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Baba is Born and Zahir Shah Begins his Reign Over Afghanistan
According to the author, "In 1933 ... Baba was born and ... Zahir Shah began his forty-year reign of Afghanistan" (Hosseini 24). In essence, Hosseini includes a parallel between history and the book when he compares Baba and Zahir Shah. Hosseini depicts Baba's grandeur by comparing him with a major historical figure. Through this comparison, he illustrates the tension in the parent-child relationship between Baba and Amir, and how it is difficult for Amir to live up to Baba's greatness. -
Sofia Akrami Dies While Giving Birth to Amir
In the story, Amir thinks, "I always felt like Baba hated me a little. And why not? I had killed his beloved wife" In other words, Hosseini explains that Sofia Akrami dies while giving birth to Amir, and that Amir feels guilt for this. Hosseini reveals the constant presence of Amir's guilt throughout the book, and its accumulation through actions that are both in and out of his control. -
Hassan is Born
On page 6, Hosseini describes Hassan's shack, and says, "It was there, in that little shack, that Hassan was born in the winter of 1964." Hosseini uses the mud shack as symbolism for the poor way of life of Hazaras. By saying that Hassan was born in the shack, Hosseini explains to the reader that in Afghan culture, Hazaras are born into their poor conditions. -
Hassan is Raped
Amir silently watches Assef rape Hassan, and does not stand up for him. Amir tries to explain his reason for running, but in the end admits, "Maybe Hassan [is] the price I [have] to pay, the lamb I [have] to slay, to win Baba" (Hosseini 77). Basically, Amir accepts the fact that he is willing to sacrifice anything to earn Baba's love. Hosseini reveals how extensive Amir's desire to please Baba is, and how it damages his friendship with Hassan. -
Amir Challenges Hassan by Throwing Pomegranates at Him
After Amir watches Assef rape Hassan, he has trouble rekindling his relationship with Hassan. In one attempt to play with him, Amir expresses his anger and throws pomegranates at Hassan. He then challenges, "'Hit me back!' ... 'Get up! Hit me!'" (Hosseini 92). In essence, Amir attempts to provoke Hassan to act disloyal by standing up to Amir. Hosseini shows the reader how Amir feels that acts of disloyalty from Hassan would lessen the awfulness of his cowardice during Hassan's rape. -
Amir Frames Hassan for Theft, But Baba Forgives Hassan
After discovering that Hassan stole Amir's wristwatch and money, Baba surprises Amir by saying, "I forgive you" (Hosseini 105). Essentially, Baba forgives Hassan for the biggest sin of all, theft, and also cries during Hassan and Ali's departure. Hosseini illustrates just how much Baba cares for Hassan and Ali, and exposes a different side of Baba. The reader realizes that Baba is willing to bend his morals and show weakness for Hassan, and realizes just how much Baba cares for Hassan. -
The First Soviet Union Troops Enter Afghanistan
According to "The New York Times," "The first Soviet troops parachuted into Kabul on Dec. 27, 1979, to assist Babrak Karmal, who had become president in a coup within the Afghan Communist leadership" (The New York Times). -
Amir and Baba Escape to Pakistan
As Baba and Amir travel to Pakistan, a soldier demands time with a fellow passenger, but Baba defends her by exclaiming, "'I'll take a thousand bullets before I let this indecency take place'" (Hosseini 116). Baba performs a noble act by standing up for the woman, but Amir thinks about the impact that Baba's actions will have on himself. Hosseini uses the difference between Amir and Baba's actions to symbolize their difference in character, and Amir's tendency to find an excuse for cowardice. -
Baba and Amir Discuss Soraya Taheri
After Amir meets Soraya, Baba explains what he knows of Soraya's past, and says, "'what happens in a few days, sometimes even a single day, can change the course of a whole lifetime'" (Hosseini 142). Essentially, Hosseini is referring to Hassan's rape and how it was an event of a single day, but its effects last throughout the story. Hosseini connects the smaller parts of the story, such as Amir and Soraya's relationship, to its larger theme, Amir's guilt and atonement after Hassan's rape. -
Baba Refuses Treatment for His Cancer and Teaches Amir a Lesson
After Baba discovers he has cancer and declines chemotherapy, Amir asks about himself and his struggle. Baba replies, "'that's what I was trying to teach you, how to never have to ask that question'" (Hosseini 157). Basically, Amir's reaction to a negative situation is to think of himself, while Baba's is to remain strong. Because of this difference in morals, Baba looks down on Amir. Through this event, Hosseini illustrates the effect of morals on Amir and Baba's father-son relationship. -
Baba Dies
