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Ali and Baba, brothers for life
Baba and Ali's friendship is described as "Ali and Baba grew up together as childhood playmates...Baba would laugh and throw his arm around Ali" (25). This scene is important because it illustrates how time makes bonds between people strong. It shows how important friendship is and how it correlates with happiness. Baba would have been a very different person were it not for his loving brother. -
The last kite run
The author writes about the winter that everything changed for Amir saying "In the winter of 1975, I saw Hassan run a kite for the last time" (55). Trying times change and reveal people, they sometimes crush peoples spirit so much that they are I recognizable. When people like Amir feel like things are changing all too fast it becomes overwhelming and relationships are tested. This is important because this was the beginning of the end of their friendship. -
Rekindle the friendship
Hassan tries to move on from the incident and be friends with Amir saying " 'I wish you'd come along...I don't know what I've done, Amir agha. kW wish you'd tell me. I don't know why we don't play anymore...I want you to stop harassing me. I wont you to go away' " (88). Hassan has moved on, not blaming Amir but the fact that he doesn't blame Amir only makes it harder for Amir to be near him. Sometimes not having people chastise you or say that you've done something wrong feels worse. -
The day Hassan stopped smiling
The author says "I became what I am today at the age of twelve, on a frigid overcast day in the winter of 1975. I remember the precise moment, crushing behind a crumbling mud wall...it's wrong what they say about the past, I've learned that you can't bury it. Because the past claws it's way out" (1). The bleak setting sets a tone that something sad or bad has taken place, the weather can tell a lot about a situation. It lends itself to the feelings and experiences of different people at once. -
Distance from baba
The author talks about the end of the good times between Amir and Baba describing "I think what started it was the stupid comment I'd made...I regretted saying it...but I think even if I hadn't, our happy little interlude would have come to an end" (93). This quotation is a perfect example of how things are connected, Amir made one big mistake that affected him in many ways and with multiple people. Some mistakes can be smoothed over, never fully fixed, these are hardest to forget. -
Soviet Invasiojn
The country of "Afghanistyan...has known little peace since 1979, When the Soviet Union invaded" (1). -
Start of Soviet Invasion
The attack becgan officially when "the first Soviet troopd parachuted into Kabul on Dec. 27, 1979, to assit Babrak Karmal" (2). -
Jimmy Carter
Baba had a strong dislike for Jimmy Carter because "What America and the world needed was a hard man...someone who took action instrpead of wringing his hands"(126). In times of uncertainty people need someone to be able to trust in to have their best interests in mind and fix the problem at hand, not just recognize that something is a problem and not do anything to rectify it. Baba felt uncertain and lost without guidance. Amir isn't the only one who is afraid and needs someone to look up to. -
Adjusting to new life
Baba finds adjusting to life to be hard because he believes people are distrusting. Amir explains "in Kabul, we snapped a tree branch and used it as a credit card...That was it. No questions. No ID...Baba was like the widower who remarries but can't let go of his dead wife...For me, America was a place to burry my memories. For Baba, a place to mourn his" (128-129). Change is hard for everyone and all the change at once from being forced from their home by the invaders is a lot to take in. -
Leaving Afghanistan
When Amir and Baba are leaving Afghanistan Baba gets angry at a man saying " 'Ask him where his shame is...He says this is war. There Is no shame in war...Tell him he's working. War doesn't negate decency. It demands it, even more than in times of peace' " (115). Since the Soviets arrived there has been more violence, hence Amir and Baba leaving Afghanistan, things are no longer safe and people fight often. -
Graduation
When Amir reaches the age of twenty he "Graduated from high school...Baba's beard was graying, his hair thinning at the temples, and hadn't he been taller in Kabul? He was wearing his brown suit-his only suit..."I am moftakhir,Amir, " he said. Proud" (131). Much has changed since leaving home. BothAmir and his father are worse for the wear and have been taken down a few pegs in the societal hierarchy no longer being inAfghanistan. They aren't as wealth and have seen hardship that changed them. -
The start of the flea market
On weekends Baba and Amir would go to "garage sales and b[uy] knickknacks that people no longer wanted...[and later] sold the junk for a small profit" (137). The flea market is a less esteemed way for the two of them to make money, they are no longer living in privilege but they must work for what they earn. The flea market allows them to meet other people in similar situations and is where Amir meets the love of his life. -
The passing of baba
At baba's funeral Amir " realized how much of who [he] was...had been defined by Baba and the marks he had left on people's lives...Now he was gone. Baba couldn't show me the way anymore; I'd have to find it one my own...it terrified me" (174). Change often happens in large amounts all at once and is a common fear amongst people. Anything different or new, the unknown in general is feared. Often times these experiences change people as well, or they reveal them. Time reveals this. -
The Wedding
Amir describes the wedding ceremony saying " Soraya and I looked down, solemnly respectful, casting only sideways glances at each other...We said our oaths...Sahrif jan's son, held a Koran over our heads" (170). Even when not in Afghanistan many of the traditions are carried on through ceremonies such as these. Families with a common background and homeland stay in touch and while many things have changed Amir and his family have brought some of their home with them wherever they go. -
Soviet invasion ends
The invasion ended when "the last Soviet troops left Afghanistan in February 1989, in what wasx in effect an unilateral withdrawl" (2). -
Soviet airforce declines
According to the article, "After 1986, the Soviet air force was alos rtendered largely useless by advanced Stinger antiaircraft missiles" (2). -
Mullah Omar helped to battle
Art this time "Paskiststan intelligence officers began funneling arems, money and supplies...as well as military advisers to help guide them to battle" (3). -
Peshawar
After his flight to Peshawar Amir talked to a person about the " ' terrible [things] happening in your country... Afghani people and Pakistani people they are like brothers... Muslims have to help Muslims' " (195). This instance shows the darker side of human nature, the side where people pit themselves against each other for often meaningless purposes. The fighting between people in Pakistan and Afghanistan is not too dissimilar to the fighting going on between Hassan and Amir. The brothers. -
Reunion with Rahim Kahn
Rahim Khan describes the conditions in Afghanistan after Amir askes if it is as bad as he hears. Rahim replies "Nay, it's worse...They don't let you be human...If you went...to buy a carpet, you risked getting shot...or getting blown up by a rocket' " (198-199). When people don't even feel safe doing something as simple as leaving their house to buy things it isn't like living. The fear stricken into the hearts of these people make it impossible to go about daily life. Fear consumes everything. -
9-11
On this date there was an "attack on the World Trade Center in New York on Sept. 11, 2001" (3). -
Hamid Karzai replaces taliban
In the article it reads "In December 2001, Hamid Karzia , a supporter and a rwelative of Mohammas Zahir Shah...was named chairman of an interim government that replaced the defeated Taliban" (3) -
Taliban taken over
The article states "Despite their defeat in 2001, the Taliban continued to wage guerrilla warefare from a base" (3). -
Mr. karzai as president
Now, "Mr. Karzai was elected to a five-year term ass president in 2004" (3). -
Obama's alleged date to bring Americans home
Obama vowed to "start bringing American forces home from Afghanistan in the middle of 2001" (4).