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Hassan Mocked by Group of Soldier (approximate date range
When attempting to take a shortcut to the local movie theater, a group of soldiers reveal that one of them had a sexual interaction with Hassan's mother. During the movie, Amir "...Heard Hassan next to [him], croaking. Tears were sliding down his cheeks" (7). This shows how difficult it is to be of a different ethnicity, and the mockery Hassan must endure because of facial differences from other people. This is important because it highlights the struggles that minorities have in society. -
Soviet Invasion Terrifies Families
On July 17, 1973, the Soviet forces overthrow and exile the King of Afghanistan. In a mess of gunfire and explosions, Amir, Baba, Ali, and Hassan take cover in Baba's house, Hassan "... was crying. Ali pulled him close, clutched him with tenderness" (35). Ali's fatherly kindness demonstrates the bond between father and son that Amir wishes he had. The importance of this is that it signifies that it does not matter what someone looks like, everyone has the capability to love their children. -
Hassan is Raped
Assef, Hassan's regular and most vicious tormentors, tracks him down after the kite fighting competition. As Hassan is raped by Assef, Amir is unable to stand up for Hassan, "...Afraid of Assef and what he would do to [him]" (77). Amir's cowardice demonstrates the important aspect that fear is to dictators, abusers, and people who hurt others purposely. Without this fear, Amir would have stood up for Hassan, demonstrating how suffocating fear can be. -
Hassan and Ali Leave
After Hassan tells his father about what Assef did to him, they decide to leave Kabul, leaving Baba heartbroken over the loss of his best friend, and unbeknownst at the time, illegitimate son. At the sight of his grief, Amir was, "...Scared...A little, seeing a grown man cry. Fathers weren't supposed to cry" (107). Amir's fear of Baba's grief demonstrates an age old stigma about older men showing emotion, putting up barriers between fathers and their emotions. -
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Afghan Wars/ Conflict
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First Soviet Paratroopers Arrive in Kabul
In response to a rebellion within the Afghani Communist leadership, "The first Soviet troops parachuted into Kabul on December 27, 1979..." (NYT) in order to help the new president of Afghanistan, Babrak Karmal. -
Amir and Baba Leave Afghanistan
As political strife worsened in Afghanistan, Amir and Baba leave. However, the escape from Afghanistan is difficult, and as a Soviet soldier threatens to rape a young woman, Baba intervenes, claiming that he will "...Take a thousand bullets before [he] lets this indecency take place" (116). Baba's statement affects Amir greatly, demonstrating the guilt that Amir holds after being a bystander to Hassan's rape. The guilt he holds is key to understanding the regret those ho make mistakes hold. -
Amir and Baba Arrive in America
After experiencing turmoil getting to America, Amir and Baba finally arrive. Baba, however, has difficulty adjusting to America, with new technology such as credit cards. Amir points out that they did not have credit cards, "[they] snapped a tree branch and use it as a credit card" (128). The lack of technology in Afghanistan demonstrates how different the two countries are. It is perfectly logical for Baba to have trouble adjusting, which signifies the struggle that many immigrant experience. -
Amir Graduates High School
At the age of 20, Amir successfully graduates high school. At graduation, Baba is incredibly happy with his son's achievement, telling Amir that he is, "'...Moftakhir, Amir,' he said. Proud." Baba's pride over Amir's graduation demonstrates the admiration and love that Amir finally gets from his father, something he had been craving since childhood. This is important because it shows that even people that show apathy towards their children, most likely have love for them, shown through pride. -
Amir Falls in Love with Soraya
Every weekend, Amir and Baba go to the flea market to sell goods, meeting up with several Afghani families in the process. It is there where Amir sees Soraya. He quickly falls in love with her, his heart, "...Stuttered at the thought of her. Soraya Taheri...Swap Meet Princess." (142). Amir's first love demonstrates a part of growing up that had yet been shown in Amir, falling in love. This is important because it is a ritual of growing up, and it signifies that Amir is no longer a child. -
Baba is Diagnosed with Cancer
