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Afghanistan's Monarchy Ends; Assef is Introduced
After the monarchy has been ended, Hassan and Amir have a confrontation with the neighborhood bully Assef. During this encounter, Assef reveals his belief that "Hitler... was a leader... [a] great leader" (39). Due to the end of the monarchy, Assef's political connections increase his power. Combined with his admiration for Hitler, Assef foreshadows his own rise of power and rule by fear; both of these qualities cause many later disputes and obstacles later in the novel. -
Hassan has Surgery to fix his Cleft lip
As a Christmas gift to Hassan, Baba hires a man to fix Hassan's cleft lip; his cleft lip inhibited his ability to smile. However, as Amir states "[it] was ironic... [the following winter] was the winter Hassan stopped smiling" (47). Similar to his Hazara roots, Hassan's cleft lip is a huge burden. Despite being overjoyed and relieved to be rid of the cleft lip, Amir's statement suggests that a future event will destroy Hassan's happiness. -
Hassan is Raped
As Hassan is being sexually assaulted, Amir chooses not to interfere, for "[amid] a havoc of scrap and rubble [there was]... the blue kite" (76) an item that Amir believes will earn his father's pride. Amir is faced with a decision, to either help Hassan or win over his father. His decision to sacrifice Hassan reveal the selfishness that Amir posses as a child; this trait catalyzes some of Amir's later actions and decisions. -
Hassan and Ali Leave Baba and Amir
After framing Hassan for theft, Baba questions Hassan, asking him "'Did you steal... Hassan?'" (105). When Hassan replies that he did, Ali immediately states that he and Hassan must leave. Though Amir thought this would help eradicate the guilt, it only helps Amir realize the loyalty that Hassan posses. Since Amir cannot say the same of himself, he is plagued by even more guilt, showing that his attempts at redemption are futile and mislead. -
First Soviet Troops Arrive in Afghanistan
As it was fighting with Britain for control of the area, the Soviet Union "parachuted into Kabul in Dec. 27 1979" (NYT). -
Baba gets Angry at the Nguyen's shop
When attempting to purchase oranges, "Mr. Nguyen, [the shop owner] had asked for an ID,"(127) causing Baba believe his is untrusted. As a result, Baba blows up, yet Amir interrupts and apologizes, handling the situation with ease. After this shift, Amir is able to elude the guilt of Hassan's rape, and therefore thrive. On the other hand, Baba struggles with this change, contrasting the personalities of him and Amir, and hinting at a further connection between Baba and someone in Afghanistan. -
Amir Graduates From High School
When Amir graduates high school, Baba tells him "I am moftakhir Amir,' Proud" (131) In Afghanistan, Amir struggled to gain his father's pride. However, this change to America forces a more intimate dynamic, allowing Amir to gain his father's pride more easily. Furthermore, Amir's pursuits for writing are finally being supported by Baba, illustrating how the change in setting has influenced their relationship. -
Soviet Air Force Becomes Ineffective
Though the Soviet Air Forces was powerful, it was "rendered largely useless by advanced... missiles supplied [to Afghanistan] by the United States" (NYT). -
Baba Passes Away
After being diagnosed with lung cancer, Baba eventually passes away. At his funeral, Amir realizes that "Baba couldn't show me the way anymore; I'd have to find it on my own" (174). Amir is finally free of the lifelong obligation to make Baba proud, and is able to make decisions on his own. Though much of his life had been defined by Baba, this passing illustrates that Amir can still be an individual, and make decisions based on his own values and beliefs. -
Amir and Soraya get Married
As Amir and Soraya are getting married, Amir finds himself "wishing Rahim Khan were there,... [and] wondering if Hassan too had married" (171). During this significant event in his life, Amir begins to recognize both Rahim Khan and Hassan as significant people whom he took for granted and left behind. Furthermore, this new connection with Soraya and those of his past illustrate the role Soraya plays in Amir's confrontation of the past and atonement. -
Soraya Admits her Secret to Amir
Before she married Amir, Soraya divulges that she once ran away with a man, causing her mother to have a stroke. In this instance, Amir states that he "almost told her about how... [he'd] betrayed Hassan... but [he] didn't" (165) Moreover, Amir realizes that Soraya has the courage that he's never had. By confronting this truth, Amir is finally able to realize that he is a coward; this sets him on the path for gaining the courage Baba wanted him to have, and leads him to atonement. -
