Kite Runner & the History of Afghanistan

  • Ali is adopted

    After a terrible accident that left a 5 year old Hazara boy an orphan, Amir's," grandfather adopted him into his household and told the other servants to tutor him, but be kind to him. That boy was Ali."(24-25). This is an important event in the story because without Ali being in Baba's house there would be no Hassan and therefore there would be no story. Also, its gives us a glimpse as to how strong Baba's and Ali's bond was since they've been friends sinve Baba was born.
  • Period: to

    1933 to 2010

  • Assef threatens Amir and Hassan

    Hassan has just successfully defended Amir feom Assef and Assef is really mad; "This isn't the end for you either Amir. Someday, i'll makeyou face me one on one"... "Your Hazara made a big mistake today, Amir.""(43). This is an important event because it is the first time the readers are introduced to the antagonist of the story. Also, Assef's promise to get back at Amir and Hassan is very important to the plot of the novel.
  • Hassan's cleft lip gets fixed

    Baba is explaining the present he got Hassan for his birthday and says, ""It's an unusual present, I know,"..." And probably not what you had in mind, but this present will last forever."(46). This is an imprtant event because it is the first time the readers experince Baba's affection towards Hassan which is strangely very fatherly. Also, it is the first time the readers experience Amir's thirst for his father's attention and approval.
  • Hassan runs his last kite

    Due to all that happened Amir said that, "In the winter of 1975, I saw Hassan a kite for the last time."(55). This is an important event because alot happened in this one day that highly impacted the plot. Also, Hassan and kite flying is a very important aspect of the plot so, Hassan flying his last kite is a big turning point in the novel.
  • Amir wins the kite flying tournament

    Amir has just cut his opponets kite and thinks to himself," I didn't need to hear the crowd's roar to know. I didn't need to see either. Hassan was screaming and his arm was wrapped around my neck. "Bravo, Bravo Amir agha!""(66).This is an important event in the book because it's what leads to Amir's violation and him and Ali leaving Baba's house. Also, this is a very big turning point in the plot.
  • Hassan gets violated

    Amir is cowardly hiding behind a wall not knowing what to do while Hassane hets violated; " I caught a glimpse of his face. Saw the resignition in it. It was a look i had seen before." (76). This is an important event in the book because after this moment nothing was the same. Also, this showed how much of a coward Amir was and how Hassan cared mch more about Amir than Amir did Hassan.
  • Hassan and Ali leave

    Hassan has taken the fall for stealing Amir's gifts and Ali says " We are leaving Agha Sahib." (106). This is an important event in the book because the readers experience betrayal and injustice between two boys who were supposed to be brothers. Also, this is a turning point in the book because everything goes downhill from here before they start to get better.
  • According to The New York Times, "The first Soviet Troops Parachuted into Kabul on Dec. 27, 1979"(The New York Times).

    Afganistan- An Overview." The New York Times. The New York Times, 06 Dec. 2011. Web. 16 Oct. 2011.
  • Amir and Baba escape from their home

    Amir is reflecting on the time he had to escape from his own home; " I thought of the way we'd left the house where i'd lived my entire life... The signs of our elopement were subtle." (112). This is an important event in the book because this was very risky and they could've died.Also, this is the beginning to a difficult part in their lives.
  • Amir and Baba go to America

    Baba and Amir now live in," Fremont, Californis. 1980s. Baba loved the idea of America. It was living in America that gave him an ulcer."(125). This is an important event in the book because this is a big turning point in the story. Also, the readers see a shift in power from Baba to Amir.
  • Amir meets his future wife

    Amir sees his future wife Soraya," a slim hipped beauty with coal black hair, an open thermos and styrofoam cup in her hand... she had thick black eyebrows that touched in the middle like the arched wings of a flying bird"(140). This is an important event in the book because the readers witness how much Amir has grown anf=d changed since the beginning of the story and realize he is now a man. Also, Soraya does Amir and his messed up moral code good.
  • Baba gets cancer

