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Hassan has surgery to fix his cleft lip
After talking about the surgery, Amir writes that "that was was the winter Hassan stopped smiling" (Hosseini 47). I found this quote important/interesting because that was a really suprsing sentence. It also indicated that something bad was doomed to happen to Hassan. -
Hassan gets sexually abused
While Amir witnesses Hassan being raped, he "ran. [He] ran because [he] was a coward" (Hosseini 77). This moement is THE most important moment in the book because it resulted in all the things Amir did to atone for it. I think it would've been worth it for him to step in (possibly scare the boys away) and save Hassan from the abuse, -
Hassan and Ali leave
Looking through the window, Amir "caught one final blurry glimpse of Hassan slumped in the back seat before Baba turned left at the street corner where [Hassan and Amir had] played marbles so many times" (Hosseini 109). This quote is meaningful because it shows how many meories Hassan and Amir had together. This WOULD NOT have happened if Amir was a good friend. -
Soviet Union Invades Afghanistan
According to the article, "The first Soviet troops parachuted into Kabul on Dec. 27, 1979, to assist Babrak Karmal" ('The Soviet Invasion and After'). -
Russians invade Afghanistan. Baba and Amir leave.
On their way to Kabul, Amirr learned: "complain about the curfew to the butcher and next thing you knew, you were behind bars staring at the muzzle end of a Kalashnikov" (Hosseini 113). This quote shows how strict the people are on this trip. Also, it shows how much power has shifted once Baba and Amir left. -
Baba and Amir arrive in Fremont
Regarding the countries other than the US, Israel, and England, Baba said, "They're like gossiping old women" (Hosseini 125). This quote shows how much Baba likes the United States. It also shows how much his appreciation for Afghanistan has faded. -
Amir and Soraya get married
Amir thought of Soraya as his "Swap Meet Princess" (Hosseini 142). This quote shows how much Amir loves Soraya. It also shows that Amir can not stop thinking about her. -
United States supplies antiaircraft missiles to the rebels
Starting 1987, "the Soviet Air Force was also rendered largely useless by advanced Stinger antiaircraft missiles supplied by the United States to the rebels" ("The Soviet Invasion and After"). -
Baba dies
Thw night he didn't take his medicine, "Baba never woke up" (Hosseini 173). This quote is sad because it is when Baba dies. It also demonstrates that Baba knew that without medicine, he would pass away. -
Soviet troops leave Afghanistan
After being convinced by the UN, "the last Soviet troops left Afghanistan in February 1989" ("The Soviet Invasion and After"). -
Farzana became pregnant again
Rahim Khan told Amir, "In early 1990, Farzana became pregnant again" (Hosseini 209). This quote is important because it means Farzana is pregnant with Sohrab. Sohrab, Amir's soon to be child. -
Sohrab is born
Rahim told Amir, "They named him Sohrab, after Hassan's favorite hero from the Shahnamah" (Hosseini 211). This quote is important because Sohrab was named after a book Amir and Hassan read. This shows that Hassan still thought about Amir. -
Soraya and Amir find out they can't have children
Soraya's mother kept on saying "Maybe it wasn't meant to be" (Hosseini 186). This moment was upsetting for all as they would not have a child. However, it may result in the adoption fo another child. -
Northern Alliance takes over Kabul
Here Rahim Khan says "you risked getting shot by a sniper or getting blown up by a rocket" (Hosseini 199). This shows how much Kabul changed. The place where Amir grew up is corrupt. -
The Taliban provides a safe haven for Osama bin Laden
When Mr. bin Laden arrived at Jalalabad Airport in May 1996, "The taliban ... provided a haven for Mr. bin Laden ... and for Al Qaeda" ("The Taliban Takeover"). -
Hassan and Farzana are killed by the Taliban
While Rahim told Amir about their death, all Amir "could manage was to whisper 'No. No. No' over and over again" (Hosseini 219). Thsi shows how miserable Amir was. Hassan is now only a memory, -
The Taliban are defeated
The article briefly mentions the "defeat [of the Taliban] in 2001" ("The Taliban Resurgence"). -
Amir gets a call from Rahim Khan
In this moment, Amir tells Soraya '"I Have to go to Pakistan''' (Hosseini 191). This call is an important one because Rahim Khan tells him that he is sick. Not only is this important because Rahim Khan was a father, but it will also result in Amir learning a lot more. -
World Trade Center attacked
President Bush required the Taliban to hand over Osama bin Laden "[after the attack on the World Trade Center in New York on Sept. 11 2001" (Post 9/11 Invasion). -
Hamid Karzai named leader of Afghanistan
In December 2001, Hamid Karzai "was named chairmain of an interim government that replaced the defeated Taliban, making him the leader of the country" ("The Karzai Government"). -
Karzai takes office as interim president
Acoording to the NYT article, "He took office as interim president in June 2002" ("The Karzai Government"). -
Amir and Sohrab fly kites
In this scene, Amir writes "I ran with the wind blowing in my face and a smile as wide as the Valley of Panjsher on my lips" (Hosseini 371). This quote is important because it shows how happy Amir is. It is also the last sentence of the book. -
Sohrab smiled for the first time
WHile flying kites, "[Amir] looked down at Sohrab. One corner of is mouth had curled up just so. A smile" (Hosseini 370). This quote is important because after many days of pain, Sohrab finally expresses his happiness. This smile helped Amir regain his happiness. -
General Petraeus takes command of USCC
The article mentions that "General Petraeus, the Iraq commander who received much of the credit for the success of the surge there, had taken charge of United States Central Command in October 2008" ('Obama's War'). -
President Obama announces his plan to deplay 30,000 addition troops
The article says, "In a speech delivered Dec. 1, 2009, at West Point, Mr. Obama announced his plan to deploy 30,000 additional troops" ('Obama's War').