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Hassan's Smile Gets Fixed
After Hassan's surgery, it is said to be "the winter that Hassan stopped smiling." (47) Even though Hassan is given the opportunity to a normal smile shape, he finds that there is no reason to smile anymore after the events that happen during the winter. This quote foreshadows that bad things will happen to Hassan, leading to a climax in the story that helps lead to other important events on Amir's journey to atonement. -
The Kite Tournament
After Amir cuts the last kite, he looks for Hassan in need of "getting [his] hands hands on that kite." (70) Amir needed to choose between his friendship and his father, where he finally chose his father's love. This affects his decision making largely, for he only decided to not aid Hassan because he was afraid that they would lose the kite if he did help, and therefore his father's respect. -
Hassan Gets Raped
Right before Hassan is raped, Amir describes him as "[he] didn't struggle. Didn't even whimper." (75) This event is very important to the plot, as it is why Hassan and Ali decide to leave Amir and Baba. Because Hassan leaves, Amir does not believe there is any way for him to atone for his actions anymore and leaves him to think about Hassan for the majority of his life. -
Hassan and Ali Leave
Because of Amir's poor decision making, Hassan and Ali "are leaving [because]... Life [there] is impossible for [them], now..." (106) Hassan and Ali believe that they are unsafe in Amir's home and make the decision to leave them behind and go somewhere safer for Hazaras. This causes Amir to feel guilt that he was unable to atone for his actions against Hassan, and is what leads him back to Kabul. -
Amir and Baba Leave Kabul and Move to America
During the night, Amir and Baba "left the house where [they'd] lived [their] entire [lives]" (112) in order to escape Kabul. This causes Amir and Baba to get the idea to escape to America, where most of Amir's journey unfolds. Had they not moved to America, Amir would not have met Soraya, who played a large part in Amir's life. -
Baba is Diagnosed with Lung Cancer
Because of Baba's sickness, Amir takes him to a hospital where he finds out that "the cancer's metastasized,"' (159) This event essentially leads to the knowledge of how much longer Baba will be able to live. It also leads Amir to make quick decisions because of how little time Baba has left. -
Baba Proposes Marriage to General Taheri
After Amir sends Baba to ask General Tahari for Soraya's hand in marriage, Baba calls and says "'The general accepted."' (163) This action of proposing helps lead Amir's journey in many ways. Soraya is the reason he makes certain decisions, and throughout the rest of the book she is the light to his darkness. -
Soraya and Amir Marry
In order to officially marry, Soraya and Amir "said [their] oaths. Signed the certificates." (170) This event was an extremely memorable time for Amir, and helped lead his life in a specific direction with his new family. Had he not married Soraya, Amir would not be able to get through many downward spirals that life threw at him. -
Baba Passes Away
After Amir married Soraya, she cared for Baba until "[he] never woke up." (173) This leaves Amir in an extremely different situation than what he is used to. Baba was always there to hold his hand through difficult situations, and people always treated Amir differently because of who his father was. Baba's death affected Amir in a large way, encouraging him to go to Afghanistan to atone for every bad deed. -
Soraya is Diagnosed with Infertility
After Soraya is diagnosed with "'Unexplained Infertility'" (185), she and Amir make the decision not to adopt, with the input of General Taheri as well. Because Soraya is unable to carry a child, they want to adopt but feel it is against their culture. But, if Soraya was able to have a child, Amir would never had felt as strong a reason to bring Sohrab back home with him. Although he did care for Sohrab like a father, if Amir already had a child, the want would not be as effective. -
Taliban Takes Over Kabul
Rahim Khan describes the Taliban takeover as "when the Taliban rolled in and put an end to the daily fighting." (213) This was a very important part in the story, for this was why many bad things happened that created the need for Amir to adopt Sohrab. It is also why Hassan passed away, and why Amir finds it so much more necessary to atone to his actions. -
Amir Discovers He is Hassan's Half-Brother
Before Amir leaves to find Hassan's son, Rahim Khan tells him "'Ali was sterile,"' (222) After more explaining, Amir realizes that Hassan is his half-brother. This further encourages him to seek out Hassan's son and help him find a safe home. It also makes Amir realize how much Baba had hid from him his whole life, and did not even tell Amir in his dying days. -
Amir Fights With Assef to Save Sohrab
In order to free Sohrab from Assef, he must "finish an old bit of business." (287) In Assef's eyes, nothing good in the world is free. But, if Assef had never tried to kill Amir, Sohrab may not have ever gained trust in him. It took a lot of courage for Sohrab to gain trust in Amir, and the fighting event helped him realize whose side Amir was on. -
Sohrab Tries to Commit Suicide
Right after Amir finds out that he can successfully adopt Sohrab, he goes to the bathroom and is "Suddenly... on [his] knees, screaming." (343) After Sohrab attempted suicide, Amir became much more dedicated to him and how Sohrab felt. This also causes him to want to find out how to adopt Sohrab much faster. -
Sohrab Smiles Again After a Year of Silence
When Amir runs the kite for Sohrab, he sees "a smile, nothing more." (371) This smile lets Amir know that Sohrab is doing better. The small indication of emotion on Sohrab's face leads Amir to believe that, as Rahim Khan once said, "There is a way to be good again."