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Hassan Born
Early on within the novel, it is noted "that Hassan was born in the winter of 1964" (6). WIth the birth of Amir's closest friend, their two fates have already been sealed. If it had not been for Hassan's birth, Amir would not have had to carry his guilt through the course of his life. -
Sanaubar Leaves Ali and Hassan
Shortly after Hassan's birth, his mother "ran off with a clan of traveling singers and dancers." (6) Without his mother, little Hassan needed to fill that missing gap in his life, and he filled it by befriending Amir. This also left Hassan without someone to reason with him, which is a role gentle Ali could not fulfill. -
Writer
After draftig his first story, it was realized that "God [had] granted [Amir] a special talent"(32). Rahim Khan's words on this July day are what inspiries Amir to pursure a career in writing. Had he not graced the young child with his words, The Kite Runner may not have existed. -
Hassan's Birthday
"Baba never missed Hassan's birthday"(44), which is somewhat suspicious. Hassan is merely a servant yet, Baba always marks the date. Perhaps this implies that there is a more direct/stronger relationship between Baba and Hassan. -
Planting an Idea
Four days before the Kite Fighting Tournament, Baba tells Amir that "maybe he'll win the tournament this year."(56). This idea is what fires up Amir to win the tournament, so that he can win Baba's love. Using this new source of power, Amir decides that he'll do anything it takes to win the approval of his father, which leads to Hassan's violation. -
Hassan's Violation
In an attempt to retrieve the last kite of the year for Amir, Hassan is violated by Assef. Amir witnesses the entire event, but they never "[discussed] what had happened in the alley." (78) This entire event haunts Amir for the rest of his life, and was the price he had to pay to win Baba's love. In attempt to redeem himself for having not saved Hassan, Amir later on adopts Hassan's orphan son. -
Ali and Hassan Leave Kabul
In 1976, Ali and Hassan leave Baba's household and Kabul, claiming that "life [there] is impossible for [them]"(106). Ali, several months after the winter fof 1975, learns of his son's rape and decides that life for the two of them in Kabul can no longer continue. WIth the disappearance of the two, Amir loses his chance to confess his crime, and lives the rest of his life bearing that guilt. -
Soviet paratroopers in Afghanistan
On Dec. 27 1979, "the first Soviet troops parachuted into Kubal"(2), supposedly to assist newly implemented president Babrak Karmal. -
Baba and Amir Move to America
"Baba loved the idea of America"(125), which is partially why in 1982 he and Amir moved to the Bay Area. With their move, Baba had to heavily rely on Amir, not only because he was more acustomed to American life, but also because Baba was aging. This reliance drew the two of them closer together, and strengthed their relationship. -
Amir Graduates
In the summer of 1983, Amir "graduated from high school at the age of twenty"(131). This marked a new chapter of life in America, and is what enabled him to move onto a higher education. On the day of his graduation, Baba admits that he's proud of his son, which officialy signifies that their relationship has grown since their time in Afghanistan. -
Flea Markets
In the summer of 1984, "Bab sold his Buick and bought a dilapidated '71 Volkswagen bus for $550"(137). Amir and his father would load this eyesore full items bought from garage sales, and resell them at a flea market. Not only did this bring them much needed money, it led to Amir meeting his future wife. -
Cancer
Sometime in 1984, Baba was diagnosed with cancer. For days, perhaps even weeks, Amir couldn't "eat, work, [or] study"(154). As the cancer grew, so did Baba and Amir's relationship. In a final attempt to make up for Amir's isolated childhood, Baba tried to spend more time with his son. -
Married
Towards the end of 1984, Amir asked for "General Taheri for his daughter's hand."(161). He eventually married Soraya in 1985. With this marriage, Amir had someone to ease his guilt over what happened in 1975. Soraya was able to assist with taking care of Baba, who was dying of cancer. By doing so, Soraya was able to relieve some of Amir's mounting stress. -
Death
Around 1985, after tucking him in for the night, "Baba never woke up."(173). With the death of his father, Amir lost his chance to admit what he did in 1975. Having no one else to turn to, he was forced to hold his guilt, until Rahim Khan called him back to Afghanistan. -
Soviet Air Forces are Grounded
Although Mujahideen were equpoed with AK-47s to combat Soviet ground forces, these rifles were useless against the USSR's heavily armoured helicopter gunships. Around September of 1986, "the Soviet Air Force was...rendered largely uselss by advanced Stinger antaircraft missiles supplied by the United States to the rebels." (2) -
Novelist
Sometime after completing his first novel, Amir "was going to be a published novelist."(183) With a way to sell his work, Amir was finally able to generate some much needed cash. As his bank accounts filled up, his stress levels slowly dropped, and it took his mind off of the winter of 1975. -
USSR withdraws from Afghanistan
After almost ten years of uphill fighting, the Soviets withdrew from Afghanistan, due to the high casualty rates and mounting costs to fund the war. After much deliberation and negotiation, "the last Soviet troops left Afghanistan in February 1989."(2) -
Aid from Pakistan
Although the Taliban had much support from its people, the organization was still poorly equiped, and lacked proper training. However, its Pakistani neighbors "began funneling arms, miney, and supplies Omar's men, as well as military advisers to help guide them in battle."(3) -
A Nation Divided
Years since the last Soviet troops left Afghan soil, the country itself had descended into chaos and "power was anarchically divided amoung competing warlords and individual fiefdoms."(2) -
A Growing Threat
Led by a Pashtun, Mullah Omar, Taliban support and forces were growing steadily. As 1994 drew to an end, Omar's forces were comprised of "nearly 12,000 followers and was rollling up the warlords to the north and east."(2) -
Cleared Region
Having conquered the majority of Afghanistan, the Taliban imposed "strict enforcement of fundamentalist Islamic law, banning movies and music and forcing women out of schools and into all-enveloping burqa clothing."(3) -
Overlord has Landed
With the majority of Afghanistan under their control, the taliban welcomed in Osama Bin Laden ", who arrived by chartered jet at Jalalabad Airport"(3), as well as Al Qaeda forces. -
Past Life
Sometime in the summer of 2001, before the 9/11 attacks, "Rahim Khan called from Pakistan"(1), and asked Amir to come back to the Middle East. This call, although seemingly insignificant, rekindled the painful memories of Amir's past life. However painful it was to hear Rahim Khan's request, it also gave Amir the long-awaited chance to atone for what happened in the winter of 1975. -
9/11 and Demands
Planned and carried out by Al Qaeda forces, "the attack on the World Trade Center in New York in Sept. 11, 2001"(3) led to the hunt for Osama Bin Laden, and the invasion of middle eastern nations. -
Period: to
Hamid Karzai
Several months after the 9/11 attacks, "Hamid Karzai, a supporter and relative of Mohammad Zahir Shah, the exiled former king of Afghanistan, was named chairman of an interim government that replaced the defeated Taliban, making him the leader of the country."(3). Eventually, in the summer of 2002, he "took office as interim president"(3). Later, "Mr. Karzai was elected to a five-year term as president in 2004."(3)