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Sanaubar eloped immediately after Hassan's death
Nobody had seen Sanaubar since "she had eloped with a band of singers and dancers in 1964" (Hosseini 210). Sanaubar's elope represented a sense of control and standards in the Afghanistan culture. It was considered worse than death, and the characters in the novel sometimes hinted at this by the bitter ways it is mentioned, and the fact that most belittled Ali for his relations with Sanaubar. -
Baba's builds and opens the orpanage
Rahim Khan told Amir the story of how Baba "had drawn the blueprints himself despite the fact that he'd no architectural expereince at all." (Hosseini 13). Baba's triumph through the journey demonstrates his perseverance and will for the less fortunate. Though many thought that Baba's vision was nothing more than a foolish dream, Baba was determined to show them wrong by creating a perfect orphange with a huge success. -
Amir drifted far off the book he was reading Hassan, and came good things
Amir describes how he was "reading to him, and suddenly I strayed from the written story." (Hosseini 30). Through this, Amir shows his side that admits he will always think less of Hassan, and only as a servant, not friend. Along with this, Amir recognizes his profound love and skill for writing, which blossoms later in the book when he becomes a writer. -
Hassan's harelip surgery
Amir explains how he "kept thinking of that day in 1974, in the hospital room, just after Hassan's harelip surgery." (Hosseini 219). To Amir, the extragavant present from his own father to Hassan just seemed like another reason for him to think that Baba adored Hassan more than himself. This is also an important memory in the story because it symbolizes a resemblence from Hassan to Ali, his supposed father with polio. Because of this, Amir or anyone else never had any reason to question Hassan. -
Assef violates Hassan, Amir stands and watches
It was in the winter of 1975 that Amir mentions, "I could step into that alley, stand up for Hassan-the way he'd stood up for me all those times in the past-and accept whatever would happen to me. Or I could run." (Hosseini 77). By this evidence it is clear that Amir was scared, and although he wanted to stand up for Hassan, he didn't feel as if he could. Amir tries for years to atone for his actions this day in 1975, and the events of the winter of 1975 will always be with, for good or for bad. -
Amir turns 13 and Afghanistan sees its last days of tranquility
Amir "turned thirteen that summer of 1976, Afghanistan's next to last summer of peace and anonymity." (Hosseini 93). Amir's age reflects his changes in behavior, and the power he is beginning to hold. The peace mentioned in Aghanistan is foreshadowing of the Taliban taking over and the rebellious acts of many. -
Soviet troops first come to Kabul
Kabul had received help when "[t]he first Soviet troops parachutes into Kabul on Dec. 27, 1979." (2) -
Baba and Amir move to America
After "[leaving] Kabul just after two in the morning" to escape Afghanistan, Amir wasn't feeling very well (Hosseini 110). Amir and Baba's move to America symbolized the power that Baba held in Kabul, and how it changed dramatically when they moved to America. After Ali and Hassan left them in Kabul, Amir and Baba felt helpless and needed to have a new beginning to their lives, and moving was a great solution. -
Amir sees Soraya for the first time-and falls in love
Amir describes the experience at the flea market as seeing "[h]er eyes, walnut brown and shaded by fanned lashes, met mine. Held for a moment. Flew away." (Hosseini 140). The rush that Amir suddenly felt, and the way he concentrated on Soraya's eyes so intently represents the love that Amir feels for her. He knew at this moment that Soraya woud be the one, and feels an instant connection. -
Amir goes to Hazarajat to find Hassan
Amir explains that "[t]here were a lot of reasons why I went to Hazarajat to find Hassan in 1986." (Hosseini 203). Amir felt that this was the way to atone for his sins upon Hassan's violation.This quotation represents the unforgiving bond between Hassan and Amir, and how Amir felt that nothing could get in the way of their relaionship. -
Amir finishes his first novel
In the summer of 1988, Amir "finished [his] first novel, a father-son story set in Kabul, written mostly with the typewriter the general had given me." (Hosseini 182). Amir's first book is a huge milestone, and the fact that it was about a father-son relationship just like him and Baba's, it was like a way for Amir to give back. Baba's death payed a big toll on Amir, and although life goes on, Amir's dedication to Baba represented an everlasting love and connection between the two. -
