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End of the King's Reign
It was during the night when," Something Roared like thunder. Hassan was crying. Ali pulled him close, clutched him with tenderness. Later, [Amir] would tell [himself] [he] hadn't felt envious of Hassan"(35). This shows that Amir was jealous of Hassan when Ali protected him. Amir was longing for his father's love. This event made Amir tougher, because he wanted to prove himself that he was as strong as how Baba wanted him to be. -
Kite Fighting
Amir, "kept stealing glances at Baba..wondering what he was thinking" (63). This shows that impressing Baba was extremely important for Amir. Amir really wanted to prove himself to Baba.Amir kept looking at Baba's reactions, showing that Baba's thoughts kept Amir going. -
Amir Not Standing Up for Hassan
Amir explains to himself that,"Maybe Hassan was the price [he] had to pay, the lamb [he] had to slay, to win Baba," after the terrible event that happened to Hassan (77). This shows that Amir cared only about making his father proud for a few days, rather than saving his friend from a traumatic event that caused their friendship. Amir looks at Hassan as a friend only when he is needed, but other than that, Amir considers Hassan as a servant. -
Hassan Stopped Smiling
Amir explains that, "[Hassan's cleft lip] by the following winter... was only a faint scar...That was [also] the winter that Hassan stopped smiling"(47).This shows that Amir was foreshadowing what will soon happen between their relationship. This event gave the readers a sneak peek into the next few chapters. Explaining this helps readers understand the story better. -
Hassan's Lies
Amir explains that, "Hassan knew. He knew I'd seen everything in that alley, that I'd stood there and done nothing. He knew I had betrayed him and yet he was rescuing me once again..." (105). This shows that, despite of everything that happened, Hassan showed true friendship. Hassan sacrificed for Amir. This proved that Amir was the real thief, not Hassan, because he stole the true value of friendship. -
The Background of Afghanistan
Afghanistan, "has known little peace since 1979, when the Soviet Union invaded" (New York Times,1). -
Soviets
The Soviets,"parachuted into Kabul on Dec. 27, 1979, to assist Babrak Karmal, who had become President in a coup winthin the Afghan Communist leadership (New York Times, 2 ). -
Baba a Hero
This event is when Amir and Baba decided to leave to go to Pakistan. During the trip, Baba, "stood up. [Amir clamped] a hand on his thigh, but Baba pried it loose, snatched his leg away" because he was trying to save a woman (115). This shows that Baba's natural instinct is to save others. Baba isn't the best father, but he is showing Amir brave acts that could later on in the story effect Amir. -
Amir's Graduation
Amir, " graduated from highschool at the age of twenty...[Baba] walked to [Amir], curled his arms around [Amir's] neck, and gave [Amir's] brow a single kiss. Proud…" of what his son had accomplished (131). This shows that even though Amir and Baba don't have the best relationship, the littlest events can change a person’s perspective. Amir was able to realize that Baba does really love him. This moment helped Amir later on in the story about father-son relationships. -
Baba's Cancer
Baba, after finding out he has Oat Cell Carcinoma says, "no chemo medication for me" (156). This shows that even with cancer, Baba is still very tough. This is an example of how he teaches Amir to stand up for himself and how to be superior. Later on, Amir will remember this moment and realize how great of a father figure Baba has been, despite the fact they had no father-son relationship in the beginning. -
Baba Helps Amir with Soraya
Amir asked Baba's help with asking General Taheri for Soraya's hand, and without any hesitation Baba's, "lips strectched into a smile" (161). This shows that for one last time, Baba was willing to help his son out despite his sickness. This event could have been Baba's atonement to Amir. This also shows how Amir act accordingly with Afghanistan tradition and how willing he is to show great respect to the family of his future wife. -
Ceremony of "Giving Word"
In the Taheris home during the ceremony, Baba explains to Amir that, "It's the happiest day of my life"(168).This shows that Baba was happy for Amir and Soraya, not only that, but possibly because he has finally helped Amir. Baba was proud for his son and delighted to witness the transition of Amir into adulthood and responsible man. This event helped Baba feel slightly relieved for Amir, because Baba feels confident in leaving Amir after his death. -
