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Amir Sacrifices Hassan
Amir narrates, "In the end, I ran. I ran because I was a coward. I was afraid of Assef and what he would do to me. I was afraid of getting hurt. That's what I told myself as I turned my back to the alley, to Hassan" (Hosseini, 77). This is the main event in the novel that affected Amir the most. This is the point when he develops the guilt for not helping Hassan that stays with him for the entirety of his life. -
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Kite Runner Timeline
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Hassan and Ali Leave
Ali says, "'We can't live here anymore,' Ali said.
'But I forgive him, Ali, didn't you hear?' said Baba.
'Life here is impossible for us now, Agha sahib. We're leaving.'" (Hosseini, 106). This is when Amir's actions, or lack thereof, catch up with him and the consequences show up. Before, it was just his guilt that he was living with, now it is affecting everyone around him. -
The Soviet Union Invades Afghanistan
The article explains, "Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, has known little peace since 1979, when the Soviet Union invaded...The first Soviet Union troops parachuted into Kabul on Dec. 27, 1979..." (New York Times). -
Amir and Baba Move to America
Amir recalls, "I remember the two of us walking through Lake Elizabeth Park in Fremont, a few streets down from our apartment...Baba would enlighten me with his politics during those walks with long-winded dissertations" (Hosseini, 125). Moving to America is a big change for Amir in the novel. In America, he is able to forget his past and start a new life. -
Amir Meets Soraya
Amir speaks of when he was "Lying awake in bed that night, [he] thought of Soraya Taheri's sickle-shaped birthmark, her gently hooked nose, and the way her luminous eyes had fleetingly held [his]. [His] heart stuttered at the thought of her. Soraya Taheri. [His] Swap Meet Princess" (Hosseini, 142). Soraya represents the good in Amir's life. She is constantly very supportive of him and meeting her was an important change in Amir's life. It signifies when he begins to atone for his mistakes. -
Baba Dies
Amir narrates, "'I'll come back with your morphine and a glass of water, Kaka jan,' Soraya said.
'Not tonight,' he said. 'There is no pain tonight.'
'Okay,' she said. She pulled up his blanket. We closed the door. Baba never woke up" (Hosseini, 173). For Amir's entire life, Baba had been Amir's role model and the place where his determination sprouted from. He lived by his example and he lived to make Baba proud. Baba's death took Amir's shelter and dependent lifestyle with it. -
Amir's Novel is Published
Amir notes, "In the summer of 1988, about six months before the Soviets withdrew from Afghanistan, I finished my first novel...A month later, Martin called and informed me I was going to be a published novelist" (Hosseini, 182-183). This is one of the important successes in Amir's life. He had been constantly ridiculed for his passion for writing, but here he is finally being recognized for his talents. He was able to prove everyone wrong and do something for himself. -
Soviet Troops Leave Afghanistan
The article informs, "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" (New York Times). -
Sohrab is Born
Hosseini writes, "It was Sanaubar who delivered Hassan's son that winter of 1990" (Hosseini, 211). Sohrab plays a huge role in Amir's quest to atone for his past mistakes. Sohrab acts as a second chance for Amir to make up for his betrayal of Hassan. -
Amir and Soraya Cannot Have Children
Amir tells, "He [Dr. Rosen] sat across from us, tapped his desk with his fingers, and used the word 'adoption' for the first time. Soraya cried all the way home" (Hosseini, 186). This event represents a type of payment, or punishment for what Amir did to Hassan. Having children is an important part of Afghan culture, so the fact that he and Soraya cannot have children is very upsetting and acts as a suitable punishment for him. -
Mullah Omar Gains a Following
The article says, "By the end of 1994 Mullah Omar had nearly 12,000 followers and was rolling up the warlords to the north and east. With his promise of restoring the centrality of Islam to daily life, he created a genuinely popular movement in a country weary of corruption and brutality" (New York Times). -
Afghanistan Develops Conflict and Divide
The article explains that after the "Soviet forces departed, Afghanistan descended into viscous internecine strife; by the summer of 1994, power was anarchically divided among competing warlords and individual fiefdoms" (New York Times). -