Amir Gets his First Book Published
After finishing his first novel, Amir got a call "inform[ing]... [him] that he was going to be a published novelist" (183). Despite the doubt he received from Baba in his childhood, Amir is able to make it as a writer, illustrating the individuality that Amir is developing. Additionally, this event highlights the significance of Rahim Khan, who has supported Amir from the start; it illustrates that fatherly figures and support can come from other people too. -
Last Soviet Troops Left Afghanistan
After remaining within the country for over nine years, the "Soviet troops left... in February 1989" (NYT). -
Mullah Omar Gains a Following
After the Soviets left, there was a massive power struggle, but one man, Mullah Omar gained "nearly 12,000 followers, and was rolling up the warlords to the north and east" (NYT). -
Power Struggle in Afghanistan
Once the Soviet troops left Afghanistan, power became "anarchically divided among competing warlords and individual fiefdoms" (NYT). -
Mr. Bin Laden Arrives in Afghanistan
After the Taliban seized control, they "provided a haven for Mr. bin Laden, who arrived... [in Afghanistan] in May 1996 -
Taliban Seizes Control
After gaining political support, the "Taliban by 1996 had taken control of Afghanistan, imposing strict enforcement..." (NYT). -
Hassan and Farzana are Killed by the Taliban
When conversing with Rahim Khan, Amir discovers that Hassan and Farzana were found by the Taliban, and were "shot... in the back of the head" (219). As a result, Amir begins to lose hope one being able to redeem himself and atone for his sins. Consequently, Amir is forced to find another path to atonement; this leads to the adoption of Hassan's son, and expresses hoe difficult it is for one to truly atone for their actions. -
Amir Discovers his Relationship to Hassan
In a conversation with Rahim Khan, Amir learns that "'Ali was sterile,'" (22), allowing Amir to realize that Baba was Hassan's real father. As Amir comes to this realization, he reacts angrily, upset with never really knowing how connected he was to Hassan. Consequently, Amir reflects on the past, seeing how this knowledge may have changed his actions, and ultimately motivating his atonement. -
The United States Invades Afghanistan
Following the September eleventh attack, the United States became "militarily involved in Afghanistan... when it led to an invasion [into the country]" (NYT). -
Sohrab Attempts Suicide
Thinking that he was going to be sent to an orphanage, Sohrab attempts to commit suicide; when Amir walks in he starts screaming, and "was still screaming when the ambulance arrived" (343). As Amir is screaming, he doesn't even register his own actions; he is too concerned about Sohrab. Moreover, this event exemplifies the character change within Amir; Amir had learned to become selfless, and was more concerned about Sohrab than himself. -
Amir Gives Farid's Family Money
While eating with Farid, Amir sees the children staring at him, and later realizes they were hungry. As a result, he decides to do "something... [he] had done 26 years earlier;... [I] planted a fistful of crumpled money under a mattress" (242). 26 years earlier, Amir had framed Hassan for theft by placing money under his mattress. Here, the action is repeated, yet the intent changes from hurting others to helping them, illustrating Amir's changed character and motivation. -
Attack on the World Trade Center in New York
The United States of America was attacked on "Sept. 11... by [a terrorist group called] Al Qaeda" (NYT), and became militarily associated with the country of Afghanistan. -
Hamid Karzai is Named Leader of Afghanistan
After the September eleventh attack, "Hamid Karzai, a relative of... the exiled King of Afghanistan, was named chairman of... a government that replaced... Taliban... making him leader of [Afghanistan]" (NYT). -
Amir Becomes the Kite Runner
When Sohrab is flying a kite, Amir runs the kite for him, stating "'For you, a thousand times over" (371). Here, Amir does the job that Hassan did for him so many years ago, expressing how Amir's character has finally grown to becoming as true and humble as Hassan. Furthermore, by repeating what Hassan said to him past, Amir shows a newfound loyalty to Sohrab. Ultimately, this final event highlights the character change Amir experienced on the road to atonement.