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Baba Builds an Orphanage
Out of the goodness of his heart, Baba decided to build an orphanage. According to Rahim Khan, Baba accomplished much of the work for the orphanage solely. In despite of having no architectural experience at all, Baba had "drawn the blueprints himself" (Hosseini, 13). Although many townspeople and skeptics urged Baba to hire a professional, trained architect, Baba refused. As expected the two-story orphanage was a success. -
Amir Writes First Short Story
After playing a trick on Hassan, Amir discovers his hidden talent-- story telling. He decides to put his talent to use and write his first short story. The same night that Amir tricked Hassan into listening to his story, "I (Amir) wrote my first short story. It took me thirty minutes" (Hosseini, 31). Amir put a lot of work into his short story, with the hope of impressing Baba. -
Amir and Hassan Bullied by Assef
Amir and Hassan are walking when they encounter Assef, the town bully. Luckily, the two boys get away after Hassan threatens Assef with his slingshot. Assef tries to make Hassan feel worthless by saying, "'Because to him, you're nothing but an ugly pet. Something he can play with when he's bored, something he can kick when he's angry. Don't ever fool yourself and think you're something more'" (77). Assef verbally abuses Hassan. He tries to make Hassan feel bad for being friends with Amir. -
Afghanistan's Monarchy Ended
Amir, Ali, and Hassan are together when they hear gunshots. At first, Ali assumes this is the sound of ducks being hunted, which is a usual occurrence at night in their town. Little do they know, this is the sound of Daoud Khan ending the current king's reign with a coup. Amir, Ali, and Hassan sat, "huddled together in the dining room and waiting for the sun to rise, none of us (Amir speaking) had any notion that a way of life had ended" (Hosseini, 36). -
Amir Turns 13
Over the summer of the late 1970's, Amir, surprisingly, turns 13. During this time period, vibes between Amir and Baba have cooled down. Amir turns "thirteen that summer of 1976, Afghanistan's next to last summer of peace and anonymity" (Hosseini, 83). While he i thirteen, Amir stashes his stories under his bed, hoping Baba will read them someday. After this summer, Amir's relationship with many other characters will change drastically. -
Amir Chases Shoran's Kite
During the warm seasons, Amir attends school while Hassan stays at home at works. Due to bad weather conditions school does not continue throughout the whole year. Winter, to many Afghan children, was "the end of long division and naming the capital of Bulgaria, and the start of three months of playing cards" (Hosseini, 49). Winter is a rough time for Afghan's without a home, but for Amir and Hassan, it is the best time of the year. Amir enjoys having extra time with Hassan. -
Rahim Khan Writes Amir a Letter
Before leaving Kabul and passing away, Rahim Khan decides to write Amir a letter. Amir delays reading this letter for a very long time, but finally decides to open it up. In the letter, Rahim Khan writes, "Amir jan, I am ashamed for the lies we told you all those years" (Hosseini, 301). The lies that Rahim Khan is referring to is one main lie: Hassan and Amir are step brothers. It is hard for Amir to not only take in but forgive Baba and Rahim Khan for not telling hum the truth. -
Amir Looks for Hassan
Due to his loneliness, Amir travels to Hazarajat to find Hassan. Most of Amir's "friends and relatives had either been killed or had escaped the country" (Hosseini, 203). -
Amir Travels on The Khyber Pass
To travel to Kabul, Amir must take the Khyber Pass. Amir's travels with his driver, Farid, whom he gets to know very well. While on the trip, Amir asks, "Can we roll down the window?" (Hosseini, 228). Amir gets very sick during this trip through the Khyber Pass, for it is known for being very curvy. Amir's driver, Farid, offers him a lemon to get rid of his sickness, which does not help the situation. -
Amir Finds The New Orphanage
After looking for a long time for the new orphanage, Amir succeeds and finds it. He discovers the orphanage in the northern part of Karteh-Seh, in Kabul. When Amir enters the orphanage, he "followed him through dim, grimy hallways where barefoot children dressed in frayed sweaters ambled around" (Hosseini, 253). When attending the orphanage, Amir realizes how unfortunate the children of Kabul really are. Amir did not live this way during his childhood. -
