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Daoud Khan takes Afghan Throne
Cousin of current king Zahir Shah, Daoud Khan, takes over Afghan throne and "ended the king's forty-year reign with a bloodless coup" (Hosseini 36). The government is changed from a constitutional monarchy to a republic led by a president. -
Hassan has Surgery to Fix His Cleft Lip
At Hassan's 10th birthday, Baba gives him surgery to fix his cleft lip. "'It's an unusual present, I know,' Baba said. 'And probably not what you had in mind, but this present will last you forever'" (Hosseini 46) This quote demonstrates the affection that Baba has for Hassan. Instead of getting him a material present, he gets him surgery to fix his cleft lip. This foreshadows the future revelation that Hassan is Baba's son, and shows one way that Baba demonstrates his affection. -
Amir Wins the Kite Flying Contest
Amir finally beats the blue kite after many hours of work. "Then the moment came. I closed my eyes and loosened my grip on the string. . . . I didn't need to hear the crowd's roar to know. I didn't need to see either. Hassan was screaming and his arm was wrapped around my neck" (Hosseini 72). This quote illustrates the happiness that Amir feels for finally winning the kite competition. All Amir wants to do is make Baba happy, and he accomplishes this goal by beating the other kite. -
Hassan is Raped
After the kite contest, Hassan runs the blue kite for Amir. Assef meets him and takes out his anger. "I had one last chance to make a decision. One final opportunity to decide who I was going to be. I could step into that alley, stand up for Hassan-the way he'd stood up for me all these years. Or I could run. In the end, I ran" (Hosseini 77). This quote shows how Amir is a coward because it illustrates how he doesn't help his friend. Amir's fear of Assef left a lasting mark on his relationships. -
Amir Turns 13
Amir finally turns 13 after the rape with Hassan. "I turned 13 that summer of 1976 . . . Things between Baba and me were already cooling off again. I think what started it was the stupid comment I'd made the day we were planting tulips, about getting new servants" (Hosseini 93). This quote exemplifies Amir and Baba's relationship by showing how they can't be friendly with each other for long. This shows how the differences in their personalities make it hard for them to connect with each other. -
Ali and Hassan Leave
Ali and Hassan leave Baba and Amir. "He walked to the driver's side . . . They talked that way awhile . . . But when he straightened, I saw in his slumping shoulders that the life that I had known since I'd been born was over" (Hosseini 108) This quote shows the relationship between Ali and Baba, by showing how they deeply they care for each other. In addition, it foreshadows the relationship between Amir and Hassan being revealed towards the end of the book, by showing how distraught Baba is. -
Rebellion Against Afghan Government Begins
A rebellion against the new Afghan government begins with an uprising in Nuristan Province, led by the Soviets who want to take the country over. "The Soviets parachuted into Nuristan province were . . . the beginning of the war. They came, we had . . . no chance to fight them." (Kakar, Mohammed. The Soviet Invasion and the Afghan Response) -
USSR Declares War on Afghanistan
Soviet war in Afghanistan: Fearing the collapse of the Amin regime, the Soviet army invaded Afghanistan. "Moscow insisted that the troops came in response to a plea for help from a legitimately constituted Karmal Government. But most Western analysts say the Soviets engineered the coup as a pretext to replace Hafizullah Amin, the Afghan leader, who had lost their trust." (N.Y. Times 2) -
Soviet Troops Begin Occupation of Major Cities
Operation Storm-333: Soviet troops occupied major governmental, military and media buildings in Kabul, including the Tajbeg Palace, and executed Prime Minister Amin. "The first Soviet troops parachuted into Kabul on December 27, 1979, to assist Babrak Karmal, who had become president in a coup within the Afghan leadership" (N.Y. Times 2). -
Russians Invade Afghanistan and Amir and Baba Leave
Baba and Amir decide to leave after the Russians invade Afghanistan. ". . . since we'd left Kabul just after two in the morning . . . What was I doing on the road in the middle of the night? I should have been in bed, under my blanket, a book with dog-eared pages at my side" (Hosseini 111-113) This quote shows the effect that the invasion had on Amir and Baba's lifestyle. As they leave behind Kabul, they also leave behind Ali and Hassan, who will survive the Russian invasion. -
