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Sanaubar Abandons Hassan
Hassan lost his mother "to a fate most Afghans considered far worse than death" (6). Hassan's mother abandons him, which is a terrible thing for a child. What is worse is, she abandoned him so she could live a life with other singers and dancers. This is a worse fate than Amir's because it is one thing to have your mother die and another to abandon you. -
Baba Expresses His Problem With Amir
In the beginning of the book, Baba expresses that "There is something missing in that boy" (22). Rahim Khan answers, "So he's not violent then..." (22). Baba explains that Amir is not what he'd thought he'd be; he's not strong and he doesn't fight with the neighboorhood kids. This expectation of Amir is what sets him apart from Baba, and what draws their relationship even further. -
Khala Jamila And Her Singing
Khala Jamila could not sing in public due to "the general's conditions when they had married" (177). General Iqbal believed in traditional Afghan ways and enforced them on his family. This is one instance where he thought it was inappropriate for wives to sing in public. -
Hassan's Plastic Surgery
Baba gives Hassan an unusual gift that "will last (him) forever" (46). "Baba never missed Hassan's birthday" (44) which shows the deep affection that Baba has for Hassan. Because Baba could never outwardly express his love for Hassan in public, he always showed it through birthday gifts. Because of this secret, he only could show love to Amir; however he always took his anger and guilt out on Amir for not being able to express his love for Hassan. -
The Pomegranate Tree
Out of guilt, Amir asks Hassan to throw a pomegranate at him. Hassan, however "opened it and crushed it against his own forehead. 'There,' he croaked.. 'Are you satisfied?" (93). Amir asks for atonement when he asks to be punished by Hassan. Amir tries to start a fight with Hassan, so Hassan can vent his anger towards Amir. However, Hassan chooses to hurt himself out of loyalty and forgiveness to Amir. -
The Kite Competition
Amir ran away from Hassan's rape because he believed "nothing was free in the world. Maybe Hassan was the price I had to pay, the lamb I had to slay, to win Baba." (72). He chose this path because if he told Baba about the rape, Baba would not have given him much attention but he would show Hassan affection. This decision leaves him more guiltier than predicted; so he goes to great lengths to remove that guilt. For example, throwing fruit at Hassan and persuading Baba to fire Ali and Hassan. -
Rahim Khan's Journal
"As always, it was Rahim Khan who rescued" (31) Amir from different situations. Because Baba was sometimes difficult with Amir, Rahim Khan encourage Amir. Whenever Amir told Baba a story, he wouldn't pay attention as much as Rahim Khan. Rahim Khan gifted Amir the journal to encourage his talent in writing. -
Afghanistan and its peace
Afghanistan "has known little peace since 1979, when the Soviet Union invaded". (NY Article) -
Baba's Encounter With The Russian Soldier
When a Russian soldier wants to rape a women in their car for 30 minutes, Baba stands up while everyone else does nothing. Baba says, "Haven't I taught you anything?" (116). Baba's strong beliefs about honor and respect are displayed when this takes place. He acts as a role model for Amir; Baba acts as someone he would like to see Amir grow up into. -
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Timespan of Afghanistan Recent History
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The Soviet Invasion and After
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Soviet Troops parachute to Kabul
The first Soviet troops "parachuted into Kabul to assist Babrak Karmal, who had come president in a coup within the Afghan Communist leadership..." (NY Article). -
Baba And Mrs. Nguyen
In America, Baba is frustrated that Mrs. Nguyen, the grocery store owner, asks for his I.D. He exclaims his frustration when he says, "What kind of country is this? No one trusts anybody!" (128). He is not used to having someone ask for his identification. This because in Afghanistan, everyone either knew him for his wealth or philanthropy. This change in setting that affected his socioeconomic status changes his behaviors as well because he is still adjusting to his new home. -
Baba Encounters Cancer
In the book, Baba refuses treatment for cancer. Amir tries to persuade him to take treatment, however Baba answers to him, "Don't you challenge me in public, Amir. Ever. Who do you think you are?" (156). This displays Baba's pride and stubbornness to refuse treatment, even when he's going against medical advice. The pride that Baba has may show as strong and independent in Afghanistan; however, refusing medical treatment in America seems unintelligent. -
Amir Wants To Be A Writer
Amir tells Baba that he wants to major in English. Baba responds with questions like "How will you earn money? If you marry, how will you support your khanum?" (134). Baba is so worried about Amir's future and education. In Afghanistan, being a writer isn't the most stable job. Having a stable job means having a stable life. While Baba is trying to look out for Amir, he discourages his passion, which further differentiates their beliefs and keeps them further apart in their relationship. -
Soviet Troops leave Afghanistan
The last "Soviet troops left Afghanistan". (NY Article) -
Amir Asks For Soraya's Hand In Marriage
Amir falls in love with Soraya and asks his father to "ask General Taheri for his daughter's hand." (161). In Afghan culture, girls and women don't have much of a say in marriage. Because General Taheri disapproved of Amir's forwardness in advancing with Soraya, Amir felt his only choice was for him to ask his father to ask Soraya's father for Soraya's hand in marriage. -
Pakistani officers help with battle
As early as 1994, Pakistani "intelligence officers began funneling arms, money and supplies to Mullaj Omar's men... to help guide them through battle." (NY Article) -
Mullah Omar gains many followers
By the end of 1994, Mullah Omar nearly had 12,000 followers and was "rolling up the warlords to the north and east". (NY Article) -
Taliban seizing control again
The Taliban, the "extremist Islamic group that had seized control in 1996" after years of war. (NY Article) -
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The Taliban Takeover
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2001 Invasion
The 2001 invasion "succeeded in "dislodging Al Qaeda and removing the Taliban from power". (NY Article) -
The General Gets Sick
Amir describes Soraya's relationship with her father, and "the general's frailty - and time - had softened things between" (193) them. This shows that because of the General's new dependency on Soraya because he's sick, it shifts the power between them. This also is compared to Amir's relationship with Baba when he gets cancer. -
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Post 9/11 Invasion
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World Trace Center Attack
After the attack on the "World Trade Center... President George W. Bush gave the Taliban an ultimatum to hand over Mr. bin Laden." (NY Article) -
Sohrab and Amir's Kite Competition
When Amir wins the kite competition for Sohrab, he asks Sohrab if he should get the kite, and then finds himself saying, "For you, a thousand times over" (371). This symbolizes the start of Amir's guilt fading away, because he adopted Sohrab. This symbolizes Amir and his feeling of liberation, and from all that Hassan had done for Amir, Amir has the opportunity to do something equally impactful. -
Sohrab Hurts Himself
Amir prays "for the first time in over fifteen years" (345) when Sohrab cuts himself. Amir expresses "there is a god, there has to be" (346). He felt a deep responsibility for Sohrab because of all that Hassan had done for him in their youth. He treasured Sohrab as if he were Hassan, and felt pain which caused him to pray to God. -
Iraqi commander takes charge of US States Central Command
General Petraeus, the Iraq commander "had taken charge of United States Central Command". (NY Article). -
Obama announces a plan
In a speech delivered at "West Point, Mr. Obama announced his plan to deploy 30,000 additional troops". (NY Article)