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Baba is born
Hosseini writes, "In 1933, the year Baba was born" (24). Baba was born in a different time than most of the characters in this book, which affects how Amir was raised. Because Baba was born in an earlier time period, Amir grew up thinking he had to be just like Baba, even though times had changed. -
Period: to
Kite Runner Timeline
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Hassan is raped
During the kite running Assef unzipped his pants, "[d]ropped his underwear. He positioned himself behind Hassan" (75). Assef believes that because he is a Hazara, it does not matter what happens to him. This part of the book displays socioeconomic status and how it affects the lower classes. -
Kite Running
Amir describes, "I opened my eyes, saw the blue kite spinning wildly like a tire came loose from a speeding car" (66). Amir had just realized that he had won the kite competition, which brought him so much joy. He was also hoping that this would help his relationship with Baba, and little did he know, many events would be because of his victory. -
Amir plants money under Hassan's mattress
After Amir's birthday party and opening of the presents, "I lifted Hassan's mattress and planted my new watch and a handful of Afghani bills under it" (104). This is Amir's final betrayal of Hassan, and this makes Ali and Hassan leave the house. Also, Baba's forgiveness of Hassan is foreshadowing to further in the book when Amir finds out that he and Hassan are half siblings. -
Soviet Union invades Afghanistan
The New York Times writes, "Afghanistan ... has known little peace since 1979, when the Soviet Union invaded." -
Amir and Baba come to America
In the beginning of chapter 11 it says, "I remember the two of us walking through Lake Elizabeth Park in Fremont" (125). Baba and Amir seem to really like America so far, shown by the walks in the parks. However, this gives the reader a clue that things cannot be good for this long. -
Amir and Soraya get married
Amir asks for her hand and then,"We said our vows. We signed the certificates" (170). Amir is incredibly happy when she says yes to the proposal, and the joy continues into their wedding. Marrying Soraya was a good decision on Amir's part because he finally feels completely settled and welcome in America, and Soraya's has a good family, which could help Amir in the future. -
Amir asks for Soraya's hand in marriage
Amir says, "'I want you to go khastegari. I want you to ask General Taheri for his daughter's hand'" (161). Amir really loves Soraya, and it was a great idea for him to ask for her hand. However, this directly represents the gender inequality and how women cannot have a say in their marriage decisions. -
Baba is diagnosed with cancer
Baba gets his CAT scan and, "It turned out that, like Satan, cancer had many names. Baba's was called oat cell carcinoma" (155-56). After he finds out he has cancer the doctors tell him about possible treatments. He refuses all of them, and continues to smoke. This is an example of sanctity and purity, and how Baba can do whatever he wants to do to his body. -
Amir finishes his 1st novel
On page 182 Hosseini writes, "I finished my first novel, a father-son story set in Kabul." Amir finished his book after Baba died, and after his marriage. This book appears to be a tribute to Baba, and their complicated father-son relationship. -
Soviets Leave Afghanistan
The Soviets arrived in 1979 and, "Eventually, after peace talks moderated by the United Nations, the last Soviet troops left Afghanistan in February 1989, in what was in effect a unilateral withdrawal" (New York Times). -
The Taliban is Formed
According to the New York Times, "The Taliban grew out of a student movement dedicated to purifying the country, based in the south east, the home of the dominant ethnic group, the Pashtun." -
Taliban Takes Over Afghanistan
The Taliban was started in 1994 but, "Buoyed by Pakistani aid, the Taliban by 1996 had taken control of Afghanistan, imposing strict enforcement of fundamental Islamic law, banning movies and music and forcing women out of schools and into all- enveloping burqa clothing" (New York Times). -
Taliban controls 2/3 of country
According to BBC, "Taliban recognised as legitimate rulers by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. They now control about two-thirds of country" (bbc.com). -
Amir goes to Pakistan
Amir tells Soraya that he has to leave and, "A week later, I sat on a window seat aboard a Pakistani International Airlines flight, watching a pair of uniformed airline workers remove the wheel clocks" (194). Amir realizes that he needs to visit Rahim Khan because he is sick. Amir really cares about Rahim Khan and feels like he owes this to him because Rahim Khan has always cared for him. -
Farid and Amir go to the soccer game
When they arrived, "We found a decent spot to sit, just left of midfield ,though it took some shoving and elbowing on Farid's part" (268). Because there is no assigned seating, they had to shove their way through the game. This shows how the government, Taliban and private owners do not put a lot of time or money into the entertainment. -
Hassan and his wife are shot
The Taliban were talking to Hassan and he protested, "'[The Taliban] told Hassan they would be moving in to supposedly keep it safe until I return. Hassan protested again. So they took him to the street--'" (219). Hassan and his wife were both shot that day, and their son was left parentless. Amir realizes that the only way to atone with Hassan now is to find his son, because there is no way to atone with Hassan himself. -
Rahim Khan tells Amir that Hassan is his 1/2 brother
Rahim Khan and Amir are talking about Amir's parents when Rahim Kahn says, "'Ali was sterile'... 'No he wasn't. He and Sanubar had Hassan, didn't they? They had Hassan-' 'No they didn't,' Rahim Khan said." Amir goes into a state of shock and is so angry at everyone who kept this from him. At this point he stops idolizing Baba and realizes that they are more alike than he would have thought. -
US allies Against Taliban
After the attack of 9/11, "the United States joined forced with rebel groups that had never accepted Taliban rule, notably the Northern Alliance, which represented the minority tribes" (New York Times). -
Sohrab tries to commit suicide
Amir opens the door to the bathroom and, "Suddenly I was on my knees, screaming... Later, they said I was still screaming when they ambulance arrived" (343). When Amir opens the door and realizes what Sohrab is trying to do, he panics and is in shock. Amir has so much care and love towards him because he feels that he owes this to Hassan. -
Sohrab and Amir go kite running
After Sohrab has knocked down the last kite, "I looked down at Sohrab. One corner of his mouth had curled up just so" (370). Sohrab has finally made peace with America and everyone around him. This also shows how Amir has finally atoned with Hassan through Sohrab. -
The US becomes militarily involved with Afghanistan
The New York Times writes, "The United States has been militarily involved in Afghanistan since 2001, when it lead an invasion after the Sept. 11 attacks by Al Qaeda." -
Obama plans to send more troops to Afghanistan
According to the New York Times, "In a speech delivered Dec. 1, 2009, at West Point, Mr. Obama announced his plan to deploy 30,000 additional troops." -
Taliban Attacks Ghazni, Afghanistan
CNN writes, "The Taliban launched a brazen attack on the strategic Afghan city of Ghazni, south of the capital Kabul, early on Friday, seizing key buildings and trading fire with security forces" (McKirdy). -
Suicide Bomber targets voting poll
Afghanistan is having an election and, "One deadly attack was carried out by a suicide bomber who targeted a polling station in Kabul, the capital, said Basir Mojahid, a spokesman for the city's police chief. The attacker was identified and detonated his bomb before reaching the station, he said. The death toll wasn't immediately known" (Popalzai CNN).