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Hassan Has Surgery on His Cleft Lip
Baba gifted Hassan a life-long present of surgery on his cleft lip and the result of the surgery was "just a pink jagged line running up from his lip ... it was only a faint scar" (Hosseini 47). This is important because it showed that Baba and Hassan had a special relationship, they acted like how a father and son would. This later leads to Amir feeling angry and not worthy of Baba's love. -
Kite Tournament ... Hassan Gets Raped
The kite running tournament was an old Afghan tradition where "it started early in the morning ... and didn't until only the winning kite flew in the sky" (Hosseini 51). The kite tournaments in Afghanistan resemble a community of many different cultures joining together for a special cause. Additionally, this day is very important to the storyline for the book because it was when Hassan got raped by Assef. Hassan's raping later led to Amir's moral burden. -
Amir's 13 Birthday ... Ali and Hassan Leave
Amir says, "I turned thirteen that summer of 1976, Afghanistan's next to last summer of peace and anonymity" (Hosseini 93). Amir's birthday is important to the story because it is another moment in the book where Amir repetitively wants Baba's attention. Amir tries everything to win his attention even if it hurts others, like Hassan. Eventually, Amir gets this attention through the party but it is only for a short while and then it leads to Ali and Hassan leaving. -
1979-1996: The Soviet Invasion and After
The article gave detail into the invasion,"The turmoil and extremism that have dominated its history since then can be traced to the 1979 invasion by the Soviet Union and the reaction both by Afghans and by their allies in the United States and Pakistan." -
Soviet Troops Parachuted into Kabul
The article stated why the Soviet troops parachuted into Kabul, "[t]o assist Babrak Karmal, who had become president in a coup within the Afghan Communist leadership." -
Baba and Amir Arrive in San Francisco
Amir recalls a distinct memory of when Baba and he arrived in San Francisco, "I remember the two of us walking through Lake Elizabeth Park in Fremont ... watching boys at batting practice, little girls giggling on the swings in the playground" (Hosseini 125). This is important because it shows the growth and development of Baba and Amir's relationship. Although this bonding between them will end because Baba won't understand Amir and will be disappointed, it is a cycle. -
Baba and Amir Leave Kabul
Amir and Baba surprised everybody when they without warning left Kabul, "[M]y innards had been roiling since we'd left Kabul just after two in the morning" (Hosseini 110). This is important because their move to San Francisco exponentially changed the storyline of the book. Additionally, this move for the first time displayed Baba as weak because he was running away from his old to avoid imbarrasment. -
Amir Graduates High School
Amir proudly states, "I graduated from high school at the age of twenty, by far the oldest senior tossing his mortarboard on the football field" (Hosseini 131). This shows Amir's character development in the fact that he was finally doing something for himself and was disregarding Baba. All throughout the book Baba has controlled Amir and finally Amir is living his own life and isn't trying to prove his worth to Baba. -
Baba and Amir Begin Selling Products at the Flea Market ... Amir meets Soraya
Amir states how Baba and he spend their weekend, "we stopped at garage sales and bought knickknacks ... we drove to the San Jose flea market off Berryessa, rented a spot, and sold the junk for a small profit" (Hosseini 137). This is important because it shows that Amir and Baba are finally beginning to bond. Additionally, this led to Amir meeting Soraya who unconditionally changed his life. She later cares for Amir's family when he cannot. -
Amir and Soraya Get Married
Amir discusses the wedding tradition that Soraya and he partake in saying, "we did Ayena Masshaf, where they gave us a mirror and threw a veil over our heads, so we'd be alone to gaze at each other's reflection" (Hosseini 171). This is important because it shows the development of the character Amir. Additionally, it showed that Baba finally accepted Amir and trusted him with living his own life. -
Baba Dies ... Refused to Take Medication
Baba asked Amir for a favor, "he asked us to lean in, gave us each a kiss," the next morning Amir found out frightful news, "Baba never woke up" (Hosseini 173). This is important because when Baba dies he leaves the reader off with a happy ending. Baba has finally accepted Amir and feels atoned for his poor actions to him when he was a kid. Additionally, Baba never took medication because he felt Amir was ready to live without him. -
