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Amir reads his own story to Hassan
On one of the many occasions that Amir read to Hassan, he created his own story in the moment. When he was done, Hassan told him the story "was the best story [Amir had] lead [him] in a long time" (Hosseini 30). Later that evening, Amir "wrote [his] first short story" (Hosseini 30). On this day, Amir discovered his passion for writing. Hassan's encouragement helped him build the confidence to expand upon this new talent. -
Amir and Hassan are confronted by Assef
One day when Amir and Hassan were walking to the pomegranate tree, they were stopped by the neighborhood bully Assef, and his sidekicks. Assef tells Amir that only Pashtun people should reside in Afghanistan, and praises Adolf Hitler. As Assef is about to hurt Amir, "Hassan held the slingshot pointed directly at Assef's face" (Hosseini 42). In this moment, Hassan's loyalty to Amir is shown. Even though Assef made offensive comments towards Hazaran people, Hassan still protects Amir. -
Period: to
1975-2011
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Hassan is raped by Assef
After Amir wins the local kite competition, Hassan runs off to retrieve the last kite that Amir eliminated. As he was being raped, Hassan "didn't struggle. Didn't even whimper. [He had a look of] resignation [on his face]. ... It was the look of the lamb" (Hosseini 75-76). Here, Hassan surrendered himself to Assef so that Amir could get the prized kite. He lets the bullies hurt him, demonstrating his loyalty and love that he has for Amir. -
Amir wins the Kite Competition
Amir won the kite flying competition with Hassan. He was initially anxious but felt relieved after when he saw Baba's ecstatic reaction. As he recalls the moment years later, he thinks "and that right there was the single proudest moment of my twelve years of life, seeing Baba on that roof, proud of me at last" (Hosseini 66). Here, Amir is finally satisfied after seeing his father's proud response. He is not happy for his own pride, but instead for the new respect the win will get him. -
Amir hits Hassan with pomegranates
In the few months after Hassan's rape, Amir and Hassan's relationship deteriorated. One afternoon, Amir asks Hassan to accompany him on a walk. When they got to their cherished pomegranate tree, Amir began hitting Hassan with pomegranates and screaming, "'Hit me back!"' (Hosseini 92). Here, Amir is dealing with his anger and guilt after the rape. He wants Hassan to hit him back so he can receive atonement for being a bystander of the rape. -
Hassan and Ali leave Amir and Baba
After a tense meeting, Ali reveals that he and Hassan are leaving. Amir recalls this moment later and and thinks to himself, "I was sorry, but I didn't cry and I didn't chase the car. I watched Baba's car pull away from the curb, taking with it the person whose first spoken word had been my name" (Hosseini 109). Instead of crying for the family members he is losing, Amir is overcome by relief. His guilt after the rape had become so burdensome that he couldn't stand seeing Hassan anymore. -
Soviets Parachute into Kabul, Afghanistan
In late December of 1979, the Soviets first entered Afghanistan to come to the aid of "Babrak Karmal, who had become president in a coup within the Afghan Communist leadership" (New York Times). The Russian government claimed that the invasion was a "response to a plea for help from a legitimately constituted Karmal Government. ... [However] Western analysts say the Soviets engineered the coup as a pretext to replace Hafizullah Amin, the Afghan leader, who had lost their trust" (New York Times). -
Amir and Baba leave Afghanistan
Amir and Baba were forced to flee "out of the Shorawi-occupied Kabul to the relative safety of Pakistan" (Hosseini 111). Due to the Soviet invasion, Amir and Baba were no longer safe in Kabul. They had to leave their community and property in hopes that there were better opportunities to live comfortably elsewhere. -
Amir graduates high school
After immigrating to America, Amir attended high school. He graduated when he was twenty years old, which was much older than the other students. After the ceremony, Baba told him, '"I am moftakhir, Amir.' ... Proud. His eyes gleamed when he said that and I liked being on the receiving end" (Hosseini 131). Amir has finally made his father proud, an achievement that was rare as a child. By going through obstacles together, Amir and Baba have become humbled and grateful for one another. -
Amir marries Soraya Taheri
Amir met Soraya at the Swap Meet where many people from Afghanistan sold goods. At their flamboyant wedding, Amir and Soraya "gaze[d] at each other's reflections, [and Amir] whispered to [Soraya] for the first time that [he] loved her" (Hosseini 171). Amir is in love and has found happiness with Soraya. This is one of the few moments in his life when he is truly happy, and free from his guilt and worries. -
Baba dies of Cancer
Baba had cancer and was slowly becoming weaker. Amir and Soraya knew this and married quickly for him. One night, at a dinner with family and friends, Baba had an "internal smile, as wide as the skies of Kabul" (Hosseini 173). As he went to bed that night, he told Amir and Soraya that "there is no pain tonight" before falling asleep and passing away (Hosseini 173). Baba reached a point of inner peace with his life. He had provided for his son, and had a strong community surrounding him. -
Soviets leave Afghanistan
After over nine years of fighting and "peace talks moderated by the United Nations, the last Soviet troops left Afghanistan in February 1989, in what was in effect a unilateral withdrawal" (New York Times). -
Taliban reach 12,000 Followers
Mullah Omar was the leader of the Taliban's initial action. In late 1994, the Taliban had acquired "nearly 12,000 followers. ... [Mullah] promise[d] [to] restor[e] the centrality of Islam to daily life, [and] he created a genuinely popular movement in a country weary of corruption and brutality" (New York Times). -
Taliban take control over Afghanistan
