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Baba Builds An Orphanage
When Amir was around the age of 5 or 6, "Baba decided to build and orphanage" (Hosseini 13). When Baba surprised everyone with his success, he was very respected. This impacted Amir's performance by people always having high expectations for him since his father was superior. This led to one of the many reasons why Baba had a well-rounded reputation amongst many. -
Tricking Hassan
Amir was tricking Hassan by reading his own improvised story. Hassan didn't realize what was happening since he was illiterate, and Amir took advantage of that to tease him. He "had abandoned the text altogether...Hassan was, of course, oblivious to this" (Hosseini 30). This proves that Amir was inconsiderate, and just wanted to make a joke out of Hassan, even though Hassan wouldn't do the same. And almost mocking Hassan's intelligence. After all, he's just a hazara. -
Hassan's Harelip Surgery
Amir said, "Baba, Rahim Khan, Ali, and I had huddled around Hassan's bed...Now everyone in that room was either dead or dying, Except for me" (Hosseini, 219). This proves that Amir noticed how fortunate he was that he survived in America. Everyone else besides Baba suffered in Afghanistan. Amir felt lonely because everyone he grew up with, died. -
Hassan's Rape
Hassan got raped to save Amir's kite because that was the kind of friend he was. Assef said, "Because today, it's only going to cost you that blue kite" (Hosseini 72). Even though it wasn't his kite, and it was Amir's, Hassan didn't even consider to giving it to Assef. If Amir was in that situation, he would've never stood up for Hassan, despite everything Hassan has done for him. -
Soviet Troops Parachuted into Kabul
"The first Soviet troops parachuted into Kabul on Dec. 27, 1979, to asist Babrak Karmal", and stayed for nine years, costing them 15,000 lives.(New York Times) -
The Trip To Jalalabad
In 1981, Amir and Baba were on their way to Pakistan. Amir said, "there would be no truck, Karim told us after we'd spent a week in the rat-infested basement. The truck was beyond repair" (Hosseini 120). Since their truck wasn't working, everyone was forced to bond and get along. Amir realized the struggles of other families, and how fortunate he is. -
Amir and Baba's Transfer to America
When Amir and Baba moved to America, Amir said, "For me, America was a place to bury my memories. For Baba, a place to mourn his" (Hosseini 129). This proves that Baba moved to America for Amir to have a better life. Baba misses Kabul because that's where he grew up, but now he has to be thoughtful of Amir's future. Baba loses his social class and they have a harder time in America than in Afghanistan. This makes Amir notice the struggles some people go through everyday. -
Baba's Death
Amir helped Baba into bed and "Baba never woke up" (Hosseini 173). After battling cancer, Baba had passed away. Baba had been very noble and refused to take medication to ease his pain. Amir had been battling all his life to impress Baba and now he is dead, and Amir is devastated. -
Finding Hassan
Amir said, "There were a lot of reasons why I went to Hazarajat to find Hassan in 1986. The biggest one...was that I was lonely." Reconnecting with Hassan would give Amir closure, and would make him feel like he had his friend back. He felt lost in his own city, and being with Hassan would make him feel like he wasn't a stranger. -
Amir Officially Becomes An Author
Amir proudly admits, "In the summer of 1988, about six months before the Soviets withdrew from Afghanistan, I finished my first novel, a father-son story set in Kabul" (Hosseini 182). This fact assists the reader in further understanding Amir's characteristics. For example, the quote highlights how Amir values family and his childhood in Kabul. Amir finally became what he was hoping to become from a young age. -
Soviets Leave
The Soviets left Afghanistan "after peace talks moderated by the United Nations," concluding their stay. The Soviets stayed for over 9 years before leaving. -
A Mother's Atonement
When Sanaubar visited Hassan, she said, "I have walked long and far to see if you are as beautiful in the flesh as you are in my dreams" (Hosseini 210). Seeing his mother since she left when he was born, was emotional for Hassan. She was trying to atone for her wrongdoings, so she came back to her son. -
Pakistan Aided the Taliban
Pakistan supplied the Taliban with arms and money, "which might have withered were it not for the intervention."(Afghanistan- An Overview) -
Mullah Omar (Taliban) Had Nearly 12,000 Followers
The Taliban grew from a student movement dedicated to purifying the Country and gained more and more followers. -
Taliban Kills Hassan
Hosseini describes the death scene, "Hassan slumps to the asphalt, his life of unrequited loyalty drifting from him like the wind blown kites he used to chase" (Hosseini 219). Hosseini's use of figurative language helps the reader picture the situation. Furthermore, Hosseini relates the situation back the main theme of kites in the novel, showing the reader how important Hassan's death is. -
Al Qaeda removed power from Taliban
In 2001, "the invasion succeeded in dislodging Al Qaeda and removing the Taliban from power, but not in eradicating either group" (New York Times, page 1). -
U.S. Military Involved in Afghanistan
he United States' military has been "involved in Afghanistan since 2001, when it led invasion after the Sept. 11 attacks by Al Qaeda" (New York Times, page 1). -
Visiting Rahim Khan
In 2001, Amir says, "I have to go back Pakistan... Rahim Khan is very sick" (Hosseini, 191). Going back is significant because he catches up with his family friend, and finds out everything that is going on in Afghanistan that he missed out on. It is important for him to visit Rahim because he needed to know how to help Rahim, since he was there for him for all of his childhood. -
Sohrab's Arrival
In August 2001, "Soraya picked up Amir and Sohrab at the airport" (Hosseini 357). When Sohrab came home, he was traumatized from everything he's been through. He was not excited for life in America since he missed his old life so much. -
9/11
After the bomb attack on the World Trade center on 9/11, "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, page 3). -
Reflecting on his Past
In December of 2001, Amir was reflecting on his past by saying, "That was a long time ago, but it's wrong what they say about the past, I've learned, about how you can bury it. Looking back now, I realize I have been peeking into that deserted alley for the last twenty-six years" (Hosseini 1). The day Hassan got raped impacted Amir's life not only in that moment, but also as he was growing up. Even when he thought it was all over, the past repeats itself, by having Amir go back and atone. -
Amir Teaches Sohrab To Fly a Kite
One night in 2002 Sohrab and Amir bond over flying a kite together. While teaching him Amir announces, "'Watch, Sohrab. I'm going to show you one of your father's favorite tricks, the old lift-and-drive'"(Hosseini 369). In the novel, flying a kite symbolizes peace. Towards the beginning of the novel, the kite tournament is one of the last peaceful moments before Hassan gets raped. Additionally, at the end of the book, Amir flies a kite after finding peace with himself and Sohrab. -
NATO Controls Security
In 2003, "Amid increased violence, NATO takes over security in Kabul in August" (http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/asia-jan-june11-timeline-afghanistan/). -
The Death Of Osama Bin Laden
As a relief to Afghanistan, "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/). -
Combat forces withdrawed from Afghanistan
Obama called for "American combat forces to begin withdrawing from Afghanistan in the summer of 2011...the administration increasingly emphasizes the idea that the United States will have forces in the country until at least the end of 2014" (New York Times, page 1).
