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Women gaining more of a voice/place in society
The women in Afghanistan are granted more of an opportunity to express themselves in their society when, "The pro-Soviet Gen. Mohammed Daoud Khan, cousin of the king, becomes prime minister and looks to the communist nation for economic and military assistance." This immensely advanced choice that the rulers of Afghanistan made was far ahead of time because, at this moment, women were not given as much freedom as they were being rewarded. -
Baba's power
When Amir explaining a story about his father's wishes in the beginning of the novel. He expresses how his father decided to build an orphanage out of the blue. On page 13 Amir says, "... Baba decided to build an orphanage. I heard the story through Rahim Khan. He told me Baba had drawn the blueprints himself despite the fact that he'd had no architectural experience at all." (Hosseini 13) This quote shows how Baba had the power to do something and how Amir was in awe about the orphanage. -
Sanaubar leaving Hassan and Ali
When Amir introduces Hassan and Ali to the reader in the beginning of the story, he makes sure to explain how "Sanaubar had taken one glance at the baby in Ali's arms, seen the cleft lip, and barked a bitter laughter." This quotation shows us how Amir and Hassan have been through hard things together in Afghanistan, and when the government started to give women more power, Sanaubar wasn't worried about leaving Hassan and Ali because she could go do so many more things with her life. -
Khan overthrows king Mohammed Zahir Shah
When Khan overthrows King Mohammed Zahir Shah, this creates a democratic party of Afghanistan, which comes to power, causing the republic of afghanistan to be considered having "close ties" with the USSR. According to the Historical Timeline of Afghanistan by PBS, "Khan’s regime, the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan, comes to power. Khan abolishes the monarchy and names himself president." This quotation shows how men felt they had a lot of power in Afghanistan in the late 60s. -
Khan is assassinated and a communist takes over the country of Afghanistan
When Mohammed Khan is assassinated in 1978, a communist named Nur Mohammad Taraki takes over the country of Afghanistan and they state that they will be leaving their allies at the Soviet Union. As seen in the article, "They proclaim independence from Soviet influence and declare their policies to be based on Islamic principles, Afghan nationalism, and socioeconomic." This is seen around the time Afghanistan went into a huge war, and people were turning on other people. -
Baba and Amir flee Afghanistan
Baba and Amir are fleeing Kabul in order to get to Jalalabad on a bus that is squished with a dozen people. This is right around the time that Khan was assassinated and Afghanistan was taken over by Nur Mohammad Taraki in 1978. On page 111, "... it was a pretty lucrative business then, driving people out of Shorawi-occupied Kabul to the relative safety of Pakistan." Baba and Amir leave their home in Kabul to escape because they don't agree with what the government is changing in Afghanistan. -
Baba and Amir flee War in Afghanistan
During the wars, Baba decides it is too dangerous to stay in Afghanistan, so he decides that they should flee to the USA where they can make a better life for themselves. On page 124, " My eyes returned to our suitcases... After everything, he'd built, planned, fought for, fretted over, dreamed of, this was the summation of his life: one disappointing son and two suitcases." Baba and Amir have arrived in Pakistan when Amir feels defeated after coming to a realization with their fleeing. -
Leaving Afghanistan
When war is taking over Afghanistan, " 2.8 million Afghans have fled from the war to Pakistan, and another 1.5 million have fled to Iran (PBS Online Article) This quote is important because it shows the negative effects that are pushed onto the people of Afghanistan, like fleding their homeland. -
Baba and Amir arrive in California
Baba and Amir are amazed by the new america they see when, "walking through Lake Elizabeth Park in Fremont, a few streets down from our apartment, and watching the boys at batting practice, little girls giggling on the swings in the playground." (Hosseini 125) Coming to america is a life changing experience for both Baba and Amir by seeing the different culture shocks they go through after their first arrival. -
Amir graduates from High School in America
In America, Amir continues education by going to high school. However, Amir and Baba's relationship is clearly developed after his graduation when Baba says, "'I am moftakhir, Amir,' he said. Proud. His eyes gleamed when he said that and I liked being on the receiving end of that look." (Hosseini 131) In the beginning of the book there is some tension between Baba and Amir But when Baba realizes the sacrifices Amir has made to better himself their relationship changes for the better. -
Osama Bin Laden Makes His First Trip to Afghanistan
When Osama Bin Laden, "makes his first documented trip to Afghanistan to aid anti-Soviet fighters." Osama Bin Laden was the man in charge of 9/11 and many other big terrorist attacks around the globe. So, his first documented trip to Afghanistan is a big deal because that's where he based a lot of his attacks and plans. -
Baba's Death
After Amir and Soraya's marriage, they decide to move in with Baba because of his destructive cancer. When Baba asks Soraya and Amir to come tuck him into bed he says, "'Not tonight,' he said. 'There is no pain tonight' 'Okay' she said. She pulled up his blanket. We closed the door. Baba never woke up." (173) After moving to America Amir loses his father and doesn't realize how hard it will be on him until Baba is gone. Amir never thought this would happen to Baba and doesn't know how to react. -
Amir has to go to Pakistan
Amir gets a call from Rahim Khan asking him to go to Afghanistan to visit him because he is getting really sick. When Amir face, "looks pale" Soraya is worried about Amir travelling to a war bound country. However, Amir gets over this and makes Soraya realize the importance of him visiting Rahim Khan. -
Amir encounters Assef again when trying to recieve Sohrab
Amir returns to his childhood home in Kabul in order to retrieve Sohrab when he runs into a familiar face. When Amir realizes, "ut he was already here, in the flesh, sitting less than ten feet from me, after all these years. His name escaped my lips: 'Assef'" (Hosseini 281) Amir realizes that scheduling a meeting with the man who has Sohrab was really easy, however when running into the very man that sexually assaulted Hassan, Amir realizes that this won't be as easy as he thought. -
Amir and Sohrab arrive back home, San Francisco California
Amir takes Sohrab's silence as a yes when wanting to bring him home with him to America. On page 357, "We arrived home about seven months ago, on a warm day in August of 2001." Amir finally takes Sohrab home after 2 months of harsh beating and hard work, he finally makes the big trek for the positive impact that it will have on Sohrab.
