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The Rape
The most influential event in the novel is when Hassan gets raped. It's a very controversial scene and caused basically all of the actions that followed throughout the whole book. It was also one of the most shameful moments for Amir. He said, "In his arms, I forgot what I'd done. And that was good"(Hosseini 79). From that day forward he would never be the same. Distancing himself from Hassan they lost their friendship and bond. Never atoning for what he had done, it sat in him for years. -
Amir's Beginning
The book opens with Amir saying that, "I became what I am today at the age of twelve, on a frigid overcast day in the winter of 1975"(Hosseini 1). This marks in a way, the beginning of the end. From that time on Amir would endure countless struggles and problems. The war and traumatic experiences he went through changed him as a person entirely. -
Ali and Hassan Leave
Amir and Hassan's continued tension after the rape led to Amir trying to get rid of him which he did successfully. When finally Hassan couldn't take it, he "had told him everything.."(Hosseini 106). This was the start of a series of unfortunate events to come. The devastation and loss of such an important part of their lives was unbearable. All of these losses contributed to the person Amir became. -
The Invasion of the Soviet Union
Unfortunately for Afghanistan, it "has little known peace since 1979, when the Soviet Union invaded"(Afghanistan- An Overview 1) -
The First Soviet Troops
The beginning of the war started when "the first Soviet Troops parachuted into Kabul on Dec. 27, 1979 to assist Babrak Karmal, who had become president in a coup within the Afghan Communist leadership"(Afghanistan- An Overview 2). -
Escaping From Kabul
After the war escalated, Baba and Amir were no longer safe in their home. They escaped with "in a tarpaulin-covered cab of an old Russian Truck"(Hosseini 110). Being in such a dangerous situation forced them to get smuggled to Peshawar and then the United States. Everything fell apart after Hassan and Ali left. While the war was raging, so were their conflicts and dilemmas. It was time to start a new life and new beginning. -
Life in America
Finally Baba and Amir were in Fremont, CA where there was peace. Amir then "graduated from high school at the age of twenty..."(Hosseini 131). Although he was a lot older, he still was able to complete school and go after the things he wanted like becoming a writer. It seemed that at least for now their new life was mostly unproblematic besides the fact that their financial situation had changed. This was a new issue for them that they've never experienced before. -
Amir Meets Soraya
As Amir and Baba started getting used to life in America, they found a flea market where they met and reunited with people from Afghanistan. One of them in particular caught Amir's eye; "Soraya Taheri. My Swap Meet Princess"(Hosseini 142). For once in Amir's life he felt love and affection toward someone. She was the first one he had felt was the one for him. Life in America was proving to be a lot better and more prosperous than life in Afghan. -
Cancer Strikes
As the months go on, Amir starts noticing things about Baba that hint that he's sick. Finally Amir gets him to the doctor and learn that he has a type of cancer called Oat Cell Carcinoma. They suggest chemotherapy but Baba refuses because "it means it wouldn't change the outcome, just prolong it"(Hosseini 156). Cancer has no cure and again brings on another tragedy into their lives. Something that creeps in and takes over everything. It's committing a crime by robbing Amir of a father. -
A Dying Wish
Baba was slowly dying and Amir knew this. As one last wish, Amir asked for his father to "ask General Taheri for his daughter's hand"(Hosseini 161). It was something that Baba was happy to do for his son. Dying made him in a way, a different person. He respected his son more and accepted him as a writer and human being. Doing this favor especially was important because it was something that was very important to Amir and meant a lot to him. -
Amir and Soraya's Marriage
General Taheri and Amir talk about the future and what marrying his daughter means. Soraya admits a terrible secret she was keeping about her past life. Luckily, Amir having his own secrets, "nothing [she] said changes anything"(Hosseini 165). This marked a point in Amir's life showing that he finally has found someone he can be happy with. Knowing that everyone has their secrets relieved him slightly of his guilt about Hassan. They then got married and had a wedding using Baba's life savings. -
Soviet Union vs. America
The "rebels" kept a firm grip on Afghan and later "after 1986, the Soviet Union Air Force was also rendered largely useless by advanced Stinger antiaircraft missiles supplied by the United States to the rebels"(Afghanistan- An Overview 2). -
Amir and Soraya's New Life
