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Hassan's Admiration for Amir
Hassan's respect/admiration for Amir is symbolically represented in their first words. Amir recollects the childhood bond him and Hassan had, "we took our first steps on the same lawn in the same yard. And, under the same roof, we spoke our first words. Mine was Baba. His was Amir" (Hosseini 11). Hassan's respect for Amir started when they were just born. The symbolism of their first words relates to who each child served for: Amir served/treated to Baba, and Hassan served for Amir. -
Amir's relationship with Rahim Khan
Amir's relationship with Rahim Khan is clearly seen in a photograph in which Amir is "in [Baba's] arms, but it's Rahim Khan's pinky my fingers are curled around" (Hosseini 5). Amir's admiration for Rahim Khan is significant from childbirth. Amir has the respect and admiration for both Baba and Rahim Khan, but Rahim Khan holds the acceptance for Amir. This is important for Amir as he doesn't feel accepted by Baba. -
Baba's Foreshadow of Amir's act
Baba complains about Amir to Rahim Khan. Baba says "' A boy who won't stand up for himself becomes a man who can't stand up to anything'" (Hosseini 22). In this quotation, Baba complains how Amir (as a boy) never defends himself to the neighborhood bullies. This foreshadows a couple years in the future when Amir doesn't stand up/intervene for Hassan when he's getting raped. Baba talks about hte betrayal that Amir will later commit. -
Daud Coup
In 1973 a bloody coup is unleashed by Daud who also "declares a republic." (BBC News) -
Gun Shots in the Streets (coup)
Amir recalls a moment during the coup. Amir recalls that "none of us had any notion that a way of life had ended. Our way of life" (Hosseini 36). In this quote Amir, Hassan and Ali hear the coup occurring. They had no idea that life would change after that moment. This is characterized as the beginning of the end because everything goes downhill from this moment. This quote also foreshadows the end of the life Amir and Baba have in Afghanistan. -
Baba's impact on Amir's Religious Values
Amir recalls when Baba (on multiple occasions) dismissed the teachings of the Mullah. Amir says how "Baba mocks the story behind the Eid like he mocks everything religious" (Hosseini 76). In this quote, Amir is a young child and after seeing his father (who he looked up to) dismiss religion, we don't see the word religion very much after that in the book. This means that Amir's values are modeled after Baba from that point on. This highlights Baba's impact on Amir's values. -
The Pomegranate Scene
Amir tries to mend the broken relationship between him and Hassan. Amir "hurled the pomegranate at him. It struck him in the chest... 'Hit me back!' I spat... Maybe then things could return to how they used to be between us. But Hassan did nothing" (Hosseini 92). Amir tries to atone for his actions. Amir wants to eliminate the power difference by giving Hassan the opportunity to hit him. Hassan refuses Amir's atonement because the power difference will return if they mend their relationship. -
Rape Scene
The end of Amir and Hassan's relationship is portrayed when Amir betrays Hassan. Amir recalls when he "had one last chance to make a decision... I could step into that alley, stand up for Hassan-the way he'd stood up for me... or I could run. In the end, I ran." (Hosseini 76). In this quote, Amir chooses his own security over the friendship he had with Hassan. Amir chose the blue kite, Baba's validation/temporary acceptance, than to continue his relationship with Hassan. -
Tulip scene
After the Rape scene, Amir feels guilty and tries to convince/explore the idea of kicking Hassan out to Baba. Amir starts by asking Baba "'have you ever thought about getting new servants?'... 'Is this about you and Hassan? I know there's something going on between you two, but whatever it is, you have to deal with it'" (Hosseini 89). In this quote, Amir feels guilty seeing Hassan's face and as a solution, Amir wants to kick Hassan out. Amir believes this will cure his guiltiness. -
Amir frames Hassan for Theft
Due to Amir's guilt, he framed Hassan for stealing. Amir "lifted Hassan's mattress and planted [his] new watch and a handful of Afghani bills under it... [Amir] knocked on Baba's door and told what I hoped would be the last in a long line of shameful lies" (Hosseini 104). After the rape scene, Amir has always felt guilty seeing Hassan. Amir has had enough and, (as said in the Tulip Scene) Amir wants to get rid of Hassan. Amir framed Hassan due to built up guilt. -
Soviet troops march into Afghanistan
To assist Babrak Karmal (president at the time) "Soviet troops parachuted into Kabul on Dec. 27, 1979" (New York Times). -