Baba Defends Stranger in Truck
On the way to America, a Russian soldier wants to take an American woman. Baba defends her honor. "That was when Baba stood up . . . 'Ask him where his shame is.' They spoke. 'He says . . . There is no shame in war.' 'Tell him he's wrong. War doesn't negate decency. It demands it" (Hosseini 114-115) This quote shows the strength of Baba's morals, and how far he is willing to go to defend them. In this example, he is even willing to risk his own life to defend someone who he has never met before. -
Amir Graduates from High School
After arriving in American, Amir graduates high school. "Then he saw me and waved. Smiled. He motioned for me to wear my mortarboard, and took a picture of me . . . I smiled for him--in a way, this was his day more than mine. . . . 'I am moftakhir, Amir,' he said. Proud." This quote shows how Baba sees their new life in America--as a turning point. The way that Hosseini displays this in the text makes this unexpected day interesting. In the wake of the pain with Afghanistan, Baba is happy. -
Amir Gets Married to Soraya
Amir and Soraya are finally married, with Baba and the Taheris presiding over the wedding. "Around 2AM, the party moved from the banquet hall to Baba's apartment. Tea flowed once more and music played until the neighbors called the cops" (Hosseini 171) This quote shows how much Baba still loves to party, even with his cancer. Even after a rough transition from Afghanistan to the US, getting a terminal illness, and becoming weak, Baba's strength of spirit is still apparent in his love to party. -
Baba Dies
Baba finally dies in his own courageous fashion. "When we lowered him, he had Soraya turn off the bedside lamp. He asked us to lean in, gave us each a kiss . . She pulled up his blanket. We closed the door. Baba never woke up" (Hosseini 173) This quote shows the final strength of spirit from Baba, and his desire to die on his own terms. His final act of not taking any painkillers before bed shows his strength of spirit and courageousness, and how his death is just as willful as his life. -
Soviets Begin Removal of Troops from Afghanistan
Soviet war in Afghanistan: The Soviet government signed the Geneva Accords, which included a timetable for withdrawing their armed forces. "Eventually, after peace talks moderated by the United Nations, the last Soviet troops left Afghanistan. . . . They left behind a country that was not only devastated by the war but that also had become a beacon to Islamic extremists from across the globe" (N.Y. Times 2). -
Last Soviet Troops Leave Afghanistan
Soviet war in Afghanistan: The last Soviet troops left the country after the signature of the Geneva Accords. "After Soviet forces departed, Afghanistan descended into vicious internecine strife; by the summer of 1994, power was anarchically divided among competing warlords and individual fiefdoms" (N.Y. Times 2) -
Civil War Begins in Afghanistan
Civil war in Afghanistan (1989-1992): Afghan political parties signed the Peshawar Accord which created the Islamic State of Afghanistan and proclaimed Sibghatullah Mojaddedi its President. "On April 24, 1992, the leaders in Peshawar agreed on and signed the Peshawar Accord establishing the Islamic State of Afghanistan. The Defense Ministry was given to Massoud while the Prime Ministership was given to Hekmatyar. Hekmatyar refused to sign." (Peshawar Accord by University of Ulster 2) -
Taliban Initiates Military Campaign
The Taliban, with Pakistani support, initiated a military campaign against the Islamic State of Afghanistan and its capital Kabul. By the end of 1994, Mullah Omar had nearly 12,000 followers and was rolling up the warlords to the north and east. . . . Yet even with popular support, the Taliban might still have withered were it not for the intervention of Pakistan, its neighbor to the east. As early as 1994, Pakistani intelligence officers began funneling [resources]" (N.Y. Times 3). -
Taliban Seizes Control of Afghanistan
At this time, the Islamic group the Taliban conquers other local warlords and groups and establishes itself in a position of power in Afghanistan. "Buoyed by Pakistani aid, the Taliban by 1996 had taken control of Afghanistan, imposing strict enforcement of fundamentalist Islamic laws, banning movies and music and forcing women out of schools and into all-enveloping burqa clothing ("N.Y. Times 3"). -
