-
Hassan gets raped
It's after the kite running competition where Amir goes to find the kite and Hassan, and instead encounters Assef and his two friends raping Hassan. Amir flees and leaves Hassan alone, Amir justifies such action that he "ran because [Amir] was a coward" (Hosseini 77). Fundamentally, Amir claims that he leaves his best friend in crisis due to being a coward, therefore setting up the theme of atonement. Amir's lack of bravery comes from the need to get the kite for his father. -
Ali and Hassan leave Kabul
As a result of Amir's lie that Hassan stole from him, Ali and Hassan decide to leave Kabul and Baba. Ali tells Baba, "Life is impossible for us now, Agha Sahib. We're leaving" (Hosseini 106). At the cause of Amir's guilt, Baba is faced with the distressing news that his son, Hassan, is leaving. Such occurrence brings forward an unpleasant chain of events in Amir's future. -
First Launch of Soviet troops into Kabul
The Soviet invasion began as "[t]he 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. Moscow insisted that the troops came in response to a plea for help from a legitimately constituted Karmal Government" (The New York Times). -
Period: to
The Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
What commenced the beginning to a rough next few years for Afghanistan was the Soviet invasion and how "Soviet troops stayed in the country for more than nine years, fighting a conflict that cost them roughly 15,000 lives and undisclosed billions of rubles, while undermining the cherished image of an invincible Soviet Army" (The New York Times). -
Baba and Amir flee to Pakistan
As the Soviet invasion progresses, Baba instructs that he and Amir flee "out of Shorawi-occupied Kabul to the relative safety of Pakistan" (Hosseini 111). Baba cannot watch his country be ruined, therefore prompting his departure with Amir. It can be inferenced that not only does Baba desire to leave come from the fear of watching his country fall apart, but as well as the longing to overcome he sadness of Hassan leaving him. -
Amir and Baba live in America
A new beginning is showcased as the father and son leave to go to america. As new habits are adapted, Amir states happily that "Baba loved the idea of America" (Hosseini 125). The moving to a new continent illustrates a new chapter in Amir and Baba's life, something like a light of hope for the two. Such event brings them closer and creates a stronger bond for Amir and his father. -
Amir and Soraya meet
While in America, Baba and Amir begin going to fairs, this is where Amir meets a girl he becomes infatuated with. His boyish crush on Soraya is shown when to see her Amir "invented excuses to stroll down the aisle" (Hosseini 144). Deprived of love throughout his childhood, Amir finds himself obsessing over Soraya before even meeting her. Such feelings show Amir a chance at a healthy, two-sided relationship that he has been searching for throughout his life. -
Amir and Soraya get married
After Baba asks General Taheri's permission for Amir and Soraya's marriage, they have a wedding. During the wedding Amir "whispered for the first time that [he] loved her" (Hosseini 171). This point in the novel is seen as the lighthearted turn point, where Amir is now happy with where his life is going. It's a contrast to his constant state of rejection by his father that Amir suffered until this moment. -
Baba dies due to his cancer
The death of Baba was well known to come, due to his cancer being one that there was little chance of recovering from. It was one night where he didn't take his medicine, and then "Baba never woke up" (Hosseini 173). The book until this point is shown to be Baba's preparation to leave Amir's life, trying to make him tough and stand up for what is right. His father's death causes Amir to realize that his father did indeed love him, and his actions were never out of hate like Amir assumed. -
Baba is diagnosed with cancer
At the cause of his constant smoking, Baba discovers he has lung cancer once in America. The type of cancer that Baba is diagnosed with is called "Oat Cell Carinoma" (Hosseini 156). It is fitting that what kills Baba is something he brings upon himself, and not an exterior aspect. Thus demonstrating how much power Baba withholds in the novel, how what ends him are his own actions he pursues. -
Amir gets his first novel published
With Soraya by his side encouraging Amir's dream, he finally ends up publishing his "first novel, a father-son story set in Kabul" (182). The reassembles between the novels description and Amir's childhood alludes to a connection between the two stories, stating how Amir has written based on life experiences. It's a joyous event that marks a milestone in Amir's life, having his dream finally fulfilled. -
Period: to
Last Launch of Soviet troops
It was a grand moment as the final launch of Soviet troops were brought and "[a]fter Soviet forces departed, Afghanistan descended into vicious internecine strife; by the summer of 1994, power was anarchically divided among competing warlords and individual fiefdoms. But one group would eventually gain control" (The New York Times). -
Sohrab is born
