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The Kite Runner- Hassan is born
In Baba's house, Hassan is born with a "cleft lip" (Hosseini 8).Amir and Hassan were both born and raised by the same wet nurse and in the same house.Even though they are raised as brothers, Amir doesn't truly consider Hassan to be even his friend. -
The Kite Runner - Baba's orphanage
When Amir was around the age of 5 or 6, "Baba decided to build and orphange" (Hosseini 10). Baba proved that the people who said he couldn't build an orphanage wrong. Baba, by building an orphanage made Amir feel more overwhelmed by the difference of him and fis father. -
1973 Afghan Coup
Mohammed Daoud Khan dethroned King Mohammad Zahir Shah and turned Afghanistan into a democracy. Ending the "nostalgic era of peace and prosperity"(https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/asia-jan-june11-timeline-afghanistan) -
The Kite Runner - The First Betrayal: abandoning the text
Amir was tricking Hassan by reading another story he made for himself, he "had abandoned the text altogether...Hassan was, of course, oblivious to this" (Hosseini, 30). Amir tells Hassan a story he made up for himself to hear the complements Hassan gives to the story. Even though telling Hassan a new story instead of the actual story might not seem to be a big betrayal, later on, Amir's disloyalty to Hassan evolves into him betraying Hassan by not doing anything about Hassan getting raped -
The Kite Runner - Amir wins the kite flying contest
After Hassan and Amir win the kite competition Hassan celebrates the victory by saying "You won!Amir Agha!You won!"(Hossieni 66). This quote illustrates how Hassan celebrates for Amir earning the chance to be approved by Baba. Even though Hassan has an unconditional devotion towards Amir, Amir ends up betraying Hassan right after winning the kite flying contest. -
The Kite Runner - Hassan is Sexually abused by Assef
After Hassan got raped by Assef, "Hassan didn't struggle. Didn't even whimper." (Hosseini 75). Hassan hides his struggle and tries to except his fate to let Amir to have his connection with his father. It was this devotion of Hassan that haunted Amir throughout his entire life. -
The Kite Runner - Ali and Hassan leaves
Ali makes the decision to move away from Amir, who tries harming Hassan, and Baba took Ali and Hassan to the bus station"(Hosseini 108). Ali and Hassan are leaving Baba's house to protect themselves from anymore harm done to them by Amir. This shows that Ali felt threatened enough to leave his relationship with Baba. -
Saur Revolution
In 1978 "Khan is killed in a communist coup (https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/asia-jan-june11-timeline-afghanistan). Afghanistan then declares independence from the soviet union. -
USSR Invasion
in 1979 invades Afghanistan to " bolster the faltering communist regime"(https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/asia-jan-june11-timeline-afghanistan). -
The Kite Runner - Amir and Baba leaves Kabul
Baba and Amir have left Kabul with the help of a people smuggler and "an old Russian truck"(Hosseini 110). This quote demonstrates how even the rich and respected have to take their leavein an old truck. This shows us that matters in Kabul are becoming more serious, and even successful men like Baba may need to leave everything behind and run away. -
The Kite Runner - Amir and Baba moves to America
Amir and Baba could move to the US because " Baba loved the idea of living in America"(Hosseini 125). This shows that Baba and Amir could finally moved to America because both Amir and Baba saw a bright future in America. They had many struggles right after their transition because the culture was so distinct from one in Kabul. -
The Kite Runner - Amir graduates highschool
Amir "Graduate[s] from high school at the age of twenty ... [Baba] told the owner that his son was going to college in the fall" (Hosseini 131). This quote demonstrates Amir and Baba's strong belief in education. Even though both Amir and Baba values education, they have different thoughts when it comes to Amir's career. -
The Kite Runner - Baba threatens the Nguyens
One time when Baba tries to buy goods with credit he throws a small tantrum when he is asked for a "license"(Hosseini 127). This quote illustrates how Baba is struggling to live an American life. In Afghanistan, his socioeconomic status was high, but now he belongs to a lower socioeconomic status, thus causing a trouble with Amir and the Nguyens. -
Osamabinladen
In 1984 Osama bin Laden makes his "first documented trip to Afghanistan to aid anti-Soviet fighters"(https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/asia-jan-june11-timeline-afghanistan). -
The Kite Runner - Baba is diagnosed with cancer
Soon after Amir meets Soraya, Baba develops lung cancer. After many meetings with the doctor, Amir and Baba are informed that "Like Satan, cancer had many names. Baba's was called 'Oat Cell Carcinoma.' Advanced" (Hosseini 155-156). The quote foreshadows that Baba is going to die soon. This shows us that something even a tough man like Baba are not invincible. -
The Kite Runner - Amir and Soraya gets married
Amir and Soraya could afford the wedding only because Baba gave them "$35,000,nearly the balance of his life savings"(Hosseini 145). This quote explains how Baba was willing to spend his life savings for his son. This means that Baba is atoning for his past wrongdoings by paying for the wedding fees. -
Al-Qaeda
"Osama bin Laden and 15 other Islamists form the group al-Qaida"(PBS). To start their holy-war. -
Independence
The U.S., Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the Soviet Union sign peace accords in Geneva guaranteeing Afghan independence and the"withdrawal of 100,000 Soviet troops"(https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/asia-jan-june11-timeline-afghanistan). -
The Kite Runner - Sanaubar returns
After discovering her in front of the house, Saunabar tells Hassan "'I have walked long and far to see if you are as beautiful in the flesh as you are in my dreams. And you are ... And I wouldn't even hold you. Allah forgive me" (Hosseini 210). This quote illustrates how even though it has been over twenty years, Saunabar still was feeling guilty and wanted to atone. This quote is significant because it shows us that everybody will atone to get out of their guilt. -
Mullah Omar: leader of the Taliban
Pakistan started "funneling arms, money and supplies to Mullah Omar's men, as well as military advisers to help guide them in battle" (New York Times, page 3). -
The Kite Runner - Amir visits Rahim Khan
While meeting Rahim Khan, Hosseini sees how Rahim Khan "knocked holes in the walls of their homes so they could bypass the dangerous streets" (Hosseini 199). This quote illustrates how Afghanistan turned into a dangerous place. This scene is important because while it seems to be about Amir and his new life, Rahim Khan is expanding upon his dying wish. -
9/11
After the terrorist attack on the World Trade center and the pentagon on September 11, "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..." (New York Times, page 3). -
Terrorist groups weaken
In 2001, "the invasion succeeded in dislodging Al Qaeda and removing the Taliban from power, but not in eradicating either group" (New York Times). -
The Kite Runner - Amir returns to the US with Sohrab
During a kite flying tournament, Amir was amazed when he "looked down at Sohrab. One corner of his mouth had curled up just so"(Hosseini 371). This shows the bonding moment that Amir and Sohrab have. This scene connects back to how Rahim Khan says there is a way to be good again by Amir being good again by adopting Sohrab. -
Withdrawal of American troops
Obama called for "American combat forces to begin withdrawing from Afghanistan in the summer of 2011"(New York Times).
