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Amir and Hassan say their First Words
Both Amir and Hassan say their first words under the same roof. Amir's first word is "Baba. His (Hassans) was Amir. My name." (11). Their first words as children already show where their loyalty lies. Amir is most loyal to Baba, and Hassan is most loyal to Amir. This distinction shapes many plot events and characters actions. -
Hassan gets Lip Surgery
For his birthday, Baba pays for a doctor to fix Hassan's harelip. After the surgery, "The swelling subsided, and the wound healed with time. Soon, it was just a pink jagged line running up from his lip. By the following winter, it was only a faint scar." (47). This quote shows how Baba is very kind and shows lots of affection for Hassan. It also shows some foreshadowing of the fact that Baba is Hassan's true father. -
Hassan gets Raped
When they are in the alley after the kite festival, Assef tells Hassan that he is “letting you keep the kite, Hazara. I‘ll let you keep it so it will always remind you of what I‘m about to do.” (73). This quote asserts Assef‘s power over Hassan, and shows how he can get things he wants by using his power. This quote also shows Amir‘s lack of courage, as he is watching Assef threaten and violate Hassan but not doing anything to help Hassan. -
Ali and Hassan Move
When Amir puts his money under Hassan's bed to make it seem like Hassan stole it, Ali and Hassan decide to move away. Ali tells Baba that "Life here now is impossible for us, Agha sahib. We're leaving." (106). Because Amir let Hassan get harassed and has been hostile towards him, Hassan has been suffering. Ali decides it is best for them to move, and this is the last time Hassan and Amir see each other. -
Soviets Invade Afghanistan
Afghanistan has had a chaotic and bloody history after "1979, when the Soviet Union invaded." (1) -
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Soviets are In Afghanistan
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Amir and Baba move to America
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Baba and Amir Leave Afghanistan
While Amir and Baba are in Pakistan when they are leaving Afghanistan, a soilder demands time in the back of the truck with a young woman. Rightfully upset, Baba stands up and tells the soldier, "War doesn't negate decency. It demands it, even more than in times of peace." (115). In this quote, Baba shows his strength by standing up for a complete stranger against a soldier. He proves how strong his morals are by not letting this indecency happen, and shows how different he and Amir are. -
Baba and Amir Move to the U.S,
After the Soviets invade Afghanistan, Baba and Amir move to America. Amir states that "Baba loved the idea of America. It was living in America that gave him an ulcer." (125). Although the prospect of America seemed apopealing to Baba, he did not actually enjoy living there. He missed his home country of Afghanistan, and loathed the Russians for being the reason they moved away. -
Amir Gets Married
During Amir and Soraya's wedding, they are momentarily hidden under their veil together. Amir "whispered to her for the first time that I loved her. (171). After meeting Soraya, Amir began to care strongly for another person in his life. He has never had to care for another person, so his entire life must change to adapt to this change. -
Baba dies
Soon after Soraya amd Amir marry, Baba passes away. As he sits at Baba‘s grave, Amir thinks to himself, “Soon we‘d leave too, and for the first time ever, Baba would be all alone. Soraya pulled me to her and the tears finally came.‘‘ (176). In this quote, Amir is remembering Baba and is feeling guilty about moving away from him. Although Baba and Amir were not close when they were in Afghanistan, moving to America brought them closer, and Amir is grateful that he had that experience with Baba. -
Soviets leave Afghanistan
The Soviet Union left Afghanistan, leaving "a country that was not only devestated by the war but had become a beacon to Islamic extremists from across the globe" (2) -
Divided Power In Afghanistan
Once the Soviets left Afghanistan, the "power was anarchically divided among competing warlords and individual fiefdoms." (2). -
Taliban Was Growing
The Taliban founder, "Mullah Omar had nearly 12,000 followers" near the "end of 1994" (2) -
Taliban Showed Support for Al Qaeda
Once the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, they "provided a haven for Mr. bin Laden, who arrived by chartered jet at Jalabad Airport in May 1996, and for Al Qaeda." (3). -
Taliban Takes Over
Thanks to the help from Pakistan, "the Taliban by 1996 had taken control of Afghanistan" (3) -
Amir Goes Back to Pakistan
In 2001, Amir gets a call from Rahim Khan saying that he is sick and wants Amir to come to Pakistan. Amir is shocked by his sickness, saying that "When I was a kid, he was the first grown-up I ever thought of as a friend." (191). Amir has had to live most of his life without knowing anything about Rahim Khan, but now finds out that he can see him. He also has to deal with new grief, because Rahim Khan will probably die soon due to his illness. -
Amir Meets Rahim Khan Again
After he arrives back in Pakistan, Amir goes back to see Rahim Khan. He describes him as "a thing made of skin and bones pretending to be Rahin Khan" (197). Amir has mixed feelings about going back to Pakistan, because he has somewhat moved on from his former home, but it is still a part of him. It is because Rahim Khan is so sick that Amir decides to go back to Pakistan. -
Attack On the U.S.
The U.S. became involved in Afghanistan after "the Sept. 11 attacks by Al Qaeda." (1) -
Amir Learns Hassan is his Brother
While he is in Pakistan talking with Rahim Khan, Amir learns the devestating truth about his father and how Hassan is actually his half brother. Amir is outraged, and asks Rahim Khan, "How could you hide this from me? From him?" (223). This truth makes Amir see Baba in a new light. Baba chose not to claim Hassan as his son because of how it would affect his social status in the community. Amir realizes that his father is not as flawless as he seems, and has committed selfish sins like Amir. -
Assef and Amir Meet Again
In order to "win" Sohrab from Assef and the Taliban, Amir must fight Assef. They are preparing to fight, and Amir sees Assef get something out of his pocket, "stainless-steel brass knuckles." (287). These brass knuckles show how Assef has not changed since he and Amir were children. He is still selfish and cruel, and uses his strength and power, represented by the knuckles, to get anything he wants. -
Hamid Karzai Becomes Leader
Once the Taliban retreated, "Hamid Karzai, a supporter and relative of Mohammad Zahir Shah, the exiled former king of Afghanistan, was named chairman of an interim government" (3). -
Sohrab Attempts Suicide
Amir tells Sohrab he may have to stay in an orphange again, in order for the adoption to be successful. Although this later turns out to be false, Sohrab does not know this and attempts to kill himself. Amir is with him in the hospital, describing it as "looking at his white face through the tangle of gleaming plastic tubes and IV lines..." (349). Amir is responsible for another human being, and this experience terrifies him. It also shows him how much Sohrab has been through with the Taliban. -
Amir and Sohrab Come to the U.S.
Sohrab has no where to go, so he comes back to America with Amir. He does not speak, and Amir describes his silence as "the silence of one who has taken cover in a dark place, curled up all the edges and tucked them under." (361). This quote explains how Sohrab has changed, and how delicate he is. His silence represents everything that has happened to him, and how much this has affected him. -
Amir Runs Sohrab's Kite
Amir and Sohrab are at a park, and see people flying kites. Sohrab amd Amir cut another kite, and Amir offers to run it for Sohrab, telling him, "For you, a thousand times over." (371). This quote uses repitition to show the connection forming between Amir and Sohrab. This event tells Sohrab more about his father, and brings them closer together, -
Hamid Karzai Elected President
After being appointed chairman, "Mr. Karzai was elected to a five-year term as president in 2004." (3) -
Obama Declares He will Deploy More Troops
After September 11, "Mr.Obama announced his plan to deploy 30,000 additional troops. He vowed to start bringing American forces home from Afghanistan in the middle of 2011." (4)