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Hassan's Present
For his birthday, Baba gets a surgeon to fix Hassan's cleft lip. The surgery was successful and "by the following winter, it was only a faint scar.Which was ironic.Because that was the winter Hassan stopped smiling"(Hosseini 47). This quote foreshadows that something will happen to Hassan that will change his life forever. In other words, this quote foreshadows Hassan's rape later in the book. -
Hassan is Raped
While Assef is getting ready to rape Hassan he talks to Kamal and says,"'It's just a Hazara', but Kamal kept looking away.'Fine' Assef snapped.'All I want you weaklings to do is hold him down"(Hosseini 75). This portrays how evil and mean Assef is because he does not feel guilty about himself even though Kamal and Wali refuse to rape Hassan. This also shows the evil power Assef has at a young age which justifies his actions later in the book. -
The Kite Flying Contest
Right after Amir cuts the last kite, Hassan runs towards it and Amir states,"Come back with it". Running as fast as he could, Hassan replies,"For you a thousand times over"(Hosseini 67). This quote illustrates the great relationship Amir and Hassan have created. More importantly, Hassan's quote demonstrates the loyalty and love Hassan has for Amir. -
Amir's Birthday
Assef shows up at Amir's Birthday and comes to talk to him. Assef walked over to Amir with his parents and "Assef was standing between the two of them now, grinning, looming over both, his arms resting on their shoulders. He led them towards us, like he had brought them here. Like he was the parent, and they his children" (Hosseini 95). This quote shows how Amir has power over his parents because of the way Assef walks to Amir. Assef's parents don't even talk at the party which shows his power. -
Mohammed Daud
The president of Afghanistan was overthrown and assassinated in 1978
"General Daud is overthrown and killed in a pro-Soviet coup. The People's Democratic Party comes to power but is paralysed by violent infighting and faces opposition by US-backed mujahideen groups"(BBC News) -
Soviet Union Invasion
The soviet Union invades Afghanistan
"Soviet Army invades and props up communist government"(BBC News) -
Barrack Karmal
Babrack Karmal becomes president and is supported by the Soviet Union, but many mujahideen groups funded by Saudi Arabia, US, China, and Iran are fighting against Soviet forces "Babrak Karmal installed as ruler, backed by Soviet troops. But opposition intensifies with various mujahideen groups fighting Soviet forces. US, Pakistan, China, Iran and Saudi Arabia supply money and arms to the mujahideen"(BBC News) -
Baba and Amir leave Afghanistan
Baba and Amir were on a truck with other passengers and they had to go through a Russian checkpoint. One of the Russian soldiers wanted 30 minutes with a woman in the truck and "That was when Baba stood up...'I want you to ask this man something,' Baba said. He said to Karim, but looked directly at the Russian officer. 'Ask him where his shame is'"(Hosseini 115). This quote illustrates Baba's bravery and morals. More importantly, this demonstrates that Baba is a man with great integrity. -
Baba and the Nyguyens
Baba wrote a check to buy food at a shop, but they asked for I.D because it was the law. Baba was outraged and said,"'Does he think I'm a thief?'...'What kind of country is this?'Nobody trusts anybody!'"(Hosseini 128). This shows the difference between America an Afghanistan. This also demonstrates how the setting in this book greatly impacts Baba's lifestyle and how he acts. -
Mujahideen Come Together
Mujahideen groups come together and form alliance against the Soviet Union "Mujahideen come together in Pakistan to form alliance against Soviet forces"(BBC News) -
Amir and Soraya get Married
General Taheri accepts Amir as part of his family and states,"'Amir jan, as for you, I welcome you to my home as a son...Your pain will be our pain, your joy our joy'"(Hosseini 168). This quote shows the relationship Amir has created with general Taheri. More importantly, this quote shows a deeper meaning of family by saying that a family will help you with pain and will be there with you during times of happiness. -
Mujahideen and U.S and Karmal is Replaced
Mujahideen receive weapons to take down Soviet helicopters and Babrak Karmal is replaced by Najibullah "US begins supplying mujahideen with Stinger missiles, enabling them to shoot down Soviet helicopter gunships. Babrak Karmal replaced by Najibullah as head of Soviet-backed regime"(BBC News) -
Baba Dies
Soraya was helping Baba to bed one night and "She pulled up his blanket. We closed the door.Baba never woke up"(Hosseini 173). This quote interested me because of how Khaled Hosseini wrote it. His way of writing baba's death made his passing peaceful, yet very tragic. -
Geneva Accords
Afghanistan, the Soviet Union, U.S and Pakistan agree to sign peace accords and soviet troops are removed from Afghanistan "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 News). -