Soviet troops left Afghanistan
The New York Times article writes, "Eventually, after peace talks moderated by the United Nations, the last Soviet troops left Afghanistan in February 1989..." (2) -
Amir and Soraya tell the General and Khala Jamila about their lack of ability to have a child
Although Amir and Soraya are unable to reproduce for an unknown reason, Soraya tells her father, "[t]he doctor said we could adopt," in a small, shy voice (Hosseini 186). The General does not like the idea of adopting, and this may be due to the Aghan culture and morals. Soraya and Amir are very sad about not having children, as Soraya mentions, "I know it's silly and maybe vain... but I can't help it. I've always dreamed that I'd hold it in my arms..." (Hosseini 187). -
Period: to
The Northern Alliance takes over Kabul
Rahim Khan tells Amir that "the Northern Alliance took over Kabul between 1992 and 1996, different factions claimed different parts of Kabul." (Hosseini 199). The events between this time were very serious in Kabul, and they demonstrate Amir's misunderstanding and obliviousness of Kabul. Amir learns that he is so warped up in America, and himself, to care at all about his hometown and the challenges Kabul is facing. -
The Taliban seizes control of Afghanistan
The Al Qaeda had "been given safe haven in the country [Afghanistan] by the Taliban, the extremist Islamis group that had seized control in 1996 after years of civil war." (1) -
The Taliban invades Afghanistan
Amir recalls how he celebrated when the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, as he writes, "The war is over Hassan!...There's going to be peace, Insallah, hapiness, and calm." (Hosseini 213). Amir's prediction of how the Taliban would affect Afghanistan was completely wrong, and the way it affected Hassan was even worse. Amir demonstrates a trait of obliviousness and almost childish ways when he thinks that the Taliban will solve problems, when only the Taliban made everything worse. -
Osama Bin Laden arrives to Afgahnistan by a chartered jet
The article mentions, "The Taliban also provided a haven for Mr. Bin Laden, who arrived by chartered jet at Jalalabad Airport in May 1996, and for Al Qaeda" (3) -
Rahim Khan was hit with the butt of a Kalashnikov at a soccer game
Rahim Khan explains that in 1998 at Ghazi Stadium "he walked up to me and struck me on the forehead with the butt of his Kalashnikov..." (Hosseini 198). Rahim Khan's injury symobolizes the harsh and unhumane ways of the Taliban. Although he was not even the one who committed the supposedly unlawful act of cheering for a goal, he was punished. Rahim Khan felt belittled by the man who hit him, as he explained that the man was very young, and he was "old enough to be his grandfather" (199). -
Amir gets a call from Rahim Khan that he is sick and Amir needs to come to Pakistan
After receving the call, Amir immediately informs Soraya, ¨I have to go to Pakistan... Rahim Khan is very sick.¨ (Hosseini 191). This demonstrates that Amir cares a lot about Rahim Khan and his relationship to Baba. This turns out to be very important to the story, for Amir ends up finding out about his relationship to Hassan, Hassan's death and his son. -
US attacks by Al Qaeda (9/11)
The United States began to become involved in Afghanistan since "2001, when it led an invasion after the Sept. 11 attacks by Al Qaeda" (1) -
Hamid Karzai is named chariman of interim goverment
Afghanistan was in trouble when "In December 2001, Hamid Karzai...was named chariman of an interim government that replaced and defeated the Taliban, making him the leader of the country." (3) -
Hamid Karzai begins office as interim president
Hamid Karzai "took office as interim president in June 2002, saying he hoped to secure peace for Afghanistan..." (3) -
Hamid Karzai elected to five-year presidential term
Hamid Karzai, after being named chairmn of the interim government, "was elected to a five-year term as president in 2004" (3) -
Gen. Petraeus takes command of US Central Command
General Petraeus "had taken charge of Untied States Central Command in October 2008, with responsibilities for military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and across the region." (4) -
President Obama announces plan to deploy more troops
Obama's speech included a promise to "deploy 30,000 additional troops [to Afghanistan]" (4)