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1975
During the Kite Flying Tournament, Amir's kite "sliced [his] fingers again as the wind dragged it...[Amir] didn't need to hear the crowd's roar to know...'We won! We won!' was all [Amir] could say" (Hosseini 66). Amir is characterized as a person who is not athletic or interested in sports, which is one of the reasons why Baba and Amir are so distanced. Winning the kite tournament meant that Amir could be accepted in Baba's eyes, which was something he wanted for a while. -
Period: to
Kite Runner: History of Afghanistan
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1976
The day after Amir's 13th birthday party, Amir "took a couple of the envelopes of cash from the pile of gifts and [his] watch, and tiptoed out...[He] lifted Hassan's mattress and planted [his] new watch and a handful of Afghani bills under it" (Hosseini 104). Amir decided that Hassan had to go by kicking him out. He felt guilty for not helping Hassan during the rape, but used that guilt as anger so that he could rid of Hassan for what he hoped would be the rest of his life. -
1978
Pres. and Prime Minister Daoud was overthrown + killed by the People's Democratic Party (PDP) who come "to power but is paralyzed by violent infighting and faces opposition by US-backed mujahideen groups" (BBC World News). -
1979
The Soviet Army, which was the Russian Army during the 1920s to the 1990s, "invades and props up communist government" (BBC World News). -
1980
War between the Mujahideen groups and the Soviet Forces starts and the "US, Pakistan, China, Iran and Saudi Arabia supply money and arms to the mujahideen" to help them in the war (BBC World News). -
1981
Amir and Baba faced a Russian soldier who "wanted a half hour with the lady in the back of the truck...That was when Baba stood up...'Ask him where his shame is'" (Hosseini 115). Baba is powerful and courageous in his own way when he speaks against the Russian soldier. He shows no mercy against the soldier and risks himself to save the stranger. Baba is considered to be a hero in the eyes of many people, strongly for his courage and will to do what is right. -
1983
Already living in America, Amir finally "graduated from high school at the age of twenty, by far the oldest senior tossing his mortarboard on the football field that day...'I am moftakhir, Amir,' he said. Proud" (Hosseini 131). School systems in Afghanistan were different from school systems in America, so Amir graduated high school at a later age. Still, Amir is very fortunate for what has happened during his time in America and does not want that happiness to go away. -
1984
On his way back from getting coffee, Amir found Baba "talking to an older, distinguished-looking man" who was later introduced to Amir as General Sahib (Hosseini 138). This confirms Amir and Baba's decision to go to the flea market, since General Sahib's daughter is one of the main reasons they are there. General Sahib is distinguished to be a well respected, wise man who takes religion and ethics seriously. -
1985
Amir speaks to Soraya for the first time by talking about "Wuthering Heights. 'Have you read it?' she said...[Amir] could feel the pulsating beat of [his] heart behind [his] eyes" (Hosseini 147). Since his frequent arrivals at the flea market, Amir never really had a decent conversation with Soraya until now. Amir is very fond of Soraya, and based on his actions, it was difficult to even begin talking to her. This shows Amir's nervousness to face challenges he has not experienced before. -
1985
After Baba caught a cold, Amir took him to the hospital where the doctors told him that Baba had "'Oat Cell Carcinoma.' Advanced. Inoperable...'There is chemotherapy, of course,' he said. 'But it would only be palliative'" (Hosseini 156). Concerned about Baba's health, Amir took him to the hospital only to find out that the illness Baba had was incurable. Even with the option of chemotherapy, Amir is still worried about his father's health, showing how much Amir cares deeply for him. -
1985
When Baba passes away, Amir responds to that by saying, "'I'm going to miss him.' ...Soraya pulled [Amir] to her and the tears finally came" (Hosseini 176). Amir and Baba were not as close until the Kite Flying Tournament, and they never got closer until they traveled to America. This hurts Amir extremely because of their developed relationship and the fact that Amir considers Baba as his hero. With Baba gone, Amir has to fend for himself during tough situations that he is not prepared to face. -
1986