The Taliban is Supplied With Resources
The article adds, "As early as 1994, Pakistani intelligence officers began funneling arms, money and supplies to Mullah Omar's men, as well as military advisers to help guide them into battle" (New York Times). -
Osama Bin Laden Arrives at Jalalabad
The article notes that the "Taliban also provided a haven for Mr. bin-Laden, who arrived by chartered jet at Jalalabad airport in May 1996, and for Al Qaeda" (New York Times). -
The Taliban Takes Control of Afghanistan
According to the article, "Buoyed by Pakistani aid, the Taliban by 1996 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). -
Hassan and Farzana Are Killed
Rahim Khan explains to Amir that "'The Taliban moved into the house'...'The pretext was that they had evicted a trespasser. Hassan's and Farzana's murders were dismissed as a case of self defense" (Hosseini, 219). This is the point where Amir is no longer be able to truly apologize to Hassan. This also acts as a metaphor, Hassan was killed for protecting Amir's home. Hassan died being loyal to Amir and his family, which is just another layer of guilt added to Amir's conscious. -
9/11 Attack Invasion
The article states that the United States "led an invasion after the Sept. 11 attacks by Al Queda" (New York Times). -
Hamid Karzai Becomes the Leader of Afghanistan
The article states, "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 Defends Sohrab
During dinner, General Sahib asks Amir about Sohrab, referring to him as Hazara boy. Amir replies, "'And one more thing, General Sahib,' I said. 'You will never again refer to him as 'Hazara boy' in my presence. He has a name and it's Sohrab" (Hosseini, 361). Amir, who once defined people by their social class, is now defending Sohrab and eliminating the meaning of his social class. This shows his development as a character. -
Amir Has to Prove Himself to Sohrab
Amir asks for forgiveness from Sohrab for breaking his promise.He says, "As I waited for his reply, my mind flashed back to a winter day from long ago...I had asked [Hassan] if he would chew dirt to prove his loyalty to me. Now I was the one under the microscope, the one who had to prove my worthiness.I deserved this" (Hosseini, 355). After all the years that had passed since this event, Amir is being put in the same situation as he put Hassan in.Now, he was begging Hassan's son for forgiveness. -
Sohrab Attempts Suicide
Amir remembers the "blood soaked razor sitting on the toilet tank...his eyes, still half open but light-less. That more than anything. I want to forget the eyes" (Hosseini, 348). This was a shocking event in the story. If Sohrab had succeeded in his attempt, the amount of guilt Amir would have felt would've been unbearable. And the fact that Sohrab did this because of Amir's broken promise is a parallel to Amir and Hassan. It's just that this time, Amir could change the outcome and save him. -
Rahim Khan Dies
Rahim writes in his letter, "As for me, it is time to go. I have little time left and I wish to spend it alone" (Hosseini, 302). Rahim Khan was the only father figure that Amir had left. While Baba's death was more impactful, this symbolized a true end to Amir's sheltered life. -
Amir Runs a Kite for Sohrab
The novel finishes with Amir running a kite for Sohrab. He asks, "'Do you want me to run that kite for you?'...I saw [Sohrab] nod.
'For you, a thousand times over,' I heard myself say. Then I turned and ran" (Hosseini, 371). This is the last time in the novel when Amir presents his most meaningful act of atonement. By running a kite for Sohrab, Amir is reciprocating the pure loyalty that Hassan once showed him. This event was incredibly important for Amir in making amends and was a perfect end. -
Amir Finds Out the Truth About Him and Hassan
Rahim Khan explains to Amir, "'Ali was sterile,' Rahim Khan said
'No he wasn't. He and Sanaubar had Hassan, didn't they? They had Hassan-'
'No they didn't,' Rahim Khan said.
'Yes they did!'
'No they didn't, Amir.'
'Then who-'
'I think you know who'" (Hosseini, 222). This is when Amir begins to move on from his guilt and strive to fix his mistakes. The realization of his relation to Hassan opened Amir's eyes and gave him reason and drive to become good again. -
Obama Announces His Plan to Deploy More Troops
The article notes, "In a speech delivered Dec. 1, 2009, at West Point, Mr. Obama announced his plan to deploy 30,000 additional troops [to Afghanistan]" (New York Times).