Kite Runner & the History of Afghanistan”

By kboyse

  • Hassan has surgery to fix his cleft lip

    Feeling ignored, Amir " wished [he] too had a scar that would beget Baba's sympathy. It wasn't fair. Hassan hadn't done anything to earn Baba's affections; he'd just been born with that stupid harelip" (Hosseini 46). During this time, Amir felt neglected and disliked by his father, and saw Baba's affection being poured to Hassan for what seemed to be not reason other than his disfigured lip. This sparked some jealousy in the boy, which proved just how much he craved Baba's attention constantly.

  • Amir wins kite competition, Hassan is raped

    On the same day that Amir won his kite competition, Hassan was raped by Assef. Even though he felt immense guilt for abandoning his companion, he convinced himself that “Maybe Hassan was the price [he] had to pay, the lamb [he] had to slay in order to win over Baba" (Hosseini 77). It is clear that because of the guilt Amir felt, he tried to excuse his behavior by discounting Hassan's relationship with him. Amir almost treats him as a simple step to reach his goals, rather than a friend.

  • Ali and Hassan leave Afghanistan

    When the two left Baba's residence permanently, Amir thought about how he "was sorry, but [he] didn't cry and I didn't chase the car. [Amir] watched Baba's car pull away from the curb, taking with it the person whose first spoken word had been [his] name" (Hosseini 109). Amir repeatedly expresses the guilt he feels during this time, watching those he was closest to leave as a result of his behavior. Amir knows of his responsibly in their departure, but makes no attempt to atone, despite guilt.

  • Amir's 13th birtbday is celebrated

    When Amir saw all the wonderful gifts he received for his birthday, he realized that he "didn't want any of it-it was all like blood money; Baba would have never thrown [him] a party like that if [he] hadn't won the tournament" (Hosseini 101). During his party, Amir thought about how the gifts he received were not really meant for him, they were simply an expression of Baba's influence on the community. Overall, Amir may have felt that he didn't deserve what his guests had brought for him.

  • Soviet Army invades

    In order to gain power and control "The USSR entered neighboring Afghanistan in 1979, attempting to shore up the newly-established pro-Soviet regime in Kabul. In short order, nearly 100,000 Soviet soldiers took control of major cities and highways"(Taylor). https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2014/08/the-soviet-war-in-afghanistan-1979-1989/100786/

  • Baba and Amir leave Afghanistan

    While crossing the boarder, a Russian soldier demanded time with a woman who was in the van with Baba, who came to her defense. Baba asked another passenger to, "Tell him he's wrong. War doesn't negate decency. It demands it, even more than in times of peace" (Hosseini 115). Prior to Baba's actions, Amir attempted to stop him from standing up to the officer, which further showed the same kind of fear that was brought out during Hassan's rape. Amir wishes he could act with bravery, like Baba.

  • Amir graduates high school

    On the day of Amir's graduation, Baba says to him, "'I am moftakhir, Amir,' he said. Proud. His eyes gleamed when he said that and I liked being on the receiving end of that look" (Hosseini 131). At this point in his life, Amir was finally getting the approval and attention he craved from Baba growing up. This action was a simple one, however it pleased Amir greatly, in addition to improving the two's relationship and eventually leading to Baba's atonement for years of disapproval of his son.

  • Amir meets Soraya

    After his formal introduction, Amir was "Lying awake in bed that night, [thinking] of Soraya Taheri's sickle-shaped birthmark, her gently hooked nose, and the way her luminous eyes had fleetingly held [his]. My heart shuttered at the thought of her. Soraya Taheri. My Swamp Meet Princess" (Hosseini 142). It's clear that Soraya was an interest of Amir's and their meeting was a step towards the two later getting married. This marriage eventually lead to a better relationship between Baba and Amir.

  • Amir and Soraya get permission to be married

    As the young couple are given permission to marry, Soraya wants to confess her past actions, telling Amir that he should "'know. I don't want us to start with secrets. And I'd rather you hear it from me" (Hosseini 164). After hearing about her controversial past, Soraya was worried that Amir might shun her, as what she did was considered shameful. However, he did not even begin to judge her past when thinking back upon his own, which essentially proves the unresolved guilt he continues to hold.

  • Baba dies

    On the night of Amir's wedding, Soraya buts Baba to bed and says, "'I'll come back with your morhpine and a glass of water, Kaka jan' Soraya said. 'Not tonight,' he said. 'There is no pain tonight.' ... Baba never woke up" (Hosseini 173). These last words proved once and for all that Baba really was proud of his son, essentially making it a final attempt to atone for his mistakes in the past. Overall, this helped Amir to forgive his father before his death, and leave unresolved issues behind.

  • Afghanistan, USSR, the US and Pakistan sign Geneva Accords

    The United States and Pakistan's hopes of finally ending war in Afghanistan started with how they "view the main achievement of the four interlocking Geneva accords to be the withdrawal of the 115,000 Soviet troops present in Afghanistan" (Ottaway). https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1988/04/15/agreement-on-afghanistan-signed-in-geneva/c7288c64-6764-4e73-9bc5-7eeb48f7827d/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.10325e8c654d

  • The last Soviet troops leave

    Many different aspects lead to the withdrawal of Soviet troops as Russia "suffered from a very negative diplomatic response from the United States–President Jimmy Carter put a hold on arms negotiations, asked for economic sanctions, and pressed for an American boycott of the 1980 Olympics in Moscow" (History.com). https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-last-soviet-troops-leave-kabul

  • Amir publishes his first novel

    At the news of Amir's published novel he thought to himself that, "There was so much goodness in my life. So much happiness. I wondered whether I deserved any of it. The novel was released the summer of that following year, 1989, and the publisher sent me on a five-city book tour" (Hosseini 183). This relates back to the guilt Amir continues to carry about Hassan's rape. He recognizes that he could have helped Hassan, but didn't, and continues to have trouble feeling worthy of anything good.

