-
Ali is adopted into Baba's family.
Ali is adopted in 1933. Amir explains the situation in which Ali was adopted, and then says his "grandfather adopted him into his own household and told the other servants to tutor him, but to be kind to him" (Hosseni, 25). The reader is left with the impression that Ali was adopted to be a servant, not as a member of the family. However, it is also made clear that Ali is to be treated properly, showing that the grandfather was a sympathetic man, who wanted to care of the boy. -
Hassan is violated by Assef; changing both his and Amir's life
After refusing to give the kite he had run to Assef, Hassan is sexually violated. Amir does not step in, and his guilty conciense sticks with him permanently, as he thinks "the rest of [his] life would have turned out differently if [he] had [stepped in]" (Hosseini, 73). This statement leads the reader to believe that this mistake in Amir's choices changes his life permanently. It potentially foreshadows major plot points in the future of the book, and shows a basis for the theme of the story. -
Amir celebrates his birthday
Amir turns thirteen,and his father throws a party. However, readers are given a glimpse at his remaining discomfort and guilt after Hassan's violation when Assef arrives at his party and Amir's "stomach [turns] at the sight of [his] father bonding with Assef" (96). Amir's guillt towards the incident is still strong, and his discomfort towards a family member speaking to Assef shows the pain he experiences. Amir fears Assef, and dislikes his capability to bond with others despite his cruelty. -
The Soviet Union First Arrives in Kabul
The New York Times article states, "The first Soviet troops first parachuted into Kabul on Dec. 27, 1979, to assits Babrak Karmal" (2). -
Baba and Amir smuggle across the border
Amir and Baba have left their house without informing anyone so they may properly smuggle across the border into a safer area. This is upsetting to the both of them, and Amir seems to be in denial until he states "This is no dream" (Hosseini, 113). This illustrates the ending of his time in Kabul, and shows how very much his reality has been altered. At this time, Amir is lost and confused, and his life has changed completely in the years that have elapsed. -
Baba finds out he has cancer
A while after the move to America, Amir and Baba discover that Baba has cancer. Amir recalls the event by saying "It turned out that, like Satan, cancer had many names. Baba's was called 'Oat Cell Carcinoma'" (156). Amir describes the cancer as Satan due to its evil and sly ways. Not only will Baba die sooner then expected, but Amir is now trapped with the truth that he will now be alone and in isolation in America. -
Soraya and Amir are married.
Soraya, a woman Amir met at the flea market, and Amir are married. Amir describes the event by saying, "Looking at Soraya's smiling face in the mirror, in that momentary privacy of the veil, I whispered to her for the first time that I loved her" (171). This scene shows how much time has passed for Amir, and how he is now an older and more mature person. His time in Afghanistan seems to be a totally different reality, and he has now moved on to a new start with someone he truly loves. -
Soviet Air Force is Useless Against the Materials Given to the Rebels from the U.S.
The New York Times writes, "After 1986, the Soviet Air Force was also rendered largely useless by advanced Stinger antiaircraft missiles supplied by the United States to the rebels" (2). -
Amir writes his first novel
After years of dreaming of being a writer, Amir finally finishes his first novel. He describes it as a "father- son story set in Kabul" (182). This is a monumental event in Amir's life, as it shows parts of his past, such as his aspirations, have carried with him in a more positive way. The plot of his story may allude to his actual relationship with his father, as at the time he found that relationship to be very important, especially with his fathers death hanging over him. -
Soviet Union Leaves Afghanistan
Accoriding to the New York Times, "The Soviet Union left Afghanistan in 1989, in what was in effect a unilateral withdrawal" (2). -
Period: to
The Northern Alliance took over Kabul
Amir is debreifed about the historical factors that led to the mess in Afghanistan by Rahim Khan. Rahim Khan tells Amir that "the Northern Alliance took over Kabul.. and different factions claimed different parts" (199). The land that Amir once so fondly called his home has been split into many dangerous political areas. The change makes this land entirely different, and Amir realizes just how dramatic a change Afghanistan has experienced. -
Mullah Omar (leader of Taliban) has 12,000 followers
Mullah Omar was incredibly popular, with "nearly 12,000 followers" due to his actions towards the Soviets (New York Times, 2) -
Taliban has Control Over Afghanistan
The New York Times writes, "the Taliban by 1996 had taken control of Afghanistan" (3). -
