Kite Runner the History of Afghanistan

  • Hassan's Surgery

    After Hassan's surgery and when he began to recover he was able to smile again,"Which was ironic. Because that was the winter Hassan stopped smiling"(47). This quote dramatically foreshadows some changes that will occur between Hassan and Amir. These changes affecting their relationship forever.
  • Hassan's Rape

    In the Kite flying contest in the winter of 1975 Hassan is chasing down Amir's kite. He enocunters Assef, who assaults Hassan,"Hassan didn't struggle. Didn't even whimper."(75)
  • Hassan and Ali leave

    After more fights with Hassan, Amir finally made Hassan go away. The day, "Baba took Ali and Hassan to the bus station"(108), would be the last day Amir would see Hassan. Amir framed Hassan for stealing his birthday presents all because he felt guilty whenever he saw him.
  • Period: to

    Afghanistan

  • The Soviet Invasion

    Soviet Troops invaded the country, attempting to impose communist rules and laws. In 1979, "Soviet Troops parachuted into Kabul"
  • Amir and Baba leave Afghanistan

    Shortly after the Russians invade Afghanistan Amir and Baba "left Kabul just after two in the morning"(110). This would be the last time Amir would be in Afghanistan until he comes back for Hassan's son. Leaving his memories and life in Afghanistan was hard for Amir.
  • Baba and Amir arrive in California

    After Baba and Amir left Afghanistan and Pakistan they came to America, "Baba loved the idea of America"(125). Baba appreciated the freedoms and life the Americans had. Where in Afghanistan people did not have these things.
  • Amir graduates from highschool

    After starting high school in America Amir, "Graduated from high school at the age of twenty"(131) Amir was far older than the other high schoolers but he had pride in graduating because Baba was very happy for him. Amir seeks out satisfaction from his father and the day he graduated he felt that.
  • Amir marries Soraya

    Amir would come to marry General Taheri's daughter, Soraya. After the wedding, "Soraya's family would have thrown the engagement party"(169). However; Amir knew Baba did not have that much time left to live. Baba had grown very sick and was coming to the last few weeks of his life.
  • Rahim Kahn finds Hassan

    Rahim Kahn does to find Hassan to bring him back home with him to Baba's house. Hassan explains to Rahim what happened to his father, Ali, "Ali and his cousin who had owned the house had been killed by a land mine."(206). Hassan proceeds to express interest in Amir and his whereabouts and seems eager to talk to him soon. Rahim Kahn bring Hassan and his family back to Kabul to live with him.
  • Soviets Leaving Afghanistan

    The United Nations talked and "The last Soviet troops left Afghanistan in February 1989."
  • Taliban massacrer of Hazaras

    Amir hears the,"rat-a-tat-tat of gunfire". Confused about why there was gunfire at this time at night, Baba lies to Amir saying that they are hunting ducks. Meanwhile many Hazaras are being mercilessly killed.
  • Amir and Soraya try to start a family

    Amir felt very strongly about having a child especially because it was part of Afghan culture. However, "a year passed and nothing happened"(184). Amir finds out Soraya cannot have children and this is very hard on him. Amir and his wife begin to discuss adoption, foreshadowing the future adoption of Sohrab.
  • Sohrab is born

    Hassan and his wife have a child at Baba's house, "It was Sanaubar who delivered Hassan's son hat winter of 1990."(211) Hassan's child sets the plot for the rest of the book as when recalling this story, Rahim Kahn makes the story revolve around Sohrab. This will lead to Rahim pleading Amir to bring Sohrab back to America.
  • Taliban Followers

    The Taliban began to grow rapidly "Mullah Omar had nearly 12,000 followers and was rolling up the warlords in the north and east"
  • Sanaubar

    Four years after delivering Hassan's son ,"one morning, she just did not wake up."(211). After finding this out Amir was even more heartbroken about his old family and friends and how he missed his childhood.
  • Taliban Takeover

    In 1996 the Taliban "had taken control of Afghanistan, imposing strict enforcement."
  • TAliban and Bin Laden

    The Taliban allied themselves with Bin Laden, they "provided a haven for Mr. Bin Laden, who arrived by chartered jet at Jalalahbad airport in May 1996"
  • Hassan is killed

    When meeting with Rahim Kahn he explains how the Taliban took him out of his house "and shot him in the back of the head."(219) Amir was in disbelief that Amir had died in such a way. Amir's guilt began to flood him and he thinks about all of the things he wished he could have said to him.
  • Amir goes to see Rahim Kahn

    Amir goes to Pakistan to see Rahim Kahn after hearing,"Rahim Kahn is very sick"(191). Amir felt he had to see his father's old friend. And in the process of seeing him Amir will try to atone for his mistakes.
  • Karzai Government

    The former King of Afghanistan ,"Was named chairman of an interim government that replaced the defeated Taliban".
  • Taliban Resurgence

    After the defeat of the Taliban in Afghanistan the, "Taliban continued to wage a guerrilla warfare"
  • September 11 Terrorist Attack

    The Taliban hijacked planes and crashed them into United State's buildings. After the attacks, "President George W. Bush gave the Taliban an ultimatum to hand over Mr. Bin Laden"(NYT)
  • Amir and Sohrab fly kites

    Amir teaches Sohrab how to fly kites. When Sohrab gets a kite down Amir asks Sohrab"Do you want me to run that kite for you?"(371). Flying kites with Sohrab made Amir very nostalgic and made Amir remember all the times Hassan perfectly ran down kites. This event brings light to a relationship between Sohrab and Amir.
  • Obama's War

    Obama decided to bring American Troops into Afghanistan he "announced his plan to deploy 30,000 additional troops."
  • Troops Still in Afghanistan

    The United States, "Emphasized the idea that the United States will have forces in the country until at least the end of 2014"