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Baba is Born
Baba was very respected in Afgahnistan. It was said that "[a]t parties, when all six-foot-five of him thundered into the room, attention shifted to him like a sunflower turning to the sun" (Hosseini 13). Baba was Amir's father, and for this very reason, Amir stuggled to live up to his father. In addition to his appearance, Baba also had a very good reputation and was very wealthy. Because he was used to this treatment, he found it difficult to adjust to life in the United States later. -
Amir is Born
Amir was born in winter, but sadly his "mother died giving birth to [him]" (Hosseini 6). Therefore, he never got the chance to meet his mother and his father rasied Amir by himself. Becasue he only had one parent, Amir always felt pressured to make his father proud. -
Hassan is Born
Hassan lost his mother a few days after he was born to "a clan of traveling singers and dancers" (Hosseini 6). Though his mother abandoned him, Hassan still had his father, Ali. Ali was a great role model and taught Hassan to be loyal and have integrity. Later on, this has a big impact on Hassan and Amir's friendship. -
Afgahnistan Becomes a Republic
Before this time, Afghanistan was a monarchy. However, that all changed when "Daod Khan... ended the king's forty-year rein with a bloodless coup" (Hosseini 36). The sudden transition from a monarchy to a republic had a big impact on Afghanistan. It lead to many new changes. -
Amir Wins the Kite Flying Competition
After winninng the competition, Amir experienced "the single greatest moment of [his] twelve years of life, seeing Baba on that roof, proud of [Amir] at last" (Hosseini 66). Amir always felt that he had let down his father. And so when he saw that his father was finally proud of him, Amir rejoiced in the moment. -
Hassan and Ali Leave
After his initial attempt to get rid of the guilt Amir felt for Hassan, he tried to get rid of him by planting his "new watch and a handful of Afghani bills" under Hassan's mattress (Hosseini 104). By doing this, Amir hoped to blame Hassan with stealing, a large crime in their religion. However, in the end Hassan ans Ali decided to leave on their own terms. Amir thought that by getting rid of Hassan he would not feel guilty anymore for what he had done. -
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Solviet Troops in Afghanistan
In late December, "the first Soviet troops parachuted into Kabul" ("Afghanistan- An Overview"). Finally, in Feburuary of 1989 "the last Soviet troops left Afghanistan" ("Afghanistan- An Overview"). This withdrawl left Afghanistan devistated. -
Amir and Baba Leave Afghanistan
On their way out of Afghanistan, Amir and Baba sat with their "suitcases between [their] legs, cramped with these strangers in the tarpaulin-covered cab of an old Russian truck" on their way to Kabul" (Hosseini 110). Though Amir's family may have lived a luxurious life in Afghanistan, on their travel's, they are just anothter two bodies being transported from one place to another. This particular trip hints at the stuggles to come and the changes that will be made in their lives. -
Amir and Baba Arrive in California
After traveling to Pakistan to get their Visas, Amir and Baba travel to California because "Baba loved the idea of America" (Hosseini 125). Right before the Solviet union took hold of Afghanistan, Amir and Baba fleed. To take advantage of their situation, Baba decided to move to the United States because he liked their government since he shared similar views. -
Baba has Shop Incident
Unlike Amir, Baba still struggled with the changes that came with moving to America. For example, he did not understand that shop keepers are "supposed to ask for an I.D." and instead was offended when he was asked for his (Hosseini 126). Baba took it personally and thought that the shop keeper was just being rude since Baba was not accustomed to living in America. This was very different for Baba compared to Afghanistan where he did not need to show proof of his identity and was well-known. -
Amir Graduates
At Amir's graduation, Baba says "'I am moftakhir, Amir,'...Proud" (Hosseini 131). For the secound time in his life, Baba tells Amir that he is proud of him. This boosts Amir's confidence and strenthens the bond between Amir and Baba. In a way, this moment may have been the closest Amir and Baba have been. -
Solviet Air Force weekened
Because the United States gave supplies to trhe rebels, "the Solviet Air Force was ...rendered largely useless" ("Afghanistan- An Overview"). -