Osama Bin Laden arrives safely in Afghanistan, where he is protected
Osama Bin Laden "arrived by chartered jet at Jalalabad Airport in May 1996" (New York Times, 3). -
Hassan writes a letter to Amir and soon after he is shot
Amir is flooded with information in a very short amount of time, and learns that Hassan has died. Rahim Khan relays the event to Amir, saying, "[The Taliban] told Hassan they would be moving in to protect the house. Hassan protested again. So they took him to the street.. and shot him in the back of the head" (219). Hassan gave his life to simply protect Amir's house. Now, Amir realizes he will never be able to directly mend the mess between him and Hassan. -
Rahim Khan calls Amir back to Afghanistan
A phone call from an ill Rahim Khan summons Amir to Afghanistan to make amends for the mess he left behind. Amir realizes during the phone call that "[Rahim] knew about Assef, the kite, the money, the watch with the lightning bolt hands" (192). This realization makes it impossible for Amir not to go to Afghanistan. He realizes that he is being summoned not just to see the dying Rahim Khan, but to find out how to possibly mend the situation with Hassan that so strongly effected his life. -
Amir finds out that Hassan is his half brother
Shortly after discovering that Hassan has been killed, Amir is left with another disturbing piece of information; Hassan was his illegitimate half brother. Amir feels as if he is "a man sliding down a steep cliff" (222). Now Amir's entire perspective on his past has totally changed. Amir is now left with a greater guilt, as he has failed to rekindle a relationship not just with a dear friend, but with a blood relation. -
Amir is attacked by Assef when he tries to retrieve Sorhab
Amir goes to Assef's house to get Sorhab, but upon Assef finding his true identity, he is beaten mercilessly. Amir recalls his "body was broken... be [he] felt healed" (289). Although he was being attacked mercilessly, Amir knew that this was the price he had to pay for his lack of will to protect Hassan. The pain he was finally experiencing gave him a sense that he was forgiven, finally getting the punishment he felt he deserved. -
Sorhab attempts to kill himself
After Amir tell Sorhab that to be succsessfully adopted he must go back to an orphanage, Sorhab attempts to kill himself. After Amir saves him, Sorhab states "I am tired of everything" (354). Sorhab was not only upset with his potential time at the orphange, he simply was finished living. The pain he had felt his whole short life felt like too much for him, and he felt incapable of living any longer. -
Amir realizes that adopting Sorhab has rid him of his pain and remorse
Amir thinks of Hassan, and realizes that by having Sorhab in his life, he no longer has the guilt and anger that once plauged his life. He thinks of Hassan one night and realizes that "the thought brought no sting with it" (359). With the combination of the passing of time and the great lengths he went to to protect Sorhab, Amir has successfully atoned. He is now a better and stronger person, who can move forward with his life with less remorse. -
Sorhab and Amir arrive back in America
After being away for a long period of time, Amir finally returns; this time with Sorhab. The moment he returns, Amir embraces Soraya and "realizes how much [he] had missed her" (357). Amir's trip to Kabul had been very eventful, so much so that he barely had time to miss his wife. Now that he returns, he realizes how very much his life has changed, and how largely he had missed the life he started in San Francisco. -
The Twin Towers Fall Due to Al Qaeda Attack, Spurring U.S. Military Involvment in Afghanistan
The New York Times state, "The United States has been militarily involved in Afghanistan since 2001, when it led to an invasion after the Sept. 11 attacks by Al Qaeda" (1). -
Hamid Karzai Comes to Power, and the Taliban Fall
The Taliban lost power in 2001, when "Hamid Karzai, a supporter and relative of Mohammad Zahir Shah, the exiled king of Afghanistan, was named chairman of an interim government the replaced and defeated [the] Taliban" (New York Times, 3). -
Sorhab shows signs of improvement from his silent state
Since his arrival to America, Sorhab has constantly been in a silent and depressed state, which Amir has been desperate to rid of. Months go by with no change, but Amir notices a smile on Sorhab's lips one day, and thinks that it may be a change "because when spring comes it melts the snow one flake at a time" (371). This is a metaphor, showing that the tiny change of behavior in Sorhab hints at change for the better. Amir knows that these small steps will lead Sorhab out of his dark times. -
Obama Announces his Plans of Deployment in Afghanistan
President Obama stated his "plan to deploy 30,000 additional troops" in Afghanistan on December first (New York Times, 4). -
Hamid Karzai is Elected as President for Five Years
The New York Times writes, "Mr. Karzai was elected to a five year term as president in 2004" (3).