Baba soon passed away after their wedding. After this tragic event occurred they "moved into a one-bedroom apartment in Fremont"(Hosseini 180). Amir is finally getting freedom and moving onto a new chapter of his life. Baba's passing signified that Amir was finally moving on and was finally at peace. They can now be a family and try to start one on their own. With not having the burden of helping Baba, he can now achieve his goals -
Amir's First Book
Amir finally accomplished his dream to publish a book. A couple months after he sent in his book to be published, "a man named Martin Greenwalt called from New York and offered to represent [Amir]"(Hosseini 183). This is a milestone in his life that shows his biggest accomplishment so far. His dream is finally coming true in America. All of his life he spent writing which seemed like a hopeless career. But now he proved everyone wrong and made everyone and himself proud. -
The War Comes to an End
After years of fighting and blood, "the last Soviet troops left Afghanistan in February 1989, in what was in effect a unilateral withdrawal"(Afghanistan- An Overview) -
Trying to Start a Family
Once Amir and Soraya are living in their new apartment, they try to start a family. Unfortunately, they were unsuccessful for two years. Amir and Soraya tried to find comfort because "maybe it wasn't meant to be"(Hosseini 186). Another obstacle that gets in the way of Amir's happiness. He is unlucky but lucky in the sense that something good would happen, but bad things always followed. There is no way to lead a perfect life which definitely is represented in this situation and the book. -
The Power Struggle
With the Soviet Union out of the picture "power was anarchically divided among competing warlords and individual fiefdoms."(Afghanistan- An Overview 2). -
The Taliban
The Taliban are a group of people dedicated to purifying Afghanistan. Unfortunately due to this group's popularity, "Mullah Omar had nearly 12,000 followers and was rolling up the warlords to the north and east"(Afghanistan- An Overview 2). -
Intervention of Pakistan
The Taliban did have popular support but wasn't going to last. However, Pakistan intervened, "funneling arms, money and supplies to Mulla Omar's men as well as military advisers to help guide them in battle"(Afghanistan- An Overview 3). Because of their support and help, "The Taliban by 1996 had taken control of Afghanistan.."(Afghanistan- An Overview 3). -
The Ban
The Taliban finally ended the daily fighting and there would be "peace and happiness". To everyone's dismay, "the Taliban banned kite fighting"(Hosseini 213). This showed the end of an era for Afghanistan and Amir's life. Now the hardship was approaching and life would never be the same. Kite Fighting was something that all the young boys loved doing and represented their childhood. Now all of this was taken away and they would soon learn how to be a man. -
After 9/11
The attack on the World Trade Center created a major fiasco and panic worldwide. The Taliban were now a national threat to people all over. Because of this, "on Sept. 11, 2001, President George W. Bush gave the Taliban an ultimatum to hand over Mr. bin Laden"(Afghanistan- An Overview 3). They refused and the rebels now were backed by the U.S. -
Amir Gets a Call
Years have passed since he's talked to Rahim Khan. To his dismay he learns that "Rahim Khan is very sick"(Hosseini 191)". Amir is now pulled back to his old life. Finally he must face his fears and go back. After all of these years that he has tried forgetting what he left behind, he must return. This shows that your past life never goes away. Amir has to face his fears and resolve past issues. Hopefully he will get the resolution that he needs. -
A New Leader
After the United States' intervention, the Taliban Retreated. From this "Hamid Karzai, a supporter and relative of Mohammed Zahir Shah, the exiled king former king of Afghanistan, was names chairman of the interim government that replaced the defeated Taliban, making him the leader of the country"(Afghanistan- An Overview 3). He hoped to secure peace for Afghanistan and was also a white house favorite. Karzai was elected to a five-year term as president. -
Sohrab in America
Sohrab(Hassan's son) finally was in America. After about a year of struggles and hardships, they managed to get him back. However, since Sohrab tried committing suicide, he had been silent ever since. But while he was quiet, "the Twin Towers came crumbling and, overnight, the world changed"(Hosseini 362). It was the beginning and end of yet another chapter. The war and fight continued, while Amir's own war came to an end. The worst was over, but a lot more yet to come. -
The Taliban and Obama
Despite the Taliban being "defeated", it began to build back up and wage war against the government. Each year they became more powerful. When Obama was elected, he has a "plan to widen United States' involvement in Afghanistan..."(Afghanistan- An Overview 4). When things in Afghanistan weren't improving, "Mr. Obama announced his plan to deploy 30,000 additional troops. He vowed to start bringing American forces home from Afghanistan.."(Afghanistan- An Overview 4). This never happened.