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Hassan is taunted by soldiers about his mother
Because Hassan never knew his mother, any information he has about her is important to him. He and Amir run into a soldier to claims to know Sanabaur, his mother. The soldier says, "I knew your mother, did you know that?" (7) Hassan is troubled by the soldiers tale of his relationship with her, and wishes she hadn't abandoned him. -
Hassan sticks up for Amir by threatening Hassan.
Assef meant to hurt Amir, so Hassan "held the slingshot pointed directly at Assef's face, (42). Assef is humiliated, as he has been defeated by a skinny Hazara. He vows revenge against Hassan an Amir, which causes him to violate Hassan a few months later, and leaves a lingering hatred for both of them. -
Amir wins the Kite Tournament.
Amir plays in the Kite Tournament, and "all [he] smells is victory," (65). He eventurally wins, and Hassan runs the kite for him. This in turn causes Assef to violate Hassan, a turning point in the story. -
Assef violates Hassan
While Hassan is running for the Amir's kite, he runs into Assef who wants it. In his refusal, Assef violates Hassan. He lies "with his chest pinned to the ground," and zero control over what is happening. This event changes Hassan and causes a rift between him and Amir. -
Assef violates Hassan
While Hassan is running for the Amir's kite, he runs into Assef who wants it. In his refusal, Assef violates Hassan. He lies "with his chest pinned to the ground," and zero control over what is happening. This event changes Hassan and causes a rift between him and Amir. -
Amir frames Hassan, causing them to leave.
Amir "planted [his] new watch and a handful of bills" under Hassan's bed. (105). Hassan takes the blame, which causes them to leave forever. Because Amir framed Hassan, and did not stick up for him, Hassan felt as though they neeed to escape. -
Soviet Union Invades Afghanistan
Afghanistan "has known little peace since 1979,, when the Soviet Union invaded. (Afghanistan, an overview, p. 2) -
Baba and Amir flee Afghanistan for America.
Due to the civil unrest in Afghanistan, Baba and Amir leave for America. They "left Kabul just after two in the morning," so as not to be seen, (110). They know not what lies ahead of them in the United States, and are anxious to leave Kabul behind. THe adjustment will be difficult for both Amir and Baba, especially Baba. -
Baba is diagonsed with cancer
Years of smoking finally caught up to Baba, and he was diagnosed with cancer. The cancer was "advanced, inoperable," and chemo therapy would only prolong the inevitable death. For the first time, Amir faces life without his father. Baba is on his deathbed, which in turn causes Amir to ask Soraya to marry him. -
Amir marries Soraya
Amir and Soraya get married, quicker than expected due to Baba's illness. Amir ""asked the general for his daughters hand" and start their life together. (161). Amir and Soraya are incredibly happy, and plan a life together. Because of the cancer, Amir and Soraya stay with Baba until he dies. -
Baba dies
Baba finally passes away as result of his cancer. Amir is left alone, and realizes that "Baba couldn't shiow [him] the way anymore, [he'd] have to find it on [his] own," (174). Amir is deeply affected by Baba's death, even though he knew it was coming. He is by himself, with no one to guide him, -
Soviet Troops Left Afghanistan
The Soviet Union's army left Afghanistan "in February 1989, in what was in efffect a unilateral withdrawl." (Afghanistan, an overview p. 2) -
Taliban Started
When the Taliban first started, they were a "student movement dedicated to purifying the country." (Afghanistan, an Overview, p.2) -
Power Divided
After the Soviet Union troops left, the government was in dissaray, and "power was anarchically divided among competing warlords and individual fiefdoms." -
Taliban Officially Took Control of Afghanistan
Due to their popularity and growing size, the taliban "had taken control of Afganistan, imposing strict enforcement of fundamentalist Islamic law, banning movies and music, and forcing women out of schools and into all-enveloping burqua clothing." (Afghanistan, an overview p.3) -
Osama Bin Laden Granted a Safe Haven
The talivan "provided a haven for Mr. bin Laden," (Afghanistan, an overview p. 3) -
Rahim Kahn Calls Amir
When Amir is a grown man, "Rahim Kah called from Pakistan," asking him to come see him (1). Amir knows that this is his past calling him, his unatoned sins waiting for him. Rahim Kahn is dying, and wishes for Amir to make up for his sins against Hassan. -
Amir finds Sohrab and takes him from Assef
After much turmoil and searching, Amir finally finds Sohrab as a slave in Assef's home. Sohrab held "the slingshot and the end of the elastic band which was pulled all the way back." (290). Sohrab damages Assef's eye, and manages to get Amir out in one piece. This shows that Sohrab is the living embodiment of Hassan, and will stick up for Amir no matter what. -
Sohrab tries to commit suicide
Amir tells him that he might have to go back to an orphanage, and Sohrab thinks that he can't go on if that happens. When Amir discovers Sohrab, he screams "until [he] thought [his] throuat would rip up and [his] chest explode," (343). Amir made a terrible mistake by saying the one thing that terrified Sohrab the most. This will forever change their relationship, and Sohrab will never be the same. -
Amir finds out he and Hassan were half-brothers
When Amir goes to see Rahim Kahn, he tells him that he and Hassan were half-brothers. Amir is shocked, angry, and felt "like a man sliding down a steep cliff, clutching at shrubs and tangles of brambles," (222). Nothing prepared Amir for this, and makes him feel ten times more guilty for everything he did to Hassan. With this information, he now knows that he must rescue Sohrab. -
Attack on World Trade Center
Ever since the attack on the world trade center, "the United States has been militarily involved." (Afghanistan, an overview p.1) -
United States invades
Dates?
After the 9/11 attacks, and the talibans refusal to hand over Bin Laden, "an air and ground campiagn began that drove the talbian out of the major Afghan cities by the end of the year." (Afghanistan, an overview p.3) -
Hamid Karzai elected President
Hoping to get the country back on track, "Mr. Karzai was elected five year term president in 2004." (Afghanistan, an overview p. 3) -
Obama delivers speech
Only a year after being elected, President obama "announced his plan to deploy 30,00 additional troops. He vowed to start bringing American forces home from Afghanistan in the middle of 2011." (Afghanistan, an overview p.4)