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Shots in the Night (KR)
During the night before the official end to the Monarchy, gun shots could be heard outside, "foreign sounds then. The generation of Afghan children who's ears would hear nothing but the sounds of bombs and gunfire was not yet born" (Hosseini 36).
The quote above foreshadows the later events of the story that take place in the new war-striken Afghanistan, under the rule of the Taliban. It gives insight into the rapid change Afghanistan would undergo after the Russian occupation. -
The Beginnings of A Republic
After overthrowing the Afgan King and abolishing the monarchy "Khan proposes a new constitution that grants women rights and works to modernize the largely communist state" http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/asia-jan-june11-timeline-afghanistan/ -
The Rape (KR)
The winter of the rape "was the winter Hassan stopped smiling" (Hosseini 47).
This quote demonstrates the seriousness of the rape and how much it not only effected Amir but Hassan as well. It gives insight into how one moment can change a person's life forever, molding them into who they will be for the rest of their lives. -
Hassan and Ali Leave (KR)
After Hassan is forgiven by Baba Ali says, "'Life here is impossible for us now, Agha sahib. We're leaving.' Ali drew Hassan to him, curled his arm around his son's shoulder" (Hosseini 107), guarding him from Amir.
This act of leaving and protectiveness over Hassan shows that Ali probably found out what Amir had done and took action upon it. The reason that Ali didn't call Amir out is probably a result of Hassan who stays loyal to Amir even as he is faced with Amir's avoidance. -
Invasion
With some rebellion in answer to the growing communist government "Soviet Army invades and props up communist government" http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253 -
The Ride to Pakistan (KR)
When Amir finally gets out of the fuel truck which they were using to get out of Afghanistan he "looked up to the gray morning sky, thankful for air, thankful for light, thankful to be alive. 'We're in Pakistan, Amir'" (Hosseini 123).
Amir and Baba have given up everything to get out of Afghanistan. Their wealth, reputation, and family to achieve greater freedom. After the experience in the fuel truck, Amir's joy of achieving this freedom is shown as he is thankful for what little he has. -
The Exodus
Following the invasion and rebellious fighting against the Soviet occupation "Some 2.8 million Afghans have fled from the war to Pakistan, and another 1.5 million have fled to Iran" http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/asia-jan-june11-timeline-afghanistan/ -
Graduation in America (KR)
After all of the challenges Amir and Baba faced trying to get to america, Amir "graduated from high school ... Then [Baba] saw [Amir] and waved. Smiled" (Hosseini 131)
The show of happiness shown from Baba demonstrates how proud he is of his son. Baba sacrificed so much so that he and his son could come to America and now that Amir has completed his high school education Baba is now beginning to see the start of a better life for Amir here that he wanted. -
Wedding Bells (KR)
Coming home from the market one day Amir tells Baba "'I want you to go khastegari. I want you to ask General Taheri for his daughter's hand.' Baba's dry lips stretched into a smile" (Hosseini 161).
This quote demonstrates the confidence Amir has in they girl Soraya that he is willing to propose a marriage to her. Also Baba's smile also exemplifies his happiness at this even though he is in so much pain. Baba is willing to do this one last thing for his son before his predicted passing. -
The Death of Baba (KR)
During the funeral for Baba Amir realizes "how much of who [he] was, what [he] was, had been defined by Baba ... Now that he was gone. Baba couldn't show me the way anymore" (Hosseini 174).
As a result of Baba's death Amir was sad also now had to make a new name for himself rather than the son of Baba. Also through this a great weight has been lifted of his back of being like Baba. He was free to be who he wanted to be and what he wanted to do. -
Hassan Returns to Kabul (KR)
After hearing the news of Amir's life in America and Baba's death, "Hassan told [Rahim Khan] he and Farzana had decided to move to Kabul with me" (Hosseini 207).
Here Hassan drops everything to come back to the house he left so many years ago. Through these actions he demonstrates his ongoing loyalty to Baba and Amir's family even though he does not know of their true relationship. Even though all that Amir did to him, Hassan still shows his friendship and respect to him and his family. -
A New Author (KR)
In the summer of 1988 Amir "finished [his] first novel, a father son story set ins Kabul" (Hosseini 182).