Amir Finishes His First Novel
Six months before the Soviet departed from Afghanistan, "I finished my first novel, a father-son story set in Kabul" (Hosseini 182). This is a large turning point in the story where Amir finally disregards what Baba is forcing him to do with his life and goes on to do what he wants, being a writer. Ironically, his book discusses a father and son based story and in his own life doesn't have a good relationship with his father. This book is a hope for Baba and Amir's relationship. -
Hassan and Faranza are Killed ... Sohrab is Born
Rahim Kahn describes Hassan's son, Sohrab, saying, "he was a beautiful little boy, sweet as sugar, and had the same temperament as his father" (Hosseini 211). Through Hassan's death and Hassan having a kid, it gives Amir a chance to atone for his sins. Hassan's son is a new cycle and it brings hope and a different perspective to the story, which is deeply important. -
1996-2001: The Taliban Takeover
In more detail, "[t]he Taliban by 1996 had taken control of Afghanistan, imposing strict - enforcement of fundamentalist Islamic law, banning movies and music and forcing women out of schools and into all-enveloping burqa clothing." -
Amir Finally Stood Up For Sohrab For Being Called a Hazara
Amir harshly says to General Sahib when he unjustly referred to Sohrab as a hazara boy, "'you will never again refer to him as 'Hazara boy' in my presence. He has a name and it's Sohrab"' (Hosseini 361). This shows Amir finally standing up for somthing he believes in and not being a bystander. These actions that Amir is taking are how Baba always pictured he would act; now he is finally living up to Baba's dream son. -
Rahim Kahn forces Amir to Get Sohrab
After Rahim Kahn called Amir and told him about Hassan he said, "I took my leave, a rumor spread that a Hazara family was alone in the big house in Wazir Akbar Khan, or so the Taliban claim" (Hosseini 218). This is important because it shows Amir striving to relieve himself from his guilt. Amir hopes that he can help Sohrab because he believes even though Hassan is dead he still lives on in his son. -
Sohrab Tries to Commit Suicide ... He Fails
Amir frantically tries to get into the bathroom that Sohrab was in and said this, "suddenly I was on my knees, screaming. Screaming through my clenched teeth ... until my throat would rip and my chest explode" (Hosseini 343). This shows Sohrab's fast pace life is finally catching up with, like his father's death haunting him. Sohrab fell under the pressure and reacted with poor judgement of his situation. -
The Karzai Government
The article informs us that, "In December 2001, Hamid Karzai, a supporter and relative of Mohammad Zahir Shah, the exiled former king of Afghanistan, was named chairman of an interim government that replaced the defeated Taliban, making him the leader of the country." -
2001-2008 - Post 9/11 Invasion
The overall main idea of post 9/11 was, "President George W. Bush gave the Taliban an ultimatum to hand over Mr. bin Laden. When it refused, the United States joined forces with rebel groups that had never accepted Taliban rule" -
Attack Led by Al Qaeda
The article describes how Al Qaeda occured, "The United States has been militarily involved in Afghanistan since 2001, when it led an invasion after the Sept. 11 attacks by Al Qaeda." -
Sohrab and Amir Fly a Kite Together ... Sohrab Smiles For the First Time
Amir and Sohrab are in a grassy kite flying area and Amir asks Sohrab, "'Do you want me to run a kite for you?"' and Sohrab responded with, "only a smile" (Hosseini 371). The kite running at the end of the story is symbolic of hope through Sohrab's smile. Additionally, it brings back Amir strong memories of his time with Hassan, and it shows the development of the story. This shows a new start to their life and it shows that Hassan and Amir's friendship is being continued into Sohrab. -
Mr.Karazi Became President of Afghanistan
The article informs us about Mr.Karazi saying that "He took office as interim president in June 2002, saying he hoped to secure peace for Afghanistan and win the country much-needed international aid." -
The Taliban Resurgence
The article describes the Tailban's actions,"[t]he Taliban continued to wage a guerrilla warfare from a base in the mountainous and largely lawless tribal area on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border" -
Obama's war
Some more incite on Mr.Obama's ideas, "Mr. Obama's plan to widen United States involvement in Afghanistan was shaped by a debate in which Vice President Biden warned against getting into a political and military quagmire" -
Mr.Obama's Deploy of Troops
The article stated, "In a speech delivered Dec. 1, 2009, at West Point, Mr. Obama announced his plan to deploy 30,000 additional troops."