Hassan and Farzana are Killed by the Taliban
After the Taliban try to take the house that Baba had owned, they kill Hassan and Farzana in "self-defense". "Then I saw something else: a man dressed in a herringbone vest pressing the muzzle of his Kalashnikov to the back of Hassan's head. The blast echoes through the street of my father's house. Hassan slumps to the asphalt" (Hosseini 219). This quote shows Hassan's loyalty to Baba, even after his death. He defends his house, even if that means the eventual death of him and Farzana. -
Amir Returns To Afghanistan
After being called by Rahim Khan, Amir returns to Afghanistan. "I lowered the phone into the cradle and stared at it for a long time. It wasn't until Aflatoon startled me with a bark that I realized how quiet the room had become . . . 'You look pale, Amir,' Soraya said from the couch" (Hosseini 190) After 15 years of oblivion, Amir is taken back to his childhood home to finally fix his sins from boyhood. The experience is difficult, and he, like many others, would prefer to forget his mistakes. -
Assef Is Injured by Sohrab
During the fight with Assef, Sohrab shoots a metal ball into Assef's eye. "The slingshot made a thwiiiiit sound when Sohrab released the cup. Then Assef was screaming. He put his hand where his left eye had been just a moment ago. Blood oozed between his fingers." (Hosseini 291) This quote shows how Assef gets his revenge for Amir, which is violent. In the end, his eye is shot out by Sohrab, which is ironic because of all the damage and death that Assef has caused over his life. -
Sohrab Tries to Commit Suicide
After learning that he has to go to an orphanage, Sohrab tries to commit suicide. "I pushed the door open. Stepped into the bathroom. Suddenly I was on my knees, screaming. Screaming until I thought my throat would rip and my chest would explode. Later, they said that I was still screaming when the ambulance arrived" (Hosseini 343) This quote shows how much Amir cares for and is dependent on Sohrab to bring back his memories of Hassan. After he tries to commit suicide, Amir is very distraught. -
World Trade Center Destroyed in Terrorist Attack
World trade center is destroyed by hijacked flights from 19 islamic terrorists. "Four passenger airliners operated by two major U.S. passenger air carriers (United Airlines and American Airlines) were hijacked by 19 al-Qaeda terrorists. Two of the planes, American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175, were crashed into the North and South towers of the World Trade Center complex in New York City. Within an hour and 42 minutes, both 110-story towers collapsed" (CBC News 1) -
Sohrab Smiles for The First Time
Finally, after returning to the US, Sohrab smiles after almost a year of being mute. "I looked down at Sohrab. One corner of his mouth had curled up jost so. A smile. Lopsided. Hardly there. But there . . . 'Do you want me to run that kite for you?' . . . 'For you, a thousand times over'" (Hosseini 371) This quote ends the story on a decisive and positive note, by completing the loop from the beginning to end. The events that happen to Amir are finally brought back in this facsimile of the past. -
Progress Tracker - 10 Historical Events
Change to O's when done:
10 historical events:
OOOOOOOOOO
Ev1: Daoud Khan takes Afghan Throne
Ev2: Rebellion Against Afghan Government Begins
Ev3: USSR Declares War on Afghanistan
Ev4: Soviet Troops Begin Occupation of Major Cities
Ev5: Soviets Begin Removal of Troops from Afghanistan
Ev6: Last Soviet Troops Leave Afghanistan
Ev7: Civil War Begins in Afghanistan
Ev8:Taliban Initiates Military Campaign
Ev9:Taliban Seizes Control of Afghanistan
Ev10:World Trade Center Destroyed in Terrorist Attack -
Progress Tracker - 15 Plot Events
change to Os:
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
1:Hassan is Raped
2:Amir Wins the Kite Flying Contest
3:Hassan has Surgery to Fix His Cleft Lip
4:Hassan and Farzana are Killed by the Taliban
5:Amir Turns 13
6:Amir Graduates from High School
7:Baba Defends Stranger in Truck
8:Ali and Hassan Leave
9:Russians Invade Afghanistan and Amir and Baba Leave
10:Amir Gets Married to Soraya
11:Baba Dies
12:Assef Is Injured by Sohrab
13:Amir Returns To Afghanistan
14:Sohrab Tries to Commit Suicide
15:Sohrab Smiles