-
Period: to
Afghan History
-
Period: to
Baba is born, monarchy begins
The year was 1933, "the year Baba was born and the year Zahir Shah began his 40 year rule of Afghanistan," (24). Baba's birth signifies major shift in power. Zahir Shah's rule symbolizes Baba's future, as a powerful individual with high socioeconomic status. -
Hassan is born
Amir explains how, "Hassan was born in the winter of 1964, just one year after my mother died giving birth to me" (6). Amir's life was changed dramatically in two ways in just a year. His mother died, and his brother was born. His life would be forever different because of these two events. -
Period: to
First Words
Amir and Hassan's first words were very different, "{Amir's} was Baba. Hassan's was Amir. My name" (11). From a very young age, Amir desired affection from his father, The only affection that Hassan wanted was that of Amir's, the boy who would be his onyl friend growing up. -
Period: to
Amir writes a story
One day in July of 1973, "{Amir} decided to play a little trick on Hassan. I was reading to him, and suddenly i strayed from the written story" (30). This was the beginning of Amir's lifetime interest. The first time he wrote a story, -
The Republic of Afghanistan?
There was gunfire heard on that night, however, "Kabul awoke the next morning to find that the monachy was a thing of the past." (36). Major change in setting always signifies an important plot point. With large change in government, the setting of Kabul will change drastically, as will the way of life. -
Hassan see's the Surgeon
Baba tell's Hassan, "I have summoned Dr. Kumar from New Dehli. Dr. Kumar is a plastic surgeon" (45). Baba's affection for Hassan will result in Amir's jealousy. This gives Hassan emotional power over Amir. -
Amir wins a Kite Contest
Once Amir came to the realization, "I WON! I WON! is all {he} could say." (66). Amir's triumph not only meant he won a new kite, but also the acceptance of Baba. Baba would finally feel pride to call Amir his son, and that's what Amir's real prize was. -
Assef Violates Hassan
After pinning Hassan down, "Assef knelt behind Hassan, put his hands on Hassan's hips, and lifted his bare buttocks." (75) This day forever changed Hassan's character. It also changed Amir and Hassan's relationship, because Amir did not have enough valor to help his friend -
Amir's 13th Birthday
A familiar voice spoke, as Rahim Kahn muttered, "shoudlnt' you be downstairs entertaining your guests?" (98). In the passage that follows, Rahim becomes more of a father figure to Amir. He is there in Amir's time of need, which is more then we can say about Baba throughout the book. -
Period: to
Hassan and Ali leave
Amir thinks to himself, "I'll never forget the way Baba said that, the pain in his plea," (107). Baba's love for Ali and Hassan causes him to show his weakness. He also losses power in this way, because he no longer has friendship to support him. -
Soviet Invasion of Kabul
On December 27,1979,"The first Soviet troops parachuted into Kabul to assist Barbak Karmal, who had become president in a coup within the Afghan Communist leadership"(NYT page 2). -
Period: to
15,000 Soviet lives lost
The soviet troops refused to leave the country, resulting in "A conflict that cost them roughly 15,000 lives" (NYT page 2) -
Amir leaves Afghanistan
It was a very tense situation, and, "{Amir's} innards had been roiling since we'd left Kabul just after two in the morning." (110) Amir's home had been taken from him, and he had been pushed out. He was frightened for what was happening in te situation, but was also frightened for the future. His entire culture was about to be changed, signifing a massive change in his life style. -
Period: to
Baba passes away
On the night of Amir's wedding, Baba fell ill. Soraya and Amir's lied Baba down to bed, but, "Baba never woke up" (175) An immense powershift happens in this scene. Since Baba passed away, his pwower shifts to Amir. While he had little power left after moving to America, all of his passed power is now that of Amir's. -
Soviet Air Force faulters
The Soviet Air Forve was "rendered largely useless by advanced antiaircraft misslessupplied by the US rebels" (NYT page 2) -
Soviets leave Afghanistan
After peace talks from the UN,"the last Soviet troops left Afghanistan in February 1989" (NYT page 2) -
Taliban begins to grow
By the end of 1994,"Mullah Omar had nearly 12,000 followers" (NYT 2) -
The Taliban takes control
after Pakistani aid, "The Taliban by 1996 had taken control of Afghanistan" (NYT 3) -
Period: to
Bin Laden is safe
The Taliban often harbored warlords, such as, "mr.Bin Laden, who arrived by chartered jet at Jalalabad Airport in May 1996" -
Hassan is killed
Amir finds out about the catastrophy of Hassan's murder, "All {he} could manage was to whisper No No No. (219). Amir's love for Hassan never lessened. His friendship never declined. He never got to apologize to Hassan directly, coming in as a shot to the heart. -
Period: to
US War in Afghanistan
US troops are posted in Iraq and Afghanistan -
Amir returns to Pakistan
After his call with Rahim ended, Soraya stated, "You look pale Amir." Hs reply was a simple, "I have to return to Pakistan." (191)
Amir's visible shock is a sign that he never thought he would return. However, his obligation to atone for his acts pushes him to decide to leave the United States. -
Amir finds Sohrab
Amir had his final confrontation with Assef. Amir explians, "All i want is the boy. " (285). This is Amir's final attempt to atone for the acts against Hassan. His affection for Sohrab proves that friendships can pass through generations -
9/11 Bombing
The Taliban and Al Queda, "{Attacked} the World Trades Center in New York on Sep, 11, 2001" (NYT 3) -
Osama Is Killed
On May 2, 2011, "Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden is killed by U.S. Special Forces during an early morning"