-
Period: to
Kite Runner &the History of Afghanistan
-
Hassan's Rape
Hassan was adamant about helping Amir run the last kite. Hassan was ambushed by Assef in the process, but "In the end, I [Amir] ran" (Hosseini 77). His inability to help Hassan guided the story into a road of redemption by atoning for his mistake. From this, he would learn to be selfless and courageous in contrast to what he displayed. -
Hassan's Last Kite Battle
As winter was approaching, Amir and Hassan are preparing for Kabul's yearly kite battles. Amir would have little knowledge that he was seeing "Hassan run a kite for the last time" (Hosseini 55). Kites are symbolism of freedom and atonement. After this event Amir would have to regain peace and atone for his sins, but for the time being he seems to be free from worry. -
Ali and Hassan Leave
Amidst Amir's birthday, he was shocked that Hassan and Ali were leaving, but "caught one final blurry glimpse of Hassan slumped in the backseat before Baba turned left at the street corner" (Hosseini 109). This event grants Amir his wish of wanting new servants, but the resolution to his problems has now left. The rain in this setting symbolizes the feeling of guilt and sadness in Amir, despite his delayed reaction to losing [someone he would later find out to be] a brother. -
Amir's Thirteenth Birthday
Amir "turned thirteen that summer of 1976, Afghanistan's next to last summer of peace and anonymity" (Hosseini 93). The transition of becoming a teenager can have its obstacles, however this stage in life will end. The same can be said about this upcoming war in Afghanistan; the war will take its tole, but there will be an end to the suffering. -
Invasion
Russia upheld a communist government and wanted to spread their ideas to other countries. They acknowledged that Afghanistan's democracy was growing. In the midst of the Cold War the " Soviet Army invades and props up communist government"(BBC News). -
Baba and Amir Flee Kabul
Like many others in Kabul, Amir and Baba decided to flee. With Baba's socioeconomic status, he discovered and paid for someone who was willing to take them "to Jalalabad, about 170 kilometers southeast of Kabul" (Hosseini 111). The author portrays the significance of their home country in Afghanistan by acknowledging the difficulty and grief of leaving a prosperous life. This change altered culture and status, two important aspects of Afghan society. -
Escaping the War
People did not want to live under Russia's communist government, so at this point " Some 2.8 million Afghans have fled from the war to Pakistan, and another 1.5 million have fled to Iran. Afghan guerrillas gain control of rural areas, and Soviet troops hold urban areas" (PBS). -
Meeting Soraya
After years of torment proceeding Hassan's rape Amir said, "Lying awake in bed that night, I thought of Soraya Taheri's sickle-shaped birthmark, her gently hooked nose, and the way her luminous eyes had fleetingly held mine" (Hosseini 142). Finally, Amir could be distracted from his groom remnants of guilt. This is an outlet for him to experience relief by sharing his long kept secret, so this girl seemed to appear at the right time. -
Mujahideen Resistance
While many are fleeing to neighboring countries, Iran and Pakistan, the "Mujahideen come together in Pakistan to form alliance against Soviet forces. -
Baba's Death
After paying for Amir and Soraya's wedding, he felt energized and happy, but one night after spending time with the two, "Baba never woke up" (Hosseini 173). Paying for Amir's wedding was Baba's last gift and, in some way, it seems as though he felt satisfied enough to let himself go. Even though Amir could not receive anymore advice, Baba left him with a set future. -
U.S. Intervention
Russia and the U.S. did not have a very good relationship, so helping Afghans kill the Soviet Army was not much of a challenge to decide. Although American troops left Afghanistan the "US begins supplying mujahideen with Stinger missiles, enabling them to shoot down Soviet helicopter gunships. Babrak Karmal replaced by Najibullah as head of Soviet-backed regime" (BBC News). -
Soviet Union Withdrawal
Russia was tired of their war with Afghanistan because western countries looked down upon it, referring to it as Russia's Vietnam, and it was too costly toward their economy. After eight years of war, "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 News). -
Civil Unrest
It seems as though there will finally be peace in Afghanistan after the Soviet Union leaves, however "civil war continues as mujahideen push to overthrow Najibullah" (BBC News). -
Amir's Newly Discovered Nephew, Sohrab
Amir traveled back to Kabul in an attempt to find Hassan. Little did he know, however, that Hassan was married and had a child. Hassan and Farzana "named him Sohrab, after Hassan's favorite hero" (Hosseini 211). The discovery of Sohrab gave Amir a opportunity to redeem himself. This acted as a test that examined if he was willing to be selfless. Although Hassan had already forgiven him, Amir felt guilt and was not ready to forgive himself. -
