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Zahir Shah becomes king
"Zahir Shah becomes king. The new king brings a semblance of stability to the country and he rules for the next 40 years." -
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Kite Runner & the History of Afghanistan
Major events from the history of Afghanistan and the realistic fiction book, the Kite Runner. -
Mohammed Daoud Khan becomes prime minister
"The pro-Soviet Gen. Mohammed Daoud Khan, cousin of the king, becomes prime minister and looks to the communist nation for economic and military assistance. He also introduces a number of social reforms including allowing women a more public presence." -
Afghanistan and the Soviet Union become allies
"Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev agrees to help Afghanistan, and the two countries become close allies." -
Amir's Birth
While talking about his and Hassan's childhood, Amir says, "... in the winter of 1964, just one year after my mother died giving birth to me" (6). This quote explains how Amir lost his mother. This is important, because it causes Amir to grow up with only one parent to look up to and admire: Baba, which then leads him to constantly want to impress him. -
Hassan's Birth
While talking about his and Hassan's childhood, Amir says, "It was there in that little shack, that Hassan was born in the winter of 1964..." (6). This quote conveys that Amir does not know that he and Hassan are half-brothers. This is significant, because it causes him to treat Hassan badly and act superior to him. -
The Afghan Communist Party forms
"The Afghan Communist Party secretly forms. The group’s principal leaders are Babrak Karmal and Nur Mohammad Taraki." -
The Republic of Afghanistan is established
"Khan overthrows the last king, Mohammed Zahir Shah, in a military coup. Khan’s regime, the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan, comes to power. Khan abolishes the monarchy and names himself president. The Republic of Afghanistan is established with firm ties to the USSR." -
Hassan is raped
While Amir is witnessing Assef rape Hassan, he thinks to himself, "I had one last chance to make a decision. One final opportunity to decide who I was going to be. I could step into alley, stand up for Hassan - the way he'd stood up for me all those times in the past - and accept whatever would happen to me. Or I could run. In the end, I ran" (77). This quote illustrates the life-changing decision Amir makes. This stays with him for the rest of his life and causes him to have extensive guilt. -
Amir's 13th Birthday Party
During Amir's 13th birthday, Rahim Khan tells him the story of the girl he loved, who, eventually, was sent away by his father. After, he says to Amir, "Probably for the best, though... She would have suffered. My family would have never accepted her as an equal" (99). This conveys Rahim's strong influence over Amir, which eventually causes Amir to make Hassan leave. This is significant, because it leaves Amir with even more guilt than he already had, which strongly impacts his character. -
Nur Mohammad Taraki becomes president
"Khan is killed in a communist coup. Nur Mohammad Taraki, one of the founding members of the Afghan Communist Party, takes control of the country as president, and Babrak Karmal is named deputy prime minister. They proclaim independence from Soviet influence, and declare their policies to be based on Islamic principles, Afghan nationalism and socioeconomic justice. Taraki signs a friendship treaty with the Soviet Union." But a rivalry between him and Hafizullah Amin leads to fighting. -
The Soviet–Afghan War begins
"The United States cuts off assistance to Afghanistan. A power struggle between Taraki and Deputy Prime Minister Hafizullah Amin begins. Taraki is killed on Sept. 14... The USSR invades Afghanistan on Dec. 24 to bolster the faltering communist regime. On Dec. 27, Amin and many of his followers are executed. Deputy Prime Minister Babrak Karmal becomes prime minister." In early 1980, the Mujahadeen rebels unite against soviet invaders and the Afghan Army." -
Amir and Baba leave Kabul
While Amir is in a truck leaving Kabul, he thinks to himself, "I wanted to tell him I was sorry, but suddenly I was salivating, the back of my throat tasting bile... [I] threw up over the side of of the moving truck. Behind me, Baba was apologizing to the other passengers. As if car sickness was a crime" (111). This shows the disappointment and constant criticism Baba has of Amir. This conveys that, inside, Baba is actually ashamed of himself and his own past actions. -
Amir Graduates from High School
Amir remembers his high school graduation and thinks to himself, "That summer of 1983, I graduated from high school at the age of twenty... [Baba] walked to me, curled his arm around my neck, and gave my brow a single kiss. I am moftakhir, Amir,' he said. Proud" (131). This quote shows that Baba is finally accepting Amir and treating him like a true son. This is important, because it changes Amir's character by causing him to be less selfish and not always feel like he has to prove himself. -
Baba is diagnosed with cancer
After he is diagnosed with cancer, Baba's doctor suggests that he receive chemotherapy, and he responds back, "... no chemo medication for me." Then, Amir protests, but Baba cuts him off and says, "Don't you challenge me in public, Amir. Ever. Who do you think you are?" (156). This shows that even in America, Baba still holds power over Amir. This also illustrates his pride in himself, which causes him to refuse help and assistance from people even when he is in need. -
