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Hassan and Amir's First Words
Amir's first word was "Baba. His was Amir. My name. Looking back, I think the foundation for what happened in the winter of 1975-and all that followed-was already laid in those first words" (Hosseini 11). Hassan and Amir have uttered their first words. Amir spoke Baba, his father's name, and Hassan spoke Amir. Amir's interpretation of that as a foundation indicates that in the future, Amir sacrifices for Baba, and Hassan sacrifcies for Amir. -
The Orphanage Opening
On the day Baba's orphange opened, when Baba asked Amir to fetch Hassan, Amir "lied and told him Hassan had the runs. [He] wanted Baba all to himself" (Hosseini 13). To start, Amir lied to Baba about Hassan. He did this out of jeleousy and greed for Baba's affections. Amir rarely recieves Baba's affection, so when it is offered he wants it all to himself. -
Amir's "Mean Streak" Begininng
One morning, as "Hassan was preparing [Amir's] breakfast, Hassan asked if something was bothering [him]. [He] snapped at him, told him to mind his own buisness. Rahim Khan had been wrong about the mean streak thing" (Hosseini 23). When Amir stated that Rahim Khan was wrong about the mean streak thing, it implied that the mistreatment of Hassan by Amir was just beginning. A snapping at a friend usually is not a big deal, however; the blunt statement about Rahim indicates that it is. -
Amir Questions Hassan's Socioeconomic Status and its Affect on Amir
When Assef was bullying Amir for being friends with Hassan, Amir thought, "[b]ut he's not my friend!...He's my servant" (Hosseini 41). To start with, Amir's desire to defend himself and remind Assef of his power over Hassan demonstrates Assef's ability to intimidate Amir and Amir's inability to not give in to Assef. The quote also indicates that Amir doesn't truly value his and Hassan's friendship and only considers him as someone who entertains him. -
Hassan Defends Amir Against Assef
When Assef was threatning Amir and Hassan, Hassan countered Assef by reminding him that "[Hassan's] the one holding the slingshot. If you make a move, they'll have to change your nickname from Assef 'the Ear-Eater' to 'One-Eyed Assef" (Hosseini 42). Hassan not only reminded Assef gracefully that him and Amir did have a form of defense, but also used an effective amount of threatning language to act as a real threat. This demonstrates Hassan's bravery and willingness to sacrifice for those who... -
Hassan Defends Amir against Assef CONT.
...matter to him. -
Hassan's Surgery
As Hassan's mouth healed from surgery, it "was just a pink jagged line running up from his lip. By the following winter, it was only a faint scar. Which was ironic. Because that was the winter that Hassan stopped smiling" (Hosseini 47). Hassan has had surgery on his cleft lip. Amir's foreshadowing of what happens to Hassan implies that an important incident with a negative affect on Hassan is about to occur. -
The Kite Competition
On the day of the Kite competition, Amir feltt that "[i]f there was a God, like they said in school, then He'd let me win...But this was my one chance to be someone who was looked at, not seen, not listened to, not heard" (65). Ami'r desperateness to win the kite competition foreshadows him winning the kite competition.It also implies that Amir feels this will represent, to replace sports, Baba's affection. -
Assef Violates Hassan
Assef violated Hassan because he thought "there's nothing wrong with teaching a lesson to a disrespectful donkey" (75). Assef's lack of feeling towards violating Hassan indicates that he has some very deep issues. It also implies that he does not view races below him as humans, but animals. -
Amir Runs From Assef
Amir described himself as running from Assef because "I was a coward. I was afraid of what Assef and what he could do to me. I was afraid of getting hurt. That's what I told myself as I turned my back to the alley, ton Hassan" (77). This quote implies the climax of the story. Amir made a choice, and he chose to abandon Hassan. This also impllies that this incident was when Amir's true morals were revealed. -
Amir Wants New Servents
When Amir asked Baba if he would consider getting new servents, Baba tells him that "Hassan's not going anywhere...He's staying right here with us, where he belongs. This is his home and his family. Don't you ever ask me that question again!!" (90). Baba's anger towards Amir implies that he has a special connection to Hassan. Amir's asking of him indicates that he still isn't able to face up to Hassan, and this is making him feel cowardly. -
Hassan Confesses to Amir's Thievery
When asked if he had stolen money from Baba, Hassan replied "[y]es" (105). Hassan's confession to stealing the watch indicates that he cares deeply for Amir and will sacrifice for him. It doesn't matter that Amir is the true theif. Hassan wants to show his loyalty for their friendship. -
Amir and Ali Leave
Ali told Baba he had to leave with Hassan beause "[w]e can't live here anymore" (106). Ali and Hassan are leaving. They won't be the servents to Baba anymore, and Baba is extremely upset. This indicates that Baba has another sort of strong connection to Hassan and Ali that he's unwilling to share. -
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Kite Runner & the History of Afghanistan
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Soviet Union Invasion
Attempting to be the only world superpower, the "Soviet troops parachuted into Kabul on Dec. 27, 1979" (N.p. 2). -
Baba Dies
Baba told Amir the last night he slept that "there is no pain tonight...Baba never woke up" (173). Baba's statement foreshadows that he knows what is to come. It also implies Baba wants to enjoy his last night, with Amir, with himself. -
The Soviet Troops leave
The Soviet Union, losing the Cold War to the United States, "left Afghanistan in February 1989" (N.p. 2). -
Mullah Omar Gains Popularity
Mullah Omar gained suppor in high places when "Pakistini intelligence officers began funneling arms, money and supplies to Mullah Omar's men" (N.p. 3). -
Osama Bin Laden arrives
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Rahim Reveals Hassan's tie to Amir
When Rahim revealed that Amir and Hassan were half-brothers, Amir was exttemely angry. He "screamed. 'All of you,you bunch of lying goddamn bastards" (222). Amir's anger towards Hassan indicates he is not only angry that Rahim and Baba didn't tell him, but angry because he betrayed his brother. That amplifies his sins, because now he has betrayed his family. -
Amir Gets Sohrab
When Amir was getting beaten by Assef, who was revealed to had become a Taliban soldier, Sohrab saved Amir as he :rekeased the cup. Then Assef was screaming. He put his hand where his left eye had been just a moment ago" (291). Sohrab's saving of Amir shows how he has inheirited Hassan's morals. He is helping someone he does not know too well, but it is someone he has faith in. -
Afghanistan Attack on United States
The United States was rocked after "the attack on the World Trade Center in New York on Sept. 11, 2001" (N.p. 3). This event is universally known and broke hearts all over America. -
Hamid Karzai named leader of Aghanistan
Hamid Karzai "took office as interim president in June 2002, saying he hoped to secure peace for afghanistan and win the country much-needed international aid" (N.p. 3). -
Hamid Karzai Elected to Five-Year Term
Leading Afghanistan since Decemeber 2001, "Mr. Karzai was elected to a five-year term as president in 2004" (N.p. 3). -
General Petraeus Takes Charge of United States Central Command
General Petraues is "the Iraq commander who received much of the credit for the success of the surge there, had taken charge of United States Central Command in October 2008" (N.p. 4). -
Mr. Obama delivers an Important Speech
President Obama made headlines when "[i]n a speech delivered Dec. 1, 2009, at West Point, Mr. Obama announced his plan to deploy 30,000 additional troops" (N.p. 4). -
Mr. Obama removes General McChrystal
General McChrystal "viewed the violence in Afghanistan and Pakistan as a particularly thorny problem. In June 2010, President Obama removed General McChrystal" (N.p. 3).