This accomplishment by Amir shows his dreams to begin to come true. Being a writer meant so much to him ever since Rahim Khan's letter about his first story back in Kabul. This demonstrates the power of just a little bit of encouragement from anyone. Rahim Khan's small bit of encouragement around Amir's writing drove him to be a writer. -
Fatherhood? (KR)
After a swirl of tests and none sucsessful Amir decided that "somewhere, had decided to deny me fatherhood for the things I had done" (Hosseini 188).
Here Amir is trying to find reasoning in his broken past for having the idea of fatherhood taken away from him. He shows his shame for what he did before America and his acceptance of this as a punishment for his wrong doings. -
An Unexpected Arrival (KR)
When Sanaubar appeared at Amir's old home in Kabul Hassan "told her she could cry if she wanted but she needn't, she was home now, he said, home with her family" (Hosseini 210).
With this acceptance of his long lost mother who abandoned him as a child Hassan once again shows his caring and kind nature. This woman who caused him so much pain as a child without a mother, brought out the best in Hassan as he forgave her. It is with this attitude that he as able to forgive Amir. -
Civil War
After the the peace accords in 88 and the Soviet army leaves and "Afghanistan descended into a civil war that further ravaged the economy" after the Soviet occupation. http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/History/Afghanistan-history.htm -
The Taliban Arise
The Civil War brings forth the "Taliban recognised as legitimate rulers by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. They now control about two-thirds of country" http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253 -
Massacare (KR)
After the Taliban took over Afghanistan "they massacred the Hazaras in Mazar-i-Sharif" (Hosseini 213).
The death of Hassan created great shock, sadness, and terror within Amir bringing him back to the times before he left Kabul and before Hassan had left. It filled him with great sorrow for his lost friend and the one who he will never be able to gain forgiveness from the sins he committed against Hassan. -
A Call From an Old Friend (KR)
After getting a call from his father's old business parter Rahim Khan, Amir tells Soraya, "'I have to go to Pakistan.' ... 'Rahim Khan is very sick'" (Hosseini 191).
This action of leaving shows Amir's still strong connection to his past. Amir demonstrates his care and loyalty to his friends as he goes back to see Rahim Khan on his death bed. -
The Arrival Home (KR)
After Amir finally arrived back to his home in San Francisco he "realized how much I had missed" Soraya, his wife (Hosseini 357).
This realization of loss reveals the concept of the great need we humans have for other humans, and to feel safe and secure at all times. Amir had been away from the comforts of home he forgot of its comfort and now realized his loss. -
9/11 Fallout
After the attacks on the US," the Taliban government collapsed, but Taliban and al Qaeda leaders escaped. A United States–led International Security Assistance Force began an occupation that is still in place in 2008" -
A Small Wondrous Thing (KR)
Sohrab gave a small smile, and although "it was only a smile ... when spring comes, it melts the snow one flake at a time, and maybe [Amir] just witnessed the first flake melting" (Hosseini 317).
This small smile demonstrates the small remanence of hope Amir still holds on to for the old Sohrab to return. The Sohrab that he had met in Afghanistan and had saved his life. This ending to this long adventure is not happy but not sad giving a glimpse of what could be to come. -
Renewed Push
The struggle with the Taliban leads to "US President Barack Obama announces 17 000 extra troops will be sent to Afghanistan" http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-06-02/timeline-afghanistans-turbulent-history/1702156 -
The End of bin Laden
As the Taliban launch more bloody attacks, "U.S. forces overtake a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, and kill al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden" http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/asia-jan-june11-timeline-afghanistan/ -
NATO Withdraw
As the fighting beings to die down the "Afghan army takes command of all military and security operations from Nato forces" http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253 -
Taliban Offensives
Following the Taliban's attacks "US President Barack Obama says 8,400 US troops will remain in Afghanistan into 2017 in light of the 'precarious security situation'. NATO also agrees to maintain troop numbers and reiterates a funding pledge for local security forces until 2020"