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Baba was born
Amir exclaims, "In 1933, the year Baba was born..." (Hosseini 24). Baba's birth is a crucial event in this book because if Baba was not born, the main characters in this book would not be created. In addition, Baba set an example for those in Afghanistan and was a major idol for both his family and society. -
Baba builds orphanage
Amir describes, "In the late 1960s, when I was five or six, Baba decided to build an orphanage" (Hosseini 13). This event shapes Baba and Amirs lives. Baba is known for his kind heartedness and he earns his respect and high socioeconomical status because of his charity work. In addition, Amir works for the rest of his life to try to amount to Babas accomplishments, and this event was one of the things that he tried to strive to achieve. -
Daoud Khan's Coup
Amir exclaims, "As it turned out, they hadn't shot much of anything that night of July 17, 1973. Kabul awoke the next morning to find that the monarchy was a thing of the past"(Hosseini 36). This is a historical event that affects the characters and city of Afghanistan. This was the start of the Taliban. These were the deceitful murderers that killed Hassan and his wife. When Amir returns to Afghanistan from America he will find an unrecognizable city that was once the great place he grew up in. -
Hassan's harelip surgery
Amir recalled, "I kept thinking of that day in 1974, in the hospital room, just after Hassan's harelip surgery" (Hosseini 219). This foreshadows the fact that Baba is Hassans biological father. It hints this because Hassan is a servant, yet Baba put a lot of effort into his well-being. Also, he wanted to fix this because since Baba created Hassan, the defect is technically partially his fault. -
Hassan is violated
Amir horridly exclaims, "'I watched Hassan get raped,' I said to no one," (Hosseini 86). This is an extremely important event in the story because Amir spends the rest of his life attempting to atone not helping Hassan. In addition, this is the reason why Hassan and Amir's relationship is comprimised and they begin to drift apart and never resolve this unspoken issue. It remained an awkward gaping hole in both of their hearts. -
Soviets invade Afghanistan
"the Islamic Republic of Afghanitan, has known little peace since 1979, when the Soviet Union invaded," (1). -
Soviet Union Invades Afghanistan
Afghanistan "has known little peace since 1979, when the Soviet Union invaded," (NY Times, 1) -
Soviet Troops Invade Kabul
The article states, "The first Soviet troops parachuted into Kabul on Dec. 27, 1979," (NY Times, 2) -
Jalalabad Trip
Amir said, "There would be no truck, Karim told us after we'd spent a week in the rat-infested basement," (Hosseini, 120). Everyone had to get along because the truck broke down. Through this time together, Amir how fortunate he is after witnessing the struggle of other families. -
Baba diagnosed with lung cancer
Baba is diagnosed with "Oat cell Carcinoma"(156). The fact that Baba got sick is a tragic event in the story. He refuses treatment and this eventually leads to a premature death. His passing shakes Amir substantially, as he became fully responsible for himself. -
Rahim tries to find Hassan
Rahim exclaims, "There were a lot of reasons why I went to Hazarajat to find Hassan in 1986" (Hosseini 203). Due to the fact that he was lonely, Rahim attempted to find Hassan. Hassan was a man and was still alive when Rahim found him, which was a huge surprise because many of the Hazaras had been killed. Rahim exchanged information with Hassan. This is extremely important because this info would eventually be given to Amir and would prompt him to find Sohrab to atone for his mistakes. -
Amir gets Married
Amir's wedding was "the happiest day of [his] life."(Hosseini 165). This day he married the love of his wife and officially became responsible for someone other than himself. This was the beggining of a happy yet stressful time. -
Soviets Leave Afghanistan
The article states, "the last Soviet troops left Afghanistan in 1989,' (NY times, 2) -
Sanaubar Returns
When Sanauber sees Hassan she says, "I have walked long and far to see if you are as beautiful in the flesh as you are in my dreams" (Hosseini, 210). Her return is very important because Hassan grew up without a maternal figure and missed her in his life. Also, Hassan and Sanaubar became close when she returned up until her death, which helped Hassan greatly because she showed him that she still loved him all of the time she was away. -
Shah began reign
In 1933, "Zahir Shah began his forty-year reign of Afghanistan..." (Hosseini, 24). This mans rule started the hatred towards Hazaras. This effecting the entire book because it damaged Hassan and Amir's relationship, was the indirect reason of Hassan's death, and caused thousands of Hazaras to be killed. Also, the hatred towards Hazaras is the reason Hassan was sadly violated. -
Mullah Omar has 12,000 followers
The article states, "By the end of 1994 Mullah Omar had nearly 12,000 followers," (NYT, 2) -
Taliban has control of Afghanistan
The article states, "the Taliban by 1996 had taken control of Afghanistan," (NYT, 3). -
Rahim Khan Calls
Amir exclaims, "One day last summer, my friend Rahim Khan called from Pakistan" (Hosseini 1). This is extremely important because the introduction to the story, and particularly this phone call sets scene and introduces the point of the story. In addition, this moment ties back in the end of the story. In this phone call, Amir learns that Mr. Khan is sick, which prompts him to return to where he was raised and learn about Hassan's death and Sohrab. These are major points in the plot. -
Rahim Khan Dying Wish
Rahim Khan says to Amir, "I want you to go to Kabul. I want you to bring Sohrab here..'"(Hosseini 193). This is extremely important because it prompts Amir to go on the mission to rescue Sohrab. Ultimately, he saves Sohrab's life and his nephew gets to live safely in America with Amir. Also, this allowed Amir to atone for his wrong doing when he left Hassan alone to be violated. -
Sohrab Attemps Suicide
When Amir opened the bathroom, he "'pushed the door open. Stepped into the bathroom. Suddenly I was on my knees, screaming. Screaming through my clenched teeth. Screaming until I thought my throat would rip and my chest explode. Later, they said I was still screaming when the ambulance arrived." Sohrabs attempt to kill himself was an eye awakening event in the story. Amir learned that he must take him home to America and make sure Sohrab doesn't return to the orphanage. -
Amir flies kite for Sohrab
Amir says to Sohrab," 'Do you want me to run that kite for you?' ...I thought I saw him nod. 'For you, a thousand times over,'"(371). This is a very special moment for Amir and Sohrab because Amir has finally atoned for his mistakes to Hassan by finding Sohrab and taking care of him. Also, Amir uses a phrase that Hassan once said to him. -
Hamid Karzai elected as President
"Mr. Karzai was elected to a five-year term aa president in 2004," (3). -
Obama Speech
The article states,"In a speech delivered on Dec. 1, 2009, Obama...," (NY Times, 4) -
Obama vows to bring home troops
"He vowed to start bringing American forces home from Afghanistan in the middle of 2011," (4). -
Forces from Afghanistan come home to US
"the United States will have forces in the country until at least the end of 2014," (4)