    After founding out his father's diagnostic, Amir realizes," like satan cancer had many names." (155). This is a very important part in the book because now Amir not only has to worry about his new wife and in-laws but a father with cancer. Also, one of the main characters is facing a life threatning disease.
  • Baba dies

    Soraya has just tucked Baba into bed and when they go to wake him up the next,"Baba never woke up."(173). This is an important event because this day scars Amir. Also, this is a big turning point in the plot.
  • Amir marries Soraya

    During Amir and Soraya's wedding ceremony, "The mullah questioned the witnesses and read from the koran. We said our oaths. Signed the certificate." (170). This is in important part in th book because readers experience Amir's new life. Also, the readers realize amir is now a grown man.
  • The United Nations finally convinced," the last Soviet troops to leave Afghanistan in February 1989."( The New York Times).

    Afganistan- An Overview." The New York Times. The New York Times, 06 Dec. 2011. Web. 16 Oct. 2011.
  • According to The New York Times," As early as 1994, Pakistani intelligence officers began funneling arms, money, and supplies to Mullah Omar's men, as well as military advisers to help giude them in battle."( The New York Times).

    Afganistan- An Overview." The New York Times. The New York Times, 06 Dec. 2011. Web. 16 Oct. 2011.
  • According to The New York Times," By the end of 1994 Mullah Omar had nearly 12,000 followers and was rolling up the warlord to the north and east."(The New York Times)

    Afganistan- An Overview." The New York Times. The New York Times, 06 Dec. 2011. Web. 16 Oct. 2011.
  • With Pakistan's help," the Taliban by 1996 had taken control of Afghanistan."( The New York Times).

    Afganistan- An Overview." The New York Times. The New York Times, 06 Dec. 2011. Web. 16 Oct. 2011.
  • According toThe New York Tmes,"The Taliban also provided a haven for Mr. Bin Laden, who arrived ny charted jet at Jalalabad Airport in May 1996"(The New York Times).

    Afganistan- An Overview." The New York Times. The New York Times, 06 Dec. 2011. Web. 16 Oct. 2011.
  • Rahim Kahn calls Amir

    One summer day in 2000, "my friend Rahim Khan called from Pakistan... It was my past of unatoned sins."(1). This event is important because it was the way Amir found out about Sohrab. If Rahim didn't make that call, Amir would,ve never known about Sohrab.
  • Amir goes to Pakistan

    A week after Amir received the call from Rahim Kahn he boarded a plane to Pakistan; " I sat on a window seat aboard a Pakistani International Airline flight"(194). This is an Important event in the book because this is the beginning to a whole lot of revelations. Also, Amir could've not boarded the plane and went on with his life but he wanted to atone for his sins and knew that it was the right thing to do.
  • According to The New York Times,"After the attack on the World Trade Center in New York on Sept. 11, 2011. President George W. Bush gave the Taliban an ultimatum to hand over Mr. Bin Laden."(The New York Times).

    Afganistan- An Overview." The New York Times. The New York Times, 06 Dec. 2011. Web. 16 Oct. 2011.
  • Hamid Karzai,"took office as interium president in June 2002, saying he hoped to secure peace for Afghanistan and win the country much-needed international aid."(The New York Times)

    Afganistan- An Overview." The New York Times. The New York Times, 06 Dec. 2011. Web. 16 Oct. 2011.
  • In Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai," was elected to a five- year term as president in 2004."(The New York Times).

    Afganistan- An Overview." The New York Times. The New York Times, 06 Dec. 2011. Web. 16 Oct. 2011.
  • On December 1st, 2009, Mr. Obama," vowed to start bringing home American forces home from Afghanistan in the middle of 2011."(The New York Times).

    Afganistan- An Overview." The New York Times. The New York Times, 06 Dec. 2011. Web. 16 Oct. 2011.