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Hassan was born
In the winter of 1964, "[i]t was there, in that little shack, that Hassan was born," (6). Because Hassan was born, it allowed him and Amir to grow up and bond like brothers. Without Hassan's birth, Amir's life would have been completely different and he would have lived a more guilt free life. -
Amir begins to write
Amir discovered his passion and talent in writing and making up stories when "[he] pretended [he] was reading from the book," to Hassan (30). If Amir had not made up that first story, he would not have recieved the fatherly encouragement from Rahim Khan when he did not get it from his father. He also would not have later decided to major in writing in America and become an author. -
Amir wins the kite fighting contest
In the winter of 1975, Amir won the annual kite fighting contest "[a]nd that right there was the single greatest moment of [his] twelve years of life, seeing Babe on that room, proud of [him] at last." (66). Because Amir won the kite fighting contest, he finally earned his father's attention. If he had not won, he would never have experience the start of a new bond between a father and a son. -
Amir runs instead of helping Hassan
When Amir had decided to run, "[he] ran because [he] was a coward." (77). Amir had no confidence in himself and was more afraid of being beat up than to help his childhood companion. Because Amir chose to run away, he left a scar in Hassan's memory as well as a guilt within himself that he would not feel releved from for over 25 years. -
Amir frames Hassan
Unable to handle the guilt inside of him every time he see's Hassan, "[Amir] lifted Hassan's mattress and planted [his] new watch and a handful of Afghani bills under it." (104). Amir's way of handling this situation shows that his character and morals are broken and unaligned. Instead of confronting Hassan about it, he decides to frame Hassan for something he did not do. -
Ali and Hassan leave
When Ali and Hassan had heard that Hassan supposidly stole Amir's things, Ali said, "We can't live here anymre," (106). Hassan had told Ali about everything and Ali could not stand living in the same house with someone that could have stopped Hassan's violation, but did nothing to help. Because they left due to Amir's framing of Hassan, Baba suffered from their leaving greatly where as Amir did not even shed a tear. -
Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
As stated in the New York Times article on Afghanistan history, "The first Soviet troops parachuted into Kabule on Dec. 27, 1979," -
Period: to
The History of Afghanistan
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Amir and Baba leave Afghanistan
Baba had decided that Kabul was no longer safe for them so they left the "Shorawi-occupied Kabul to the relative safelty of Pakistan." (111). Because the Shorawi invaded Afghanistian, no one has really been safe so they had to leave Kabul for their safety. They did not have much of another choice but to leave to stay safe and through their journy to Pakistan, Amir learned more about his father's qualities than before. -
Baba and Amir live in America
Around 1983, Baba and Amir moved to America to find and make a better life, and "Baba loved the idea of America." (125). Baba might have loved the idea, but he did not necessarily love living in America. Ever since moving to America, Baba's soceoeconomic status went from a man with influence to man working at a gas station and selling used goods at a flea market. -
Baba recieves news about having cancer
In recent times, Baba had not been feeling well so Amir took him to the doctor's office and they recieved news that "[h]e's got a spot on his right lung." (154). As it turns out, that spot was a form of cancer known as Oat Cell Carcinoma. Because Baba rejected chemotherapy, it shows that even as Baba is dying, he continues to rely on his own strenth rather than recieving help from others. -
Baba helps Amir ask for Soraya's hand in marriage
After Baba was discharged from the hospital, Amir asked him for a favor. Amir asked his father "to ask General Taheri for his daughter's hand." (161). Baba did not waste a minute as he asked Amir to hand him the phone and notebook as he called General Taheri and they set up the appointment. Amir was more sure than anything in his life that he wanted to marry Soraya. -
Amir and Soraya marry
Although Amir and Soraya's marriage was rushed, it all still felt the same to them as Amir "whispered to her for the first time that [he] loved her." (171). Because of their hasty marriage, Amir and Soraya did not have much time to get to know each other, but they still loved each other the same. This shows that even though Amir has his faults, he still has his undying passion and love for his family and loved ones. -
The last Soviet troops leave Afghanistan
Stated in the New York Times aritcle on Afghanistan history, "the last Soviet troops left Afghanistan in February 1989,". -
Pakistani officers begin helping the Taliban
The New York Times article on the Afghanistan history states that, "As early as 1994, Pakistani intelligence officers began funneling arms, money and supplies to Mullah Omar's men, as well as military advisers to help guide them in battle.". -
Osama Bin Laden arrives in Afghanistan
Stated in the New York Times article on Afghanistan history, "The Taliban also provided a haven for Mr. bin Laden, who arrived by chartered jet at Jalalabad Airport in May 1996,". -
Taliban takes over
As stated in the New York Times article on Afghanistan history, "the Taliban by 1994 had taken control of Afghanistan,". -
Hassan dies
As Rahim Khan relayed the story of Hassan's death, and said, "--and shot him in the back of the head.--" Amir continued to whisper "no" to himself over and over (219). The fact that Amir continued to repeat "no" to himself demonstrates the remorse he had for Hassan's death. Amir had not wanted him to die before he could atone for his sins against Hassan. -
Amir leaves for Pakistan
A few months after Baba passed away, Amir recieved a phone call from Rahim Khan saying that he "is very sick" and that "[h]e want[ed] to see [him]." (191). Hearing this news from Rahim Khan sparked sadness and curiosity within Amir. He was not sure what to do, but he knew that he wanted to see Rahim Khan and that the curiosity would eventually get to him. -
Amir finds Sohrab
As Amir set his eyes on Sohrab for the first time, he saw that "His eys fell on [him]. Lingered. Then he looked away." (280). Because Sohrab avoided eye contact with Amir, he was skeptical and afraid. He had already been through so much, and was wary of most things that came his way. -
Amir takes Sohrab to the US
After many issues in trying to get Sohrab to America, Amir and Soraya finally succeeded and they eventually adopted him. Although they got what they so longed for, Sohrab was unhappy and "was quitet...silent" (361). Through Sohrab's silence, he was able to communicate to Amir and Soraya that he was not happy being in America, but he was okay with it. They knew that deep inside, all Sohrab wanted was to have his old life back, but he just simply could not. -
Start of United States military involvement in Afghanistan
In an article from the New York Times about the history of Afghanistan, it is stated that, "The United States has been militarily involved in Afghanistan since 2001, when it led an invasion after the Sept. 11 attacks by Al Qaeda." -
World Trade Center attacked
As described in a New York Times article on the history of Afghanistan, "After the attack on the World Trade Center in New York on Sept. 11, 2001, President George W. Bush gave the Taliban an ultimatum to hand over Mr. bin Laden.". -
Afghanistan gets a new leader
As stated in the New York Times article on the Afghanistan history, "In December 2001, 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,". -
Hamid Karzai takes office
As stated in the New York Times article on Afghanistan history, "He took office as interim president in June 2002,". -
United States deploys more troops
Stated in the New York Times article on the Afghanistan history, "In a speech delivered Dec. 1, 2009, at West Point, Mr. Obama announced his plan to deploy 30,000 additional troops.".