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Baba is born
Amir tells, "In 1933, the year Baba was born"(24). Baba is a very important character to the story because of how of how much he affects Amir's morals and values. When the boys are kite running, Amir looks up to his father so much that he doesn't care about the wellbeing of Hassan as much of if the kite has any tears in it to show Baba. -
Hassan is born
Hassan was born "there, in that little shack, that Hassan was born in the winter of 1964"(6). This is an important part in the book because Hassan is a major character and his actions influenced the entire story. Without, Hassan being born, Amir would have not experienced the struggles to atone for his sins to Hassan. -
Hassan gets lip surgery
On Hassan's 11th birthday, Hoseini writes, "The surgery went well. We were all a little shocked when they first removed the bandages, but kept our smiles on just as Dr. Kumar had instructed us"(46). Hassan's surgery is an important part in the book because it ironically foreshadowes that some bad event is going to happen to Hassan so that he never smiles. Also, Baba shows that cares a lot about Hassan, hinting that there is more than just master and servent between them -
Hassan's violation
While Hassan is being violated, Amir "ran because I was a coward. I was afraid of getting hurt. That's what I told myself as I turned my back to the alley, to Hassan"(77). The violation of Hassan is a major impact on Amir's life because he feels terrible about his actions and wants to atone to Hassan. This is what would later save Sohrab from Assef and teach Amir more about himself. -
Hassan and Ali leave
As Hassan and Ali leave, Amir says, "I watched Baba's car pull away from the curb, taking with it the person whose first spoken word had been my name"(109). This is important because it is the first time that Amir actually realizes how much wrong he did to Hassan. These sins become apparent to Amir and he works hard to atone in the rest of the story. -
Soviet Occupation
In 1979, Soviet tropps "move into Afghanistan and remove Hufizullah Amin from power." -
Baba and Amir move to America
Amir's "eyes returned to our suitcases. They made me sad for Baba. After everything he'd built, planned, fought for, fretted over, dreamed of, this was the summation of his life: one dissapointing son and two suitcases"(124). Life in America will be much different for Amir and Baba because of their lack of English. Despite making a great living, in Afghanistan, Baba will have to experience unfamiliar poverty. -
Baba and Amir live in San Francisco
Hosseini writes, "Baba loved the idea of America. It was living in America that gave him and ulcer"(125). America is immediately a huge change for Baba. The country is so big and so much is happening that it almost overwhelms Baba. -
Amir graduates from high school
Amir says, "that summer of 1983, I graduated from high school at the age of twenty, by far the oldest senior tossing his mortarboard on the football field that day"(131). Amir's graduation from high school is very important because Amir finishes the first major step in his American education. This also indicates a power shift between Baba and Amir because Amir is able to comminicate with other people in English and hopefully get a good job from that. -
Baba and Amir work at flea market
Amir says of the flea market, "Afghan families were working an entire section of the San Jose flea market"(137). Baba and Amir are not used to the manual labor of working in a place like the flea market. Baba's lack of English speaking has made it so he can only do jobs that require little interaction with people using words. -
Amir marries Soraya
Amir tells Soraya, "Nothing you said changes anything. I want us to marry. She broke in to fresh tears. I envied her, Her secret was out. Spoken. Dealth with. I opened my mouth and almost told her how I'd betrayed Hassan, lied, driven him out, and destroyed a forty-year relationship between Baba and Ali"(165). Soroya tells Amir about how she ran away with an Afghan man when she was eighteen and Amir says that it doesn't change his mind about marrying her. Despite this happy occassion, this event -
Amir marries Soraya (cont.)
brings back bad memories about how Amir betrayed Hassan and how Amir still regrets his decisions that impacted Hassan. -
Baba dies
Relfecting on the loss of Baba, Amir says, "My whole life, I had been Baba's son. Now he was gone. Baba couldn't show me the way anymore; I'd have to find it own my own. The thought of it terrified me"(174). Despite the recent rise of Amir's power over Baba, the death of Baba is sickening for Amir because he has always had Baba's strong support his whole life. The death of Baba is a wakeup call for Amir and he realizes that time is running out to atone for his sins. -
United States helps Afghans
In 1985, the "United States provides financial backing to their cause and in 1986 supplies them with Stinger missiles, enabling Mujahedeen to shoot down Soviet helicopters." -
Sohrab is born
Rahim Kahn tells Amir that "it was Sanubar who delivered Hassan's son that winter of 1990"(221). When Amir hears this, he realizes that the only possible way to atone for his sins to Hassan is to save Sohrab. The birth of Sohrab gives Amir relief that there is something that he can do, after years of Amir pondering how to make it up. -
Capital Recaptured by Mujahedeen
In 1992, Islamic fighters also known as Mujahedeen "take control of the capital, Kabul and President Nujibullag falls from power." -
Tabliban Introduced
In 1996, the Taliban "seize control and introduce extreme Islamic law, banning women from work and using brutal punishments like stoning to death and amputations." -
Rahim Kahn calls Amir from Pakistan
After talking to Rahim Kahn on the phone, Amir tells Soraya "I have to go to Pakistan. She stood up now. Pakistan? Rahim Kahn is very sick. A fist clenched inside me with those words"(191). The call from Rahim Kahn bring a reality to Amir that he could actually atone for his sins. Although the idea of going back to his former home is daunting, Amir embraces this responsibility and hopes he can make better. -
Amir gets beat up by Assef
Amir narrates himself getting beat up by as Assef as, "getting kicked. Sohrab screaming. I don't know at what point I started laughing, but I did"(289). Assef's beating of Amir is physically painful, but Amir laughs because of the relief it is to atone for his sins to Hassan. Amir's rescuing of Sohrab is important to himself because he can feel like stop worrying about the sins he committed. -
Terrorists Attack United States
On September 11, 2001 "Four US airliners are hijacked. Two are flown into the World Trade Centre and one hits the Pentagon. Another crashes in Pennsylvania. Almost 3,000 people are killed in the attacks. The United States blames Al Qaeda." -
US and Britain attack Taliban
Military action is called on in October-December and the "US and Britain launch aire strikes n Afghanistan after the Taliban refuse to hand over Bin Laden. Opposition forces seize most major cities including Kabul and the Taliban stronghold of Kandahar. -
Peace Keepers
By January 2002, "the first contingent of foreign peacekeepers moves in." -
Sohrab and Amir fly kites
When Sohrab and Amir are flying kites, Amir sees Sohrabs grin and says, "It was only a smile, nothing more. It didn't make everything all right. It didn't make anything all right. Only a smile. A tiny...But I'll take it. With open arms"(371). Amir knows that he is not fully forgiven for his sins, but his involvment with Sohrab in the US is helpful in working towards that goal. This scene is important to the book because Amir feels that he was able to make it up to Hassan by caring for Sohrab. -
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Suicide Attacks
Between 2005 and 2006, "there are 64 suicide attacks, killing 181 people." -
Parliment Elections
On September of 2005, "Parlimentary and provincial elections take place for the first time in 30 years." -
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Sending Troops
In 2008 through 2009, "US President Brack Obama announces 17,000 extra troops will be sent to Afghanistan."