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Amir and Hassan's childhood
"When we were children, Hassan and I used to climb the poplar trees in the driveway of my father's house with a shard of mirror. We would sit across from each other on a pair of high branches." (Hosseini 3) The boys took turns reflecting light at the neighbor to annoy him. This is showing how close the boys were when they were young and when they didn't know any better. That was the perfect showcase of the boys' innocence and how that of Amir's went away. -
Amir and Hassan ran their last kite
"I was going to win, and I was going to run that last kite. Then I’d bring it home and show it to Baba. Show him once and for all that his son was worthy."(Hosseini 65) This shows how important winning the kite running is and how much it means to Amir. He needs it really bad to prove to Baba that he is a good son. -
Hassan's rape
"He kept one hand on Hassan's back and undid his own belt buttock with his free hand. He unzipped his jeans. Dropped his underwear...." (Hosseini 66) Assef ended up raping Hassan and tries to justify it by calling it "teaching a lesson to a disrespectful donkey". Assef tries to dehumanize Hassan by taking away his purity and his virginity. He also torn a hole in the friendship between the boys. -
Baba forgives Hassan
Baba interrogated Hassan asking: "Did you steal that money? Did you steal Amir's watch, Hassan?" then after Hassan admitted to the crime he has been framed for, Baba forgives him saying "I forgive you". (Hosseini 105) This is showing how much feeling Baba have for Hassan and truly treats him like family. He was able to forgive the only thing he considers as a sin in a man for Hassan. -
Hassan and Ali leaves
Even though Baba made clear he doesn't care about the money or the watch, Ali said "[their] bags are already packed. [They] have made their decision." (Hosseini 106) Ali deceide to bring Hassan away from the bad influence that is Amir and even having the tough Baba shed tears. -
Amir ignores Hassan out of guilt
Hassan asked: " Might be fun to go for a walk." but was met with a simple: "You go." (Hosseini 88) Amir wants to avoid Hassan to stop triggering his inner guilt. He feels guilty for not doing anything for Hassan and want to avoid contact -
Amir frames Hassan
"... I took a couple of the envelopes of cash from the pile of gifts and my watch, and tiptoed out..." (Hosseini 104) Amir was not able to handle the guilt inside of him, so he decided to get rid of Hassan instead of solving the problem the right way. He is scared to face anyone that know especially Hassan. -
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The Soviet's stay in Afghanistan
Soviet's power stayed in Afghanistan for more than 9 years. "Soviet troops stayed in the country for more than nine years, fighting a conflict that cost them 15,000 lives..." (New York TIme) -
The first Soviets in Kabul
Soviets started to get their people into Afghanistan by parachuting into Kabul: "The first Soviet troops parachuted into Kabul on December 27, 1979." (New York Times) -
Amir and Baba on the way to Pakistan
Baba and Amir went to Pakistan because Afghanistan is undergoing Soviet invasion. The truck they were going to take broken down and was beyond repair so they choose "the other option" and went in a fuel truck. (Hosseini 118) Baba and Amir left as soon as possible before it was too late. They escaped before the Soviets get to them. -
Amir went back to Kabul
"So one day, I fueled up the Buick and drove up to Hazarajat."(Hosseini 204) Amir is determined to find Hassan or just anyone he knew there but mostly Hassan to apologize and to rethink his doings. He was willing to face what he had not done for Hassan and therefore done to Hassan after all the years. -
Baba dying of cancer
Baba had cancer for a while already. It was said that "by Thanksgiving, he wore out before noon." His condition kept on worsening. Later he was even "found on the ground". (Hosseini 158) Baba went from a healthy man to one on the edge of collapse. He never did anything in the attempt to stop his illness or try to take a break from making small cash. -
Rahim Khan finds Amir
Rahim Khan went to find Amir in the U.S to deliver a letter from Hassan. Amir thought about last time he saw Rahim was in 1981 when he "had come to say goodbye the night Baba and I had fled Kabul." (Hosseini 196) This was the first sign that Amir might go back to where he came and correct his sins. -
Amir and Soroya getting married
After a year of knowing Soroya, Amir finally decides to marry her. And Baba was quite generous with his spending due to tradition and his pride. He spent $35,000, nearly the balance of his life saving" (Hosseini 169) at the wedding. Showing how special this event is in both traditions and to Baba himself. -
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Taliban takes over
The Taliban try to take over by "[growing] out a student movement dedicated to purifying the country..." (New York Times -
Hassan's Death
Hassan and his wife tended the big house gingerly in case that Amir ever returns to Kabul. But the house was robbed from them by people who claim to "keep it safe until [Amir] return[s]." and when Hassan protested, they "shot him in the back of his head." (Hosseini 218) Hassan was a man of great morals and didn't seek any better shelter or comfort and choose to stay in his shack. He was brave enough to stand up for Amir even though he know nice and well that Amir hasn't done anything for him. -
The U.S is heavily involved in Afghanistan
The U.S is involved in Afghanistan militarily: "The United States has been militarily involved in Afghanistan since 2001" (The New York Times) -
Bring down Taliban
The U.S tries to bring down the Taliban by invading. It "Succeed is dislodging A1 Qaeda and removing Taliban from power" (New York Times) -
Amir laugh being beated by Assef
"I don't know at what point I started laughing, but I did. It hurt to laugh, hurts my jaws, my throat. But I was laughing and laughing." (Hosseini 289) Even though Amir was physically destroyed with blows to ribs, jaws, and many bones. He was glad he did it, he was finally able to let go of the guilt and move one. He is finally able to do something for his doing. -
Amir returns home with Sohrab
" You have a visa to go to America. To live with me and my wife. It's true. I promise." (Hosseini 355) After everything Amir finally took Sohrab in and gave him a new home. This is Amir's final act to be free from guilt and even though he almost bailed, he did it. -
After 911
The U.S teamed up with local rebels and fighting groups after they: " gave the Taliban an ultimatum to hand over Mr. bin Latin" Then they teamed up with locals (New York Times) -
Obama's military focus
Obama focuses greatly on inserting troops in Afghanistan. He does so by "drawing troops out of Iran" which "increasing the number in Afghanistan by 50,000" (New York Times) -
Obama dispense more trooper
Obama says he is going to "deploy 30,000 additional troops"(West Point), in a speech given in West Point -
Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
Even though the fighting stopped, the conflict never ended and the country "has known little peace since 1979... " (New York Times) -
Obama withdraw force
The U.S was supposed to "begin withdrawing from Afghanistan in the summer of 2011", but instead the process was delayed, and "the United States will have forces in the country until at least the end of 2014". (New York Times)