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Chapter 2 - Chapter 4: Reflective narrative.
Amir is telling the reader about his childhood. Before winter 1975. Introduced to Hassan, Baba and Ali. Learn about Afghanistan before the Russian Invasion. Themes of racism and prejudice introduced and learn about the class and religious divide between Amir and Hassan. Amir's desperation for Baba's affection shown in chapter 3. -
Chapter 6: Winter and kite-fighting in Kabul
Leading up to the event in the winter of 1975. Learn about the importance of kite-fighting as a right of passage for young boys in Kabul. Amir believes that winning the tournament will fix his relationship with Baba. The tension towards the event is building. -
Chapter 7: Winter 1975, pivotal moment
Everything in the novel has been building to this point. Amir has put intense amounts of pressure on himself to win the tournament. He believes that he has the most important reason to win - to win his father's approval and acceptance. Amir wins the competition and Hassan goes to run his kite. After, Hassan has been gone a while so Amir goes to look for him. Amir finds Hassan cornered by the bully Assef and his two friends. Amir watches Hassan get raped and does nothing. -
Chapter 8: Amir's birthday party
Shortly after Hassan was raped. Their relationship is never the same afterwards. Moving forwards to the summer of 1976, Amir turns 13 and Baba throws him a party. At the party, Hassan is serving drinks and Assef shows up with his parents. Amir sees Assef bullying Hassan and does nothing. Amir decides that one of them has to leave, that person being Hassan. -
Chapter 9: Hassan and Ali leave
After his birthday, Amir decides that Hassan has to leave. He puts his new watch and some money under Hassan's mattress and tells Baba that he can't find them. Later, Baba calls everyone into his study and asks Hassan is he stole the presents. To Amir's surprise, Hassan says yes. Hassan is still protecting Amir. Baba says that Hassan is forgiven but Ali says that they must leave; life is not the same anymore. Amir realizes that Ali knows everything. Baba drives Ali and Hassan to the bus station. -
Chapter 10: 5 years later
Baba and Hassan are in a truck escaping Kabul. They get stopped at a checkpoint by a Russian soldier. The soldier won't let them pass unless he gets "a half hour" with one of the women in the back of the truck. Baba says that the soldier will have to kill him before that can happen. A clear contrast made between Baba and Amir. Baba stands up for someone he doesn't know, whereas Amir couldn't stand up for his best friend. Kamal dies and his father kills himself. -
Chapter 11: Life in America
Baba and Amir have been living in Fremont, California for 2 years. Baba finds it difficult to adapt to life in America. He works in a gas station. Contradicts with negative stereotypes about immigrants, Baba refuses to take aid from the government and he only takes the money that he earns. Amir graduates high school and meets Soraya at the flea market. -
Chapter 12: Male privilege and Baba's health
Learn about the double standards in Afghan society. Women are treated differently to men when it comes to finding a partner. Amir and Soraya get engaged and Baba is diagnosed with Cancer. Learn about Soraya's past relationship with a man and her reputation. -
Chapter 13: Wedding and Baba's death
Amir and Soraya get married and Baba dies shortly after. Amir realizes that he is know by himself for the first time. He and Soraya learn that they are unable to have children. -
Chapter 14: Rahim Khan asks Amir to go to Pakistan
June 2001. Amir has just been called by Rahim Khan, who is very sick. He asks Amir to see him in Pakistan. Amir realizes that Rahim Khan knew about Assef and the kite and the money and the watch. This is a chance for Amir to be "good again".