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Amir was Born
Amir was born 1963. Although Hassan was younger and Amir's servant they both grow up like brothers when they were really young and "[they] were fed from the same hand," (27). Although Amir always thought low of Hassan, it turned out that they were equals because they ended up being brothers. -
Hassan gets violated
Amir was never a truely a good friend for Hassan; as they both grow up, Amir doesn't stand up for Hassan. Amir states, "I ran because I was a coward. I was afraid of Assef and what he would do to me," (68). Although, Amir was afraid for his own life, he did nothing for Hassan when he was getting violated. Amir just simply turned around and walked away. -
Amir Wins the Kite Runner Race
Amir was sure that he would win the kite runner race because he wanted to make Baba proud of him.Hassan states, "You won Amir agha, you won!" (58). After winning his first kite runner race, Amir had more confidence than ever before because he didn't only win, but earned Baba's approval. -
The year Afganistian Saw No More Peace
1976 was the start of the soviet invasion, which started a dark period for Afganistan. Amir states, "“I turned thirteen that summer of 1976, Afghanistan’s next to last summer of peace and anonymity” (93). In the story it was also when Hassan and Ali leave Baba and Amir; as a result, it made the Summer of 1796 even more unbearable for Amir because he lost his childhood as a whole. -
The Soviet Union invades Afganistan
Afganistan was a stable and afluent country. However, in 1979 the Soviet Union decided to parachute their troops into the country. The New York Times states, "The first Soviet troops parachuted into Kabul on Dec. 27, 2979, to assist Babrak Karmal, who had become president in a coup within the Afgan Communist leadership" (TNYT 2). The people who wanted to corrupt Afghanistan to gain power had a asistance with a power army, causing Afghan's to lose control of their country. -
Moving to Femont
When Baba and Amir first moves to Fremont California, Amir wants to try to fit in with his new environment. Amir states, "For two years, I tried to get Baba to enroll in ESL classes to improve his broken English. But he scoffed at the idea," (126). Amir is starting to see the advantages he has over Baba now and is trying to help Baba with his new environment other than Baba helping out Amir. Causing early stages of the power shift between Amir and Baba. -
Leaving Without a Goodbye
When Amir and Baba leave Afganistan. Amir states, "“In the morning, Jalauddin – our seventh servant in five years – would probably think we’d gone out for a stroll or a drive," (112). As a result, readers can conclude that both Baba and Amir had been having hard times with servants when Ali and Hassan left. In addition, readers can conclude that Amir and Baba were going to leave Afghanistan extreamly suddenly. So much so, that neither had told the servant about their departure. -
A New Age
When Amir and Baba are getting prepared to leave Amir states, “As is you weren’t supposed to get sick when you were eighteen," (111). When Amir first states his age of thirteen, it was Afghanistan's last Summer of peace, but also was the time when Ali and Hassan left Baba.As a result of Amir stating his age, the reader imediately knows that the time period is around 1981. However, the reader could also infer that times are getting much harder in Afghanistan because of Amirs last reference. -
Amir Flirting with Soyara
When Amir first starts trying to talk with Soyara and her family, Soyara's father catches onto his strategy and explains, "So it's my duty to remind you that you are among peers in this flea market" (152). Amir's ways of flirting to Soyara are not traditional; as a result, Amir needs to change his ways of flirtig to Soyara or else Soyara's father and Amir would get along to well. -
Baba's condition
Once Baba is diagnosed with "Oat Cell Carcinoma" (156), which is a certain type of cancer that has no cure. Readers see a major power shift between Amir and Baba. Baba exclaimes "Don't you challenge me in public, Amir. Ever. Who do you think you are?" (156) . Back in Afghanistan Amir would never challenge or question Baba's decisions. However, with age and knowledge Amir is starting to become capable of things Baba never was capable of. -
Amir + Soyara
Shortly after Amir tells Baba he wants to marry Soyara, Baba states, "I want you to go khastegari. I want you to ask Gerneral Taheri for his daughter's hand" (161). Due to Baba's condition, Amir and Soyara are forced to marry earlier because Baba is on a quick deadline and wants to be alive and able to go to Amir's wedding. -
Driving Away the Soviet's
After staying nine years in Afganistan, the U.S. thought that they should help Afganistans by supplying them with Stinger antiaircraft missels. The New York Times states, " After 1986, the Soviet Air Force was also rendered largely useless by advanced Stinger antiaircraft missiles supplied by the United States to rebel," (The New York Times 2). Although, the U.S. had good intentions for Afghanistan to fight back, which they did, Afghanistan later used those weapons against the U.S. -
Good Times for Amir
Once Amir gets his first book published, he states,"There was so much goodness in my life. So much happiness. I wondered whether I deserved any of it." (183). When things are going unusually good in Amir's life. Like getting a book published, and getting married, he startes to question weather he really deserves to feel this way considering his poor behavior involvin Hassan. -
