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Amir remembers when Baba told him that stealing is the worst sin a person could commit, and thinks, “....I always felt like Baba hated me a little. And why not? After all, I had killed his beloved wife, his beautiful princess, hadn't I?” (Hosseini 19). This quote shows the severe extent of the deep guilt Amir has always felt inside. Though it was not his fault, he knows that in being born he unwillingly killed his mother in childbirth, stealing a very precious part of Baba’s life away.
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Amir remembers “....even in birth, Hassan was true to his nature: He was incapable of hurting anyone. A few grunts, a couple of pushes, and out came Hassan. Out he came smiling” (10). This quote is a perfect characterization of Hassan. Right from the start, Hassan has always been so kind-hearted, loving, and loyal to everyone, even to those who ultimately betray him. He’d do absolutely anything to avoid causing pain to anyone, even his deserting mother or deceitful Amir.
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The article states that after leading a violent military coup, "Khan’s regime, the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan, comes to power" (http://www.timetoast.com).
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After standing by while Hassan was being harassed, Amir thinks, “Nothing was free in this world. Maybe Hassan was the price I had to pay, the lamb I had to slay, to win Baba” (Hosseini 77). This quote shows that Amir is choosing Baba’s possible praise and pride over Hassan’s constant, loyal friendship, which depicts Amir’s values and dreams. His need to justify his actions to himself also shows that he feels guilty over the cost of that decision but thinks it was worth the prize.
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As Hassan is confronted for theft, Amir notices, “They’d both been crying; [he] could tell from their red, puffed up eyes. They stood before Baba, hand in hand, and [he] wondered how and when [he’d] become capable of causing this kind of pain” (Hosseini 105). This quote shows that without even realizing, Amir has become a twisted, selfish person in trying to gain Baba’s respect. Though he continues to lie and cheat, he feels an intense sense of guilt over what he has done and who he has become.
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As PBS says, Afghanistan proclaims its independence from Soviet influence as "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" (http://www.timetoast.com).
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After one of their official ambassadors are killed, "[the] United States cuts off assistance to Afghanistan" (http://www.timetoast.com).
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Amir says, “The end, the official end, would come...when Russian tanks would roll into the very same streets where Hassan and I played, bringing the death of the Afghanistan I knew and marking the start of a still ongoing era of bloodletting” (Hosseini 36). This quote is a great example of foreshadowing; its ominous tone hints at a significant and terrible shift in the plot and characters. It also sets up the stage for what is about to come, and introduces the next chapter of Amir’s life.
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Amir explains “....the Bay Area’s smog stung [Baba’s eyes], the traffic noise gave him headaches, and the pollen made him cough. The fruit was never sweet enough, the water never clean enough, and where were all the trees and open fields?” (Hosseini 126). This quote shows Baba is finding it difficult to settle down and adjust to their new life in California. His discomfort proves the impact that setting can have on one’s sense of power, and how a shift in that power can negatively affect them.
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As PBS states, "Some 2.8 million Afghans have fled from the war to Pakistan, and another 1.5 million have fled to Iran" (http://www.timetoast.com).
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After Amir asked where Soraya’s father went in an effort to make conversation, she answers, “‘He went that way,” she said. Pointed to her right. The bracelet slipped down to her elbow, silver against olive’ (Hosseini 145). This quote shows how hopelessly in love Amir is with Soraya; he is completely infatuated with her and notices every little thing. They had a very brief, trivial conversation but Amir was so engaged that he took note of even the tiniest little aspect.
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At Baba’s funeral, Amir says, “....I realized how much of who I was, what I was, had been defined by Baba and the marks he had left on people’s lives. My whole life, I had been ‘Baba’s son’. Now he was gone. Baba couldn’t show me the way anymore; I’d have to find it on my own” (Hosseini 174). In this moment, Amir realizes that he is suddenly free from being stuck in Baba’s shadow. Baba’s death, though grievous, has given Amir the freedom to finally become himself.
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PBS states, "The Mujahadeen are receiving arms from the United States, Britain and China via Pakistan" (http://www.timetoast.com).
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Rahim Khan says, “He and Farzana moved their things into the hut in the backyard, where he was born. I pleaded for them to move into one of the guest bedrooms upstairs, but Hassan would hear nothing of it” (Hosseini 208). This shows that Hassan has remained ever loyal and respectful. He has the freedom to do anything he wants, but is still humble and courteous as always. He doesn’t get revenge on Amir or feel negatively toward him or his family, which speaks volumes of Hassan’s moral values.
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The website states, "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 other who they say oppose their goal of a pure nation governed by Islam" (http://www.timetoast.com).
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Amir says, “....I could almost feel the emptiness in Soraya’s womb, like it was a living, breathing thing. It had seeped into our marriage, that emptiness, into our laughs, and our lovemaking” (Hosseini 189). This quote shows that the couple’s infertility has very negatively impacted their relationship. Both desperately want to be parents, and as much as they are trying not to blame each other, it is gradually crippling their marriage.
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As PBS says, "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" (http://www.timetoast.com).
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When the new Islamic militia 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" (http://www.timetoast.com).
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Amir remembers the day of Hassan’s harelip surgery, thinking, “Baba, Rahim Khan, Ali, and I had huddled around Hassan’s bed, watched him examine his new lip in a handheld mirror. Now everyone in that room was either dead or dying. Except for me” (219). This quote means that gradually, parts of Amir’s past life have been slipping away, one by one. He is being left alone slowly but steadily with each death, which makes him feel melancholy, bittersweet, and increasingly lonely.
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The article claims that in March of 2001, "Ignoring international protests, the Taliban carry out their threat to destroy Buddhist statues in Bamiyan, Afghanistan, saying they are an affront to Islam" (http://www.timetoast.com).
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As Amir was being pummeled by Assef, he was laughing even as, “Another rib snapped, this time left lower. What was so funny was that, for the first time since the winter of 1975, [he] felt at peace” (289). This quote shows how truly guilty Amir has felt all this time. He thinks he deserves this punishment for what he did to Hassan, and was even looking forward to it. His new relief and tranquility demonstrates that the thrashing allowed him to finally break free of all of his past burdens.
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As Rahim Khan starts to reveals who Hassan really was, “[Amir] began to see where he was going. But [he] didn’t want to hear the rest of it. [He] had a good life in California, pretty Victorian home with a peaked roof, a good marriage, a promising writing career, in-laws who loved [him]” (222). This quote shows that a single piece of information changes Amir’s entire life and twists everything he ever knew. Though Amir feels infuriated and betrayed, everything now makes sense.
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As Sohrab is in the emergency room, Amir prays and says, “I throw my makeshift jai-namaz, my prayer rug, on the floor and I get on my knees, lower my forehead to the ground, my tears soaking through the sheet. I bow to the west” (345). This quote shows how desperate and helpless Amir feels; he hasn’t prayed in over fifteen years but is suddenly willing to do anything to keep Sohrab alive. This is significant because it shows how important Sohrab is to Amir, who needs him in order to atone.
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PBS states, "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" (http://www.timetoast.com).
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After Sohrab and Amir cut down an opponent’s kite, Amir runs the kite for Sohrab and says, “‘For you, a thousand times over” (371). These exact words have been reiterated many times throughout the novel, which illustrates their significance. Hassan would always say this to Amir before he ran kites for him, and the fact that Amir is now saying it to Hassan’s son shows how incredibly full-circle and fateful their lives have become.