Baba Standing up to the Russian Guard (preserving decency)
Baba and Amir are forced to leave Afghanistan. On the bus ride to escape, a Russian guard attempts to rape a woman but it stopped by Baba. Baba says "'War doesn't negate decency'... 'Tell him it'll take a thousand bullets before I let this indecency take place'" (Hosseini 116). Afghanistan is under the occupation of Russia, this has allowed indecency to take over easily. Baba stands up, not just to protect the woman, but to protect/preserve the rest of the honor and decency Afghanistan has left. -
General Points Out the Objective of Amir's writing
General Taheri learns about Amir's writing. Although the General dismisses the idea of writing, he accurately points out Amir's objective for writing. The General says "Ah, a storyteller... Well, people need stories to divert them at difficult times like this" (Hosseini 139). General Taheri, although slightly insults Amir's occupation as a writer, gives Amir's writing explanation. When Amir first started writing, he used it as a way to distract himself from Baba's coldness. -
Baba's Acceptance for Amir('s writing)
Baba finally accepts Amir's passions and doesn't critique Amir for being himself. Amir finds Soraya and Baba reading his writing. When Amir finds them they respond: "'I can't believe you write like this,' Soraya said. Baba dragged his head off the pillow. 'I put her up to it. I hope you don't mind'" (Hosseini 172). In this quote, Baba is seen wanting to read Amir's writing and see things from Amir's point of view. This is a substantial power change in their relationship, they are now equal. -
Hassan's Innocence
Hassan's innocence is still apparent even through the rough experiences he's endured. Hassan's innocence is shown in a letter he sent to Amir. Amir notes the letter "was written in Farsi. No dots were omitted, no crosses forgotten, no words blurred together-the handwriting was almost childlike in its neatness" (Hosseini 215). In the letter, there were no threatening tones towards Amir. Hassan's innocence has remained (no crimes) even through his rape, the wars and betrayal that he's experienced. -
Soviet Airforce- useless
Anti-aircraft missiles (supplied by US) caused "the Soviet Airforce was [to be] rendered largely useless" (Ney York Times). -
Soviet Troops Leave
After the United Nation talk peace talks peace with Afghanistan and the Soviet Union, "the last Soviet troops left Afghanistan in February 1989, in what was in effect a unilateral withdrawal" (New York Times). -
Anarchic Division Between Groups (Taliban Gain Control)
When Soviet forces departed "Afghanistan descended into internecine strife... power was anarchically divided among competing warlords and individual fiefdoms. But one group would eventually gain control" (New York Times). -
Taliban Gain Resources
To guide them into battle, "Pakistani intelligence officers began funneling arms, money and supplies to Mullah Omar's men" (New York Times) -
Taliban Have 12,000 Followers
Mullah Omar got 12,000 followers by "with his promise of restoring the centrality of Islam life to daily life" (Ney York Times). -
Talban Take Control of Afghanistan
With the help of 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 inmto all-enveloping burqa chlothing" (New York Timews). -
Amir Finally feels Atoned
Amir gets beaten by Assef but "for the first time since the winter of 1975, I feel at peace. I laughed because I saw that, in some hidden nook in a corner of my mind, I'd even been looking forward to this... My body was broken... but I finally felt healed. Healed at last" (Hosseini 289). Amir was carrying a burden in his mind that he can't directly atone to Hassan, during this beating his burden is lifted. Amir's severe injuries from the beating are his redemption for what he did in the past. -
Roles Have Switched
Amir has to prove his worthiness to Sohrab and relive his memory of making Hassan prove his loyalty to Amir. Amir becomes desperate when trying to convince Sohrab to live with Amir in America, "'I ask for your bakhshesh, your forgiveness. Can you do that? Can you forgive me? Can you believe me?'" (Hosseini 355). In this quote, Amir relives the times when he forced Hassan to prove his loyalty. Sohrab's lack of communication has forced Amir to prove his worthiness to Sohrab. -
President George W. Bush Gives Ultimatum
After the 9/11 attack, "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" (New York Times). -
Despite Taliban Defeat...
Although the Taliban suffered defeat in 2001, they "continued to wage in guerrilla warfare from a base... on the Pakistian-afghanistan border" (NEw York Times)