Kite Runner & the History of Afghanistan

By 20christiant56

  • Amir and Hassan's Birth (11)

    This date is not only important because its the birth of the two, also because of the loss of their mothers. Amit expresses his grief when he wonders, "I always wondered if he longed to meet her. Did he ache for her, the way I ached for the mother I had never met? (11)" Without having their mothers, they lack a source of unconditional love which their fathers can't provide due to because of Baba's affair.
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    Kite Runner Timeline

  • Hassan's Rape (73)

    This date is extremely important because as Amir recalls it changes his entire life when, "Assef knelt behind Hassan, put his hands on Hassan's hips and lifted his bare buttocks. (75)" The guilt of watching Hassan get raped and ultimate atonement for not doing anything shapes influences him and what he does in life. It brings Amir back to Afghanistan and gives Sohrab a father.

  • Amir's Violent Outlasting (93)

    Amir's guilt is demonstrated as he,"hurl[s] the pomegranate at him. It struck him in the chest, exploded in a spray of red pulp. Hassan's cry was pregnant with surprise and pain. (92)" This moment is significant because it demonstrates the characteristics of the boys. Amir: weak, coward, and can't handle that he watched his best friend get raped. However, Hassan is very strong, taking over blow Amir throws at him and never raising a finger which is a result of his ethics/morals/values.

  • Ali and Hassan Leave (106)

    When Amir hides his watch and money from his birthday, Ali and Hassan find out and decide,"Life here is impossible for us now, Agha sahib. We're leaving. (106)" When Hassan falsely confesses to the theft, Amir realizes that Hassan knew all a long that Amir had been there during the rape. As a result, Amir's guilt isn't relived, but rather intensified. This nightmare continues to haunt and stalk him until he atones.
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    Afghanistan Timeline

  • Soviet Union invades Afghanistan

  • Baba and Amir leave Afghanistan (110)

    This date is significant because it is when,"...[Baba and Amir] left Kubal just after two in the morning. (110)" It also allows for Amir to run away from his troubles and try to leave them in Afghanistan even though they ultimately follow him everywhere.

  • Baba and Amir Move to America (125)

    Moving to America was major transition for the two. "Baba loved the idea of America. It was living in America that gave him an ulcer. (125)" He lost the respect, power, and wealth he had had in Kabul and had to rebuild which was very hard for him to accept. For Amir, it allowed to escape or hide from his guilt in Afghanistan, but also allowed him achieve his dream of being a writer.

  • Amir Graduates High School (131)

    Although graduating high school is an achievement in itself, the much more powerful thing that day was Baba. When Amir found him after the ceremony Babe told Amir,"'I am moftakhir, Amir,' he said.Proud. (131)" Amir had finally received Baba's approval, something had blindly chased for just about his whole life.

  • Babe and Amir's Flee Markets (137)

    After Baba bought his big Volkswagen bus, Amir and him spent their weekends with,"Baba [driving] the bus, sipping hot tea from the thermos, and I navigated. (137)" Rolling around the bay picking up junk for their flee market meetings produced some good father-son bonding. However, more importantly, at this flee market, Amir met his wife Soraya Taheri.

  • Baba's Cancer (156)

    Soon after Amir and Baba had started trending the flee markets, he noticed Baba coughing blood. After taking Babe to doctor, he was diagnosed with what,"...was called 'Oat Cell Carcinoma.' Advanced. Inoperable. (156)" With this news Amir was forced to face the reality of living without Baba. Now, Baba's questionable parenting would be tested.

  • Amir and Soraya's Marriage (161)

    Soon after Baba left the hospital, Amir asked Baba,"'to ask General Taheri for his daughter's hand.' (161)" After they married and Amir learned the ,"tenderness of a woman," and later what it was like to have someone who expressed care and love to him openly. She provided the support Amir needed when he went to back to Afghanistan.

  • Baba's Death (173)

    Just after the wedding, Baba's inevitable death arrived just after telling Soraya,"There is no pain tonight. (173)" Baba died happy with his son married to a lovely Afghan woman and after he'd just spent a nice evening with them and her family. There was still some happiness in this time.

  • Amir's First Book (182)

    This event is important because he,"...finished [his] first novel, a father-son story set in Kabul. (182)" Now, he achieved his dream of being a writer. All the way back when he was very young he loved to write stories when Rahim Khan had encouraged him to continue writing when Baba had ignored him. Now Amir was providing for him and his wife which meant a lot.

  • Soviet troops leave Afghanistan

  • Mullah Omar leads creation of Taliban

  • Taliban takes control of Afghanistan

  • Taliban provides haven for Osama Bin Laden

  • US Bombing of Afghan bases

  • Amir Returns to Afghanistan (1)

    This event is extremely significant because Amir knew,"...it wasn't just Rahim Khan on the line. It was [his] past unatoned sins. (1)" He could finally relieve the everlasting, tormenting guilt from the winter of 1975. This is also when he ends up adopting Sohrab.

  • Amir and Assef's Fight (289)

    This event is significant because although Amir was severely injured, he was extremely healed because,"...for the first time since the winter of 1975, I felt at peace. (289)" Back in Kabul, Amir had thrown pomegranates at Hassan begging him to fight back and strike him. Now, with Assef beating him, Amir laughed because he was so happy to finally be relived of that pain.

  • Amir Brings Sohrab Home (358)

    After an overwhelming trip, Amir brings poor Sohrab home and is greeted by Soraya who says,'''Salaam, Sohrab jan, I'm your khala Soraya.' (358)". This is extremely important because by bringing Sohrab home with him, Amir is atoning for what he did to his now brother Hassan. Also, him and Soraya are giving this haunted boy a new chance at life while having a child which they've always dreamt of.

  • 9/11

  • Nato takes control of Afghan Security

  • Hamid Karzai is elected president

  • Obama announces deployment of 30,000 troops