After the doctors discharge Baba from the hospital, Amir asks him if he could "'go khastegari. I want you to ask General Taheri for his daughter's hand'" (Hosseini 161). Amir acts differently towards Soraya and that is shown from the confidence he brings when he asks Baba to ask General Taheri for Soraya's hand. Amir's cowardice turns into determination and will power when he asks this, showing that he is maturing into the man Baba has dreamed him to be. -
1988
After finishing his first book, "a man named Martin Greenwalt called from New York and offered to represent [him]...'But just because I have an agent doesn't mean I'll get published'" (Hosseini 183). Amir is happy that he finished writing his book. However, he fills this positive news with negative comments about what will happen if the book does not get published. This shows his doubts about himself and his capabilities of writing novels, despite the difficult work he faced along the way. -
1988
A peace agreement starts between "Afghanistan, USSR, the US and Pakistan," making the Soviet Union leave with Afghanistan with their troops (BBC World News). -
1989
Amir wonders "whether [he] deserved any of [his happiness]. The novel was released in the summer of that following year...and the publisher sent [him] on a five-city book tour" (Hosseini 183). Amir's book is finally published and with that came the chance to go on a book tour. At this time, Amir is feeling the happiest he has ever been. Still, he reflects off of his past when he showed doubt about deserving this happiness, displaying the guilt he has carried with him for so long. -
1990
When Farzana gave birth, Sanaubar appeared and said to Hassan, "'You smiled coming out of me, did anyone ever tell you? And I wouldn't even hold you. Allah forgive me, I wouldn't even hold you'" (Hosseini 210). Since 1964, no one has seen Hassan's mother and it was surprising for Hassan to see the mother he had never grown up with. Asking for forgiveness for not holding Hassan at birth shows that Sanaubar had kept in her guilt for so long and that she finally wanted to atone for that sin. -
1991
Soraya and Amir try to conceive a baby, but the process has only "proved lengthy, meticulous, frustrating, and ultimately unsuccessful" (Hosseini 186). This prevents Soraya and Amir from having a baby and experiencing what it feels like to be a parent. This is stripped from what should be most of their adulthood, and is very challenging to go through since there is no one else to spread the family name in the future. -
1996
The Taliban, which is an organization made up of Pashtuns, "seize control of Kabul...banning women from work, and introducing Islamic punishments, which include stoning to death and amputations" (BBC World News). -
1998
Missiles are launched in bases that belong to Osama bin Laden, who is "accused of bombing US embassies in Africa" (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253). -
2001
Amir gets a call from Rahim Khan and is asked "to come see him. [He] knew it wasn't just Rahim Khan on the line. It was [his] past of unatoned sins" (Hosseini 1). After trying to forget about Hassan's rape, Amir is suddenly reminded of his cowardice from that event when Rahim Khan called. Amir traveled to America to forget about his sins, but he never did. This shows Amir's uncertainty and also his thoughts about visiting Rahim Khan. -
2001
Amir goes to Afghanistan to visit Rahim Khan only to find out that Hassan was "'shot in the back of the head.' 'No.' '...Self-defense, they claimed later'" (Hosseini 219). Hearing the news of how Hassan had died surprised Amir and showed that he was depressed since he kept denying the facts Rahim Khan gave him. This also brought back Amir's guilt that he thought he had forgotten years ago. He also knew that Hassan helped Amir by getting shot, which made Amir feel even more guilty. -
2001
Ahmad Shah Masood, who is the "leader of the main opposition to the Taliban...is assassinated" (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253). -
2002
Zahir Shah, who was the former king before President and Prime Minister Daoud "returns, but makes no claim to the throne" (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253). -
2009
President Obama of the United States boosts "US troop numbers in Afghanistan by 30,000, bringing a total of 100,000...US will begin withdrawing its forces by 2011" (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253). -
2015
President Obama of the United States "announces that 9,800 US troops will remain in Afghanistan until the end of 2016" (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253).