Amir turns 21 and he and Baba start going to the flea market
In the summer of 1984, "Baba sold his and bought a dilapidated '71 Volkswagen bus... [on] early Sunday mornings, we drove to the San Jose flea market off Berryessa, rented a spot, and sold the junk for a small profit" (136-137). This illustrates the power shift that occurred when Baba moved to America. He went from being very wealthy and influential, to having almost no money. This is important, because it impacts Amir by allowing him to have more opportunities and not be controlled by Baba. -
Amir marries Soraya
After Amir marries Soraya, he thinks to himself, "But I think a big part of the reason I didn't care about Soraya's past was that I had one of my own. I knew all about regret" (180). This illustrates the impact being with Soraya and her family has on Amir, by causing him to reflect on his past actions and life in Kabul. This is important, because it changes his character, by making him more aware and conscious of his actions. -
Amir finishes his first novel
Amir remembers his first novel, and thinks to himself, "In the summer of 1988... I finished my first novel, a father-son story set in Kabul..." and after it gets published he thinks "... of Baba, wishing he could have seen [him]" (182-183). This shows the freedom Amir has in America. Before, in Kabul, Baba constantly judged him for his passions, and he didn't feel comfortable to be himself. This is significant, because it affects Amir's character by causing him to be more confident in himself. -
Islamists form the group al-Qaida
In September, Osama bin Laden and 15 other Islamists form the group al-Qaida, or “the base”, to continue their jihad, or holy war, against the Soviets and others who they say oppose their goal of a pure nation governed by Islam. With their belief that the Soviet’s faltering war in Afghanistan was directly attributable to their fighting, they claim victory in their first battle, but also begin to shift their focus to America," saying it's their main obstacle. -
The Taliban rises to power
"... the Taliban, rises to power on promises of peace. Most Afghans, exhausted by years of drought, famine and war, approve of the Taliban for upholding traditional Islamic values. The Taliban outlaw cultivation of poppies for the opium trade, crack down on crime, and curtail the education and employment of women. Women are required to be fully veiled and are not allowed outside alone. Islamic law is enforced via public executions and amputations." -
Amir finds out the truth about his relationship to Hassan
After Amir learns that Hassan was his half-brother, he thinks to himself, "[there is] a way to end the cycle. With a little boy. An orphan. Hassan's son. Somewhere in Kabul... Then I told [Rahim Khan] I was going to Kabul" (226-227). This shows how Amir's value of family influences his decision to make up for his past mistakes. This is very important, because it illustrates the idea that values impact one's views on atonement. -
Rahim Khan asks Amir to visit him in Pakistan
After a phone call with Rahim Khan, Amir thinks to himself, "Come there is a way to be good again, Rahim Khan had said on the phone just before hanging up. Said it in passing, almost as an afterthought" (192). This conveys that Rahim Khan knows about what happened in the winter of 1975, but also believes Amir can and should atone for what he did. This is significant, because it illustrates how values, like friends and family, can influence one's views on atonement. -
Amir finds Sohrab in Kabul
Amir finally finds Sohrab with Assef: "... a boy dressed in a loose sapphire blue pirhan-tumbhan followed. The resemblance was breathtaking. 'I'm only here for the boy'" (279-280). This shows how Amir is finally atoning for all of his past actions. This is significant, because it strongly impacts his character, by relieving him of all his guilt and making him less selfish. -
Amir brings Sohrab to his home in California
When General Taheri asks why Amir brought Sohrab home, Amir replies back, "... That boy sleeping on the couch is Hassan's son. He's my nephew. That's what you tell when they ask... You will never again refer to him as 'Hazara boy' in my presence" (361). This shows that in America, some people still believe in the Afghan cultural expectations, but Amir does not anymore. This is significant, because it shows his development into a better person by showing him become less selfish and more kind. -
The 9/11 attack
"Hijackers commandeer four commercial airplanes and crash them into the World Trade Center Towers in New York, the Pentagon outside Washington, D.C., and a Pennsylvania field, killing thousands. Days later, U.S. officials say bin Laden, the Saudi exile believed to be hiding in Afghanistan, is the prime suspect in the attack." -
The Taliban's rule ends
"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. The move leads the Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press to declare 'the rule of the Taliban in Afghanistan has totally ended.'" -
Amir runs a kite for Sohrab
While Amir is at a gathering, he shows Sohrab how to fly a kite and asks him, "'Do you want me to run that kite for you?'... I thought I saw him nod... 'For you, a thousand times over,' I heard myself say. Then I turned and ran" (371). This depicts part of Amir's atonement for his actions towards Hassan. Many years earlier Hassan was running a kite for Amir, and now, Amir is running it for Hassan's son. This is significant, because Amir is finally being freed of his guilt.
