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Baba builds an orphanage.
When Baba builds the orphanage he shows us the lasting power of emotion. When Amir was little "Baba decided to build an orphanage" (Hosseini 13). Baba felt guilty for what he did to Ali, so to atone for it he built an orphanage. Baba's feeling of guit was so strong that years later he still made up for it. -
Hassan is raped for the Kite
Hassan's being raped shows us how much power can corrupt. After the assult Amir watched "Assef and the other two sprinting by, laughing" (Hosseini 77). When Assef has all the power over Hassan he does something nobody in their right mind would do. He did something incredibly sinful just because he had the power to do so. -
Hassan keeps the Kite
When Hassan refuses to give the blue kite to Assef he shows us the true loyalty he has towards Amir. After Amir runs away from the rape of Hassan he sees that Hassan "had the blue kite in his hands," (Hosseini 78). The fact that Hassan went through all that he had to, just to give the kite to Amir, shows how loyal he is. -
Amir causes Hassan+Ali leave
When Amir places his birthday gifts under Hassans mattress and causes them to leave he shows us how crazy guilt can make you. The day after his birthday party Amir decides that if Hassan left that would be best for both of them, so he "planted [his] new watch and a handful of Afghani bills under it," (Hosseini 104). Amir is so racked with guilt he makes a stupid and painful decision and sends Hassan away. If he was thinking clearly he would not have made this decision. -
Soviet Union Invades Afghanistan
Most modern Conflict in Afghanistan started when, on December 27, 1979, "Soviet troops parachuted into Kabul" ("Afghanistan - An Overview") -
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Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
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Kamal dies in Pakistan
Kamal's depression and death show us how even wrongdoers are people. During the escape from Afghanistan Amir sees Kamal and tells us that "[h]e had withered" (Hosseini 120). Even though Kamal was evil he was still a human and the war had taken a toll on him. He was just like any of us and he ended up dieing just like any of us would. -
Baba's outburst in America
When Amir takes responsibility for Baba's actions in the shop he shows the power shift between them in America. After Baba's outburst Amir says that he will "take him home" and "pay for everything" (Hosseini 128). Amir has almost taken on the roll of the parent, cleaning up Baba's messes. In America, Amir takes over as the responsible one. -
Amir learns about Soraya's past
After Amir learns about Soraya's past he learns that he needs to get his secret out too, in the end though he is too cowardly. He "opened [his] mouth and almost told her," (Hosseini 165). Amir wants to let his secret go. If he does he could feel relieved of a burden like Soraya. -
Amir's marrage
When Amir marries Soraya and Baba uses his life savings to pay for it, Baba shows us how you need to live life to the fullest. When Amir and Soraya get engaged "Baba didn't have months to live," (Hosseini 169). So they decide to get married as soon as possible. Baba having little time left decides to go out with a bang and spends his entire life savings on the cerimony. Baba knew that he needed to live the rest of his life the way he wanted to. -
Baba dies
Baba's death shows us that even with the greatest people can be toppled by the smallest things. After Amir and Baba learn that there is something in his lung the doctor askes "your father smokes right?" (Hosseini 154). The doctor is implying that Baba has lung cancer caused by smoking. Baba eventually is killed by the lung cancer. He is toppled not by a bear or by war but by a cigerette. -
Last Soviet troops leave Afghanistan
In 1989 "the last Soviet troops left Afghanistan" ("Afghanistan-An Overview" -
Sanubar returns
When Sanubar return's she shows how guilt can change people. When Hassan was born she "wouldn't even hold [him]" but when Farzana gives birth to Sohrab "she never wanted to let go" (Hosseini 210-211). Sanubar orginally wouldn't even hold her own sun but she finally gave in and came back a different woman. -
Taliban is Formed
The Taliban started in 1994 from " a student movement dedicated to purifying the country" ("Afghanistan-An Overview") -
Osama bin Laden arrives in Afghanistan
In May of 1996 "[t]he Taliban provided a haven for Mr. bin Laden" ("Afghanistan-An Overview") -
Taliban take control of Afghanistan
By 1996 the Taliban had "taken control of Afghanistan" ("Afghanistan-An Overview") -
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Taliban Control Afghanistan
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Baba's secret is revealed
In Pakistan Rahim Khan tells Amir about Baba's affair with Sanubar, this shows how nobody is free from sin. In Baba's own definition" [he] had been a theif" (Hosseini 225). Even Baba a man that Amir thought was perfect had sinned just like him. -
Amir is saved by Sohrab
During the fight with Assef Amir is saved by Sohrab showing us that big things can come in tiny packages. During the fight Sohrab shot his sling =shot a Assef then "[he] was screaming. He put his hand where his eye had been just a moment ago," (Hosseini 291). Even though he was a small child he had taken down Assef. If he hadn't shot Assef in the eye Amir would have died. -
Sohrab attempts suicide
Sohrab attempts suicide because he is scared showing us how irrational fear can make us. After he is told about the orphanage Sohrab is terrified "he was trembling, snot and tars mixing on his face" (Hosseini 342). Sohrab is terrified so terrified that he wants to kill himself. Even though the orphanage is a nice one in Pakistan he is scarred by the one in Kabul and is driven to kill himself just because of his fear. -
9/11 attacks
On September 11 Al Qaeda flew two air planes into the World Trade Center buildings in New York. -
Taliban loses control of Afghanistan
In November of 2001 A force containing American and Northern Alliance troops "drove the Taliban out of the major Afghan cities" ("Afghanistan-An Overview"). -
Sohrab is finally happy in America.
When Sohrab comes to America he shows how with perserverence everything works out in the end. At the park when they were flying kites Amir looked down at Sohrab and saw that "{[o]ne corner of his mouth had curled up just so," (Hosseini 370). Sohrab stuck through it in America and in the end became happy. If he had given up and commited suicide he would ever have been happy. -
Hamid Karzai elected
In 2004 "Mr. Karzari was elected to a five-year term as president" ("Afghanistan-An Overview"). -
Obama annouces his plans for involvement
President Obama unvieled his plans for US involvement in Afghanistan at a speech delivered at West Point. He planned "to deploy 30,000 additional troops." ("Afghanistan-An Overview") -
Osama Bin Laden is killed
On May 2nd Navy SEALS stormed bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad Pakistan, killing him. -
Amir's love at first sight
At the swap meet in America Amir shows us that love at first sight is true when he does exactly that with Soraya. After Amir saw her he "fought the urge to look toward the grey van," (Hosseini 141). Immediatly after seeing Soraya, Amir falls in love with her. This is love at first sight.