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Alli and Baba Grow Up Together
While drunk driving, two men kill Alli's parents. This results in "[Baba's] grandparents adopting him into [their] own household" ( Hosseini 25). Baba and Alli become longterm friends from a young age and eventually both have children. Due to their time spent as children together, Baba sets expectations and standards for Amir to act with Hassan the way Baba had acted with Ali. This creates a feeling of trying to please or satisfy his father from Amir. -
Hassan is Born with a Cleft Lip
After being born with a cleft lip, Saunabar abandons Hassan and runs off "with a clan of traveling singers and dancers"( Hosseini 6). His mother's leave of absence in his life creates a feeling of torment inside of Hassan. He believes he caused her leave and because of this endures agony and shame throughout his life. -
The Kite Competition
Each year a kite competition is held in Kabul. One year, Amir experienced joy after winning first place. His happiness was expressed after stating "Then I was screaming and everything was color and sound, everything was alive and good" (Hosseini 66).Through this competition Amir gains his father's acceptance.
Since throughout his life baba had always been a winner, and for once Amir finally matched one of baba's accomplishments. Reassuring Baba, Amir, and Kabul how Amir and Baba are related. -
The USSR invades and devises a communist government
During the 1970s, "The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan and set up a Communist government". http://www.timeforkids.com/destination/afghanistan/history-timeline -
Amir Frames Hassan for Theft
As an attempt of removing Hassan from Amir's life "[Amir] lifted Hassan's mattress and planted [his] new watch and a handful of Afghani bills under it" (Hosseini 104). After witnessing the rape of Hassan and not interfering, Amir reached the conclusion of how he must take Hassan out of his life. Amir does this in order to forget his wrongdoings, since he is greatly ashamed of them. He figures if he is able to forget, then it never occurred. -
Baba and Amir Flee to the U.S.
After the Taliban gained control in Afghanistan "[Baba and Amir] left Kabul just after two in the morning" (Hosseini 110). Through this moment in the story, the power shifts from Baba and Amir. In Afghanistan they are seen as nobles and are highly respected throughout the community. However, in Fremont, their new home, they scramble each day to find money and pass unfamiliar faces in their town. -
US helps Afghan. against USSR
In order to combat USSR and its attacks the "US begins supplying mujahideen with Stinger missiles, enabling them to shoot down Soviet helicopter gunships". http://www.timeforkids.com/destination/afghanistan/history-timeline -
Baba Dies.
After being diagnosed with cancer, Baba passes away. His stubbornness to receive treatment killed him, as he "Never woke up"(Hosseini 174). In the passing of his father, Amir transitions into adulthood. He becomes independent in life, as before he was a boy living with his father and now a man living with his wife. -
Soviets Leave
To Afghanistan's fortune, "In 1989, the Soviets are driven out by Afghan fighters called mujahedin"
.http://www.timeforkids.com/destination/afghanistan/history-timeline -
The Rape of Hassan
After standing up to Assef, Assef takes revenge against Hassan. This is done through the form of rape, as the narrator states" Hassan didn't even struggle" (Hosseini 74). From this event, the author further explores the themes of discrimination, as Assef committed this assault because of Hassan's religion. This event additionally proves Baba's worries about Amir, since it displays Amir's cowardice. Throughout this crime, Amir witnesses, however never intervened to help Hassan. -
Taliban now possesses vast control over the country
A harsh, extremist group known as "The Taliban seizes control of Kabul and spreads its control across the country". http://www.timeforkids.com/destination/afghanistan/history-timeline -
Recognition of Taliban as official rulers of Afghan.
