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Baba is Born
Many significant events happen "in 1933, the year Baba was born" (24). Baba is born and graces the world with his presence. Baba is one of the main characters and he is also Hassan and Amir's father. Baba is an important character in the story and throughout Amir's journey. -
Ali and Baba Live Together
In 1933, a 5-year old Ali is sent to live with Baba, then a newborn, and "Ali and Baba grew up as childhood playmates-at least until polio crippled Ali's leg- just like Hassan and [I] grew up one generation later" (25). Baba and Ali's relationship is strong, and an important part of the story. Amir and Hassan become friends because of Baba and Ali. Baba cared so much for Ali, and the two were always close until Amir shattered their relationship. -
Amir's Mother Dies
Hassan's mother left him and Ali a week after Hassan's birth, meanwhile Amir's 's mother "hemorrhaged to death during childbirth" (Hosseini 6). This is a symbol of Amir and Hassan's friendship. Clearly, both boys can relate to each other because they both lost their mothers at an early age. Both boys must have no recollection of what their mother looked like or acted like. The two emotionally suffered without having mothers. -
Hassan is Born
Amir recalls that "Hassan was born in the winter of 1964, just one year after [his] mother died giving birth to [him]" (Hosseini 6). This is an extremely important event in the story, as Hassan is a pivotal character. Hassan's birth symbolizes the beginning of him and Amir's friendship and the bonds that hold them together. Without Hassan, Amir wouldn't have grown up and become a stronger person. -
Baba's Orphanage Opens
It took around 3 years for the orphanage to be built, and Hassan "remembers that the day before the orphanage opened, Baba took him to Gargha Lake, a few miles north of Kabul. Baba asked [him] to fetch Hassan too, but [he] lied and told him Hassan had the runs" (13). Hassan and Baba's relationship is a source of frustration to Amir. Amir always has craved for Baba's attention, but Baba seems to care more for Hassan sometimes, which causes some jealousy. -
Kite Running Contest
As the contest progressed, Hassan "kept stealing glances at Baba sitting with Rahim Khan on the roof, wondering what he was thinking. Was he cheered for [me]? Or did a part of him just enjoy watching [me] fail?" (63). Hassan really craves for his father's attention. He sees Rahim Khan as a princicpal father figure in his life, and seeing Baba ignoring him breaks his heart. He desperately wants and hopes for Baba's attention. -
Amir's Thirteenth Birthday Party
During Amir's 13th birthday party, he sees Assef, who greets him, "Wali and Kamal are here too. They wouldn't miss your birthday for anything" (96). Amir feels remorse washing over himself as he sees Assef smirk. Assef knows Amir saw what happened. It sickens Amir when he sees Baba and Assef talking to each other with happiness and respect. Amir knows what he did was wrong, and he is immediately guilt-ridden. -
Hassan and Ali Leave
The summer has already begun, and it has been sunny every day since "but it rained the afternoon Baba took Ali and Hassan to the bus station. Thunderheads rolled in, painted the sky iron grey" (108). Hassan and Ali's departure signified a new beginning for Baba and Amir. Amir watched them leave, and never saw either of them again. Not only is this a huge part of the story, but it shows how Amir's attempts at atonement had abysmally failed. -
Soviet Union Invasion
Soviet troops invaded and "stayed in the country for more than nine years" (NYT pg.2) -
Period: to
Kite Runner & the History of Afghanistan
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Amir's High School Graduation
One day during the "summer of 1983, Amir graduated from high school at the age of twenty, by far the oldest senior tossing his mortarboard on the football field that day" (131). Baba and Amir's new life has brought them through challenges, but they've made it through everything. Amir's accomplishments are always important to Baba, and seeing his only son achieve his goals are very special to him. -
Baba Purchases New Car
When Baba purchased the new '71 Volkswagen bus, he "killed the engine and let the bus roll silently into his designated spot. [We] sank in our seats, laughed until tears rolled down our cheeks, and, more importantly, until we were sure the neighbors weren't watching anymore" (137). Baba and Amir's relationship is stronger than ever. They are happy and talk to each other more than ever before, and their relationship is a very important part of Amir's life. -
Soraya and Amir Speak for the First Time
Amir's nervousness is evident after he "meant to simply walk by again, except suddenly he was standing at the edge of the Taheris' white tablecloth, staring at Soraya across curling irons and old neckties. She looked up" (145). The first moment when Soraya and Amir speak is the beginning of their new friendship. Amir had a crush on Soraya for a long time, and how was he to know that they would one day be married? The moment is bittersweet and very significant for both of them. -
Amir Finishes First Novel
Amir finishes his first novel in the summer of 1988, and it is "about a father-son relationship in Kabul, written mostly with the typewriter the general had sent [me]" (182). This is the first day of the rest of Amir's life. He starts a career writing books, and a debut novel is always exciting. Amir's accomplishment is worthy of recongition. -
Soviet Troops Leave Afghanistan
Soviet troops depart Afghanistan and "leave behind a country that was not only devastated in war but that had become a beacon to Islamic extremists from across the globe who had come to assist in the fighting" (NYT pg.2). -
Farzana is Pregnant
Rahim Khan tells Amir about Hassan's life and about his wife, Farzana, saying,"In early 1990, Farzana became pregnant again" (209). Farzana's son would later be known as Sohrab. Sohrab allows Amir to be able to atone for what he did in the winter of 1975. Sohrab is a symbol of new beginnings, and the love Hassan had for Amir, and vice versa. -
Mullah Omar Emerges with Popular Movement
Mullah Omar created a rapidly growing movement "in a country weary of corruption and brutality" (NYT pt. 2). -
Taliban Takes Control
In 1996, Taliban "took control of Afghanistan, imposing strict enforcement of fundamentalist Islamic law, banning movies and music, forcing women out of schools and into all-developing bunqa clothing" (NYT pg. 3). -
Osama Bin Ladin Arrives
Osama Bin Ladin moves to Taliban amd "arrives on chartered jet at Jalalabad Airport in May 1996" (NYT pt. 3) -
Hassan and Farzana Murdered
Rahim Khan says, "So they took him to the street- and order him to kneel-and shot him in the back of the head-Farzana came screaming and attacked them- shot her too. Self-defense they claimed later..." (219). During this time, Amir is shouting out, "No. No. No," over and over again. Farzana and Hassan are tragically killed, and Amir feels as though he is the one to blame. Amir is angry, confused, scared, and sad all at the same time. -
Air & Ground Campaign
United States joins forces with rebel groups and begins an air and ground campaign that "drives the Taliban out of the major Afghan cities by the end of the year" (NYT pt. 3). -
Afghan Gathering in Lake Elizabeth Park
Amir said, "For you, a thousand time over" (371). Amir can finally be happy again. Everything is not perfect, but he can he happy. This is the bittersweet final scene of the story. -
Hamid Karzai Takes Office as Intermin President
Hamid Karzai takes office and "hopes to secure peace for Afghanistan" (NYT pg. 3) -
Speech at West Point
Speech at West Point where Obama "announces his plan to deploy 30,000 aditional troops. He vows to bring American forces home from Afghanistan in the middle of 2011" (NYT pg. 4). -
Obama Removes Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal
Obama removes Gen. McChrystal "after contemptous quotes from the general and his staff about senior administration officials appeared in an article on the Rolling Stone" (NYT pg. 4). -
American forces will leave
American forces will leave by the end of 2014 if "the American military will be successful enough in fighting the Taliban" (NYT pt.4).