Rise of the Taliban
Most Afghans approved of a new Islamic group being the heads of their government. They had the idea that the Taliban would uphold tradition and redirect Afghanistan's route from famine and war. Noticing the opportunity to gain power, "Newly formed Islamic militia, the Taliban, rises to power on promises of peace" (PBS). -
Hassan's Death
Rahim Khan told Amir that "a rumor spread that a Hazara family was living alone in the big house in the Wazir Akbar Khan. The Talibs said he was a liar and a thief and shot him in the back of the head" (Hosseini 219). Amir's thought of finally apologizing to Hassan will never be fufilled. Although this may be Amir points his focus towards helping Hassan's son. In this way, Amir realizes that his personal satisfaction of receiving forgiveness must not overshadow a life that can actually be saved. -
A Tie Between Characters
After Amir's fight with Assef, he woke up to a letter from Rahim Khan that said, "Forgive your father of you can. Forgive me if you wish. But most important, forgive yourself" (Hosseini 302). The idea of atonement revolves around betrayal and forgiveness. These themes connect a majority of the characters through ,either, asking for forgiveness or receiving an apology. In this case, Amir is learning to forgive Baba's lie, Rahim Khan's secrecy, in addition to his personal sins. -
Bringing Sohrab to America
Amir fought for Sohrab's right to be adopted and go to America and finally, they "arrived home about seven months ago, on a warm day in August 2001" (Hosseini 357). Amir was happy to find Sohrab, but until now, he had not felt relief. Finally, Amir was able to forgive himself because he acted with selflessness by challenging his fear. -
Standing Up To General Taheri
When the General made offensive remarks toward Sohrab, Amir exclaimed, "You will never again refer to him as Hazara boy in my presence. He has a name and it's Sohrab" (Hosseini 361). By sticking up for Sohrab he redeemed himself towards Baba. This illuminates the similarity between Amir and Baba because they both do not have bias toward Hazaras; in addition, they both walked on the same road of redemption as a result of their sins. -
World Trade Center Attack
The United States was scarred on September eleventh when "Islamist extremists hijacked four planes that were flying above the US. Two of them were flown into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York. Another was crashed into the Pentagon, the top military building in the capital city, Washington DC. The fourth plane crashed into a field, 80 miles from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania" (BBC News). -
U.S. Resistance
George W. Bush had no intention of having America be subjected to fear after the World Trade Center collapsed. As a result, "US-led bombing of Afghanistan begins following the September 11 attacks on the United States. Anti-Taliban Northern Alliance forces enter Kabul shortly afterwards" (BBC News). -
Amir and Sohrab Fly Kite Together
Amir was sure that he would never see kite battles again, but when he looked up "Another half-dozen kites had taken flight. People had started to gather in clumps, teacups in hand, eyes glued to the sky" (Hosseini 368). The reappearance of kites signify that Amir is free of the sins that he committed. The author specifically placed this event here to recognize the resolution to all of his past lies and mistakes. He wishes to get his old life back, and this is a very close reality. -
Amir Runs Kite For Sohrab
On New Year's Day in 2002, Amir discovered a way to connect with Sohrab through flying kites. For once, Amir "ran. A grown man running with a swarm of screaming children" (Hosseini 371). In contrast to his past, Amir is willing to run a kite for someone else. This demonstrates selflessness and how much he has grown. In the past Hassan did all the work and Amir would receive credit, but he has discovered something that has much more value than self-satisfaction, love. -
Amir Embracing Religion
Since his childhood Amir had not prayed once, but he "prayed morning namaz while Soraya slept" (Hosseini 364), a year after he came back to America in 2001. Amir dismissed his religion and culture, in denial of its meaning. Since moving to America, his family name could no longer be preserved in Kabul, but the traditions could stay alive. This allows further generations to do the same and not forget the root of their ancestry. -
A New Approach
George Bush had a more violent approach when dealing with enemies during his presidency. President Obama came up with a new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan. He developed a solution in which "An extra 4,000 US personnel will train and bolster the Afghan army and police and there will be support for civilian development" (BBC News).