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Amir's First Short Story
In an attempt to play a prank, Amir makes up a story while reading to Hassan instead of following the storyline. But instead of rejecting it, Hassan calls it "the best story [Amir has] read [him] in a long time" (Hosseini 30). Inspired, Amir writes his first story on a man seeking riches through a magic cup that converted tears into pearls. This demonstrates how Amir finds encouragement and praise from others very motivating. This is due to his lack of approval from Baba. -
Hassan's Birthday Present
For Hassan's birthday, Baba had Dr. Kumar over, who would "fix things on people's [faces]" (Hosseini 45) in order to fix Hassan's harelip. This shows Baba's love to Hassan. In doing so, he reveals a one sided relationship with a son that never returned the same love -
Hassan's Rape
Amir says that "[he] became what [he was] today at the age of twelve, on a frigid overcast day in the winter of 1975 ...peeking into the alley" (Hosseini 1). Amir talks about the day that "came along and changed everything" (Hosseini 2), when his friend and servant was raped by Assef, and the only thing he does is watch and run.This shows that Amir considers this the turning point of his life. He believes that this was what changed him, for better or worse. -
Ali and Hassan Leave
After Amir's birthday, Ali makes a sudden decision to return to Hazarajat with Hassan to protect him. Amir immediately "knew whom Ali was protecting him from" through Ali's "cold, unforgiving look", yet "strangely, [Amir] was glad someone knew" (Hosseini 106). This shows that Amir's guilt was causing him so much pain to the point where he wanted Hassan to leave. When his watch scheme failed, he would rather Ali hate him and take his "son" away then have Hassan stay. -
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The Soviet Union Invasion
The Soviet Union Invasion was the beginning of a long period of turmoil and extremism for Afghanistan. "The first Soviet troops parachuted into Kabul on Dec. 27, 1979" (New York Times) to support an Afghan Communist president Unfortunately, "Soviet troops stayed in the country for more than nine years" (New York Times). After moderated peace talks by the U.N., the Soviet troops left on February 1989, leaving a "country devastated by war...[where] power was anarchically divided" (New York Times). -
Baba and Amir Escape Kabul
In order to escape violence, Baba and Amir join "Karim [who] was a people smuggler [that drove] people out of Shorawi-occupied Kabul to the relative safety of Pakistan" (Hosseini 111). This shows Baba's love for Amir. He loves his home, but he knows that it isn't safe or good for Amir -
Baba Saves a Woman
When a Russian soldier asks for an hour with a woman, Baba challenges him, saying, "'Tell him I'll take a thousand of his bullets before I let this indecency take place'" (Hosseini 116). Amir is immediately reminded of his own incident with raping, thinking "Some hero I was, fretting over the kite" (Hosseini 116). This demonstrates that Baba's proud, brave nature only furthers Amir's guilt over Hassan. He knows that if he was like Baba, he would've saved his friend. -
Amir Graduates High School
Amir narrates, "That summer of 1983, I graduated from high school at the age of twenty... 'I am moftakhir, Amir,' [Baba] said. Proud" (Hosseini 131). This shows that Amir values Baba's praise a lot. Graduating high school and a few short words of praise is not a huge deal for everyone, but Amir marks this as one of the best moments in his life. -
Soviet Air Force Rendered Useless
New York Times reports, "After 1986, the Soviet Air Force was rendered largely useless by advanced stinger anitaircraft missiles" (New York Times). -
Baba Passes Away
A month after Soraya and Amir's marriage, Baba dies peacefully. Amir realizes that his whole life "had been defined by Baba and the marks he had left on people's lives. [For Amir's] whole life, [he] had been 'Baba's son.' Now he was gone. Baba couldn't show [Amir] the way anymore; he'd have to find it on [his] own" (Hosseini 174). This shows Amir's attachment to Baba and his realization that he is unable to grow without him around. In doing so, Amir begins to mature and find his own path. -
Sohrab's Birth
Rahim Khan tells Amir that "Hassan's son [was born] the winter of 1990" and that he was named "Sohrab, after Hassan's favorite hero from the Shahnamah" (Hosseini 211). This illustrates the importance of Amir in Hassan's life and how much he cherished those moments reading books underneath the tree. Even though things went wrong between him and Amir, Hassan named his child after something Amir had brought him. -
