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Hassan's early life/birth
Hassan's mother Saunabar gave birth to Hassan, and then later abandoned their family, "Saunabar gave birth to hime one cold winter day...Hassan lost his (mother) less then a week after he was born...she ran off with a clan of traveling singers and dancers". (Hosseini 6) Hassan was born into a tough situation in multiple ways; he was born motherless, his father was a servant, and he was a Hazara. He makes the most out of what he can with his circumstances, but sometimes doesn't work out for him. -
Khan creates a new constitution for Afghanistan
The Leader of Afghanistan creates a new constitution for the citizens of Afghanistan which, "grants women rights and works to modernize the largely communist state. He also cracks down on opponents, forcing many suspected of not supporting Khan out of the government."
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Kite Runner Tournament
Amir and Hassan entered and won the famous Kabul Kite Runner tournament, "Every winter, districts in Kabul held a kite-fighting tournament. And if you were a boy living in Kabul, the day of the tournament was undeniably the highlight of the cold season." (Hosseini 49) This was a crucial event in the book because of its impact throughout the rest of the book and its plot. It started the friendship between Amir and Baba and also was the start of the separation between Amir and Hassan. -
Hassan's Rape
After winning the tournament, Hassan gets in a fight with Assef, resulting in Hassan getting raped, with no help by Amir,"I stopped watching, turned away from the alley...I realized something else. I was weeping. From just around the corner, I could hear Assef's quick, rhythmic grunts." (Hossieni 77). Amir doesn't help because of his misjudgemets and the fact that Hassan is a Hazzara. This event later haunts Amir until the end of the book where he makes up his actions. -
Amir Frames Hassan
As a result of Amir's extreme guilt, he tries to get rid of by framing him of stealing from himself, "Then I took a couple of the envelopes of cash from the pile of gifts and my watch, and tiptoed out...I lifted Hassan's mattress and planted my new watch and a handful of Afghani bills under it" (Hossieni 104).
The immense remorse was too much to handle for Amir, so he tried to expel Hassan from his life to combat his remorse. This action later in the book will cause Amir great sadness. -
Ali and Hassan Leave Baba's House
After the embarrassment of Hassan stealing, even though he didn't but he admitted to, Ali and Hassan leave Baba's Mansion, "We are leaving, Agha sahib...We can't live here anymore" (Hosseini 106). Ali was so embarrassed by the fact that his son would steal from the family who employs them and has been so generous, that he would no longer feel comfortable living their. This action changes the entire relations between the two families. -
Khan is assasinated by Communist Rebels
Khan is murdered by a coup of his political opposition, Communists,then Communist party takes of Afghanistan "Khan is killed in a communist coup. Nur Mohammad Taraki, one of the founding members of the Afghan Communist Party, takes control of the country as president, and Babrak Karmal is named deputy prime minister. They proclaim independence from Soviet influence, and declare their policies to be based on Islamic principles, Afghan nationalism and socioeconomic justice."
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United States removes assistance from Afghanistan
As a result of the U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan being killed,"The United States cuts off assistance to Afghanistan."
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Afghans flee from Afghanistan
Mass migrations of Afghani citizens occur as a result of the instability in the country, causing military groups to take over,"2.8 million Afghans have fled from the war to Pakistan, and another 1.5 million have fled to Iran. Afghan guerrillas gain control of rural areas, and Soviet troops hold urban areas." (pbs.org) -
Amir and Baba move to California
Amir and Baba move to the United States after their escape from Afghanistan into Pakistan, and after waiting six months for their visas, "Baba loved the idea of America...I remember the two of us walking through Lake Elizabeth Park in Fremont, a few streets down from our apartment" (Hosseieni 125). As a result of the chaos in Pakistan and Afghanistan, Amir and Baba decided to move to the United States. Although they will not have the same socioeconomic status they know its best for them. -
Amir marries Soraya
Baba asks for acceptance from Soraya's family for Amir to marry her, because of the Afghanistan tradition, '"I ask that you honor Amir jan and me...and accept my son into your family."', then then general replied, "'We are honored to welcome the son of a man such as yourself." (Hosseini 168)
This marriage is extremely important for Amir and his friendships. Since growing up Amir never had a stable relationship with anyone, Soraya provides him a person he can rely on, which is foreign to him. -
Baba dies of cancer
After the initial, worrisome diagnosis of fatal cancer, Baba went to bed for one last time, "She pulled up his blanket. We closed the door. Baba never woke up again" (Hosseini 173). Baba's death comes at a horrible time for Amir, because of their growing relationship that they did not have previously. Although this was an impactful event in Amir's life, he dealt with it very calmly and tranquilly. -
The terror group Al Qaida is formed
Osama Bin Laden forms a terror organization for the holy war, "In September, Osama bin Laden and 15 other Islamists form the group al-Qaida, or “the base”, to continue their jihad, or holy war, against the Soviets and other who they say oppose their goal of a pure nation governed by Islam.''
