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Baba Flies out to Watch World Cup Soccer on TVs
Because Baba was so passionate about soccer, he "took a break from the construction of the orphanage and flew to Tehran for a month to watch the World Cup games on television, since at the time Afghanistan didn't have TVs yet" (20). The fact that Baba would fly to another place just to watch these games on television shows how committed he is to this game and how muc hit means to him emotionally. In addition, the fac that he would leave his son to do so shows that Amir is not a priority to him. -
Amir plays a trick on Hassan and creates a story rather than reads it
Because he received such a positive response from Hassan, "that same night, [Amir] wrote his first short story" (30). Hassan was never mean nor rude to Amir and was always encouraging. He helped Amir because he supported him in whateve he chose to pursue. -
Hassan's Birthday gift is plastic surgery
When Amir finds out about Baba's gift to Hassan he feels that "it wasn't fair [because] Hassan hadn't done anything to earn Baba's affections" (46). With every kind gesture from Baba to Hassan, Amir feels cheated and jealous. This shows what a lack of self-confidence Amire has when it comes to Baba. Amir feels as though nothing he does meets the approval of Baba while Amir gets said approval just for being himself. -
Kite Competition
When Baba hints that Amir may win the tournament, Amir takes it as a hint as how to "show him once and for all that his son was worthy" (56). Amir jumpst even at the very possibility of provng himself to Baba. This is an example of how much Amir looks up to Baba and seeks approval from him. -
Soviet Union Invades Afghanistan
Afghanistan was actually doing alright as a country until "the 1979 invasion by the Soviet Union" (2). -
Amir and Baba Flee Kabul
Amir knew that Baba "saw [his] carsickness as yet another of [his] array or weaknesses" (110). Baba judged Amir for certain small things such as carsickness as an impediment that Amir had the will to change but would not. On the contrrary, Amir was physically and emothionally just different than Baba which was something he had toruble accepting. -
Amir Graduates
Amir's graduation "was [Baba's] day more than [Amir's] (131). Even though Amir was practically adult, he was still acting to please Baba. This shows how much of an influence Baba was to him as he was growing up and how that became a part of his character: wanting to please Baba. -
Amir turns 21
Uncomfortable with eyes on them, Amir and Baba made "sure the neighbors weren't watching" them in their newly bought but very rickety car (136). There was a lot of news about Afghanistan at the time and because Baba and Amir had moved straght out of Kabul to America, they got attention for anything they did out of the ordinary. Not only were they still confused on American cultures as they did unusual things, but others were unforgiving of them in terms of the looks they gave. -
Amir meets General Taheri
When Amir meets General Taheri, Baba gives the General "a lofty introduction" (139). Baba, who was always a charmer, knows how to appeal to his old Afghan acquaintance. This shows how hard adjusting to America is for Baba. He goes from a place where he knows everything to say and is highly respected toa place that he does not understand and judges him. -
Soviet Air Force Becomes Useless in Attack
"After 1986, the Soviet Air Force was... rendered largely useless by advanced Stinger antiaircraft missiles supplied by the United States to the rebles," which was considered a huge success for the United States (2). -
Soviet Troops leave Afghanistan
Bankrupt, "the last Soviet troops left Afghanistan in February 1989," to the relief of America (2). -
Soraya brings up adoption to her parents
As the general discusses the problems with adoption, he that "if [they] were American, it wouldn't matter" because "people [in America] marry for love [and] family name" (188). This is an example of another difference in cultures that is even openly adressed. In America, there is a little Afghan community that, through gossip and little comments, puts pressure to keep up old traditions and customs as though they were still living in Afghan. -
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Mujahedin Forces Shower Kabul with Rockets
After Amir had left, this was what "inflict[ed] much of the damage [he] witness[ed when he came back]" (245). When he returned to his old home, he was shocked at the difference. This shwos the difference between hearing the news of what was occurring from America and seeing the changes for himself. -
Baba's grandfather adopts Ali
Baba and Ali's bond stems from them growing "up together as childhood playmates" (25). Baba has know Ali all his life and is reluctant for him to leave as he is a symbol for consistancy to him. Baba cares for Ali not only as a friend, but also as family. -
Mullah Omar has Growing Support
With appealing promises to a broken country, "by the end of 1994, Mullah Omar had nearly 12,000 followers and was rolling up the warlords to the north and east" (2). -
Taliban Seizes Control of Afghanistan
Troubles with America started when "the Taliban, the extremist Islamic group that had seized control in 1996 after years of civil war" (1). -
Baba and Amir drive through Khyber Pass
As Amir is driving through the Khyber pass, he notices that it is " just as [he] remembered" from when he drove with Baba in 1997 (229). This sets the stage for why Amir was so surprised when he sees Kabul. While the unpopulated roads that he knew were untouched, the areas filled with people, more specificaly Hazara people, have been destroyed by the Russians and now the mujahadin. -
Rahim Khan asks Amir to go see him
On a walk, Amir considers how Rahim Khan told him to "come [because] there [was] a way to be good again" (192). At this comment, Amir realies that Rahim Khan new about all of his wrongdoings. Amir feels compelled to go back so as to possibly clean himself of his bad thoughts and guilt. -
Amir returns to America with Sahrab
Amir "realize[s] how much [he] had missed [Soraya]" when he sees her after his long trip (357). Amir was so busy in his trip that he had no time to think of fonder things such as Soraya and how he missed her. However, when he finally sees her, he recognizes how glad he is to see her which shows that Soraya is a big support for Amir even if he does not always notice it. -
Taliban attacks World Trade Center
"The attack on the World Trade Center in New York on September 11, 2001" set the stage for a long lasting conflict between the United States and the Taliban" (3). -
United States Invades Afghanistan
In response to the attack on the World Trade Center, the United states ivaded Afghanistan and "succeeded in dislodging Al Aqeda and removing the Taliban from pwer, but not in eradicating either group" (1). -
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Hamid Karzai is President of Afghanistan
Although he was popular at the beginning of his "five-year term as president in 2004," his likability decreased as he was unable to benefit Afghan enough to satisfy the population. -
General Petraeus Takes Charge of US Central Command
Becaue General Petreaus "received much credit for the success of the surge there... [he was given] responsiblity for military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and across the region" (4). -
Obama Announces to Deploy 30,000 Troops
In an effort to stop wasting lives and money, "in a speech delivered December 1, 2009... Obama announced his plan to deploy 30,000... troops" (4). -
Amir Wins Kite Competitions
Amir "felt a rush" when he "spotted Baba on [their] rooftop, clapping, beaming" (370). The mere sight of Baba's approval gives Amir sucha great excitement and joy. This shows how much of a prominent figure Baba is to Amir as well as how uncommon his displays of affection towards Amir are.