Kite Runner and the History of Afghanistan

By trevorsm35

  • Amir is born

  • Hassan is born

  • Baba build an orphanage

    In the late 1960's, when "[Amir] was five or six, Baba decided to build an orphanage" (Hosseini 13). This was one of the many things that contributed to Baba's characterization as kind, loving, and so many more things.

  • Daoud takes over Afghani government

    One night, Amir and Hassan woke to the sound of gun fire. Baba told them it was just duck hunters, but in reality "Daoud Kahn had ended the King's forty year reign with a bloodless coup" (Hosseini 36). This was the start of war in Afghanistan and it is to continue for the next 40 years.
  • Period: to

    History of Afghanistan

  • Hassan is raped

    Assef says, "'and there's nothing sinful about teaching a disrespectful donkey a lesson'" (Hosseini 75). This event is important because it causes the guilt and grief Amir has through the rest of the book. He does not stop his rape, and this eats away at him, causing him to think he is a bad, cowardice person.

  • Ali and Hassan leave

    After Amir plants money and his watch under Hassan's bed, they leave. Amir says, "'We are leaving, Agha Sahib'" (Hosseini 106). This event is crucial in the plot of the Kite Runner because it is the last time Amir sees Hassan. The next time Amir hears Hassan's name he is dead and Amir must go retrieve his son. This event also demonstrates how Amir pushed Hassan away to make himself feel better.

  • General Daud is killed

    Daud is "overthrown and killed in a pro-Soviet coup" (BBC News).

  • Soviet Army invades

    Soviet Army "invades and props up soviet government."

  • Amir graduates high school.

    "That summer of 1983, I graduated from high school at the age of twenty..." (Hosseini 131). Amir now is starting his won life. He goes to community college and wants to become a writer. He is finally a man.

  • Mujahideen forms

    Mujahideen "come together in Pakistan to form alliance against soviet forces."

  • Amir and Soraya get married.

    Soon before baba's death, Amir goes to him asks him to ask the General for Soraya's hand in marriage. Amir says, "'I want you to ask General Taheri for his daughter's hand'" (Hosseini 161). The marriage of Amir and Soraya brings Baba and Amir closer. They have a better relationship and connect more.

  • Baba is told he has cancer

    Baba gets a bad cold so Amir takes him to the doctor. Baba has something called "Oat Cell Carcinoma" (Hosseini 156). Amir is devastated by the news, but Baba accepts it. Amir will be on his own soon and cannot handle the thought of Baba not being around.

  • Soviets leave Afghanistan

    Last soviet troops leave "but civil war continues as mujahideen push to overthrow Najibullah."

  • Hassan's mother returns

    Just after Farzana, Hassan's wife, had become pregnant, Hassan's mother showed up at Amir's home, where they were living. She showed up almost dead, so "Hassan and Farzana nursed her back to health" (Hosseini 210). Hassan and his mother repaired their relationship. He forgives her for what she had done and they had a special relationship for the year that they were together.

  • Sohrab is born

    The same year Hassan's mother returned, Farzana becomes pregnant. "It was Sanaubar who delivered Hassan's son that winter of 1990" (Hosseini 211). Hassan and Farzana are very happy to have a child, especially a son. He is exactly like Hassan in every way.

  • Taliban take control of Kabul

    The Taliban "seize control of Kabul and introduce hard-line version of Islam."

  • US launches missile strikes at bin Laden

    US "launches missile strikes at ... Osama bin Laden, accused of bombing US embassies in Africa."

  • Hassan and Farzana are killed by the Taliban

    Because they are Hazaras the Taliban thought that they were not the owners of the house he and Amir grew up in. Rahim Khan told Amir, "'-and shot him in the back of the head'" (Hosseini 219). This news is devastating to Amir. His whole life he wants to make things better with Hassan, and now he can't do that.

  • Rahim Khan asks Amir to visit

    "... my friend Rahim Khan called from Pakistan. He asked me to come see him" (Hosseini 1). Rah Kahn asks Amir to come see him so he can tell him about the lies that told in the past. Also so that Amir can atone for his actions by saving Sohrab, Hassan's son.

  • Ahmad Shah Masood is assassinated

    "... leader of the main opposition to the Taliban - the Northern Alliance - is assassinated."

  • Amir and Sohrab fly a kite together.

    At the Afghan reunion Amir, Soraya, and Sohrab go to they have a kite flying competition. Amir asks, "'Do you want to help me fly this?'" (Hosseini 268). This event is important because it starts the rebuilding of their relationship. Amir and Sohrab have something in common now and that will hopefully bring them back together.

  • Hamid Karzai wins presidential election

    In the presidential election of 2004, "Hamid Karzai is declared winner."

  • Suicide bomber kills more than 50

    In 2008 a "Suicide bomb attack on Indian embassy in Kabul kills more than 50."

  • Taliban talks with US and Afghanistan

    Taliban "agree to open office in Dubai as a move towards peace talks with the US and the Afghan government."

  • Amir and Baba leave Afghanistan to go to America.

    Baba and Amir leave Afghanistan to escape the war. Their was "taking [them] to Jalalabad... where his brother... was waiting to drive us across the Khyber pass and into Peshawar" (Hosseini 111).