Amir Publishes his First Novel
Amir's book is published and Amir celebrates with Soraya's family. The narrator states,"And I thought of Hassan. Some day, Inshallah, you will be a great writer, he had said once, and people all over the world will read your stories"(Hosseini 183). This reveals that Amir still thinks of Hassan and what he did for him when he was a child. This specific quote from Hassan also reminds the reader of what kind of character Hassan was. -
Najibullah is Overthrown
Najibullah is overthrown by mujahideen groups and Burhannudin Rabbani becomes the new president "The Mujahadeen and other rebel groups, with the aid of turncoat government troops, storm the capital, Kabul, and oust Najibullah from power.The United Nations offers protection to Najibullah. The Mujahadeen, a group already beginning to fracture as warlords fight over the future of Afghanistan, form a largely Islamic state with professor Burhannudin Rabbani as president"(PBS News). -
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Citizens Flee to Pakistan
Many Afghans flee to Pakistan to leave the terrible environment in Afghanistan "Continuing drought devastates farmers and makes many rural areas uninhabitable. More than 1 million Afghans flee to neighboring Pakistan"(PBS News). -
The Taliban Rise
The Taliban gain powered gain control of Kabul. They also ban women from work and create other extreme laws "Newly formed Islamic militia, the Taliban, rises to power on promises of peace. The Taliban outlaw cultivation of poppies for the opium trade, crack down on crime, and curtail the education and employment of women. Women are required to be fully veiled and are not allowed outside alone. Islamic law is enforced via public executions and amputations"(PBS News). -
Rahim Khan Calls and Amir Goes to Pakistan
Right before Amir and Rahim Khan hung up, Rahim Khan said,"Come. There is a way to be good again"(Hosseini 192). This shows that Rahim Khan had always knew what Amir did when he was a child. I also think that Khaled Hosseini wrote this symbolize a deeper meaning of how there is always 'a way to be good again', no matter what you do. -
Amir meets Rahim Khan
Rah Khan and Amir talk about Afghanistan and Rahim Khan gives Amir an envelope written from Hassan. The envelope states,"And I dream that someday you will return to Kabul to revisit the land our childhood. If you do, you will find an old faithful friend waiting for you" (Hosseini 218). This illustrates how Hassan still forgives Amir for what he had done. This also shows Hassan's love because he wants to reunite with Amir after 20 years. -
End of the Taliban
The Taliban leave their last fortress and are forced to surrender "Taliban fighters abandon their final stronghold in Kandahar as the militia group’s hold on Afghanistan continues to disintegrate. Two days later, Taliban leaders surrender the group’s final Afghan territory, the province of Zabul. The move leads the Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press to declare 'the rule of the Taliban in Afghanistan has totally ended'"(PBS News). -
Amir and Farid Arrive at the Orphanage
Amir and Farid talk to the director named Zaman and Zaman states,"There is very little shelter here, almost no food, no clothes, no clean water...children who've lost their childhood. But the tragedy is that these are the lucky ones"(Hosseini 254). This quote interested me because I felt like Khaled Hosseini included this to show that this is what is currently happening in some places of the world. He also states that these children are lucky which shows how some kids are in worse situations. -
Amir rescues Sohrab
While Amir was getting beat to death, Sohrab wanted it to stop and he aimed his slingshot at Assef's face. Assef lunged at Sohrab and "The slingshot made a thwiiiiit sound when Sohrab released the cup. Then Assef was screaming...'Lets go!' Shoran said"(Hosseini 291). This quote shows how Sohrab represents Hassan in every way. This related to when Hassan protected Amir with his slingshot when they were kids and now Sohrab is doing the same exact thing. -
Sohrab Tries to Commit Suicide
While Sohrab is recovering in the hospital Amir visits him to talk. Shoran states,"'I wish you had left me in the water'...I touched his shoulder and he flinched"(Hosseini 355). This quote shows how Sohrab has given up on his life and desires death rather than staying alive. This quote also shows how Sohrab is very sensitive when other people touch him due to the sexual abuse and how Amir broke his promise. -
Amir and Sohrab Arrive at America
Amir buys Sohrab a kite and they fly it together. Amir asks,"'Do you want me to run that kite for you?'His Adams apple rose and fell as he swallowed...'For you a thousand times over,' I heard myself say.Then I turned and ran. it was only a smile, nothing more"(Hosseini 371). This quote is so powerful because it connects back to the relationship Amir had with Hassan. Even though there isn't exactly a happy ending, Shorab's smile shows that there might be hope.