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Afghanistan Becomes an Independent Nation
After winning their third war with Britain, Afghanistan becomes an independent nation and Amir Amanullah Khan begins a rigorous socioeconomic reform. -
Period: to
Afghanistan History
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Zahir Shah made King
Zahir Shah is chosen as king and brings stability to the country. He begins his 40 year reign. -
Mohammed Daoud Khan becomes Prime Minister
Mohammed Daoud Khan, cousin of the king is chosen as the new prime minister and pushes and introduces new social reforms such as allowing women in a more public presence. -
Soviet Union become Close Ally with Afghanistan.
Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev agrees to help Afghanistan, and the two countries become close allies -
Women Education/Careers
in 1957, women begin to have to right to go to universities and enter the work force. -
Amir is Born
Amir describes his and Hassan's bond and childhood from birth, remembering that "It was there, in that little shack, that Hassan was born in the winter of 1964, just one year after my mother died giving birth to me" (Hosseini 6). The similarities the boys share from birth show how they have always shared a bond since birth, both born in the same house within a few months span and being fed from the same woman when their mothers were not present show that they share a bond that will be tested. -
Hassan and Amir speak their first words
Both their first words are revealed, "[Amir's] was Baba. [Hassan's] was Amir"(11). This quote foreshadows what is to come in the winter of 1975. This is significant because it shows how important Amir is to Hassan, and how important Baba is to Amir. -
Khan overthrows the King
Khan overthrows the king, Mohammed Zahir Shah, he abolishes the monarchy and names himself king. -
Assef rapes Hassan
Amir thinks back to the where his internal conflict starts which is during the moment when, "[he] could step into that alley, and up for Hassan- the way he'd stood up for me all those times in the past- and accept whatever would happen to me. Or [he] could run. In the end, [he] ran" (Hosseini 77). Amir reveals his selfishness, leaving Hassan and tears apart their friendship. This shows how Amir left Hassan when he needed him most and his betrayal toward Hassan which he later tries to atone for. -
Hassan and Ali leave
Ali tells Baba they are leaving, and Amir "understood the grief [he] had brought onto everyone, that not even Ali's paralyzed face could mask his sorrow" (Hosseini 107). In the moment, Amir regrets what he has done and feels guilt. He betrays Hassan again when framing him for theft. -
Amir throws a pomegranate
After meeting Hassan at the pomegranate tree, Amir "hurled the pomegranate at him. It struck him in the chest, exploded in a spray of red pulp"(92). This quote is significant because it shows the guilt that Amir feels. It also shows Amir is trying to get Hassan to hurt him so he doesn't have to live with the guilt anymore. -
Amir and Baba travel to America
As Baba and Amir take a truck fleeing from Kabul, Baba stand ups for a woman. Amir pulls Baba back and "Baba slapped [his] hand away. Haven't I taught you anything?" (116). Amir is shocked by Baba's reaction as he was able to stand up to a fully armed guard. Amir is also taken back as he was not able to stand up for Hassan, but Baba asking "Have I not taught you anything?" makes it even more clear to Amir what he should've done and how he could've earned Baba's affection. -
Fleeting the War
4.3 millions Afghans flee to different countries in attempt to escape the war. 2.8million flee to Pakistan while 1.5million flee to Iraq -
Amir and Baba arrive in America
Amir and Baba get to America, Amir realizes that "Baba loved the idea of America. It was living in America that gave him an ulcer"(125). This is significant because it shows that America is extremely different for Baba. This is important because Baba is not used to being lower class, and America is not what he was hoping it would be. -
Amir Asks Baba to help him Ask Soraya for a hand in marraige
After Baba calls General Taheri, he and Amir "[look] at each other". Amir, in his nervousness "bursts into giggles", when "Baba join[s] in" (162). In his youth, Amir fought for Baba's affection. Now that they've come to America, he's finally gotten that along with a happy bride and a bright future. Despite some difficulties to adapt of moving to America, it forces new perspectives to life that Amir sought in his youth. -
Amir marrys Soraya
On the day of his marriage, Amir wonders"if Hassan too had married" as well as "whose henna-painted hands he had held" (171). It has been many years since the tragic day in 1975, or since Amir last saw his friend, yet Hassan continues to leave an impact mark in his life. Amir will continues to be haunted by the Hazara he once knew, unable to let go of the past. -
Osama bin Laden form al-Qaida
A man named Osama bin Laden and his crew of 15 islamist, form a group called al- Qaida. they continue their "holy war" against the Soviets and other who are against them. -
Hassan and his wife are killed
Rahim Khan tells Amir that Hassan has died, he says, "'Hassan protested again. So they took him to the street.' No, 'I breathed.' -And order him to kneel- '' No. God no. ' '-and shot him in the back of the head.' 'No' "(219). All of Amir's dreams of being able to atone are gone. Hassan died just a year too late. But, this death also proposes a new chance for Amir to atone for his past as he can adopt sohrab and find him a new family -
Rahim Khan calls Amir
Amir receives a call from an ill Rahim Khan, who calls him to Pakistan saying that "'there is a way to be good again'" (192).
This shows that he knew Amir well enough to realize the effect and extent of Amir's guilt over the years. Despite how long it's been, this proves the strength and closeness of their relationship due to how easy it is for Rahim Khan to know this. -
Amir Faces Assef again, but Sohrab saves him
Amir sees Sohrab above him, and "his hand was cocked above his shoulder, holding the cup of the slingshot at the end of the elastic band which was pulled all the way back... Sohrab had the slingshot pointed to Assef's face" (290). The encounter with Assef is similar to the encounter in 1973. Sohrab, is like his father Hassan, is there to rescue Amir; however, Sohrab is, taking the traits of his father loyalty and courageousness. -
Sohrab meets General Tahari
General Sohrab shows his dissapointment during a dinner. Amir tells him the truth about Sohrab, and tells him to "never again refer to him as 'Hazara boy' in [his] presence" (361). Amir has seen the outcome of the IHazara" mentality through his own actions as well as Hassan's death. Guilt causes him to see the wrong and his journey for atonement shows his change. -
911 Terrorist Attack
Hijackers hijack and crash four commercial planes into the World Trade Center Towers, Pentagon, and a Field, killing thousands. The prime suspect being Osama bin laden -
Amir and Sohrab fly a kite
Amir offers to run the kite for Sohrab. As Sohrab nods, Amir responds by saying "for you, a thousand times over", still thinking about the "lopsided" smile Sohrab had. (171). This shows growth in Amir. Kites act as a reminder of the friend he betrayed, of the sin from his childhood. But now, he has atoned enough that they represent hope for his future family with Sohrab and Soraya. -
A New Start/Leadership
A man named Ashraf Ghani is elected president after two rounds of voting and allegations of election fraud and power sharing.
