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Kite Runner Late 1960's
Amir tells of how Baba, when he was "five or six, Baba decided to build an orphanage" (Hosseini, 13). The orphanage goes later to show Baba's true heart and in what way the reader views him. It is also a key point for Baba to establish positive relationships with many others in Amir's community which, brings them a great amount of respect. -
1973
Up until 1973, Afghanistan was ruled as a monarchy under King Zahir Shah until one day, "when the king was on vacation, Mohammad Daoud Khan seized power. Mohammad Daoud Khan was Zahir Shah's cousin and former Prime Minister of Afghanistan" (Hosseini, 1). -
Kite Runner 1974
Amir and Baba celebrate Hassan's birthday and, Baba decides to get Hassan "a surgeon to fix you when you had appendicitis" (Hosseini, 45). In this quote, Baba decides to have Baba get his cleft lip fixed as a birthday gift, sprouting an addition to the long term jealousy Amir has fixated at Hassan. -
Kite Runner 1975
Amir is traumatized as he describes the events he has in mind at "the precise moment, crouching behind a crumbling mud wall, peeking the alley near the frozen creek" (Hosseini, 1). In this instance, Amir speaks about Hassan's raping as he remembers it in detail and how he feels guilt towards it as he describes the events and how they've unfolded. -
Kite Runner 1976
Amir has his 13nth birthday but can't help but feel that he "Didn't want any of it-it was all blood money" (Hosseini, 101). Amir still feels a strong sense of guilt in his mind as he receives many gifts but still has a clouded mind as he recalls Hassan's rape. -
1978
After 6 years of ruling the thrown, Mohammad Daoud Khan is "violently overthrown by the PDPA, People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan. Daoud was killed in the coup along with most of his family" (Hosseini, 1). -
1979
The new PDPA instituited many political and social reforms to the point where they "began to challenge the government so rigorously that in 1979, the Soviet Army entered Afghanistan, beginning an occupation that would last a decade" (Hosseini, 1). -
Kite Runner 1979
Due to the invading Soviet Army in Afghanistan, Amir and Baba decide to leave. Besides the invading forces, Amir and Baba both know that "you couldn't trust in Kabul anymore-for a fee or under threat, people told on each other, neighbor on neighbor, child on parent, brother on brother, servant on master, friend on friend" (Hosseini, 112). -
1980
While Amir and Baba were still in Kabul "the U.S. announced it would be boycotting the Olympic games in Moscow" (Hosseini, 126). Due to the Soviet invasion in Afghanistan, the U.S. acts upon it by boycotting the olympics. -
Kite Runner 1981
Amir and Baba sit together in a car after they "left Kabul just after two in the morning" (Hosseini, 110). Both Amir and Baba are being carted out of Kabul during the invasion of the Russian Soviet forces. -
Kite Runner 1983
Amir finally "graduated from high school at the age of twenty" (Hosseini, 131). Amir finishes high school in America as he recalls the days leading into college and his earlier memories of America after their departure from Afghanistan. -
Kite Runner 1983
Amir describes how his father "loved the Idea of America" (Hosseini, 125). Upon their arrival somewhere in-between 1983 and 1981, Amir talks about their views towards America and, then elaborates later upon what the American lifestyle vs. the Afghanistan lifestyle is like. -
Kite Runner 1989
Throughout the next ten years up until 1989, the Soviet forces continue to push forward all the while Muslim resistance forces are working towards preventing their takeover. Besides the work of the Muslims, the United States are among one of the countries to aid the resistance in their attempts which, seem to work well to the lead up to when the "Soviet Troops finally withdrew in 1989" (Hosseini, 1). -
1989
With the withdrawal of the Soviet Troops, Afghanistan remains "under PDPA for three more years" (Hosseini, 1). Finally, in 1992 in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet forces, the mujahedin finally win over Afghanistan and convert it to an Islamic State. -
Kite Runner 1990
Upon recalling events, Rahim acknowledges that "Farzana became pregnant again" (Hosseini, 209). Hassan's wive's child, and child later to be cared for by Amir, starts to develop and is raised alongside Rahim Kahn as he recalls his experiences while living inside Amir's old house. -
Kite Runner 1991
Following Amir's failed parenthood, "Soraya broke the news to her parents the weekend after our last visit with Dr. Rosen" (Hosseini, 186). Concerned over the details of Amir and Soraya's failed parenthood plan, Soraya looks into possible options available with her parents as they search for possible ways in which it would be available to them without adoption. -
Kite Runner 1992
Rahim Kahn describes the events during the time of the Soviet retreat mentioning that the he risked "getting shot by a sniper or getting blown up by a rocket" (Hosseini, 199). This goes to show how dangerous of a time it was for Rahim and others to attempt to go through daily life, and the struggles he personally dealt with upon the Northern Alliance's arrival. -
1996
Following the end of the factions and the establishment of the Taliban forces, Rahim says how many people "celebrated in 1996 when the Taliban rolled in and put an end to the daily fighting" Hosseini, 213). Once the Taliban had control, many believed them to be saviors. However, that is far from how they turned out, being that they acted with strong violence and enacted fundamentalist laws. -
1992-1996
With the arrival of the Northern alliance, Rahim Kahn acknowledges how "different factions claimed different parts of Kabul" (Hosseini, 199). This, following the end of the PDPA caused many people to attempt to leave and, proved very hazardous for those living in the area still such as Rahim. -
1998
Following the strong Taliban laws, they later "massacred the Hazaras in Mazar-i-Sharif. This stands out as a violent act to many and with it, brings the attention to the U.S. leading ultimately to the build up that would result in 9/11. -
Kite Runner 2001
Amir finally visits Rahim Kahn again about how "he had come to say good-bye the night Baba and I had fled Kabul" (Hosseini, 196). Amir recalls the events from before he left in saying good-bye to Rahim, once he decides to make a visit to the now sick and frail Rahim for one final visit. -
2001
The U.S. makes a decision to attack Afghanistan "after the events of September 11, 2001" (Hosseini, 1). After the attacks on the twin towers, the U.S. invaded Afghanistan and overthrew the Taliban, this takes place towards around the time when Amir embarks on his search for Sohrab. -
Kite Runner 2001
Amir tells Rahim that he is "going to Kabul" (Hosseini, 227). In this piece of evidence, Amir speaks to Rahim after the day before when Rahim tried to convince him to pursue Soraya which, he falls through to doing upon recalling his father's words and his want for atonement to set things right again with the now deceased Hassan. -
Kite Runner 2002
Sohrab asks Amir "'do you want me to run that kite for you?'" (Hosseini, 371). This marks the point where Amir feels reunited again finally after many years with Hassan although he is not alive. This also marks the conclusion as to how Amir has atoned for his sin of having left Hassan alone with Assef. This time however, Amir takes the hit for Sohrab and in return, is saved by Sohrab as a sign of his forgiveness towards Amirs sins. -
2007
According to a recently taken survey, "violence and human rights abuses are still a common reality in Afghanistan due to weak governance" (Amnesty International, 1). With a still fallen government, Afghanistan still since 2007 remains buried head deep in issues that have yet to meet resolution with the Taliban still in control of many parts even with the addition of a new president in 2004.