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Amir Wrote a Story
One day, Amir creates his first short story, and goes to share it with Baba, seeking Baba's pride and approval. However, after Amir proudly announces his new literary achievement, Baba "gave a thin smile that conveyed little more than feigned interest" (Hosseini 31). This event exemplifies the weak father-son relationship Amir and Baba have. Amir, constantly seeking Baba's approbation, will go to extremes to gain Baba's love. This shows the necessity of father-son relationships. -
The First Encounter with Assef
Amir and Hassan, on their way to their pomegranate tree, run into Assef, who says to Amir with contempt in his voice, "'How can you talk to [Hassan], play with him, let him touch you... How can you call him your 'friend'?' [Amir] almost blurted, 'He's my servant'"(Hosseini 41). This event exposes Amir's true perception of Hassan. Amir views him as inferior, because of his religion. This signifies the power of religion, and the fact that people pose judgement on others because of their religion. -
The Pomegranate Catastrophe
After Amir witnesses Hassan's rape in the alley, he unleashes his guilt and pelts Hassan with pomegranates crying, "'What am I going to do with you Hassan? What am I going to do with you?'" (Hosseini 93). Amir can barely stand to see Hassan, as Hassan is a constant reminder of Amir's weakness and engenders shame in Amir. Amir cannot lead a happy life while being plagued with guilt. Therefore, Amir, desperate, makes poor choices to alleviate his pain. This shows atonement is essential to move on. -
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Afghanistan History
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The Soviet Union Invades Afghanistan
The Soviet Union attempted to bolster the communist Afghan government, and assist in fighting the "anticommunist Muslim guerrillas" (Britannica). To do so, the Soviet Union invaded the country, sending in thirty thousand troops. -
Baba: The Valiant Defender
Baba and Amir were traveling in a truck to escape Kabul, rife with war, when a Russian soldier stops the truck and is about to rape a young woman when Baba steps in. The soldier aims the gun at Baba, but Baba remains unwavering, drawing protest from Amir, who thinks, "'It's done, then. Baba's dead'" (Hosseini 116). This scene demonstrates Amir's lack of integrity. Though Amir certainly knows rape is wrong, he would rather the soldier rape the woman than his father dying, showing weak character. -
Soraya's Breakdown
After overhearing two women talking about the bride's purity at a wedding, Soraya breakdowns in the car on the way home, roaring, "'Their sons go out... and get their girlfriends pregnant... Oh, they're just men having fun! I make one mistake and I [hear about] it for the rest of my life'" (Hosseini 179). In Afghan culture women are held to double standards. In this culture, people are sexist, as are cultures all around the world. This results in inequality, and reducing opportunities in life. -
Baba Reads Amir's Story
As Baba nears his final days, Amir catches Soraya hiding something under Baba's blanket. Amir lifts the blanket to find his story journal. When Amir queries about it, Baba says, "'I put [Soraya] up to it. I hope you don't mind'" (Hosseini 172). Here, Baba does something he has never done before: read one of Amir's stories. Baba knows how much pride Amir take in writing, and Baba, showing interest in them, it means the world to Amir. In a way, Baba redeems himself for Amir's lacking childhood. -
"Don't Waste Your Talents on Teaching!"
One night at dinner, General Taheri reveals his displeasure at Soraya's decision to become a teacher. He says, "'you could help write the new constitution... they might offer you a ministry position given your family name'" (Hosseini 180). Here, the theme of carrying on family legacy is exemplified. Baba too is not pleased with Amir's interests, as they do not match his own. Soraya's aspirations to become a teacher, a lowly job in the General's eyes, aren't up to par with Taheri's ideals. -
Adoption?
