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Hassan's surgery
When Hassan's birthday comes around, Baba hires, "a surgeon who fixes things on people's faces," referring to his cleft lip (45). Although this is not an impoirtant part of the novel it demonstrated the attention Baba put towards Hassan, which would later be that it was because Hassan was Baba's child. -
Amir wins kite competetion
Amir winning the kite competetion is the first time Amir feels he is acceptanced by his father and one of the first times he treats Hassan with respect. Right after winning the competition Hassan says, "You won, Amir agha!" and Amir answers by saying, "No. We won!" (66). Amir saying 'we won' shows that he finally understands how much he needs Hassan. Baba accepting Amir also allows Amir to accept Hassan. -
Hassan gets raped
Hassan being helplessly violated is arguably the most important part of the novel. During this part of the novel, Amir says to himself, "The next time I saw him smile... was twenty-five years later in a faded polariod picture," describing how Hassan was never able to enjoy life after that moment (67). Hassan being violated was more difficult on Amir then it was on Hassan. Amir was left with the guilt of not doing anything to protect his best friend who had been there for him always. -
First Soviet troops in Afghan
The New York Times reported in an article that, "The first Soviet troops parachuted into Kabul on Dec. 27, 1979," sparking the war. -
Amir and Baba flee Afghanistan
Baba and Amir fleeing Afghanistan forced the two of them to rely on one another and bond. While fleeing Afghanistan, Baba tells Amir to," think of something happy." (122) The fact that Baba says 'happy' demonstrates that he is not pleased with leaving Kabul and that they are leaving their memories behind. It also showed that Baba wants Amir to be happy and he does not want him to suffer. -
Ali dies
Ali's death adds to the burden Amir has already had to face in his life. Rahim says that, " he had been killed by a land mine." (207) Amir feels that the death of Ali was his fault because if he had stood up for Hassan then they would have came to America. Amir's anger with himself demonstrates that he cared for Ali and Hassan even though he had trouble communicating his emotions. -
Soviet Aircraft Useless
"After 1986, the Soviet Air Force was also rendered largely useless by advanced Stinger anitaircraft missiles suplied by the U.S to the rebels," reported by the New York Times. -
Amir marries Soraya
This part of the novel acts as a new life for Amir. It represents the cahnge america has brought him and the fact the Baba asks Soraya's family that they, "accept [his] son into their family," proves that Baba cares for Amir's happiness. (168) Amir has always tried to forget his Afghanistan past and by marrying Soraya he is being to unfold a new chapter in his life and cover up the old. -
Baba dies
Baba's passing marked the end of one of the most influencial characters in the novel. Baba started off a man who had a hard time accepting his son, but with the move to America he became more reliant on Amir and realizes how much he truly sppreciated him. The last thing Baba is able to say to Amir is, "There is no pain tonight." (173) The fact that Baba dies pain free, shows that he has finally come to acceptance with those around him and his life. To Amir it acts as finally being understood. -
Hazara massacre
A massacre predicted and feared by Hassan. The significance of this moment in history does not take importance, until Amir is talking with Talib who was responisible for the killing. "We left them out for the dogs," Talib describes waht he did with the murdered Hazara's. Hasasn was killed because of hatred towards Hazara's, sparking anger inside Amir when Talib speaks of his disrespect. This quote proves that Amir is begining to understand the pain Hassan had to deal with his a child (277). -
Hassan's child dies at birth
Rahim Khan says,"Hassan kissed the baby's lifeless face, and we buried her in the backyard." (209) The fact that the baby does not have a name makes her a symbol. She is the symbol of the pain Hassan has had to deal with the past. By returning to his childhood house he is uprooting the previous memories, and when he kisses the child on the cheek it symbolizes his forgiveness and excepting of the past. -
Last Soviet troops leave Afghan
"Eventually, after peace talks moderated the U.N, the last soviet troops left Afghanistan in February 1989," reported the New York Times. -
Farzana becomes pregnant again
The birth of Sohrab is a big step in Hassan's life, because his mother is with him to deliver the child. Sanaubar, Hassan's mother, holds, "her grandson...beaming..holding hime like she never wanted to let go." (211) Sanaubar holding Hassan's child solidifies her guilt for leaving Hassan as a child. She neglected him of the truth from knowing that Baba was her father. Perhaps that was the reason she left him, she couldn't own up to the truth. -
Power divided
The New York times stated, "In 1994, power was anarchinally divided among warlords and individual feifdoms." -
Taliban seized control
The New York Times wrote in an article that after years of civil war, "The Taliban, an extremist Islamic group had seized control in Afghan." -
Hassan and Farzana are killed
Rahim Kham describes his phone call hearing off their death. Rahim says, "[the Taliban] ordered him to knell...and shot him in the back of the head," retelling the story of Hassan's execution. (219) This quote demonstrates how Hassan was killed souly based on the fact that he was Hazara. He had been picked on because he was a Hazara throughout his whole life and it would eventually lead to his death. -
U.S involved in Aghanistan
The New York tmes stated that, "The U.S has been militarily involved in Afghanistan since 2001." -
Taliban turn to Guerilla Tactics
The New York Times reported that, "In 2001, the weakened Taliban army turned to Guerilla Warfare, as a way of fighting the U.S." -
Sohrab is brought to the States
Amir being able to bring Sohrab to the U.S acts as a sign of achievement to conquering his guilt. Rahim Khan stated, "I hope your suffering comes to an end with this trip to Afghanistan," snd by finding Sohrab and being beaten by Assef, finally being able to see Sohrab safe in the United States acts as a way for Amir to let go of his guilt (300). -
Phone call from Rahim Khan
The phone call from Rahim Khan acts as a way for Amir to atone for the mistakes he made in the past. "There is a way to be good again," Rahim Khan says just before hanging up, proves that he knows of the troubles Amir had in the past. This part of the novel is a changing point in Amir's character because the act of Amir taking responsibily for what he did allows him to his life though a brighter view. -
Amir and Assef Reunite
Amir and Assef being reunited, offered Amir the chance to redeem himself for his childhood mistake. When Assef offers Amir to "fight for Sohrab" it acts as the ultimate test to see if Amir is able to symbolically stand up for 'Hassan'.(286) When Amir is being beat up by Assef and beings to laugh it was because he could finally be at peace with himself. He had always been yearning to, "get what he deserved" and by Assef beating him up he can finally conquer his guilt. (144) -
Sohrab is brought to the U.S
Sohrab being brought to the United States acted as a final atonement for Amir. When Amir says, "You have a visa to go to America, to live with me and my wife. It's true, I Promise," it signified the start of a new life for both Amir and Sohrab (355). It was a way for both of them to forget their past and start a brand new one in America. Although Sohrab does not want to forget his old life, it was Hassan's wish that Sohrab grow up in a loving environment. -
Hamid Karzai takes Office
The New York Times reported that in, "June 2002, Hamid Karzai took office." -
General Petraeus takes command
The New York Times reported that in, "October 2008, General Petraeus took command of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan." -
30,000 troops to Afghanistan
"On Dec. 1, 2009. Mr.Obama announced that an additional 30,000 troops were to be sent to Afghanistan," reported the New York Times.