Before Baba dies, he tells Soraya and Amir, "'There is no pain tonight'" (Hosseini 173). Like Saunabar, Baba dies peacefully and content, without the worries of his sins haunting him. Hosseini shows that Baba has atoned for his poor treatment of Amir and has ridden himself of his guilt, which foreshadows Amir’s path to atonement. -
Soviet Troops Leave Afghanistan
The New York Times claims, "Eventually, after peace talks moderated by the United Nations, the last Soviet troop [leaves] Afghanistan in February 1989" (The New York Times). -
The Taliban Begins Gaining Power
Mullah Omar, an Afghan Pashtun who had fought the Soviets, has "nearly 12,000 followers and [is] rolling up the warlords to the north and east. With his promise of restoring the centrality of Islam to daily life, he [is creating] a genuinely popular movement in a country weary of corruption and brutality" (The New York Times). -
The Taliban Seizes Control of Afghanistan
The article explains how "Taliban, the extremist Islamic group ... [seizes] control in 1996 after years of civil war" (The New York Times). -
Osama bin Laden Arrives at Jalalabad Airport
One of the Taliban's major actions includes proving "a haven for Mr. bin Laden ... and for Al Qaeda" (The New York Times). Osama bin Laden arrives at Jalalabad Airport in May 1996. -
The U.S. Begins Military Involvement in Afghanistan
According to "The New York Times," "The United States has been militarily involved in Afghanistan since 2001, when it led an invasion after the Sept. 11 attacks by Al Qaeda" (The New York Times). -
Hassan and Farzana are Shot by the Taliban
As Amir reflects on the death of Hassan, he imagines, "Hassan [slumping] to the asphalt, his life of unrequited loyalty drifting from him" (Hosseini 219). In other words, Amir associates Hassan's death with his guilt towards never returning Hassan's loyalty, and despairingly believes that he will never be able to atone for his wrongdoings. Hence, Hosseini illustrates how the loss of a chance for atonement creates a sense of desperation and resignation in Amir. -
Rahim Khan Calls Amir
In 2001, as Amir reflects on his past, he mentions Rahim Khan's phone call, and how Rahim Khan said, "'There is a way to be good again'" (Hosseini 2). In essence, Hosseini develops Amir's guilt, his relationship with Rahim Khan, and the idea of a second chance for Amir. Through the phone call, Hosseini builds the foundation of the book's main themes: friendship, guilt, and atonement. -
Amir Mentions Hassan's Name For the First Time in Years
The topic of Hassan comes up between Amir and Rahim Khan, and when Amir says Hassan's name, he thinks, "speaking his name [has] broken a spell, set [my guilt] free to torment me anew" (Hosseini 202). Essentially, Hosseini uses the mention of Hassan's name as a point in which Amir's guilt is brought to surface again. Hassan's name serves as a revelation of guilt for Amir and begins the transition from guilt to atonement. -
Rahim Khan Reveals the Truth About Hassan
Even though Baba had preached that theft is the only sin, "Baba had been a thief. And a thief of the worst kind, because the things he'd stolen had been sacred" (Hosseini 225). Essentially, when Baba stole the truth from Amir and Hassan while preaching about the wrongness of theft, he showed hypocrisy. Amir is angered by Baba's hypocrisy and its effect on him and Hassan. Hosseini illustrates how difficult it is for one to follow their own teachings, and how this hypocrisy harms others. -
Sohrab and Amir Return to America, and Amir Explains His Relation to Sohrab
After Amir and Sohrab return, the General asks about Sohrab, and Amir replies, "my father slept with his servant's wife. She bore him a son named Hassan ... He's my nephew" (Hosseini 361). In essence, Amir provides a straightforward summary of his relationship with Sohrab without fearing the General's opinion. Amir's statement illustrates the sense of closure he feel towards his past, and portrays a stronger and more courageous version of him. -
Hamid Karzai is Named Chairman of the Interim Administration
According to the article, "In December 2001, Hamid Karzai, a supporter and relative of Mohammad Zahir Shah, the exiled former king of Afghanistan, [is] named chairman of an interim government that [will replace] the defeated Taliban, making him the leader of the country" (The New York Times). -
Karzai is Elected President
The article states, "Mr. Karzai [is] elected to a five-year term as president in 2004" (The New York Times). -
Obama Announces Plans on Withdrawing Troops in Afghanistan
President Obama declares he will "start bringing American forces home from Afghanistan in the middle of 2001, saying the United States [can] not afford and should not have to shoulder an open-ended commitment" (The New York Times). -
U.S. Begins Removing Troops from Afghanistan
The article states, "the Obama administration increasingly emphasizes the idea that the United States will have forces in the country until at least the end of 2014" (The New York Times).
