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Defeat of the British
The British, beleaguered in the wake of World War I, are defeated in the Third British-Afghan War -
Afghanistan becomes a Monarchy
Amanullah declares Afghanistan a monarchy, rather than an emirate, and proclaims himself king. -
New King is named
Zahir Shah becomes king. The new king brings a semblance of stability to the country and he rules for the next 40 years. -
Afghanistan gets recognized
The United States formally recognizes Afghanistan. -
Amir and Hassan's Birth
In the late winters, "Hassan was born [after] just one year my mother died giving birth to me". (6)
Here is the start of their growing relationship. The main relationship that will be featured throughout the story. -
The Communists
The Afghan Communist Party secretly forms. The group’s principal leaders are Babrak Karmal and Nur Mohammad Taraki. -
Khan overthrows the King
Khan abolishes the monarchy and names himself president. The Republic of Afghanistan is established with firm ties to the USSR. -
Amir questions Baba
As Amir asks Baba questions on getting new servants, Baba snaps yelling " This is his home and we're [Hassan's] family. Don't you ever ask me that again!" (90)
Here this quote gives the reader a hint of Hassan being Baba's son. Baba reacted fiercely to the question of throwing Ali and Hassan out. -
Hassan gets raped.
As Assef unbuckles his belt, he says " it's just a Hazara". (75)
Here you can tell that Hassan is about to get raped by Assef.
And the excuse is that he's just a Hazara who is placed under Pashtuns -
Amir abandons Hassan
As Amir watches him get raped, he turns and "run because [he] was a coward". (77)
Amir decides to ditch Hassan for his own safety. He was afraid of what Assef would do to him next. -
Amir's conscience excuse
AS Amir runs he thinks, " I had to pay, the lamb I had to slay, to win Baba. Was it fair, [after all'] he was just a Hazara". (77)
Amir fills his mind with excuses to block the guilt. Amir reasons with himself to decide that this was the right act. -
Assef's gift
As Amir reveals what he got from Assef, he "threw it amid a tangle of wees." (97)
A representation is shown of Amir's resentment towards Assef. The hate he still has for what Assef did in the past. -
Amir's guilt
As Amir throws pomegranate after pomegranate at Hassan, he screams "Hit me Back! Hit me back! I wish he'd give me the punishment I crave." (92)
Here the guilt of abandoning Hassan has finally broken Amir. Amir has been broken to the point he wants to get beaten up by Hassan for redemption. -
Baba's forgiveness
As Amir sits on Baba's lap for an answer, he was stunned with Baba saying " I forgive you".
This is important with Amir in the past learning Baba stating the greatest sin there could be would be stealing. Even with that in mind, Baba still forgave Hassan. -
Amir's grand plan
Swiftly and quietly, Amir "lifts Hassan's mattress and plants" his new watch and envelope filled with money in it. (105)
Here Amir plans to frame Hassan and Ali. He hopes with them gone, he can finally be at piece. -
Hassan's sacrifice
As Baba asks Hassan the grand question if he stole the money, "Hassan replies [with a single word], yes". As the answer was spoken, Amir's heart sank. (105)
Amir is stunned by Hassan's actions in what he did. Hassan had the choice to tell the truth and ruin Amir, but decided not to. -
Hassan and Ali's leave
With short silence in the mansion, Ali says "We are leaving, Agha Sahib." (106)
Even though Hassan was forgiven, Ali knows what Amir had done and can't live like this. He can't live/work with them when they are forced to lie for the kid/ Amir -
Khan killed
Khan is killed in a communist coup. Nur Mohammad Taraki, one of the founding members of the Afghan Communist Party, takes control of the country as president, and Babrak Karmal is named deputy prime minister. -
America cuts ties with Afghaistan
American Ambassador Adolph Dubs is killed. The United States cuts off assistance to Afghanistan. -
Afghans flee from War
Some 2.8 million Afghans have fled from the war to Pakistan, and another 1.5 million have fled to Iran. Afghan guerrillas gain control of rural areas, and Soviet troops hold urban areas. -
Baba has Cancer
As Baba crawls to the bathroom, Amir says "I'm taking you to the doctor. (153)
Here we are given a symptom of Baba's cancer. -
Amir's proposal to Soraya
As Amir suddenly hears his phone ring, Amir could hear Baba on the other side saying "The General Accepted". (163)
Here the fathers of the son have to ask the fathers of the woman whom they wish to marry for approval. They themselves cannot go and ask the father. -
The Peace Treaty
The U.S., Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the Soviet Union sign peace accords in Geneva guaranteeing Afghan independence and the withdrawal of 100,000 Soviet troops. -
The reveal of Hassan's death
As Rahim Khan prepared, he said "[the Taliban] took him to the street-and order him to kneel- and shot him in the back of the head". "No.God,No" (219)
Here you already see that Hassan had already died before they arrived. This news greatly shocked and cracked Amir's heart. -
Still Hope
As Amir show Sohrab kite flying, he looks down and notices a "Smile. Lopsided.Hardly there, But there". (370-371)
With Sohrab persistence to not smile nor speak to Amir, that faint smile was enough to tell Amir there still is hope. And that hope is that Sohrab will finally talk and smile.