After Amir notices him coughing up blood, he brings Baba to hospital. When finding out that Baba has lung cancer, he insists on getting no treatment, and gets angry at Amir for trying to "...Challenge [him] in public..." (156). Baba's anger demonstrates the strict family roles in Afghani culture. The son, regardless of age, is to be loyal to his father. This is important because it highlights family dynamics of other cultures, which can be restricting, unfair, and in some occasions, harmful. -
Amir and Soraya Get Married
As Baba's life slowly ticks away, Amir manages to get his father's word to marry Soraya, and the couple forgo the engagement period to enable Baba to be alive for the wedding. The wedding itself is a joyous event, but as the night goes on, Amir's guilt finds him. He wonders if, "...Hassan too had married...Whose face he had seen in the mirror under the veil?" (171). Amir's aimless thoughts show the persistence of guilt. Though his childhood has long left him, Amir still feels regret about Hassan -
Baba Dies
After Amir's wedding, he and Soraya move in with Baba, in order to take care of him. One night, Baba refuses to have his painkillers before bed, saying that, "There is no pain tonight." (173), and dies overnight, sleeping. The lack of pain Baba claimed to feel demonstrates the very abstract topic of what it is like to die. Baba, through his requests, show it is a lack of pain. However, the important aspect to this is that one never really knows, and it is only alluded to in the quote. -
Soviet Troops Leave Afghanistan
After the UN moderate several talks encouraging peace in Afghanistan, "...The last Soviet troops [leave] Afghanistan in February 1989..." (NYT), leaving the county with many Islamic extremists . -
Soraya is Unfertile
After discovering that Soraya is inexplicably unfertile, they must break the news to the General. When the topic of adoption comes up, Soraya's father feels that, "...This adoption [is]...not...for us Afghans" (187). The Generals stance against adoption shows cultural stigma against certain ideas. This is important because it explains why some families of different cultures have certain political stances, societal views, etc. -
Power in Afghanistan is Anarchically Divided
After the Soviet forces retreated Afghanistan, "...power was anarchically divided among competing warlords..." (NYT) after destructive fighting. -
Taliban Takes Control of Afghanistan
As Pakistani offers started to fund Taliban efforts to control the country, "...The Taliban by 1996 had taken control of Afghanistan..." (NYT) and began to impose a harsh set of rules following Islamic law. -
Amir Discovers Hassan is His Brother
In Pakistan, Rahim Khan discloses to Amir that he is the brother of Hassan, and that Baba had been Hassan's real father. This news shatters all that Amir knew about his life in Afghanistan, and he, "...felt like a man sliding down a steep cliff..." (222). Amir's disbelief and emotions felt over this discovery demonstrates how the story changes as a result of this information. It means that Amir left his brother to be raped, and not just his friend. -
Amir Learns Rahim Khan is Dying; Goes to Afghanistan
One day, in 2001, Amir gets a phone call from Rahim Khan, learning that he is, now, a dying old man. He asks Amir to come visit him in Pakistan, and promises something else in return. Since, "He knew about Assef, the kite...[and promised] there is a way to be good again" (192). Rahim Khan's promise shows that after all these years, Amir still feels intensely guilty, and yearns to atone for his sin. This holds importance because it demonstrates how strong guilt can be in a person's mind. -
Taliban Attacks World Trade Center
On September 11, 2001, the Taliban attacks and destroys the World Trade Center in New York. After the attack, "...President George W. Bush gave the Taliban an ultimatum to hand over Mr. bin Laden" (NYT). -
Hamid Karzai Takes Leadership of Afghanistan
With no form of leadership controlling Afghanistan, ..."Hamid Karzai...was named chairman of an interim government that replaced the defeated Taliban, making him the leader of the country" (NYT). That summer, Karzai became president of Afghanistan. -
Karzai Elected President
While he was running the country as interim president two years prior, "Mr. Karzai was elected to a five-year term as president in 2004" (NYT). -
Successful Iraqi General Takes Control of US Command
As President Obama increases military involvement in Afghanistan, the successful General Petraeus "...had taken charge of United States Central Command in October 2008..." (NYT), responsible for military action in Iraq. -
Plans to Deploy Troops Underway
On December 1, 2009, "...Mr. Obama announced his plan to deploy 30,000 additional troops" (NYT), and start returning soldiers from battle to their homes as early as 2014. -
General McChrystal Removed From Efforts
As news surfaced regarding, "...contemptuous quotes from [General McChrystal] and his staff about senior administration officials..." Obama removed him from his position in June 2010.