accepts Amir, saying his family is "honered to welcome [Amir] ... into our family" (Hosseini 168). Amir gains a significant other which foreshadows into change in order to become one with Soraya. It also demonstrates choosing Soraya in order to retain socioeconomic status among people from Afghanistan. -
Baba is diagonsed with Lung Cancer
Baba starts getting sick and the doctor diagnoses him with Lung cancer. Baba refuses to take treament because of his pride but his conditions worsens leading to Amir having to "start helping him into clothes and helping him to walk" (Hosseini 162). This moments reveals how even in America, Baba still belives in his roots and will shorten his lifespan so that he does not lose his pride. This event also leads to Baba atoning for his mistakes for Amir's writing. -
The Soviet Union Withdraws
The last Soviet Union troops left in February in "a unliteral withdrawl." However, the country "was not only devastated by the war" and also "had become a beacon to Islamic Extremists" (New York Times). -
Sanuabar Delivers Hassan's Baby
When Sanuabar came back to Afghanistan she decides to deliver Hassan's child, "[wrapping] her grandson in a wool blanket, clutching that baby in her arms like she never wanted to let go" (Hosseini 211). This moments demonstrates the reformation of Sanaubar as before she would have never cared for her family members. This also impacts the story by shedding new light on Sanubar's reformed character. -
The Taliban Form
The Taliban were a movement group ¨dedicated to purifying the country.¨ At the end of 1994, the leader, Mullah Omar, "had nearly 12,000 followers and was rolling up the warlords to the north and east" (New York Times). -
The Taliban Gain Control of Afghanistan
With the support of the neighboring country Pakistan, "the Taliban by 1996 had taken control of Afghanistan." With this power came many changes, including "strict enforcement of fundamentalist Islamic law" and "forcing women out of schools and into all-enveloping burqa clothing" (New York Times). -
Bin Laden Provided Shelter by The Taliban
The Taliban "provided a haven for Mr. Bin Laden" who came to work for Al Qaeda. (New York Times). -
Hassan and Farzana Die
The Taliban walk into Baba's former house one day to find Hassan and his family. The Taliban did not care for why he was in the house and "ordered him to kneel and shot him in the back of the head" (Hosseini 219). Their deaths are significant because Amir has to retrieve their orphan later in the story. It is also significant because Amir never repaid for his actions and this event means that he must reform himself in a different way. -
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Post 9/11 Invasion
Because of the attacks on the World Trade Center, the United States had to act, demonstrated through President Bush giving "the Taliban and ultimatum to hand over Mr. bin Laden." When that failed, "the United States joined forces with rebel groups that had never accepted Taliban rule" and start "an air and ground campaign." The actions proved successful, with Al Qaeda and the Taliban retreating the war ground (New York Times). -
Amir visits Rahim Khan
Amir visits Rahim Khan because of the current situation is Afghanistan. During his meeting, Amir learns about the truth behind Hassan's father and reacts by saying "I'm thirty-eight years old and i've just found out my whole life is one big [darn] lie!" (Hosseini 223). This is a significant event because it changes all of Amir's thoughts and his beliefs throughout his whole life. This revelation changes his motivation to help find Hassan's orphan and brings change in him. -
Afghanistan Has A New Leader
Hamid Karzai is "named chairman of an interim government that replaced the defeated Taliban" in December of 2001. He vows to "secure peace for Afghanistan" and also help the country gain "much-needed international aid" (New York Times). -
Stoning Event At Soccer Stadium (12)
Amir and Farid visit a soccer stadium in order to find the man that Sohrab is with. At halftime, they witness a stoning for two people that commited a crime, with the Taliban "[hurling] the stone at the blindfolded man in the hole" (Hosseini 271). This event reveals to Amir the true nature of the Taliban and how they proceed about completing their tasks. This also drives Amir to work harder to obtain Sohrab as Amir could imagine what the men have done to Sohrab. -
Assef Fights Amir
Sorhab's master reveals himself to be Assef, and decides to settle who gets to keep Sohrab throught a fight. Amir gets badly beaten up and in only saved by Sohrab who holds a slingshot with a cup and pulls it all the way back, aiming directly as Assef's face" (Hosseini 290). This event demonstrates Assef's continued hatred for Amir by trying to settle something from the past. This also reveals Sohrab's similarity to Hassan with his mastery of the slingshot. -
Sohrab Tries to Commit Suicide
Amir is trying to figure out how to bring Sohrab back to America. One day, he find a breakthrough coming to tell Sohrab about the new when he find Sohrab and "was on [his] knees, screaming" (Hosseini 343). This reveals the dreadful feeling Sohrab was experiencing about having to face his past at the orphange. It also reveals the struggles oh Shorab and this event foreshadows Sohrab having to face his fears in the future. -
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The Taliban Return
Even with their defeat, "the Taliban continued to wage a guerrilla warfare" along the border of Pakistan and Afghanistan. As American military forces focused on "the invasion and occupation of Iraq", the Taliban "began to extends is influences" and became "better coordinated and more deadly each year" (New York Times). -
Amir Flies Kite with Sohrab
After going back to America, Amir takes Sohrab kite running and "One corner of [Sohrab's] mouth had curled up just so. A smile" (Hosseini 370). This event is significant because this is the first time Sohrab had smiled since Amir retrieved him. This shows Sohrab changes and also shows Amir relief that he has completed his mission of repaying Hassan for his actions. Now Amir can continue to grow with Sohrab to become the friend that he could not fulfill with Hassan -
Obama Announces New Plan
On December 1, 2009, Obama "announced his plan to deploy 30,000 additional troops." He also "vowed to start bringing American forces home" starting through 2011 (New York Times). -
The United States Overturns Decision to Withdraw
Instead of starting to pull troops from Afghanistan starting from 2011, "the Obama administration changed is tone to increasingly emphasize the idea that the United states will have forces in the country." They also tried to "convince Afghans that the United States is not walking away" (New York Times).