Upon discovering Soraya's infertility, she is devastated at the suggestion of adoption. Soraya says, "'I know it's silly and maybe vain... but I can't help it... [I want to] look in its eyes... and see you or me'" (Hosseini 186). Here, the importance of purity is exemplified. In Afghani culture, life revolves around family, and blood is a powerful thing. Legacy, and knowing one's roots is of great importance. Afghani people chose to trust each other because of knowing each other's family. -
The Soviet Union Leaves Afghanistan
After wreaking havoc all throughout the country, the Soviets left Afghanistan "despite having failed to implement a sympathetic regime" (Britannica). Throughout the Afghan War, the Soviets seized countless cities, and garrisons and used various tactics to quash rebellion. Despite the Soviets' best efforts, the rebels typically evaded their attacks. -
The Rise of the Taliban
The Taliban stemmed from a student movement "dedicated to purifying the country" (NewYork Times). The first action of the Taliban occurred when "Mullah Omar ... gathered a small band of men and attacked a group of warlords who had raped a girl and shaved her head" (NewYork Times). Promising a nation where Islam was the law of the land, the Taliban became extremely popular, and fortified with Pakistani aid, the Taliban sized control of Afghanistan. -
The Taliban's Oppression
The Taliban greatly oppressed women, "forcing women out of schools and into all enveloping burqa clothing" (NewYork Times 2). With the Taliban in power, opportunities for women were extremely limited and the Taliban separated the gender as much as possible. Men and women were forced to take different buses. Women had little freedom, punished for trivial offenses such as talking too loudly and having non-covered ankles. -
Sohrab's and Hassan's Innocence
Sohrab is plagued by guilt, thinking about hitting Assef's eye with his slingshot. He tells Amir, "'Father used to say it's wrong to hurt even bad people... sometimes bad people become good'" (Hosseini 318). Sohrab's and his father's perspective illustrates their innocence, as both of them endured adversity, pain and injustice, yet they still hold positive perspectives on people and the world. For these reasons, Sohrab fails to see that he did no wrong, and in turn, experiences immense pain. -
The Taliban Extends its Reach
The Taliban captured cities and even the capital Kabul. By 1998, the Taliban dominated the country. The group was accused of "cultural abuses...[For example] when the Taliban went ahead with the destruction of the famous Bamiyan Buddha statues in central Afghanistan, despite international outrage" (BBC 1). -
The Allowance of Kidnapping Children from the Orphanage
Farid was apoplectic with rage upon discovering Zaman allows the Taliban to take children from the orphanage. However, Farid is placated when Zaman explains, "'If I deny him one child, he takes ten... [I] take his goddamn filthy... dirty money. Then I go... and buy food for the children'" (Hosseini 257). Here, the hopelessness of poverty is demonstrated. Also, the difficulty of fighting injustice is illustrated, as Zaman must make sacrifices in order to save other children. -
Rahim Khan's Letter
Amir reads Rahim's letter which reads, "[Baba] could not love Hassan the way he longed to, openly, and as a father. So he took it out on you instead-Amir... When he saw you, he saw himself. And his guilt" (Hosseini 301). This quote demonstrates that guilt holds immense power. Baba projected his guilt onto Amir, essentially robbing Amir of an ideal childhood. Amir projected his guilt on Hassan, ruining their friendship. Ultimately, if guilt remains present in one, it's detrimental to one's life. -
Amir's Newfound Peace
Assef tells Amir he can earn Sohrab's freedom, if Amir can beat Assef in a fight. Assef proceeds to pummel Amir, breaking bones and inflicting immense pain, however, with each strike Assef delivers, Amir laughs harder. Amir "felt at peace... and laughed because [he'd] been looking forward to this" (Hosseini 289). Amir finds relief in his beating, as he feels he deserves this for abandoning Hassan. Amir caused Hassan so much pain, and it was finally returned, bringing Amir peace. -
Amir's Character Growth
One night, over dinner, General Taheri queries why Amir is housing a Hazara boy (Sohrab). Amir responds curtly, saying, "'You will never refer to him as Hazara boy in my presence'" (Hosseini 360). Here, Amir exhibits great character growth. This is a result of him learning to care for Sohrab and putting his needs before his own. Though Amir originally went to rescue Sohrab as a form of atonement, Amir found something greater than redemption. He found the gift of stronger morals. -
United States and Rebels Drive Out Taliban
Subsequent to 9/11, "President George W. Bush gave the Taliban an ultimatum to hand over Mr. bin Laden. When it refused, the United States joined forces with rebel groups that had never accepted Taliban rule [and together they] drove the Taliban out of the major Afghan cities" (NewYork Times). -
The Karzai Government
Hamid Karzai, an exiled former king of Afghanistan, assumed presidency "hop[ing] to secure peace for Afghanistan and win the country much-needed international aid" (NewYork Times). Though initially Karzai was popular nationally and internationally, his popularity declined as the economy remained poor and stagnant and corrupted officials plagued the government. -
Amir's Chance at Redemption
At Assef's house, it is evident to Amir that Assef has been sexually abusing Sohrab, when Assef "kissed the side of Sohrab's neck. [Sohrab] flinched a little, closed his eyes again" (Hosseini 282). This in a way, is the same situation Amir was faced with years ago. However, instead of choosing cowardice, Amir can stand up for Hassan and atone for his choice made many years ago. Amir can make Baba proud, stand up for Hassan, and show his character growth. -
The First Melting
One day, Amir cuts a kite for Sohrab, and Amir loooks down and sees Sohrab's "mouth curled up just so... [It was] hardly there. But there" (Hosseini 371). For the past few months, Amir endured months of Sohrab's silence and lack of smiles. However, here, Sohrab smiles. Though the smile certainly doesn't mean anything, it is a omen of hope. This demonstrates that in the darkest of times, hope is the only positive. Though hope is unsubstantial, sometimes it is an essential to keep moving on. -
The Taliban Resurgence
American military forces became occupied with the warring in Iraq, and the "Taliban regrouped and began to extend its influence in the southern part of Afghanistan... [The American forces] struggled against insurgency that grew larger, better coordinated and more deadly each year" (NewYork Times 3). -
Obama is Bringing American Troops Home
Though President Obama declared the deployment of thirty-thousand more troops, he "vowed to start bringing home American forces home from Afghanistan in the middle of 2011, saying the US could not afford and should not have to shoulder an open-ended commitment" (NewYork Times 4). -
Obama's War
The Obama organization became more aggressive in Afghanistan sending in more troops. The U.S. is trying to "convince Afghans that the United States is not walking away and to warn the Taliban that aggressive operations against them would continue" (NewYork Times 4).
