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Amir
At the very beginning of the book, Amir says, "I became what I am today at the age of twelve, on a frigid overcast day in the winter of 1975" (Hosseini 1). Here, Amir explains that on this day, he became the person he is now. He is foreshadowing the fact that in 1975, he experienced many things that created the young man that he is. -
kite fighting tournament
In the book, Amir says that "Every winter, districts in Kabul held a kite-fighting tournament. And if you were a boy living in Kabul, the day of the tournament was undeniably the highlight of the cold season" (Hosseini 50). Here, Amir gives the reader a brief description of something very important to many people in the place Amir lives. It shows that the kite fighting is something really important in this book, allowing the reader to pay much more attention in this section. -
kite fighting foreshadowing
The book says that, In the winter of 1975, [Amir] saw Hassan run a kite for the last time" (Hosseini 55). Here, Amir describes a foreshadowing of the time he sees Hassan run a kite for the last time. This allows the reader to question why that is the case and what causes it to be the last. -
Amir's tricks with Hassan
While Amir is talking with Hassan he says, "'Let's see. Imbecile. It means smart, intelligent. I'll use it in a sentence for you. When it comes to words, Hassan is an imbecile'" (Hosseini 29). Here, Amir tells Hassan that he is an imbecile because he is smart when really, it is a trick, that Hassan doesn't know about it. This shows that because Hassan doesn't have an education, Amir believes that he can use his power of knowledge to joke around and tell Amir a false definition. -
Hassan's foreshadowed future
Amir explains that after Hassan surgery to fix his lip, he would only have a small scar, "Which was ironic. Because that was the winter that Hassan stopped smiling" (Hosseini 47). Here, Amir states that although Hassan won't have a big scar, sometimes next winter, he won't even be smiling. this is the foreshadowing of what Hassan's future might be like, confusing the reader, and also hooking the reader into wanting to know what happens next. -
Amir and Hassan
Amir thinks to himself, "But he's not my friend!...He's my servant! Had I really thought that? Of course I hadn't. I treated Hassan...just like a friend...more like a brother...[Then], [w]hy did I play with Hassan only when no one else was around?" (Hosseini 41). Here, Hassan contemplates whether he thinks of Hassan as a friend or not, and why he doesn't. Then, he realizes, he only acknowledges Hassan's existence when they are alone, so is that being friends or not? -
Baba and Amir's relationship
In the book, Amir explains how "[he] watched [Baba] fill his glass...[wondering] how much time would pass before [they] talked again...Because...[Amir] always felt like Baba hated [him]...[he] had killed his...wife...The least [he] [could've] done was [turn] out a little like [Baba]" (Hosseini 19). Here Amir wonders when Baba will sit down and talk with him again like father and son should. He realizes that their relationship is distant because Amir isn't at all like the son Baba wanted. -
Period: to
kite runner
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Amir- foreshadowing once more
Later on in the book, Amir says, "I turned thirteen that summer of 1976, Afghanistan's next to last summer of peace and anonymity" (Hosseini 93). Here, Amir foreshadows the year he not only turns thirteen but the year Afghanistan, in a way, becomes a different lace. This lets the reader know what will be coming next, like a set up for how the book will play out. -
Hassan lying for Amir
In the book, Amir says, "I flinched like I'd been slapped. y heart sank and I almost blurted out the truth. Then I understood: This was Hassan's final sacrifice for me. If he'd said no, Baba would have believed him because we all knew Hassan never lied. And if Baba believed him, then I'd be accused" (Hosseini 105). Here, Amir made it look like Hassan stole one of his presents, forcing him to say he did. This proves that Amir thinks he has the power to control Hassan, reliving his guilt. -
Soviet Union Invasion
The article says that, "Three decades ago, Afghanistan was a stable, relatively prosperous and relatively secular country. The turmoil and extremism that have dominated its history since then can be traced to the 1979 invasion by the Soviet Union and the reaction both by Afghans and by their allies in the United States and Pakistan" (New York Times). -
Soviet troops
The article says, "The first Soviet troops parachuted into Kabul on Dec. 27, 1979, to assist Babrak Karmal, who had become president in a coup within the Afghan Communist leadership. Moscow insisted that the troops came in response to a plea for help from a legitimately constituted Karmal Government" (New York Times). -
Baba and Amir- father son relationship
In the book, Amir sees that "In the rearview mirror, Baba was hobbling up the Taheri's driveway for one last fatherly duty" (Hosseini 163). Here, Amir watches Baba while he is about to ask if Amir can marry Soraya. Amir describes this action as one last fatherly duty, which not only is foreshadowing, but also a proof that all of Amir's life, Baba has been doing things for Amir. In doing so, Baba will always be there for Amir, even when he doesn't show it. -
