Kite Runner and the History of Afghanistan

By juliandobson

  • Amir is Born

    In 1963, Amir's mother, "...died giving birth to..." (Hosseini 6) Amir. Amir was born one year before Hassan. They were both born in the same shack.

  • Hassan is Born

    Amir and Baba have a hut in their yard, and, "It was there... that Hassan was born in the winter of 1964" (Hosseini 6). Hassan being born on Baba's property shows how much Ali and Hassan depend on Baba. Hassan was born in the same shack that he grew up in.

  • Baba Builds Orphanage

    Amir says that, "In the late 1960s, when I was five or six, Baba decided to build an orphanage." Baba proves people wrong and becomes and architect. Baba's true motive of building the orphanage was because he felt guilty about his secret son, Hassan.
  • Period: to

    Kite Runner and the History of Afghanistan

  • Khan proposes a new constitution and cracks down on opponents

    The constitution Khan proposes supports women's rights and forces non Khan supporters out of the government.

  • Hassan's Rape

    During the kite competition, Amir, "...saw Hassan run a kite for the last time" (Hosseini 55). This is the most important event in the entire book. Amir witnesses Hassan's rape and feels guilt about it forever until he is beaten by Assef.

  • Ali and Hassan Leave Baba and Amir

    Amir, "planted [his] new watch and a handful of Afghani bills under [Hassan's mattress]" (Hosseini 104). Amir frames Hassan for stealing Amir's money and watch. This act makes Amir and Hassan leave.

  • Amir's birthday party

    Baba threw Amir a ginormous party. Amir says Baba thinks, "Invite the whole world or it's not a party" (Hosseini 93). Amir does not recognize most of the invitation list. He realizes he is not the star of the party.

  • Khan is killed in a coup

    After Khan is killed in a coup, "Nur Mohammad Taraki, one of the founding members of the Afghan Communist Party, takes control of the country as president, and Babrak Karmal is named deputy prime minister. They proclaim independence from Soviet influence, and declare their policies to be based on Islamic principles, Afghan nationalism and socioeconomic justice. Taraki signs a friendship treaty with the Soviet Union."

  • The US and USSR harm Afghanistan

    The US "cuts off assistance to Afghanistan" and the USSR invade to "bolster the faltering communist regime" (PBS).

  • Baba and Amir leave Kabul

    Amir says they, "left the house where [he'd] lived [his] entire life" (Hosseini 112). Baba and Amir left their hometown quite suddenly. No one could be trusted in Kabul anymore, so they left.

  • Exodus of Afghans

    In 1982, about "2.8 million Afghans have fled from the war to Pakistan, and another 1.5 million have fled to Iran" (PBS)

  • Amir and Baba live in America

    Amir writes that, "Baba loved the idea of America" (Hosseini 125). Amir and Baba travel to California to escape the unjust Afghanistan. Baba doesn't love living in America.

  • Amir Graduates High School

    Amir says, "I graduated from high school at the age of twenty" (Hosseini 131). Amir finally gets a high school education. This makes Baba incredibly proud of him.

  • Baba is diagnosed with cancer

    Baba's doctor calls the situation "grave" (Hosseini 156). Baba finds out he has terminal cancer. Amir is shocked and cries for Baba.

  • Human Rights Violation

    The UN looks into "reported human rights violations in Afghanistan" (PBS).

  • Baba dies

    Amir tucks Baba into bed one night and he "never woke up" (Hosseini 173). Baba died a month after the wedding. I think Baba had to die for he was holding Amir back in America.

  • Amir marries Soraya

    Baba said Amir's wedding day was the "happiest day of [his] life" (Hosseini 166). Amir gains permission from Soraya's parents and they marry. Baba is very proud of Amir.

  • Al-Qaida Formed

    Terrorists in Afghanistan "form the group al-Qaida, or “the base”, to continue their jihad, or holy war, against the Soviets and other who they say oppose their goal of a pure nation governed by Islam" (PBS).

  • Peace Treaty

    Many countries including "The U.S., Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the Soviet Union sign peace accords in Geneva guaranteeing Afghan independence and the withdrawal of 100,000 Soviet troops" (PBS).

  • Coup

    Rebel groups plot a coup and "storm the capital, Kabul, and oust Najibullah from power" (PBS).

  • The Taliban Rises

    And Islamic rebel group"the Taliban, rises to power on promises of peace" (PBS).

  • Rahim Khan calls Amir

    Rahim tells Amir he wants him to come to Afghanistan because he "is very sick" (Hosseini 191). Amir embarks on a journey just to see Rahim Khan. Amir is surprised, however when he finds much more than he thought.

  • Sohrab's smiles, a miracle happens

    Amir thought "It was only a smile, nothing more" (Hosseini 371). Amir knows things will get better. He runs down Sohrab's kite for him after the smile.

  • Assef relieves Amir of his guilt

    As Assef is killing Amir, Amir thinks, "I don't know at what point I started laughing, but I did" (Hosseini 289). Amir finally feels atonement for his sins. Assef is stopped by Sohrab, who shoots Assef in the eye with a slingshot.

  • Bin Laden Dead

    The Us government, who consider al-Qaida and the Taliban major terrorist threats, "overtake a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, and kill al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden" (PBS).