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Kite Runner & the History of Afghanistan
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End of the Monarchy
On the night of July 17, 1973, Amir described how his future changed forever. He said, "Kabul awoke the next morning to find that the monarchy was a thing of the past" (Hosseini 36). This event is significant in the book because it will greatly affect one of the main characters in the future. Amir's whole life up to this point has been inside this city, so these changes to his home will greatly influence his surrounding. This will also change him, as his home is influential in his life. -
New constitution and Crackdown of Opponents
The president of Afghanistan, Mohammaed Daoud Kahn, "proposes a new constitution that grants women rights and works to modernize the largely communist state" (PBS Administration 3). Additionally, Khan gets rid of his dissenters, "forcing many suspected of not supporting Khan out of the government" (PBS News 3). http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/asia-jan-june11-timeline-afghanistan/ -
Amir's Win That Lost His Friend
After winning the kite battle, Hassan ran to catch the just-cut kite. But he encounters his torturer Assef on the way there. Amir witnessed Hassan's rape, but "[Amir] ran because [he] was a coward. [He] was afraid of Assef and what he would to to [him]" (Hosseini 77). This is the event that changed the relationship between Amir and Hassan, who were previously good friends. Amir is ashamed of how he didn't help save Hassan and doesn't know if Hassan is mad at him, chilling their relationship. -
Communist Coup
A coup is started by the Afghan Communist Party, killing president Khan. The leaders of the party "proclaim indepenence from Soviet influence, and declare their policies to be based on Islamic principles, Afghan nationalism, and socioeconomic justice" (PBS News 3).
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/asia-jan-june11-timeline-afghanistan/ -
Death of American Ambassador, USSR Invasion
First, American Ambassador Adolph Dubs is killed. This results in "The United States [cutting] off assistance to Afghanistan" (PBS News 4). Later in the year, "the USSR invades Afghanistan of Dec. 24 to bolster the faltering communist regime" (PBS News 4).
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/asia-jan-june11-timeline-afghanistan/ -
Amir and Baba Flee Kabul
Amir and Baba had to leave Kabul because of the widespread unrest in Pakistan. The driver they hired, named Karim, "was a people smuggler - it was a pretty lucrative business then, driving people out of Shorawi-occupied Kabul to the relative safety of Pakistan" (Hosseini 111). This was significant because the state of their country forced Amir and Baba to live the place where they had spent their lives. They were forced to change and become new people, altering the plot of the story. -
Citizens Fleeing, Fighting Between Afghanistan and USSR
Because of the increasingly violent war between Afghan rebels and the Soviet Union, "Some 2.8 million Afghans have fled from the war to Pakistan, and another 1.5 million have fled to Iran" (PBS News 4). Also, the Afghan rebels secure rural areas and Soviet forces secure urban areas in the fight.
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/asia-jan-june11-timeline-afghanistan/ -
Amir and Baba Arrive in America
After fleeing Kabul for Pakistan, Amir and Baba arrived in America in search of new opportunities. Amir describes his new home as, "America was a river roaring along, unmindful of the past. I could wade into this river, let my sins drown to the bottom, let the waters carry me someplace far" (Hosseini 136). This was significant because this change of setting allows him to forget what he did to Hassan. The haunting experience becomes insignificant in America, letting Amir focus on happier goals. -
Baba Diagnosed With Cancer
After Baba gained a hacking cough that would not go away, Amir brought him to a doctor. According to Amir, "It turned out that, like Satan, cancer had many names. Baba's was called 'Oat Cell Carcinoma'" (Hosseini 156). This was significant because it made Amir start to think what he would do after Baba passed away. Since he had never lived alone before, it would be a life-changing experience that would force Amir to become independent. He would lose an important mentor in his life. -
Peace Accords
To end the fighting in Afghanistan, "The US, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the Soviet Union sign peace accords in Geneva guaranteeing Afghan independence and the withdrawal of 100,000 Soviet troops" (PBS News 5). Despite the accords, resistance still occurs against the Soviet backed communist regime. -
Amir Marries Soraya
After having his eye on her for months and having many conversations, Amir decides that he wants to marry Soraya Taheri. During the ceremony, "[he] whispered to her for the first time that [he] loved her" (Hosseini 171). For the first time in a while, Amir is truly happy and jubilant. Having found the love of his life, he can at times forget about his troubled past and focus on the present moment. He becomes so occupied with his new life that his experience with Hassan fades to the background. -
Rebellion by Mujahadeen
In this year, a rebel group, known as the Mujahadeen, "Stormed the capital [of Afghanistan], Kabul, and oust [the communist president] Najibullah from power" (PBS News 6). An Islamic state with professor Burhannudin Rabbani as president is formed. -
Formation of the Taliban
The Taliban, which was formed as the country's Islamic militia, gains power with promises of peace to the nation. After harsh years, most Afghans "approve of the Taliban for upholding traditional Islamic values" (PBS News 6). -