Sanaubar Returns
Sanaubar returned many years after abandoning her family, yet Hassan welcomed her with opened arms and "told her she could cry if she wanted to but she needn't [and that] she was home now [with her family]" (Hosseini 210). This demonstrates Hassan's love for others. Just like he forgave Amir for abandoning him, he forgave Sanaubar just as quickly. -
Funding of Taliban Begins
The Taliban would've easily fallen if it weren't for "Pakistani intelligence officers funneling arms, money, and supplies" (New York Times). -
Mullah Omar's Growing Movement
New York Times states, "By the end of 1994, Mullah Omar had nearly 12,000 followers and was rolling up 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). -
Taliban Officially Takeover Afghanistan
By 1996, the Taliban had taken over Afghanistan and "[imposed] strict enforcement of fundamentalist Islamic law" (New York Times). -
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The Rise of the Taliban
The Taliban "grew out of a student movement dedicating to purifying the country" (New York Times). By 1994, the Taliban were becoming a popular movement and being supplied by Pakistan. In 1996, they had "taken control of Afghanistan, imposing strict enforcement of fundamentalist Islamic law" (New York Times). The Taliban also protected Mr. bin Laden. -
Hassan's Family Murdered
While talking to Rahim Khan, Amir discovers how the Taliban "massacred the Hazaras in Mazar-i-Sharif" (Hosseini 213). This demonstrates why Amir felt obliged to find Sohrab. He felt guilty that Hassan had died and there was no way for Amir to make it up to him. -
Amir's First Novel
Amir finally completes his childhood dreams "in the summer of 1988 ...[by finishing his] first novel" and Soraya praises him, saying "'Kaka would have been proud too'" (Hosseini 183). This shows Amir's acceptance of himself, that he was able to grow more sure of himself without Baba to constantly compare himself with. This also demonstrates Amir's acceptance of Baba's tough love, knowing that even though he wasn't perfect in his father's eyes, Baba still loved him. -
Amir Decides to go to Pakistan
After being called by Rahim Khan, Amir steels his nerves and makes up his mind, telling Soraya that "[he had] to go to Pakistan" (Hosseini 191). This shows Amir's journey of maturity through the fact that he was ready to face his past. He had built up a safe and happy life in America, but he wanted to go back to fight the demons he left at home. -
Sohrab Attempts Suicide
Amir is told Sohrab and him are going to America. But when he opens the bathroom to find Sohrab, Amir says, "Suddenly I was on my knees, screaming. Screaming through my clenched teeth. Screaming until I thought my throat would rip open and my chest explode. Later they said I was still screaming when the ambulance arrived" (Hosseini 343). This illustrates the feelings Amir had started to develop for Sohrab. In showing his horror, Amir demonstrates that he is no longer driven by guilt but by love. -
Amir and Sohrab Arrive in America
Amir says that they "arrived home... on a warm day in August 2001. Soraya picked [them] up at the airport" (Hosseini 357). This illustrates that Amir feels safe in America. Even though Afghanistan in where he grew up, America is "home" to him because he made a family and truly got closer to his father. -
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Resistance Against the Taliban - Post 9/11 Invasion
After refusal to hand over Mr. bin Laden, the U.S. forces joined with a rebel groups to fight back. Through air and ground campaigns, they were successful in chasing Taliban from big Afghan cities. The Taliban and Al Queda escaped to the mountains, where they avoided a battle. -
U.S.'s Military Involvement and 9/11 invasion
After the attack on September 11, the U.S. begin to get militarily involved with the Taliban. -
The 9/11 Attack
During President George W. Bush's Presidency, an "attack on the World Trade Center in New York [occurs] on 9/11" (New York Times). -
Hamid Karzai's Presidency
Hamid Karzai, an exiled former king of Afghanistan, was elected to a five-year term as president, hoping to secure peace for Afghans. He was "a celebrity in flowing cape... [as well as a] White House favorite" (New York Times). However, his popularity declined rapidly as he was blamed for "lack of economic progress ...and the corrupt officials ...of his government" (New York Times).