The Last Soviet Troops Left Afganistan
after the Soviet Union was convinced by the United Nations through numerous peace talks, the Soviets decided to leave Afganistan The New York Times states, "Eventually, after peace talks moderated by the United Nations, the last Soviet troops left Afganistan in Febuary 1989, in what was in effect a unilateral withdrawal," (The New York Times 2). However, when they left, the abandonded a broken fearful country was left in the hands of people like Osama bin Laden. -
Amir and Soraya Starting a Family
After Amir and Soraya ammept to start a family but are unable, Soraya states to her parents, "God knows best, bachem. Maybe it wasn't meant to be," (186). Once a year past by of being unsuccessful in starting a family, Soraya gives up hope in her dream; however, doesn't want to adopt. -
Soraya's Opinion of Adoption
Due to the difficulties Amir and Soraya are having in starting their own family they are forced to consider adoptiong. Soyara states, "Blood is a powerful thing, bachem, and when you adopt, you don't know whose blood you're bringing into your house," (188). As a result of the way Soyara was brought up as a child, having a child carry her blood is important to her because its so big in her culture and heritage. And she wants to keep the tradition even though they are unable to have children. -
The Growth of Mullah Omar's Power
By 1994 "Pakistani intelligennce officers Supplied Mullah Omar's group with funneling arms, money, plus military advisers, and resources," (The New York Times 3). Towards the end of that year Mullah's group grew to 12,000 followers. Many people willing to fight on Mullah's team looked for a way back to their original life in Afganista, willing to risk anything. -
Taliban had taken over Afganistan
When the Taliban took over they changed the rules making them much stricter then before. The New York Times states, "Buoyed by Pakistani aid, the Taliban by 1996 had taken control of Afghanistan, imposing strict enforcement of fundamentalist Islamic law," (The New York Times 3). The rulers of Afganistan didn't allow movies or music, and banned women from getting an education. In addition finally assisting Osama bin Laden and the Al Qaeda group. -
Buddha's Destruction
The problems for Afghanistan only got worse, The New York Times states, "The Taliban also provided a haven for Mr. Bin Laden, who arrived by chartesed jet at Jalalabad Airport in May 1996, and for Al Qaeda. Western diplomats say Al Qaeda helped pursuade Mullah Omar to the destruction of the 800 year old Buddah," (TNYT 3). Al Qaeda influenced Mullah Omar to order a destruction on their 800- year old Buddha statue. Which many critized around the world. However, not taking effect on their decision. -
Letter To Amir
Amir recieves a letter from Hassan, stating, "And I dream that someday you will return to Kabul to revisit the land our childhood. If you do, you will find an old faithful friend waiting for you" (218). After 20, this letter shows what a loyal friend Hassan had been to Amir; even after all Amir put Hassan through, and how Amir is still the same arogant child when Hassan left. -
Amir and Hassan- Brothers
Amir only learns what an amazing friend Hassan was once it was to late. Amir states, ""I'm thirty-eight years old and I've just found out my whole life is on big fucking lie!" (223). When Amir was told that Hassan had been his brother, he finally realizes that Hassan always stuck by Amir even when their time got rough. And that to make up thei friendship, Amir must go rescue his nephew. -
9/11 by Al Qaeda
"After Al Qaeda bombed the U.S. september 11th, George W. Bush joined the North Alliance" (The New York Times 3) helping to drive Taliban out of Afganistan's major cities and forcing them to retreat to the mountains along the border of Pakistan. However, many escaped and were able to find safety, then gain control of the countryside. -
Taliban still continued
In 2001 there were still people apart of the Taliban still living in caves on the border of pakistan. The New York Times states, "An air and ground campaign began that drover the Taliban out of major cities by the end of the year," (The New York Times). With America's help fom the opium trade they took over the highways and cities. However, the countryside was left to the Taliban because of their growing power. -
Hamid Karzai Fights Back
In 2001, a relative of Mohammad Zahir Shah who was the former king of Afganistan comes back. The New York Times states, "In December 2001, Hamid Karzia, a suppoerter and relative of Mohammad Zahir Shah, the exiled former king of Afganistan, was named the chairman of an interim government that replaced the defeated Taliban, making him the leader og the country," (TNYT 3). Promising and new light for Afghanistan, Hamid Karzia was a step in the right direction for this developing country. -
Hamid Karzai Takes Office
In June 2002 Hamid Karzai took office as interim president. The New York Times states, "June 2002, saying he hoped to secure peace for Afghanistan and win the country much-needed international aid. Mr. Karzai was elected to a five-year term ad president in 2004," (The New York Time 3). Once again it was a new hope that Afghanistan was in desperate need of.