Soviet Air Force
The Soviet Air Force " was also rendered largeley useless by advanced Stinger anti aircraft missiles supplied by the United States rebels" (New York Times, 2). -
Hassan's Letter
Rahim Khan gave Amir a letter written by Hassan, saying, "And I dream that someday you will return to Kabul to revisit the land of our childhood. If you do, you will find an old friend waiting for you" (218). This shows that after everything bad that has happened between him and Amir, Hassan still managed to forgive his friend and even invite him back. Hassan is a great friend towards Amir. This letter is very important to the story as it showed the real Hassan. -
Amir Looking for Sohrab
Amir, after having time to think, decides to, "[go] to Kabul" to find Hassan's son (227). This shows that after everything Rahim Khan told him, he was able to think for himself and look for Sohrab. His decision to look for Sohrab out of his own heart shows that for the first time in his life he can sacrifice for other people. Saving Sohrab will be his way to atone for all sins to Hassan and also his Baba’s sins to Hassan’s father, Ali. This is the event that changed everything in Amir's life. -
Amir Fighting Assef PART TWO
(part two) truly deserves. This event helped Amir move on and live a new life. -
Amir Fighting Assef PART ONE
Amir walked in Assef's office to look for Sohrab. Assef wants to finish business with Amir, by punching him. To Assef's surprise, Amir, "started laughing.. [Amir] felt healed. Healed at last" from all the pain he was carrying since the winter of 1975 (289). This shows that after all the years of pain and guilt, the only thing that could possibly help Amir be relieved and cleansed, was to be hit and nearly killed by Assef. He feels good because for him he received a punishment that he thinks he.. -
Amir Praying For Sohrab PART TWO
(analysis couldn't fit in one box) This event caused Amir to be more spiritually connected with his Allah, which showed how one event can change a person. Traumatic events like this can affect a person's behavior by changing his outlook in life. -
Amir Praying For Sohrab PART ONE
During the heart wrenching event when Sohrab was sent to the hospital, Amir decided to pray, saying, "I beg. I bow to the west. I will utter those few words I still remember.. There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is His messenger. I see now that Baba was wrong, there is a God, there always has been" (346).This shows how intense events can change a person's perspective and realize what has been really happening. Amir prayed to his Allah during the moment when he thought Sohrab was dying. -
Soviet Troops Left
In 1989, "after the peace talks modereated by the United Nations, the last Soviet troops left Afghanistan" (New York Times, 2). -
Mullah Omar
In 1994, Mullah Omar, "Had nearly 12,000 followers and was rolling up the warlords to the north and east" (New York Times, 2). -
Pakistani Aid
With the help of Pakistani aid, "the Taliban by 1996 had taken control of Afghanistan..." (New York Times, 3). -
After 9/11
After the tradgic event of 9/11,"President George W. Bush gave the Taliban an ultimatum to hand over Mr. bin Laden" (New York Times,3). -
Hamid Karzai
Hamid Karzai, a supporter and realtive of Mohammad Zahir Shah, "Was named chairman of an interim govenrment..." (New York Times, 3). -
Defeated, but Kept On Going
Even though the Taliban was defeated, "[they] continued to wage a guerilla warfare from a base in the mountainous and largely lawless tribal area on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border"( New York Times, 3). -
Change is Happening
Amir describes a smile at the end of the book, saying," It was only a smile, nothing more.It didn't make everything all right. It didn't make anything right. But I'll take it. With open arms" as he ran for the kite (371).This shows that Amir felt that after everything he has gone through, he was able to smile freely. He remembers the day during the winter of 1975,but he remembers it with happiness. This event shows that past memories can be both happy and traumatic, depending on how one sees it. -
Obama's plan
In President Obama's speech, "[he] annoucned his plan to deploy 30,000 additional troops. He vowed to start bringing American forces home from Afghanistan..." (New York Times, 4).