Amir Revisits His Home
While visiting Kabul to retrieve his nephew, Amir decides to take a trip back to his old home. He finds many things that leave him concerned. Amir discovers that "the how itself was far from the sprawling white mansion I remembered from my childhood" (Hosseini, 262). After leaving for over a decade, Kabul and Afghanistan changed as a whole. Many bad things were left unseen by Amir as a child, and traveling back to Kabul led him to realize just how unfortunate many people are. -
Amir Discovers Assef
Before meeting with Assef, Amir thinks he is just a man with John Lennon Glasses. Amir is very nervous going into the meeting with Assef, and gets even more scared when he figures out his identity. Assef gives away his identity when he says, "I never forget a face. Not ever" (Hosseini, 281). After hearing these words come out of Assef's mouth, Amir is in shock. He is very confused on why Assef is still in Kabul and how he is leading so many people. -
Amir Fights Assef
Amir had made a deal with Assef which involved fighting to death. After the fight Amir was badly hurt, but fortunately, he survived. “My body was broken—just how badly I wouldn’t find out until later—but I felt healed. Healed at last. I laughed” (Hosseini, 289). Amir knew that he had been injured badly, but also knew he would survive. Knowing this, Amir laughed, full of gratefulness. -
Sohrab Moves In
As soon as he is able to, Amir takes Sohrab to America to live with him and his wife, Soraya. Things do not go as planned. While living with Amir and Soraya, Sohrab does not "so much live with (Amir and Soraya) as occupy space" (Hosseini, 361). When Sohrab arrives, he is very obstinate, which isn't unusual coming from a boy with as many traumatic experiences as him. After a couple of months, Sohrab doesn't change and stays distant from Amir and Soraya. -
Period: to
Kite Runner & the History of Afghanistan
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General Daud is overthrown.
On April 27, 1978, "General Daud is overthrown and killed in a pro-Soviet coup. The People's Democratic Party comes to power but is paralysed by violent infighting and faces opposition by US-backed mujahideen groups" (www.bbc.com). -
Babrak Karmal is Installed as a Ruler
On December 27, 1979, Babrak Karmal was installed as ruler, "backed by Soviet troops. But opposition intensifies with various mujahideen groups fighting Soviet forces. US, Pakistan, China, Iran and Saudi Arabia supply money and arms to the mujahideen" (www.bbc.com). -
Mujahideen Recieving Weapons
In 1986, the Mujahideen, people gained in the Jihad, "received arms from the United States, Britain and China via Pakistan" (pbs.org). -
Peace Accords Signed
In 1989, The U.S., Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the Soviet Union "sign peace accords in Geneva guaranteeing Afghan independence and the withdrawal of 100,000 Soviet troops" (pbs.org). -
Taliban Gains Control of Kabul
In 1996, the Taliban "seizes control of Kabul and spreads its control across the country. The extremist group introduces harsh laws and punishments" (timeforkids.com). -
US Launches Missile Strikes
Accused of bombing US embassies in Africa, "US launches missile strikes at suspected bases of militant Osama bin Laden" (www.bbc.com). -
Afghans Flee
Due to droughts, many rural areas become inhabitable, leading "More than 1 million Afghans flee to neighboring Pakistan, where they languish in squalid refugee camps" (pbs.org). -
Terrorist Attack on U.S.
After the Al-Queda terrorist attack on U.S., "American forces invade Afghanistan and remove the Taliban from power. The Taliban retains control over many remote areas" (timeforkids.com). -
New President
In 2004, Afghans elect a new President, Hamid Karzai "in the country's first democratic presidential election. Afghanistan adopts a new constitution" (timeforkids.com). -
Osama bin Laden Killed
In order to kill al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, "U.S. forces overtake a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan" (pbs.org). -
Baba Discriminated Against in the US
Things are very different in America for Baba and Amir. Many people are discriminated against because of their race or culture, including Baba.