Amir and Baba's relationship
In the book, Baba says, "'Don't you challenge me in public, Amir. Ever. Who do you think you are?'" (Hosseini 156). Here, Baba tells Amir not to ever question what he says, especially in public because Baba needs to be seen as superior. If Amir were to question him, it would test his wiseness. In doing so, Baba can control Amir and what he does, showing his power, and how it changes because of setting. -
Baba's insecurity
In the book, while Baba is sick he says, "'No one finds out about this, you hear me? No one. I don't want anybody's sympathy'" (Hosseini 157). Here, Baba is telling Amir not to tell anyone that he has cancer because he doesn't want anyone to feel sorry for him. In doing so, it shows that Baba is going to be seen as a strong person no matter what, even if it means he must hide the truth because he believes, if the truth gets out, people will see him as a weak person. -
Baba's use of power
Amir states that, "Less than two hours ago, Baba had volunteered to take a bullet for the honor of a woman de didn't even know. Now he'd almost choked a man to death, would have done it cheerfully if not for the pleas of that same women" (Hosseini 118). Here, Amir explains that Baba uses his power in many different ways. He will stand up for a woman being treated unfairly, but also put someone in their place and possibly hurt them if he is mad. He can do these things because of the power he has. -
The last Soviet troop
The article states, "Eventually, after peace talks moderated by the United Nations, the last Soviet troops left Afghanistan in February 1989, in what was in effect a unilateral withdrawal. They left behind a country that was not only devastated by the war but that had become a beacon to Islamic extremists from across the globe who had come to assist in the fighting..."(New York Times). -
Impact on Amir's life, from Baba
In the book, Amir realizes that "how much of who [he] was, what [he] was, had been defined by Baba and the marks he has left on people's lives. [Amir's] whole life, [he] had been 'Baba's son.' Now he was gone. Baba couldn't show [Amir] the way anymore" (Hosseini 174). Here, Amir wonders who will help him live a good life and who will be the father he needs. Amir realizes that his whole life, Baba was there for him, but now isn't. In doing so, Amir is left feeling powerless, without guidance. -
soviet troops departing
The article says that, "After Soviet forces departed, Afghanistan descended into vicious internecine strife; by the summer of 1994, power was anarchically divided among competing warlords and individual fiefdoms" (New York Times). -
Mullah Omar
The article says, " Mullah Omar, a Pashtun who had lost an eye fighting the Soviets, gathered a small band of men and attacked a group of warlords who had raped a girl and shaved her head. By the end of 1994 had nearly 12,000 followers and was rolling up the warlords to the north and east. Yet...the Taliban might have withered were it not for the intervention of Pakistan...As early as 1994, Pakistani intelligence officers began funneling arms, money and supplies" (New York Times). -
Taliban
The article states that by 1996 the Taliban, "had taken control of Afghanistan, imposing strict - enforcement of fundamentalist Islamic law, banning movies and music and forcing women out of schools and into all-enveloping burqa clothing" (New York Times). -
George W. Bush
The article says that, "After the attack on the World Trade Center in New York on Sept 11, 2001, 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, notably the Northern Alliance, which represented minority tribes" (New York Times). -
The Karzai Government
The article states that, "In December 2001, Hamid Karzai, a supporter and relative of Mohammad Zahir Shah, the exiled former king of Afghanistan, was named chairman of an interim government that replaced the defeated Taliban, making him the leader of the country" (New York Times). -
Amir's values
As Amir explains that he is back in Kabul for a Hazra boy, someone asks, "'What does he mean to you?'" Amir responds, "'His father meant a lot to me...He was my half-brother'" (Hosseini 237). Here, Amir explains that the reason he values Hassan so much is that he values his father just as much, and he wants to do the right thing for the people he loves. In doing so, the reader gets an understanding of what Amir values and why he values what he does. -
United States and Afghanistan
The article states that, "The United States has been militarily involved in Afghanistan since 2001, when it led an invasion after the Sept. 11 attacks by Al Qaeda...The 2001 invasion succeeded in dislodging Al Qaeda and removing the Taliban from power, but not in eradicating either group. With American military efforts focused on Iraq, the Taliban made a steady comeback, fueled by profits from the opium trade..." (New York Times). -
Hamid Karzai- secure peace
Hamid Karzai, "took office as interim president in June 2002, saying he hoped to secure peace for Afghanistan and win the country much-needed international aid" (New York Times).