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Growth of Mohammad Zahir Shah
As King Nadir Shah is assassinated, "...Zahir Shah began his forty-year reign of Afghanistan" (Hosseini, 24). While the shift of power was unfortunate, Zahir Shah stabilized Afghanistan, revealing his assertiveness. Zahir Shah, a king through the death of another, turns to the easier, darker route later for Afghanistan. -
The Departure of Hassan's mother, Sanaubar
Although Sanaubar gave birth to a growing gentleman, Hassan, she soon "...ran off with a clan of traveling singers and dancers" (Hosseini, 6). It is easy to question whether the plot would be different if both Hassen and Amir had moms growing up. Moreover, it was a major disgrace to abandon your son for dancing, revealing her dark motives. -
Growth of Daoud Khan
As the king Zahir Shah was away in Italy, "... his cousin Daoud Khan had ended the king's forty-year reign with a bloodless coup" (Hosseini, 36). While taking a vacation when your country is in need of you is questionable, it results in the loss of the throne. Ironically, his cousin abolished monarchy and steals the spot from his own blood. -
First Experience with Assef
Going a soothing walk, Amir and Hassan stumble across Assef, who introduces himself when the "rock struck Hassan in the back" (Hosseini, 37). Assef being illustrated as a blue-eyed German, aggressively throws a rock to get his point across, which is his typical character. This event foreshadows another encounter, in which Hassan's and Amir's life change drastically. -
Hassan's Unusual Birthday Gift
Baba never forgetting Hassan's birthday, offered Hassan a surgery on his lip, in which "[Hassan] was smiling" (Hosseini, 47). When one is a kid, surgeries are unusual to receive as a gift, much more when it is a birthday. However, the gift proved to be priceless, because Hassan could show his happiness through body language not just words. -
Hassan's Rape
As Amir witnesses Hassan's rape, he distances himself from Hassan, "hear[ing] Assef's quick, rhythmic grunts" (Hosseini, 77).
By Assef aggressively raping Hassan, it shows he wanted to leave an internal and external scar. While Hassan's brother, Amir watched the traumatizing event, Assef's companions watched too, who were no better than Amir. -
Amir/Hassan Win the Kite Tournament
Amir and Hassan spending hours to finish the kite tournament, cut the last kite "like a tire [coming] loose from a speeding car" (Hosseini, 66). Expecting this moment to be the happiest may be true; however; the near after brings sadness to both the happy kids. Winning the kite tournament is a grand achievement for Amir and Hassan; moreover, it brings Baba and Amir close than ever. -
Amir's 13th Birthday
Although Amir's 13th birthday came around the corner, it was "...Afghanistan's next to last summer of peace and anonymity" (Hosseini, 93). In addition, to the peace being lost in Afghanistan, the growing relationship between Amir and Baba shifted in the opposite direction. In simpler terms, when Afghan fell apart, Amir and Baba struggles causes a distanced relationship. -
Hassan and Ali Leave
Hassan and Amir's relationship struggling relationship leads to "...Baba's car pull[ing] away from the curb, taking with it the person whose first spoken word had been my name" (Hosseini, 109). It was awkward that Hassan and Amir's relationship led to splitting apart, not binding together. Not having the validation of Baba, Amir bullied Hassan, until it led to Baba's best friend and his son leaving miserably. -
The Beginning of the Russian Invasion
Although Afghanistan aimed for stabilization, the "...Russian tanks would roll into the very same streets where Hassan and [Amir] played..." (Hosseini, 36). The use of Hassan and Amir exemplifies the idea that the aggressive Russians invaded a peaceful neighborhood. Furthermore, the description of the Russian tanks showed the domination and how easy it is to get into Afghanistan. -
Start of Soviet Union Invasion of Afghanistan
On December 27th of 1979, the imperial Russian Government (Soviet Union) invaded Afghanistan when "The first troops parachuted into Kabul..." (NY Times 2). -
Baba and Amir leave Afghanistan
Since the Russians continued their invasion in Afghanistan, Baba and Amir "left Kabul just after two in the morning" (Hosseini, 110). Similarly, as Hassan leaving from Amir, Amir left from the bigger threat, the Russians. Although the move will ensure safety in the new county, Baba most likely will lose his reputation and status(socioeconomic status) in their new home. -
Baba and Amir Arrive in SF
Having been living in Fremont, California, Amir cherishes the early memory of "...walking through Lake Elizabeth Park in Fremont, a few streets down from our apartment..." (Hosseini, 125). The happiness experienced at the moment is so overwhelming, escaping the bloody battlefield, and landing in a safe country. While the happiness seems forever, the burden of Hassan's rape slowly drifts away. -
Amir meets Soraya/Ali is killed