After the barbarous islamic group seized power they are now officially "recognised as legitimate rulers by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. They now control about two-thirds of country." http://www.timeforkids.com/destination/afghanistan/history-timeline -
Amir flies to Afghanistan
After discovering Hassan's son was "somewhere in Kabul" (Hosseini 228) Amir flies from Pakistan to Afghanistan. Amir learns of the death of his childhood best friend, and believes he never received the chance of making amends with Hassan. Through taking Hassan's son out of the orphanage, he views this as an opportunity to atone for his sins. -
Amir learns how he and hassan are brothers
While on that same trip at Rahim Khan's house, Khan revealed how Ali was "sterile" (Hosseini 232). Due to this, Baba produced Hassan, resulting in Amir and Hassan being half-brothers. With this knowledge, Amir becomes more miserable for not only abandoning his best friend that night with Assef, but more importantly his own blood, his brother. -
The Fight between Assef and Amir
Upon arriving at the Taliban's house, Amir encountered an enemy from the past. Assef, the new Taliban leader, challenged Amir to a fight for Sohrab. While during the brawl," [Amir] laughed because [he] saw that, in some hidden nook in a corner of [his] mind, [he'd] even been looking forward to this" (Hosseini 289). This quote reveals the true reason he came to Afghanistan. Amir sought atonement for what had occurred in his childhood with Hassan, by fighting Assef, he received what he desired. -
Sohrab Attempts to Commit Suicide
After walking into the bathroom to announce the joyous news of Sorab's visa in America, Amir began "screaming until [he] thought [his] throat would rip out of [his] chest" (Hosseini 343). Amir realized Sorab committed suicide, due to his tragic past. He had been sexually abused and faced both of his parent's deaths. Saving him, presented an opportunity of atonement for Amir and for this reason as well as others, Amir focused his resources and time on saving sorab and nursing him back to health. -
Amir Stands Up to General Taheri
After arriving from Afghanistan, Soraya and Amir invite Soraya's parents for dinner. Arriving on the subject, Taheri wonders, "Why Amir brought that hazara boy back" (Hosseini 288). From this question, Amir grows angry and stands up for Sohrab. This is a turning point in the book, as Amir finally gained courage and boldness, finally living up to baba's standards. -
Amir Flies to Pakistan
After receiving a strange call from Rahim Khan, Amir flies to Pakistan to meet with him. Upon arriving Khan states "There is a way to be good again" ( Hosseini 1). This quote hints at Rahim Khan's knowledge of the rape that had occurred in Amir's childhood as well as the wrongdoing Amir had committed. It additionally revealed how Khan loved Amir and looked past his sins. -
Hassan dies
While at Rahim Khan's house, Khan breaks the news of his beloved friend's death. He announces how the Taliban "shot him in the back of the head" (Hosseini 219). Through this event, Amir loses a childhood best friend and brother. He believes he lost his opportunity on atonement for his wrong doing and never received closure. -
Sohrab Smiles
After months in America, Sohrab remained unhappy. He refused to engage in conversations and isolated himself in his room from Amir and Soraya. However one evening, after spotting a kite for sale, Amir taught Sohrab to fly the kite in the park. Within seconds the kite was in the air, and "a smile" (Hosseini 294) had formulated on Sorab's face. This moment demonstrated a bonding between Amir and Sorab. It additionally revealed Sorab's connection and admiration to his father through flying kites. -
Afghanistan is introduced to a new constitution
As a result of a series of events, "Afghanistan adopts a new constitution. Afghans elect Hamid Karzai in the country’s first democratic presidential election". http://www.timeforkids.com/destination/afghanistan/history-timeline -
Parliamentary election is held for the first time in 30 yrs.
As a ground breaking movement, "Afghans vote in first parliamentary elections in more than 30 years". http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253 -
The US withdraws its troops
The US makes peace with Afghanistan after "President Barack Obama announces that the U.S. will begin withdrawing some of its troops from Afghanistan." http://www.timeforkids.com/destination/afghanistan/history-timeline -
Vicious Taliban Attack
In January, the vicious islamic group, "the Taliban suicide squad hits a restaurant in Kabul's diplomatic quarter, the worst attack on foreign civilians since 2001. The 13 foreign victims include IMF country head." http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253 -
The Taliban is removed from Afghanistan
After Al-Qaeda’s September 11 attack on the U.S., "American forces invade Afghanistan and remove the Taliban from power". http://www.timeforkids.com/destination/afghanistan/history-timeline