In 1996, the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. They began "imposing strict - enforcement of fundamentalist Islamic law, banning movies and music and forcing women out of schools and into all-enveloping burqa clothing" (New York Times). However, this was only possible due to the "arms, money, ... supplies, [and] military advisers that Pakistan had provided them" (New York Times). -
Osama Bin Laden welcomed by the Taliban
Osama Bin Laden, was a member of extremist group Al Qaeda, and is infamous for his role in planning the 9/11 attacks. The Taliban welcomed him and he "arrived by chartered jet at Jalalabad Airport in May 1996 ... Western diplomats say Al Qaeda helped persuade Mullah Omar to order the destruction of the 800-year-old Buddha statues at Bamiyan, an act condemned around the world" (New York Times). -
Amir returns to Pakistan to visit Rahim Khan
Rahim Khan contacted Amir to fly back to visit him, and Amir reluctantly agreed. After finding him, Amir described the man as a frail "thing of skin and bones pretending to be Rahim Khan" (Hosseini 197). Rahim Khan's condition was caused his age and by the long lasting turmoil in Afghanistan. He stayed in Kabul which was under unstable rulers. Rahim Khan's condition is also a symbol of the people in Afghanistan. They were once healthy and free, but now are burdened with unwanted problems. -
Amir goes to Kabul
Rahim Khan requested that Amir return to Kabul to retrieve Hassan's son Sohrab. Amir agrees but only to atone his childhood actions. As he arrived he was "certain, absolutely certain, that [his driver] had taken a wrong turn somewhere. ... [The city was full of] rubble and beggars"(Hosseini 244-245). The political turmoil in Afghanistan has hurt the people in Kabul greatly. Amir doesn't recognize the destroyed and desolate city, as when he lived there it was vibrant and bustling. -
Amir fights Assef
Assef eventually agrees to let Amir take Sohrab, but only if they have a fight. As Assef punches him, Amir starts laughing. He felt that "for the first time since the winter of 1975, [he] .. was at peace. ... [His] body was broken ... but [he] felt healed" (Hosseini 289). Amir finally feels as though he has reached atonement for not protecting Hassan on the night of the rape. His guilt has lived inside of him for 26 years, and it is now being released through his own punishment. -
Amir discovers Sohrab with Assef
After searching all over Kabul, Amir finds Sohrab at Assef's house. He describes Sohrab's eyes as "slaughtered sheep's eyes" because they have mascara on them, a tradition for sheep about to be killed (Hosseini 285). In the past, Assef manipulated and behaved inappropriately towards Hassan. Hassan, a Hazara, couldn't defend himself and was the sacrificial lamb protecting Amir. Now, the same mistreatment is occurring a generation later. However, Amir is now saving Sohrab like Hassan saved him. -
Sohrab attempts suicide
Sohrab attempted to commit suicide one evening after Amir told him he may need to return to an orphanage. As Amir waited in the hospital, he cried and "pray[ed]. [He] pray[ed] that [his] sins ha[d] not caught up with [himself] the way [he]'d always feared they would" (Hosseini 346). When Sohrab almost dies, Amir is devastated as he grew to care for him so greatly. Amir realized he could atone for his sins by taking care of Sohrab, but now that opportunity may have been lost. -
Amir and Sohrab return to America
Amir had spent months in the Middle East, struggling to get Sohrab and safely return home. After his long journey, he finally was able to bring Sohrab to America and "[lift] him from the uncertainty of turmoil and [drop] him in a turmoil of uncertainty" (Hosseini 356). Amir has greatly assisted Sohrab by saving him from danger in Afghanistan. Though Sohrab may be weary of him, Amir has good intentions and has dedicated himself to caring for him like Hassan did many years ago. -
9/11 Attacks / The United States' response
On September 11, 2001, four airplane flights were hijacked by Al Qaeda members. Everybody on these flights died, but they are remembered at the 9/11 museum in New York City. In response to the attack, "President George W. Bush gave the Taliban an ultimatum to hand over [Osama] bin Laden. When [they] refused, the United States joined forces with rebel groups that had never accepted Taliban rule, notably the Northern Alliance, which represented minority tribes" (New York Times). -
U.S. Invasion of Afghanistan
In 2001, the United States invaded Afghanistan in response to the tragic "9/11 attacks by Al Qaeda. The group had been given safe haven in the country by the Taliban, [an] extremist Islamic group" (New York Times). -
Hamid Karzai appointed leadership position in Afghanistan
During the time that the government in Afghanistan was reestablished, "Hamid Karzai, a supporter and relative of Mohammad Zahir Shah, the exiled former king of Afghanistan, was named chairman of an interim government that replaced the defeated Taliban" (New York Times). His position was elevated in June 2002, when "he took office as interim president. [Karzai] ... hoped to secure peace for Afghanistan and win the country much-needed international aid" (New York Times). -
Taliban exit Afghanistan
After pressure from the Northern Alliance, "Taliban fighters abandon their final stronghold in Kandahar as the militia group’s hold on Afghanistan continues to disintegrate. Two days later, Taliban leaders surrender the group’s final Afghan territory, the province of Zabul" (Public Broadcasting Service). -
Government of Afghanistan adopts new Constituition
Following many years of political unrest, the grand council of Afghanistan, also known as "the Loya Jirga, adopts a new constitution following input from nearly 500,000 Afghans, some of whom participate in public meetings in villages. The new constitution calls for a president and two vice presidents [in addition to] equality for women" (Public Broadcasting Service). -
Osama bin Laden Killed
After many years of investigating, "U.S. forces overtake a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, and kill al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden" (Public Broadcasting Service).