Mullah Omar Gains Followers
At this time Mullah Omar "had nearly 12,000 followers" ("Afghanistan- An Overview"). His movement was "genuinely popular... in a country weary of corruption and brutality" ("Afghanistan- An Overview"). -
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Taliban in Power
The Taliban all started out of a "student movement dedicated to purifying the country" ("Afghanistan- An Overview"). According to Afghan folklore, the movement started with Mullah Omar who had been injured while fighting the Solviets. -
Mr. bin Laden Arrives at Jalalabad Airport
Before the attack on the World Trade Center "the Taliban... provided a haven for Mr. bin Laden" ("Afghanistan- An Overview"). In addition, "international criticism of the Taliban's harsh measures had little effect on the regime" ("Afghanistan- An Overview"). -
Hassan and his Wife are killed
During Amir's visit to Afghanistan, Rahim Kihan describes how, while he was away, the Taliban "[o]rdered [Hassan] to kneel... and shot him in the back of the head" (Hosseini 218). This was the final injustice done to Hassan. In this case, even though Hassan claimed to be watching the house for a friend, the Taliban dismissed it as a protest and shot him because he was a Hazara. Ultimately, this event demonstrates the unfairness and cruelty that war brings to a country. -
Amir Fights Assef
While Amir struggles to fight Assef he finds himself laughing because even though his "body was broken... [he] felt healed" (Hosseini 289). He felt healed, or at peace, becasue he knows that by fighting Assef to save Hassan's son, he is atoning for his wrongdoings to Hassan. Also, he is repaying Hassan for his loyalty. -
Sohrab Attempts to Commit Suicide
While Sohrab recoveres in the hospital, Amir goes back to the hotel to get some rest. In his room, Amir ponders what Sohrab's "last thought had been as he raised the blade and brought it down" (Hosseini 351). As soon as Amir mentions putting Sohrad back in an orphanage, Sohrab loses all faith and hope. This leads him to cutting him self in attempts to end his misery by ending his life. This event illustrates the effects war has on a person. -
Amir and Sohrab Arrive to America (home)
Once they came into Amir's house and greeted Soraya, Sohrab immediately "lowered his head. Hid his hands under his thighs and said nothing" (Hosseini 358). Even after the incident in Afghanistan, Sohrab remained depressed. He had no desire to go to America after losing hope and Amir's trust, but it became his only choice. Therefore, after coming to America, Sohrab spent most of his time alone or sleeping. -
Attack on World Trade Center
Osama bin Laden lead this terrorist attack. When President Obama "gave the Taliban an ultimatum to hand over Mr. bin Laden" they refused ("Afghanistan- An Overview"). In responce, the United States "joined forced with rebel groups" ("Afghanistan- An Overview"). -
Amir Flys Kites with Sohrab
After Amir demonstrates a kite move he learned from Hassan, he notices "one corner of [Sohrab's] mouth had curled up just so" (Hosseini 370). This is the first time in a while that Amir has seen Sohrab smile. Finally, Sohrab shows signs of happiness and he is starting to feel hopeful rather than hopeless. -
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Hamid Karzai is President in Afghanistan
While President Bush was president, Mr. Karazai was a "celebreity in flowing cape and dark gray karakul cap [and] was also a white house favorite" ("Afghanistan- An Overview"). However, at the end of his term he struggled with making economic progress and corrupt officials. -
General Petraeus takes charge of U.S. Central Comand
General Petraes was formerly "the Iraq commander who recieved much credit for the success of the surge there" ("Afghanistan- An Overview"). -
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US Troops in Afghanistan
During this time, President Obama stationed troops in Afghanistan. Initially, the United States were going to take troops out of Afghanistan by "the end of 2014, when it intended to pass responcibility for security to the Afghan government" ("Afghanistan- An Overview"). -
Obama Speech to deploy troops
During this time, " Mr. Obama announced his plan to deploy 30,000 additional troops" ("Afghanistan- An Overview"). Later in his speech he said that it was not fair that the Uited States had to "shoulder an open-ended commitment" ("Afghanistan- An Overview").