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Afghanistan Independence
A plethora of countries including the United States signed a peace treaty granting Afghanistan their independence, also with the removal of Soviet troops, "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.org) -
The forming of the Taliban
An Islamic army forms and starts to takes over Afghanistan, "Newly formed Islamic militia, the Taliban, rises to power on promises of peace. Most Afghans, exhausted by years of drought, famine and war, approve of the Taliban for upholding traditional Islamic values. The Taliban outlaw cultivation of poppies for the opium trade, crack down on crime, and curtail the education and employment of women." (pbs.org) -
Afghanistan suffers from a drought
As a result of the extreme drought that plagued Afghanistan, over a million Afghans flee the country, "Continuing drought devastates farmers and makes many rural areas uninhabitable. More than 1 million Afghans flee to neighboring Pakistan" (pbs.org) -
Missiles targeted for Al-Qaida
Because of the multiple bombings of U.S. embassies, the U.S. sends missiles targeted at the terrorist group, "Following al-Qaida’s bombings of two American embassies in Africa, President Clinton orders cruise missile attacks against bin Laden’s training camps in Afghanistan. The attacks miss the Saudi and other leaders of the terrorist group." (pbs.com) -
Rahim Kahn contacts Amir
After Rahim Kahn calls Amir asking him to come back to Pakistan, because of Rahim Kahn's grave illness, "'I have to go to Pakistan...Rahim Kahn is very sick" (Hossieni 191). If this phone call did not take place, Amir would have never had the chance to repent for his sins towards Hassan. His ability to atone and finally accept his actions a child was given by Rahim Kahn. -
Hassan dies
The Taliban accused Hassan of lying that he lives in the house with Rahim Kahn, they assume he stole the property, and as a result, "shot him in the back of the head" (Hosseini 219).
The death of Hassan really impacted Rahim Kahn, because he felt responsible for the death of Hassan and his wife. This just fueled the fire inside of him to get Amir just atone for his actions against Amir, this now was not only for Amir but for himself also. -
Rahim Kahn informs Amir that Hassan is his half-brother
After Rahim Kahn told Amir that Hassan was not Ali's son, he insinuated to him that Hassan is Baba's son, "I think you know who (Hassan's Father)" (Hosseini 222).
Knowing that Hassan was his half-brother, triggered Amir to want to help out Sohrab for Hassan. If it was not for this hidden secret that had been revealed at this moment, Amir would not have attempted to save Sohrab and listen to Rahim Kahn. -
Amir rescues Sohrab from Assef and the Taliban
After the fight between Amir and Assef, and also Sohrab's slingshot at Assef's eye, Amir escapes with Sohrab, "We made it outside, my arm around Sohrab's shoulder...the truck's doors slammed shut and the engine roared to life" (Hosseini 291-292). Amir is so emotionally and physical invested in atoning, he puts his life and health behind his mission to save Sohrab. It demonstrates the evolution of Amir maturity, previous to this event Amir would not be willing to sacrifice for Sohrab or Hassan. -
Sohrab attempts Suicide
When Amir enters the hotel room bathroom, he is horrified by the sight of Sohrab and his suicide attempt by slitting his wrists, "Suddenly I was on my knees, screaming. Screamingthrought my clenched teeth. Screaming until I thought my throat would rip" (Hosseini 342).
Sohrab does not want to suffer anymore in the orphanage system in Afghanistan, so he tries to end his life instead. The life as orphan in Afghanistan was too overwhelming for Sohrab to accept. -
Amir Adopts Sohrab and goes back to America
After Sohrab was released from the hospital, Amir adopted Sohrab and they returned to the U.S., "We(Amir and Sohrab) arrived home... on a warm day in August 2001" (Hosseini 357).
This is the finals step of atoning. Amir will take care of Sohrab because he did not do the same to Hassan. -
Sohrab Smiles When Running Kites with Amir
While flying kites in a city park in San Francisco, Sohrab shows his emotions to Amir, "I looked down and Sohrab. One corner of his mouth had curled up just so. A smile" (Hosseini 370).
Sohrab's smile the moment that Amir finally forgiven himself. Even though this is a small gesture, it was much more for Amir. -
End of the Taliban reign in Afghanistan
The Taliban gives up it last strong holds on Afghani cities, and as a result loses its power in the entire country, "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.org)