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Kite Runner
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Hassan's First Word was Amir
While Amir said Baba as his first word, "[Hassan's] was Amir" (11). This shows how stong of a relationship and connection Amir and Hassan have. It also hints at that they may be more than close childhood friends. -
Soliders Yell at Hassan About his Mother
While Amir and Hassan were taking a shortcut, a solider yelled at Hassan that he "took [his mother] from behind by that creek over there" (7). This was painful for Hassan to hear because his mother had lest him for other guys like that guy who yelled at him. Its also very hard because the only information he knows about his mother is degrading and disturbing. -
Baba Calling Amir a Coward
Baba feels like there is something missing in Amir partly because he hasn't seen Amir atand up for himself and he doesn't have a close relationship with his son. Baba states to Rahim that "i'd never believe he's my son" if he haddn't watched the birth (23). This confirms to Amir that he will never have a strong father son relationship with Baba and doesnt have his full love and support. -
Hassan Stands Up For Amir
Assef and his gang stop Amir and Hassan on a hill and aim to beat up Amir until Hassan stepped up and had a "slingshot pointed directly at Assef's face" (42). Amir was so scared he had no idea what to do until Hassan thought of something. This also proves Baba's point from earlier and shows his characteristists more in Hassan then Amir. -
Rahim Encourages Amir
Amir wrote his first story and since Baba wouldn't read it, he gave it to Rahim and he "added a single word that did more to encourage me to pursue writing...that word was bravo" (32).Rahim really acted like a father figure to Amir and basically changed Amir's life by that one word. He not only encouraged Amir but also let him know that it was okay for him to be a writer and not grow up exactly like Baba. -
Amir Wins the Kite Tournamnet
Right after Amir cut the last kite, Hassan was jumping up and down, "both of [them} laughing...[and} weeping" while Hassan was yelling "you won Amir agah! you won!" (66). Although Amir won with Hassan's help they both shared the same ammount of joy. With Baba on-looking, Amir is hopeful Baba with have more pride in him cauing their relationship to grow. -
Hassan is Raped
After Hassan run the last kite for Amir, he is trapped in an ally with Assef and his friends. Assef wants Hassan to give him the kite but Hassan won't and instead "stoop[s] and pick[s] up a rock" (73). Hassan's act displays how he isn't afraid to stand up for himself and Amir. He isn't afraid of the consequences and is quite innocent because he believes everyone should be fair and play by the rules. -
Amir Frames Hassan
Due to the fact Amir cannot bear Hassan being raped, he tells Baba that Hassan stole from him. Baba then askes Hassan "Did you steal that money...that watch, Hassan" and is answered yes (105). This act by Hassan shows how he will do anything for Amir no matter what the consequences. This causes even more guilt for Amir because he loves Hassan like a brother and Hassan has always been there to take the fall for Amir. -
Soviet Union Invades Afghanistan
After years of stablity, the first Soviet toops parachute into Kabul to aid in the coup to put Hafizullah amin out of ower. -
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Kite Runner & the History of Afghanistan
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Amir and Baba Move To America
Due to the Russians take-over, Baba deccided him and Amir would leave. They left in the middle of the night, and "the signs of [their] elopement were subtle" with only a few clothes and photographs missing (112). This changed their lives drastically because America was much different and it would be like starting over. They could not take their wealth with them therefore bringing them down to the lowest class and giving them new experiences. -
Amir Marries Soraya
Since Baba didnt have long to live, he did one last fatherly duty for Amir by going over to General Sahib's house to ask for his daugher's hand in marriage, and "the general accepted" (163). Although Baba was unwell and dying, he did one last noble thing for his son. This act helped define Amirs future by having a wife to take care of. -
Soviets left Afghanistan
The Unitited Nations got envolved, peacefully forcing the Soviets out of the country. -
Afganistan was is Chaos
Power theroughout Afghanistan was held in the hands of war lord and fiefdoms creating no structual government or single power iof the country. -
Pakistan Gave support to Taliban
Pakistani military gave the Taliban led by Mullah Omar, money, weapons, and supplies as well as Pakistani militarty advisors. -
Afghanistan Welcomes Osama Bin Laden
Taliban aloowed Afghanistan to be a safe haven for bin Laden and his group, Al Qaeda. -
Rahim calls Amir
Rahim calls Amir to come back to Afghanistan because he is dying and mentions at the end of the conversation, "there is a way to be good again" (2). This statement by Rahim implys that he knows about what happened between him and Hassan because he was always close with Amir and knew him so well. Rahim is offering a way of attonement for Amir and a way to be guilt free. -
Sorhab Attemps Suicide
After Amir tells Sorhab he might have to go live in an orphanage again, Sorhab goes into the bathroom and Amir goes in to see, "the blood-soaked razor sitting on the toilet tank -and [Sorhab's] eyes still half open but lifeless" 347-8). Sorhab was rush to the hospital and ended up living but tried to commit suicide because he felt his life would only get worse and there was no point in living anymore. Amir was somewhat to blame because he promised Sorhab he would never send him back to another o -
Amir and Hassan are Half-Brothers
While Rahim was trying to convince Amir to go find Sorhab, Rahim told Aimr that "Ali was sterile" and that Hassan was Baba's child. This at first hit Amir as a great shock but then he realized all the signs that had been present throughout his whole life regarding Baba and Amir. Although Hassan had never know he was Amir's brother he had always loved him and treated him as one. -
Amir brings Sohrab back to the States
Although "Sorhab never accepted [Amir's] offer nor did he decline it" Amir decided to bring Sorhab back to the united states with him (356). Sorhab didn't have the same enthusiam to move but he realized that he was an orphan with no other place to go. Amir was trying to give Sorhab a better life, yet all Sorhab really wanted was his original life with his parents. -
9/11
While George W. Bush was president, Al Qaeda led an attack on the US, by bombing/ crashing into the Twin Towers in New York City killing many Americans. -
Taliban Removed from Power
Due to the events inficted on the US by Al Qaeda, the Taliban was removed from power in Afganistan because they suppored Bin Laden. -
Hamid Karzai Becomes Leader
The relative of former king of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai replaced the Taliban hoping to secure peace for Afghanistan. He was elected for a five year term. -
Amir runs the kite for Sohrab
Once Amir ans Sorhab cut a kite together, Amir sees a slight smile from Sorhab and then asks Sorhab if he would like Amir to run the kite for him. Sorhab give a slight nod and Amir responds with "for you, a thousand times over" (371). This statement shows how he hopes to have such a strong connection with Sorhab as he did with Hassan. This also brings back memories of better time for Amir and hopes this will be a good start with Sorhab. -
President Obama Sends More Trooops
President Obama makes a speech at West Point stating he will be sending 30,000 aditional troops to Afganistan and start bringing them home in 2011. -
President Obama Withdraw Some troops
Although President Obama stated he would bring troops home in summer of 2011, all the troops wont be gone from Afghanistan until end of 2014.