It is revealed that Hassan has a son when Amir is speaking to Rahim Khan. In the letter Hassan left for Amir, he writes, "I wish you could see Sohrab. He is a good boy" (Hosseini 216). Hassan having a son brings joy to Amir, knowing that his childhood best friend has grown up and been successful with creating a family. It pleases Amir that Hassan has built a family because it makes Amir feel less guilt for what he did, thinking that now Hassan is happy and healthy. -
Period: to
The Taliban Takeover
After the Soviet invasion "[t]he Taliban grew out of a student movement dedicated to purifying the country, based in the southeast, the home of the dominant ethnic group, the Pashtun" (The New York Times). -
Period: to
Taliban Control over Afghanistan
Unfortunately, under the rule of the Taliban came "[their] control of Afghanistan, imposing strict - enforcement of fundamentalist Islamic law, banning movies and music and forcing women out of schools and into all-enveloping burqa clothing" (The New York Times). -
Sohrab attempts suicide
At the fear of returning to yet another orphanage, Sohrab attempts to kill himself in a bathrtub. After Amir saves him, Hassan's son tells him, "'I wish you had left me in the water'" (Hosseini 355).Such statement really illustrates the abuse Sohrab underwent at the orphanage he was at previously, for he'd rather end his life than return to such experiences. The suicide attempt as well shows Amir how bad life was for Sohrab, and how much better he must make it himself to please Hassan. -
Amir goes back to Pakistan
It's a normal day until Amir recieves a phone call from his father's old friend, Rahim Khan. In the phone call, Rahim states that Amir must come back to Pakistan immediately, leaving Amir to think, "[Rahim Khan] knew about Assef, the kite, the money, the watch with the lightning bolt hands." (Hosseini 192). It's at this moment when Amir realizes that who he saw as a father figure had known all this time of Amir's biggest mistake. Such realization brings him distress as this event haunts him. -
Amir defends Sohrab when the General called him a Hazara.
After rescuing Sohrab and returning to America, Soraya invites her parents over for dinner. Soraya's father, General Taheri, being a more traditional man, asks "[w]hy Amir brought that hazara boy back" (Hosseini 288). Such term prompts a defensive action from Amir, standing up for Sohrab and doing what his father had always wanted him to do. This moment exhibits the man Baba wanted Amir to be, someone who stood up for what they believed in and those around him. -
Period: to
The Kazari Government
A government ruled by Kazari began "[i]n December 2001, 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, making him the leader of the country" (The New York Times). -
Period: to
Post 9/11
It was seen that "[a]fter the attack on the World Trade Center in New York on Sept 11, 2001, President George W. Bush gave the Taliban an ultimatum to hand over Mr. bin Laden. When it refused, the United States joined forces with rebel groups that had never accepted Taliban rule, notably the Northem Alliance, which represented minority tribes" (The New York Times). -
The Taliban Resurgence
Contrasting the previous year, "...the Taliban continued to wage a guerrilla warfare from a base in the mountainous and largely lawless tribal area on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. As the American military focus was diverted to the invasion and occupation of Iraq, the Taliban regrouped and began to extend its influence in the southern part of Afghanistan" (The New York Times). -
Sohrab smiles for the first time
While Amir flies a kite at the park with Sohrab one day, he catches Sohrab surface a sign of joy. Amir saw that on Sohrab's face "[o]ne corner of his mouth had curled up just so. A smile" (Hosseini 370). The small action has a huge impact on Amir, for it shows that he is doing something correct and finally making his best friend's son happy. Such smile can be seen as a new ray of hope for Amir, where he isn't guilted anymore by what he did to Hassan. -
Amir runs after the kite for Sohrab
As the story comes to a close, the book ends at a point where Amir is running after Sohrab's kite at the park. After Sohrab asks for Amir to go get the kite, Amir tells Hassan's son what Hassan told him, "'For you, a thousand times over" (Hosseini 371). Amir running after the kite shows how he has atoned for his wrongdoings, for now he is the one acting for Hassan's son the way Hassan would act for him. Therefore by treating Sohrab how Hassan treated him, Amir demonstrates his love for both. -
Taking charge of United States Central Command
As Obama's War commenced, "General Petraeus, the Iraq commander who received much of the credit for the success of the surge there, had taken charge of United States Central Command in October 2008, with responsibility for military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and across the region" (The New York Times). -
Obama's Plan
As an effort to convince expansion in the US involvement, "...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, saying the United States could not afford and should not have to shoulder an open-ended commitment" (The New York Times).