Unrest Over Leadership
In 1997 "the Taliban publicly execute [president] Najibullah" (PBS News 6). As the government is thrown into chaos, the Taliban and other groups battle for control of the country. -
The Call of the Past
One day, the former business partner of Amir's father, Rahim Khan, calls from Pakistan asking for help. Amir comments that "Standing in the kitchen with the receiver to my ear, I knew it wasn't just Rahim Khan on the line. It was my past of unatoned sins" (Hosseini 1). Amir was really impacted by this call because it brings back memories of things that he wanted to forget from the past. It reminds him that he still hasn't atoned for the sins that he committed against Hassan. -
The Discovery of Lies
After learning of Hassan's death, Rahim Khan breaks the news that Amir and Hassan were actually brothers. Amir starts to put the facts together when he remembered Baba saying, "'[Hassan's] staying right here with use, where he belongs. This is his home, and we're his family'" (Hosseini 225). This is significant because it changes his view of his life. He is angry at the fact that he has been lied to for so long, as well as how he could have been kinder to Hassan and changed his fate. -
The Story is Told
After flying to Pakistan to see his friend Rahim Khan, Amir learns the details about Hassan's life. Amir starts to comprehends the information as he thinks, "The names rang in [his] head: Hassan, Sohrab, Ali, Farzana, and Sanaubar. Hearing Rahim Khan speak Ali's name was like finding an old dusty music box that hadn't been opened in years." (Hosseini 214). This is significant because it reminds Amir of his past and brings regret to the forefront of his emotions. He resents what he did long ago. -
Reentering an Unfamiliar Homeland
As he is on his quest to find his half-nephew Sohrab, Amir enters Afghanistan feeling unconnected to his home country. While driving along, Amir remarks, "'I feel like a tourist in my own country'" (Hosseini 231). This is significant because it shows how much has gone on and changed in Afghanistan since Amir left it. He is saddened by this unfamiliar feeling because the old Afghanistan that he knew was lost, along with all the happy memories that he enjoyed there. -
The Enemies Meet
After arriving at the Taliban leader's house where Sohrab is held, Amir discovers a serious obstacle. Without intending it, "His name escaped [Amir's] lips: 'Assef'" (Hosseini 281). This is significant because it makes Amir's quest to find his half-nephew Sohrab a lot harder. Assef, one of Amir's biggest enemies, stands in the way and wants to finish the grudge that they had started long ago. Amir knows that he has to save Sohrab to make up for his sins, but Assef is a mighty obstacle. -
In the Hospital
After suffering from serious injuries during his fight with Assef, Amir wakes from his daze to find himself in a hospital in Pakistan. Amir's current surroundings are foreign, as "faces poke through the haze, linger, fade away. They peer down, ask me questions" (Hosseini 293). This is significant because it reminds Amir of the pain he suffered to retrieve Sohrab from Afghanistan. It was a form of amends for the sins that Amir had committed against Hassan, making himself feel better. -
Soraya Learns of Amir's Past
After he decided to adopt Sohrab, Amir tells Soraya his whole story, including his troubled past. Amir describes how, "[He] did what [he] hadn't done in fifteen years of marriage: [he] told [his] wife everything. Everything" (Hosseini 325). This is significant because it shows that Amir is finally comfortable enough to talk about his past faults. Amir felt better after he atoned for his sins against Hassan by saving his child. Sohrab was Amir's path to redeeming for his past wrongdoings. -
Sorab Gives Up
When faced with the prospect of going back to a horrible orphanage, Sohrab couldn't take it. A few days later after his attempted suicide, Sohrab describes his sadness. He says, "'I want my old life back'" (Hosseini 354). This is significant for both Sohrab and Amir. It shows how Sohrab is hopeless, having grown tired with loss of his life and promises. Amir is saddened by this, as he feels that he let Hassan and his son down in his quest for atonement for his sins. -
The Silent Boy
Amir thought that bringing Sohrab with him to the US would be a good thing. But after going though so much loss, Sohrab's sadness turned into silence. Amir says that Sohrab "didn't so much live with us as occupy space" (Hosseini 361). This is significant because it is going back on all the progress that Amir made towards atoning for his sins. Sohrab was supposed to be grateful for Amir's help, representing Hassan's forgiveness. But that feeling is absent as Sohrab is consumed with depression. -
A flicker of Happiness
After being brought to the US, Sohrab was having a tough time dealing with all the loss he had in his life. But Amir found hope in him. Amir describes Sohrab's remarkable smile as "It was only a smile, nothing more. It didn't make everything all right. But I'll take it" (Hosseini 371). This is significant because it is the culmination of the entire story. The flicker of happiness in Sohrab reduce's Amir's guilt about his past and gives him hope that his whole family's future will be bright. -
NATO Enters The Country
After the numerous violent incidents, NATO enters Kabul to take charge of security. This was significant because "the effort [was] the security organization's first-ever commitment outside of Europe" (PBS News 9). -
Elections
In this year, "The nation [held] its first parliamentary elections in more than 30 years" (PBS News 9). After a peaceful election, the parliament meets without many disruptions.