On the happy note, when Amir meets Soraya for the first time, he notices "she had a brown, sickle-shaped birthmark on the smooth skin just above her left jawline" (Hosseini, 140). On the sad note, Ali "...had been killed by a land mine two years before, just outside of Bamiyan" (Hosseini, 206). The contrast of sadness in the year of 1984 upholds that when happiness is demonstrated, sadness in the form of death occurs parallely. -
Amir and Soraya Marry
In order to marry, Amir and Soraya must follow the religious boundaries, such as "...dress[ing] in green--the color of Islam, but also the color of spring and new beginnings" (Hosseini, 170). Although Amir's past causes much pain and tension it leads to happiness of love and marriage. While this life Amir possesses may seem perfect, it can't stay this way because the "past claws its way out." -
Baba Dies
The place of Baba's ceremony was taken place in a "...section of the mosque [with] a large square room, covered with Afghan rugs and thin mattresses placed in parallel lines" (Hosseini, 173). The heavy contrast of the needed care from Baba and the father-figure personality overwhelmed Amir on Baba's death day. Losing his last parent took a toll; however, Amir found peace with it through Soraya's passion and love. -
The Departure of the Soviet Union
As peace was being accepted by the Soviets, they officially departed Afghanistan when "...the last Soviet troops left..." (NY Times 2). -
Cold War Ends
Although the Cold war between the Russians and Afghans ended, "...the war raged on, this time between Afghans, the Mujahedin, against the Soviet puppet government of Najibullah..." (Hosseini, 184). As Afghan falls apart, despite getting rid of the Russians, Amir and Soraya find much happiness, searching for the right baby. Although Baba and General Taheri envisioned moving back to Afghan after the war, their kids' motives and characterization leave them in the United States. -
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Northern Alliance Control of Kabul
When Amir finds Rahim Khan after so many years, they discuss tensions about "...the Northern Alliance [taking] over Kabul between 1992 and 1996, different factions claimed different parts of Kabul" (Hosseini, 199). The time left away from Afghanistan, left Amir ignorant and close-minded of the destruction there. As life changed significantly, Amir changed for the better of his family and his country. -
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Taliban Control
Sadly the Taliban "had taken control of Afghanistan..."(NY Times 3) by 1996. -
The Taliban Resilience
Although the Taliban was defeated in 2001, they "...continued to wage a guerrilla warfare..." (NY Times 3). -
Amir and Sohrab Return Home
After a hard struggle in order to get Sohrab, Amir and Sohrab "...arrived home about seven months ago, on a warm day in August 2001" (Hosseini, 357). The struggle between Amir and his past reveals he is willing to sacrifice a lot to take Sohrab home with him. Amir, a static character, changed his values and morals for the benefit of Sohrab and to maintain integrity. -
9/11 Impact Around the World
It was unclear whether the Taliban or the Al Qaeda began the attack, but "George W. Bush gave the Taliban an ultimatum to hand over Mr. bin Laden" (NY Times 3). -
Flashback of the winter of 1975
As Amir ponders about Hassan's rape in the past, Amir was really "...peeking into that deserted alley for the last twenty-six years" (Hosseini, 1). Although the rape was almost 25 years earlier to the present, the "...past claws its way out" (Hosseini, 1). While Hassan was the one being violated, it changes the plot and reveals the characterization of Amir. The rape of Hassen reveals that Amir is a coward, only looking for Baba's pride. -
The Karzai Government Power
As the power of the Taliban died down, Hamid Karzai "was named chairman of an interim group that replaced the defeated Taliban..." (NY Times 3). -
Amir Runs the Kite for Sohrab
Running the kite for Sohrab made Amir feel like he "...was twelve again and all the old instincts came rushing back" (Hosseini, 368). The presence of Sohrab and Amir in a kite tournament is symbolic, because it is a reminder of the times Hassan and Amir ran the kites. However, this time Amir will not have to witness Sohrab experiencing the pain Hassan did. Although, the book is left on an open conclusion, one can infer Amir and Sohrab will bond, caused by Sohrab's first smile. -
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The Reelection of Hamid Karzai
Having been a good leader, Mr. Karzai "was elected to a five-year term as president in 2004" (NY Times 3). -
General Petraeus Taking Charge
An Iraq commander, General Petraeus, who was well respected "had taken charge of United States Central Command in October 2008" (NY Times 4). -
Obama's Speech
In order to deal with the troubles in the Middle East, Obama "announced his plan to deploy 30,000 additional troops" (NY Times 4) through a speech at West Point. -
The Removal of McChrystal
Not having the best trust, "Obama removed Gen. McChrystal after contemptuous quotes from the general and his staff..." (NY Times 4)