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Period: to
Tkr timeline
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Hassan is born
Hassan is born "It was there, in that little shack, that Hassan was Born " (6) I found this interesting as it shows how Hassan was born into poverty. I think this is significant as it shows how his birth right was stolen from him at birth signifying his fate of being a hazara -
King overthrowed
Khan overthrows the king and elects himself president and the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan comes to power."The Republic of Afghanistan is established with firm ties to the USSR." -
Amir writes his first story
After his trick on Hassan Amir decides to write a story "The story ended with the man sitting on a mountain of pearls, knife in hand, weeping into the cup with his beloved wife in hand"(31) I find this quote important as it mirrors Amir's life as he is constantly pushing away Hassan and trying to ignore Hassan. But this ends with him regretting it not being able to fix his past decisions. -
Hassan's birthday
Hassan gets his lip fixed by a plastic surgeon and Amir smiles " Which was ironic. Because that was the winter that Hassan stopped smiling. " (47) This foreshadows the events to come that winter. This also plays into Sorhab as he ends up smiling in the end showing Amirs redemption. -
Hassan is raped
Hassan is raped by Amir "it was a look I had seen before. It was the look of the Lamb" (76) This shows how fearful Hassan is at this moment . This is important as it shows how dependent Hassan was with Amir saving him showing how bad this betrayal was. -
Amir gets Hassan to leave
After Hassan is framed for stealing and then tells Ali that Amir saw what happened forcing Ali to leave Baba " Baba said that, the pain in his plea, the fear."(107) this foreshadows the reveal that Hassan is related to Baba. This is important as it shows how much Baba wants to connect to Hassan but this right for him to connect with Hassan is stolen by Amir his good half. -
Amir's birthday
Amir turned 13 and Baba threw him a big party along with Assef being there "Assef grinning, kneading Hassan in the chest with a knuckle. Then, mercifully, darkness. "(100) I found this interesting as It shows the mental abuse to Hassan. This also shows how much Amir wants to hide in the shadows and forget about it. -
Khan is killed
"Khan is killed in a communist coup." Nur Mohammad Taraki becomes president and gain independence from Soviet influences. and adopt islamic policies. However Taraki signs a treaty with the soviet union and conflicts form. -
Amir leaves his home
Amir and Baba flee from the war in a Russian truck "sitting with our suitcases between our legs, cramped with these strangers in the tarpaulin-covered cab of an old Russian truck " (110) This shows how low of a statues they are outside of their community. This is important as their statues has turned to Hassan's and they are now feeling how he did. -
millions flee from the war
2.8 mil people leave pakistan to get out of the war "Afghan guerrillas gain control of rural areas, and Soviet troops hold urban areas" -
Baba and Amir are in America
Baba and Amir are in America and Amir is trying to get Baba to learn English "maybe Ill spell 'cat' and the teacher will give me a glittery little star" (127) This shows how even though Baba believes in the American dream he is still so stubborn. This is the why Baba fails in America while Amir succeeds. -
Amir graduates
Amir graduates high school and while drinking Baba says " I wish Hassan had been with us today," (133) This shows how much Baba misses Hassan his son. This foreshadows the future and shows how much he wishes to connect with him. -
Amir gets married
Amir gets Married after Soraya tellls him her biggest secret he sees her as a better person as she has " Courage" (165) this shows how he still feels the guilt after all these years. This is where he relizes that he can push it down all he wants but it will never be gone. -
Baba dies
This is a month after Amir is married and Amir and Soraya are taking care of him they were going to give him pain killers but he says "There is no pain tonight" (173) this shows how he is now truly happy with his life and is proud of Amir. This is important because it shows how Amir is accepted by Baba and Baba did care about him. -
armed
The Mujaheed received "arms from the United States, Britain and China" -
Amir finds out Soraya is infertile
Soraya finds out that she is infertile with the idea of not having kids she says "the doctor said we could adopt"(186) This is important as it foreshadows important events. Along with it showing how societal pressures are still preventing him from doing what he wants like adopting. -
Storming the capital
the Mujahadeen with rebel groups storm the capital "he Mujahadeen, a group already beginning to fracture as warlords fight over the future of Afghanistan." -
The Taliban
a new islamic militia is formed The Taliban rise to power and promise peace they crackdown on crime have very traditional Islamic values. "Islamic law is enforced via public executions and amputations. The United States refuses to recognize the authority of the Taliban." -
Bombings
After 2 embassies being bombed by al-Qaida "President Clinton orders cruise missile attacks against bin Laden’s training camps" -
Amir is called to Pakistan
Rahim Khan calls Amir and asks him to go to Pakistan saying there is a way to be good again later Amir goes to the golden gate bridge and sees "a pair of kites, red with long blue tails. they floated high above the trees" (192) I think this quote is important as it shows how he wishes he and Hassan could have risen above their society. This is important as its what Amir see's this chance as a way to atone and fly away from those societal pressures. -
Hassan dies
Hassan is killed a month after Rahim Khan leaves " like wolves looking at a flock of sheep" (219) This is important because it shows how Hassan was always prey and people took advantage of him. This is just like when Assef hurt him showing how Amir could have helped him but turned him away. -
9/11
Hijackers take over 4 airplanes and crash them into the world trade centers killing thousands "Days later, U.S. officials say bin Laden, the Saudi exile believed to be hiding in Afghanistan, is the prime suspect in the attack." -
Sorhab smiles
after being adopted Sorhab does not talk and is depressed but then while they are flying a kite " one corner of his mouth had curled up just so. A smile. "(370) this is important as Sorhab is better and shows a bright future. This also shows how this smile is the first time he sees Hassan's blood smile after 1975 making it go full circle. -
donations
a international community gives 15 billion in aid to Afghanistan "while Afghan President Hamid Karzai promises to fight corruption in the government." -
Osama bin laden is killed
U.S forces kill Osama bin Laden in "Abbottabad, Pakistan, "