  • Number of people fleeing Afghanistan Increases Steadily

    Due to the dangerous living conditions and "civil war between various factions continued following the Soviet withdrawal, the number of civilians fleeing the country increased steadily, making Afghanistan the world's worst refugee crisis. By 1990, there were 6.3 million civilians in exile -3.3 million in Pakistan and 3 million in Iran" (un.org). http://www.un.org/News/dh/latest/afghan/un-afghan-history.shtml

  • Taliban take control of Kabul

    Many changes were anticipated when the Taliban took Kabul, one of which was that "they immediately forbade girls to go to school" (Hayes, Brunner, Rowen). https://www.infoplease.com/who-are-taliban

  • Hassan amd Farzana are killed by the Taliban

    Amir learns of Hassan's death, and how Taliban "'shot him in the back of the head.' ... '-Farzana came screaming and attacked them-'...' '-shot her too. Self-defense they claimed later-' But all I could manage was to whisper 'No. No. No.' over and over again. Amir has trouble accepting Hassan's death, which can all be connected back to his unresolved sins involving Hassan. This is particularly difficult news because Amir feels unworthy, and shameful, for not helping his friend years ago.

  • US-led bombing of Afghanistan

    After the horrific September 11 attacks, "The invasion of Afghanistan was the opening salvo in the United States “war on terrorism” and a response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, D.C." (history.com) https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/u-s-led-attack-on-afghanistan-begins

  • Amir stood up for Sohrab

    When the General talks about Amir's niece rudely, he quickly stands up for him telling his father-in-law that he "will never again refer to [Sohrab] as 'Hazara boy' in [Amir's] presence. He has a name and it's Sohrab" (Hosseini 361). Fianlly feeling as though his guilt had been lifted, Amir is able to stand up for Sohrab, and defend him, as he wished he was able to for Hassan, which shows how he has been able to grow not only in his actions, but also with his personal values.

  • Amir breaks his promise to Sohrab

    Amir told the boy he may be returning to an orphanage, and all Sohrab managed to say was, "You promised you'd never put me in one of those places, Amir agha," he said. His voice was breaking, tears pooling in his eyes" (Hosseini 341). After this, Sohrab attempted suicide, which was when Amir began to learn of the consequences he actions had. Over time he was able to understand his actions had repercussions, and this event was an important step towards Amir forgiving his previous behavior.

  • Sohrab attempts suicide

    When Amir found Sohrab's body in the tub he remembered the night in a blur, "Suddenly I was on my knees, screaming. Screaming through my clenched teeth. Screaming until I thigh my throat would rip and my chest explode" (Hosseini 343). Amir's terror may have been connected to a feeling of letting Sohrab down, as he had broken his promise earlier that day. This was another case in which the occurrences had ties to Amir's actions, and he was not to allow his mistakes to rob him of his family again.

  • First time Sohrab smiles

    When Amir runs down the kite for Sohrab he notices what he described as "a smile, nothing more. It didn't make everything all right. it didn't make anything all right. Only a smile. A tiny thing" (Hosseini 371). The small small had only metaphorical impact, rather than physical. However this was just as important because it essentially signaled a new beginning for Amir and his niece. The two had been through so much together (and apart) and the small expression almost made the struggle worth it.

  • Nato takes control of security in Kabul

    In hopes of creating peace in a war-havoked country, "NATO forces took control from the International Security Assistance Force, which was established following the U.S.-led victory over the Islamic fundamentalist Taliban regime in December 2001 and includes soldiers from 31 countries" (Watson). http://articles.latimes.com/2003/aug/12/world/fg-nato12

  • Afghans vote in parliamentary elections

    Officials believed the "September's parliamentary vote [could be] a historic step in their transition to democracy -- even though voter turnout has been announced as 53 percent -- much lower than it was during the presidential election in October 2004" (Esfandiari and Synovitz). https://www.rferl.org/a/1340554.html

  • President Obama announces stay of troops

    The United states president announced a revisal to his original plans for American troops. This change included the stay of "5,500 U.S. troops in Afghanistan into 2017, ending his ambitions to bring home most American forces from that war-torn country before he leaves office" (Jaffe and Ryan).
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/obama-expected-to-announce-new-plan-to-keep-5500-troops-in-afghanistan/2015/10/14/d98f06fa-71d3-11e5-8d93-0af317ed58c9_story.html?utm_term=.bae57523f6

  • President Trump sending more troops to fight Taliban

    Despite his promises coming into office President Trump decided that the "US will send more than 3,000 troops to Afghanistan in an effort to win America’s 16-year war there — the longest in US history" (Ward). https://www.vox.com/world/2017/9/19/16227730/trump-afghanistan-3000-troops-mattis