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Hassan is Violated
After the kite tournament Hassan runs to go catch the blue kite, a prized possession that all the kids lust for. However, Hassan is ganged up on by Assef and his companions. As revenge Assef violates Hassan and he reasons that its ok because "'It's just a Hazara'" (75). Hassan gains no respect because he is from a different socioeconomic status then Assef. This shows how poorly Hazaras were treated and how segregated the high and lower class are. -
Amir and Hassan win the kite tournament
Every winter a kite tournament is held in Kabul. Amir and Hassan enter and when there were only 2 kites left, one being Amir's, he says "I didn't need to hear the crowd's roar to know" (Hosseini, 66) Their win strengthened Amir's relationship with Baba. However, it was the last good memory before Amir and Hassan's life changed forever. -
Soviet Union Invades
Afghanistan used to be a very prosperous and peaceful land but "The turmoil and extremism that have dominated its history since then can be traced back to the 1979 invasion by the Soviet Union..." (New York Times, 2) -
Amir and Baba leave Kabul to go to America
Amir and Baba secretly leave for America with their bare belongings. They don't tella nyone about their departure because "you couldn't trust anyone in Kabul anymore-for a fee or under threat, people told on each other" (112). This showed how unsafe Kabul had become from Amir's early childhood. Baba sacrificed everything, his power, wealth, friends, etc to ensure the safety of his family. -
Amir meets Soraya
America was a chance for Amir to start fresh and forget about his sin. When Amir first saw Soraya his "heart stuttered at the thought of her...My Swap Meet Princess" (142). Soraya was a key figure who stood by Amir through many of the challenges he faced throughout the novel. She was an important character who helped shape the plot and effected many of Amir's actions. -
Soraya and Amir get married
General Taheri accepts Amir's proposal to Soraya. At the ceremony Amir "whispered to her for the first time that I loved her" (171). Soraya is always there for Amir. Soraya keeps calm through many of the traumatic events that take place throughout the novel and therefore keeps Amir sane. -
Amir Finishes Writing His First Novel
Amir finally finished wrinting his first novel which takes place in Kabul. He sent dozens af agencies a copy "and was stunned one August day when I opened our mailbox and found a request from a New York agency for the completed manuscript" (182). This showed how much power Amir gained after his move to America. During his childhood Amir was looked down upon because of his love for literature. However, he was able to go to college and write a novel with Baba's approval. -
The Soviet Union Withdraws
Many lives, money, and resources were lost but they finally withdrew "...after peace talks moderated by the United Nations, the last Soviet troops left Afghanistan in February 1989." (New York Times, 2) -
Period: to
Power Divided
Afghanistan fell into a time of chaos after the Soviet left and, "...by the summer of 1994, power was anarchically divided among competing warlords and individual fiefdoms." (The New York Times, 2) -
Sohrab is Born
Amir goes to Pakistan to visit the dieing Rahim Khan. There, Rahim tells him Hassan's story which includes how "Sanabaur delivered Hassan's son that winter of 1990" (211). Sohrab is Amir's prized possesion and after Hassan's death Amir went in search for him. This was an act of atonement for the sins of his childhood. -
Soraya Learns She is Infertile
Soraya and Amir went through tests for fertilization. The day they received their results the doctor "tapped his desk with his fingers, and used the word "adoption"' (186). Sorays fertility issues effected Amir's actions as well as caused him to go to Iraq to find Sohrab. Because they could not have their own child Sohrab became their son. -
The Taliban aided by Pakistan
The Taliban would not have risen to power had it not been for "...Pakistani intelligence officers...funneling arms, money, and supplies to Mullah Omar's men, as well as military advisors to guide them in battle." (The New York Times, 3) -
The Taliban Takeover
With the continued support from Pakistan "the Taliban by 1996 had taken control of Afghanistan, imposing strict enforcement of fundamentalist Islamic law, banning movies and music and forcing women out of schools and into all-enveloping burqa clothing." (The New York Times, 3) -
Hazaras Massacred
Hassan's parents were killed by the Taliban because "in 1998, they massacred the Hazaras in Mazar-i-Sharif" (213) This showed the drastic power shift in Kabul. Hazaras were treated even more poorly and the Taliban took complete control killing many innocent people. -
Sohrab Tries to Commit Suicide
Sohrab was violated by Assef and therefore going back to the orphanage was unimagineable. Thats why Amir "stepped into the bathroom and suddenly I was on my knees, screaming" (343). Sohrab felit guilty about what Assef did to him and couldn't face it again so instead he tried to kill himself instead. Sohrab is still very young but has not lived a typical childhood. -
World Trade Center Attacked
The Al Qaeda headed by Osama bin Laden were responsible for, "...the attack on the World Trade Center in New York on Sept. 11, 2001..." (The New York Times, 3) -
Al Qaeda Dislodged and Taliban No Longer in Power
After 9/11 the United States Military became involved in Afghanistan and "the 2001 invasion succeeded in dislodging Al Qaeda and removing the Taliban from power, but not in eradicating either group." (The New York Times, 1) -
Karzai Government Begins
The Karzai Government began on December 2001 when Hamid Karzai "was named chairman of an interim government that replaced the defeated Taliban, making him the leader of the country." (The New York Times, 3) -
Amir and Sohrab Fly a Kite Together
Sohrab has not talked for a year after the incident and Soraya and Amir have almost given up hope that they will ever become a family. However, as Amir flys the kite he "looked down at Sohrab. One corner of his mouth had curled up just so" (370). It was a small sign of hope that Sohrab would heal. Amir wishes that Sohrab will forgive -
Obama Announces Plan to Deplo More Troops
President Obama gave a speech at West Point on Dec. 1, 2009 which "announced his plan to deploy 30,000 additional troops." (The New York Times, 4) -
Gen. McChystal Removed
President Obama removed Gen. McChrystal and instead, "...tapped Gen. Petraeus to lead the war effort there." (The New York Times, 4)