-
Amir's Mother Dies
Amir thinks about how Hassan's mother gave birth to him in their living quarters while his mother "hemorrhaged to death" (Hosseini 6). This quotation is important because Amir's mother dying shaped his life to how it is currently in the book. If his mother hadn't died his life would have been so different, for example he could have a closer relationship with his father. -
Baba Flew to Watch the World Cup
This event acted as an important time in the book because since Baba signed Amir up for soccer to "stir the same passion in [Amir]" (Hosseini 20). I found this important because Baba was trying to mold Amir into what he wanted and this illustrated their father-son relationship. Baba and Amir are very distant because Baba can't accept his own son. -
First Encounter with Assef
As the town bully, Assef and his gang approached Hassan and Amir he says "It's not for the first time it occurs to me that Assef might not be entirely sane" (Hosseini 39). This quotation shows that Assef has a reputation and it has perceived him to be not entirely normal or respectful. This event is important because it is the first encounter with the bullies that raped Hassan and comes back when the tragic event occurs. -
Hassan's Birthday Surgery
For Hassan's birthday, Baba gives him a surgery to fix his cleft lip and finds a surgeon who's job "is to fix things on peoples. Sometimes their faces" (Hosseini 45). This surgery is important to Hassan because he is convinced the reason his mother left with a group of performers is due to his lip deformity. This surgery would instill a confidence in him that he didn't have before since he will no longer have a cleft lip. -
Hassan Gets Raped by Assef
After the kite flying contest Assef "knelt behind Hassan, put his hands on Hassan's hips and lifted his bare buttocks" (Hosseini 75). This quotation implies that Hassan got raped by Assef and plays an enormous roll in the rest of the story. This results to guilt placed on Amir for not doing anything and sadness for Hassan. This occurs after Hassan and Amir win the Kite Running contest. -
Overthrow and Killing of General Daud
In a coup in favor of the Soviet's, "General Daud is overthrown and killed... The People's Democratic Party comes to power but is paralysed by violent infighting and faces opposition by US-backed mujahideen groups."
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253 -
Period: to
Soviet Invasion
When the Soviet Army "invades and props up communist government"
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253 -
Amir Meets Soraya
Amir explains that after he meets Soraya "every night of the week became a yelda" (Hosseini 143). This quotation explains the beginning love Amir felt for Soraya and how overnight get amazing. He only felt like this after he met her so she obviously had a long lasting effect on him to the point where he is mesmerized. -
Baba and Amir Leave to Pakistan
Considering everything that was going on Baba and Amir had to escape but Amir felt uncomfortable because he had been "rolling since [Baba and Amir] left Kabul" (Hosseini 110). This quote explains Amir's feelings towards leaving Kabul and how he does not feel normal leaving. Although this maybe good for Amir and Baba, they will have to adapt to their new lives. -
Kamal's Father Commits Suicide
After Kamal dies, his father is hysterical and can't bear to see his son dead. As he was crying as he looked at his dead son he took a gun "shoved the barrel in his own mouth" (Hosseini 124). This quotation is important because it is another death in the story altering it. Also,they were on a journey together and since he died that is one less person they had to stay connected to. -
Ride to Jalalabad
Amir and Baba leave Kabul to go to Jalalabad to hopefully continue their journey to America. Amir was uneasy about parting ways with his home town and his "innards had been rolling since we'd left Kabul" (Hosseini 110). This event is important because it presents the beginning of their journey to the U.S. and their new lives. Also many important events occur on the way to the United States and when they are already there. This is just the beginning of the rest of the juicy story. -
Amir's Flashback About Hassan
While Amir is thinking back to his days in Afghanistan he remembers "Hassan and [Amir] stand ankle-deep in unstained grass" (Hosseini 122). This event is important because despite what Amir said about Hassan and him not being friends, he was thinking about him years later. This not only shows that Amir thought of Hassan as a friend but that he still does think that way. This shows as well that Hassan meant a lot to Amir. -
Store Incident
While trying to pay for groceries with a check, Baba is carded and says "Almost two years we have bought his damn fruit and put money in his pocket and the son of a dog wants to see my license!" (Hosseini 127). This event shows not much but that Baba was not used to U.S. customs and found it offensive that he was carded. Also, that Baba has a short temper and does not take time to figure things out patiently. -
Amir Marries Soraya
After several years, Baba allows Amir to marry Soraya. Amir wanted "[Amir and Soraya] to marry" (Hosseini 165). This event is important because it is the beginning of Amir's life of being a husband. Also, he is going to spend the rest of his life with Soraya and have a family and new life. -
Baba Dies of Cancer
Sadly, Baba got diagnosed with cancer and as Amir is putting him to bed but "Baba never woke up" (Hosseini 173). This event is important because Baba was an important character is the story partly because he was Amir and Hassan's father and was a part of most of the influencial events. The loss of Baba's was a sad time for many characters in the book. As soon as Baba and Amir began to bond was when he passed away. -
Soviet's Pull Out Troops
Several countries including Afghanistan, USSR, Pakistan, and the Soviet Union "sign peace accords and Soviet Union begins pulling out troops."
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253 -
Soviet Troops Leave
The civil war continues after the "last soviet troop leave" and as "mujahideen push to overthrow Najibullah."
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253 -
Northern Alliance Took Over Kabul
Rahim Khan explains to Amir that after the "Northern Alliance took over Kabul between 1992 and 1996, different factions claimed different part of Kabul" (Hosseini 199). This quotation is important to the story because this shaped life in Kabul for everyone who lived their although Amir had moved away my then anyways. The Northern Alliance power shaped the ay the countries even today and when Amir comes bak Rahim Khan updates him. -
Taliban Gains Control
The Taliban gains control "of Kabull and introduce hard-line version of Islam, banning women from work, and introducing Islamic punishments, which include stoning to death and amputations."
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253 -
Taliban Attempts at Control
Taliban is known as "legitimate rulers by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. They now control about two-thirds of country"
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253 -
Taliban Considered Rulers
After taking power, the Taliban is "recognised as legitimate rulers by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. They now control about two-thirds of country."
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253 -
Air Embargo Proposal
Shortly after the U.S. offers a trade embargo and "financial sanctions to force Afghanistan to hand over Osama bin Laden for trial."
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253 -
Assassination of Ahmad Shah Masood
The leader of the the opposition to the "Taliban - the Northern Alliance - is assassinated."
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253 -
Amir Gets a Call from Rahim Khan
As Amir gets a call from Rahim Khan he decides to go to Afghanistan because "Rahim Khan is very sick" (Hosseini 191). This quote is relevant because one of Amir's friends is very ill and could die very soon. Amir traveling back to Afghanistan will hit the story in several ways possibly. Going back could bring up old memories and rehash what life was like for Amir as a child. -
Bomb Attack
A suicide bomb attack "on Indian embassy in Kabul kills more than 50 people" to everyones surprise.