-
Amir is born
Amir was born in 1963 and his "mother died giving birth to [him]" (Hosseini 6). This is important because it introduces the main character and his background. Amir feels that because he caused his mother to die after his birth that his father does not care for him. -
Hassan is born
Amir recalls that "it was there, in that little shack, that Hassan was born in the winter of 1964" (Hosseini 6). Hassan's birth is important because he becomes Amirs best friend and causes his regret. The shack is important because it shows how he has a lower social status than Amir. -
Amir wrote his first short story
It was in 1973 that Amir "wrote [his] first short story" (Hosseini 30). Amir and Rahim Khan bond over Amir's first story because it was Rahim who believed in him and thought his story was "bravo!" This also sparked Amir's writing career and he went on to write a novel. -
Hassan and Amir win the kite fight
Hassan and Amir shout "you won, Amir agha! You won...We won! We won!" (Hosseini 66). Amir sees himself as an equal toward Hassan because they both contributed to winning the tournament. This moment is also a bonding moment for the two boys, yet also the last happy moment between them. -
Hassan is raped
Amir remembers that Assef "undid his own belt buckle... unzipped his jeans. Dropped his underwear" (Hosseini 75). Assef raping Hassan changes the whole plot because Amir and Hassan's relationship changes. Amir begins to treat Hassan unkindly and no longer sees him as a friend because he feels guilty about staying silent while Hassan is being tormented. This event also lead to the unhappiness of Hassan and he begins to question about what kind of friend Amir is. -
Ali and Hassan leave
Ali tell Baba "we are leaving, Agha sahib" (Hosseini 106). Hassan leaves because of the trauma he faced after the kite fight. He no longer feels safe or respected living with Amir and Baba. This is important because Amir is now unable to atone for his mistakes because Hassan is no longer around. However, since Hassan leaves Amir and Baba become closer. -
Soviet Union invades Afghanistan
The people of Afghanistan have "known little peace since 1979, when the Soviet Union invaded" (NYT). -
Amir and Baba move to America
Amir and Baba move to "Fremont, California. 1980s. Baba loved the idea of America." (Hosseini 125). Baba and Amir decide to leave their life in Afghanistan and move to America. It is hard for both character because they no longer have the same social status. Through the move, the characters are able to develop. Both Baba and Amir are able to put their pasts behind and feel less guilt. Their relationship grows because Baba becomes softer and understanding while Amir finds his confidence. -
Rahim Khan looks for Hassan
Rahim Khan recalls that he "went to Hazarajat to find Hassan in 1986" (Hosseini 203). Rahim Khan looks for Hassan because he feels lonely and needed help taking care of the house. This event is important because Rahim is able to reconnect with Hassan and give Amir a chance to atone for his past actions. -
Amir and Soraya get married
After Soraya tells Amir about her past, Amir tells her "nothing you said changes anything. I want us to marry" (Hosseini 165). Although Amir is happy with Soraya, his past still haunts him in his relationship with her. He feels he should tell what he did to Hassan because she told him her flaws. Soraya helps him make decisions such as traveling back to Afghanistan and taking in Sohrab. In the end, he trusts her enough to tell her about his past, and she helps him forgive himself. -
Baba dies of lung cancer
As Baba falls asleep, he tells Amir that "there is no pain tonight...Baba never woke up" (Hosseini 173). This event changes Amir because he now feels alone. Baba had always lead Amir through life; helping him make the right decisions and teaching him how to act. When Baba dies, Amir becomes more independent and mature because he no longer has his father to help him. -
Last of the Soviet troops leave Afghanistan
Although short lived, the country finally can have peace "after peace talks moderated by he United Nations, the last Soviet troops left Afghanistan in February 1989" (NYT) -
Sohrab is born
Rahim Khan tells Amir that "it was Sanaubar who delivered Hassan's son that winter of 1990" (Hosseini 211). Sohrab's birth is important because it gives Amir another chance to atone for what he did when he was a child. A similar situation presents itself and Amir has another chance to make the correct decision to stand up for Sohrab. Sanaubar delivering Sohrab is important because she is also able to atone for her mistake of leaving Hassan by creating a strong relationship with her grandchild. -
Sanaubar returns home to Hassan
When Sanaubar returns home, Hassan "told her she could cry if she wanted to but she needn't, she was home now" (Hosseini 210). Although this is the first time Hassan has seen his mother since he was an infant, he still treats her kindly and lets her into his life with open arms. This characterizes Hassan further because it is clear Hassan is forgiving and treats everyone with respect. Sanaubar made a brave choice and tried to and atone for her mistake of leaving Hassan. -
Power in Afghanistan was anarchically divided
Power over Afghanistan "was anarchically divided among competing warlords and individual fiefdoms" (NYT) -
Taliban takes control over Afghanistan
Soon after the rule of the Soviet Union, "Buoyed by Pakistani aid, the Taliban by 1996 had taken control of Afghanistan" (NYT) -
Hamid Karzai becomes the leader of Afghanistan
Once the Taliban leave, "Hamid Karzai...was named chairman of an interim government that replaced the defeated Taliban, making him the leader of the country" (NYT). -
The Taliban are removed from power
Afghanistan finally has freedom when "the 2001 invasion's succeeded in dislodging Al Qaeda and removing the Taliban from power" (NYT) -
Amir returns to Pakistan to visit Rahim Khan
Amir tells Soraya "I have to go to Pakistan...Rahim Khan is very sick" (Hosseini 191). Amir returning begins his new adventure of finding Sohrab. Rahim's phone call brought Amir and Sohrab together because he goes looking for him. Sohrab starts a better life and is given new opportunities. -
Hassan and Farzana are murdered
Rahim Khan tells Amir that the Taliban "shot [Hassan] in the back of the head...they shot [Farzana] too" (Hosseini 219). In this moment, the readers can understand the situation that Afghanistan is in during this time period. The Taliban will kill innocent civilians such as Hassan and his wife. This is a turning point for Amir. He realizes he no longer can atone for his actions. After hearing the news, Amir made the decision to find Sohrab because he feelshe is the only part left of Hassan. -
Amir and Sohrab return to America
Amir and Sohrab "arrived home about seven months ago, on a warm day in August 2001" (Hosseini 357). This event marks the start of a new life for Sohrab. He now lives in a safe place with people who care for him. Although the move to America should be an exciting opportunity, Sohrab is far from happy because Amir gave the option of Sohrab returning to an orphanage. Here you can see some of the background of Sohrab because his past was so scaring that the idea of going back causes him to panic. -
Amir fights Assef
When reflecting on the previous event, Amir says "I don't know if I gave Assef a good fight" (Hosseini 288). Fighting Assef was able to relieve some of Amir's guilt. He feels that he deserved it and that the pain he felt matched the pain Hassan felt. This fight also brought Amir and Sohrab together because Sohrab defends Amir. This also reminds Amir of Hassan and he feels closer to Sohrab. -
Attack on the World Trade Center
Al-Queda shocked America with "the attack on the World Trade Center in New York" (NYT). -
General Petraeus takes charge of the United States central command
President Obama made the decision to put "David H. Petraeus...in command of American forces in Afghanistan" (NYT) -
Obama announced his plan
President Obama "announced his plan to deploy 30,000 additional troops" in Afghanistan(NYT). -
United States forces plan on withdrawing troops from Afghanistan
President Obama said that "the United States forces will have forces in the country until at least the end of 2014