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Completion of Baba's Orphanage (KR)
Baba had started building an orphanage "in the late 1960s" and completed it around 1971. (13) Amir and Baba go to Gharda Lake to celebrate and Baba suggests they bring Hassan to the lake too. Amir "lie[s] and [tells] [Baba] Hassan had the runs" because Amir "wanted Baba all to [himself]." (13) Analysis: Amir's actions demonstrate how desperate he is for Baba's affections how he is concerned that Hassan may take them. Because of his desperation, Amir is willing to act immorally. -
Amir's First Stories (KR)
In July, Amir was reading to Hassan when he "abandoned the text altogether" and started making up his own story. (30) When he finished "Hassan began to clap" and declared it "the best story [Amir] had] read [Hassan] in a long time" which Amir found fascinating. (30) Amir then wrote "a dark little tale" in thirty minutes which he was eager to share. (31) Analysis: Amir is strongly motivated by approval as he decided to write after Hassan responded well. He probably wants to recapture the feeling -
A Conversation on Sin (KR)
After school, Amir shares with Baba what he learnt about sins, to which Baba replies by inquiring if Amir "want[s] to know what [his] father thinks about sin." (16) Amir says yes, and "a chortle escaped his nose" which annoys Baba. (17) Amir feels remorseful as "it wasn't often Baba talked to [him]" and "[he'd] been a fool to waste it." (17) Analysis: Amir's regret shows how obsessively he wishes for Baba's approval. This also supports the idea that one of Amir's motivations is pleasing Baba. -
Winter Kite Competition (KR)
"In the winter of 1975," there was a kite fighting competition, "the biggest tournament in twenty-five years", which Amir intended to participate in with Hassan. (55) Baba makes a "casual little comment" on the competition that spurs Amir to make "the resolution that [he] would win" and show Baba "his son was worthy." (56) Analysis:
Amir's thought process illustrates his intense craving for Baba's affection. Baba's random comment appears to connect to Amir's sense of merit. -
Hassan's Rape (KR)
After Amir wins the kite fighting tournament, defeating a blue kite, Hassan resolves "to run that blue kite for [Amir]." (66) Eventually, Amir searches for Hassan and finds Assef, Wali, and Kamal "blocking Hassan's way out of [an] alley." (76) As Assef rapes Hassan, Amir runs, thinking he "ran because [he] was a coward." (77) Analysis: Amir abandons Hassan, who is suffering in part because he decided to get the kite for Amir. This reveals the inequality in the loyalty in their friendship. -
Ali and Hassan Quit (KR)
Due to his guilt for abandoning Hassan, Amir plants some of his birthday presents under Hassan's bed. Baba discovers them and asks Hassan if "[he] [stole] Amir's watch." (105) Hassan says yes and Amir realizes "this was Hassan's final sacrifice for [Amir]." (105) Baba states he forgives Hassan, but nonetheless, Hassan and Ali quit. Analysis:
Hassan and Amir's respective actions illustrate the fundamental inequality in their relationship. Amir continuously holds back from reciprocating loyalty. -
Period: to
Kite Runner and the History of Afghanistan
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Soviet Union Invades
"The first Soviet troops parachuted into Kabul" so as to aid Babrak Karmal,who became "president in a coup within the Afghan Communist leadership" claiming they were responding "to a plea for help from a legitimately constituted Karmal Government." (NYT) -
Baba and Amir Escape from Kabul (KR)
Baba and Amir, along with several other refugees, including a young woman, flee in a truck towards Jalalabad because of the Russian invasion. At a checkpoint, a drunk Russian soldier desires "a half an hour with the lady in the back of the truck." (115) Baba stubbornly refuses "to allow this indecency take place" despite threats which alarms Amir. (116) Analysis: Baba's actions show his strong moral code and contrasts with Amir's lack there of. Baba knows what he stands for which lets him act. -
Kamal's father commits suicide (KR)
Kamal and his father were refugees with Baba and Amir. After they arrive in Pakistan, Kamal dies and Kamal's father "lunged for [one of the drivers] who was standing nearby with his cousin." Kamal had "[the driver's] gun in his hand" and shot himself. (124) Analysis: Kamal's father's suicide illustrates how grief can drive a man to desperate measures. This helps emphasize how emotions other than guilt can be strong motivators too. -
Baba's Cancer (KR)
Baba and Amir learn Baba has untreatable lung cancer, yet there is chemotherapy that could prolong death. Baba politely, yet firmly states "no chemo medication for [him]." (156) Amir protests, and Baba tells him "[not to] challenge [Baba] in public ... ever." (156) Analysis:
Baba's reaction to chemotherapy indicates a powerful desire to maintain a reputation of being strong. Baba scolds Amir for merely showing concern, which in turn reveals how Baba doesn't want to seem to depend on anyone. -
Amir meets Soraya for the first time at the Swap Meet (KR)
In the U.S, Baba and Amir are at a swap meet and Amir sees Soraya Taheri. Later, Amir asks Baba about her, and Baba says "she is a decent girl" but he heard "that there was a man once," and no suitors have visited her since. (141) Baba adds, "it may be unfair, but what happens in ... a single day, can change the course of a whole lifetime." (142) Analysis:
Baba's comments indirectly narrate Amir's life since the rape. His comments suggest that if Amir reveals the rape, he will be ostracized. -
Soraya tells Amir about her Past (KR)
After Baba gets Soraya's father's approval for her and Amir to marry, Soraya calls Amir to tell him how "[she once] ran away with an Afghan man." (165) Amir still desires to marry her and "[he] envied her" because "her secret was out" and "dealt with." (165) Analysis:
Amir's jealousy indicates he feels as that he would be liberated if he revealed his own secrets, but his restraint shows an internal battle with cowardice. This ties into how he notes he did not aid Hassan as he was a coward. -
Rahim Khan searches for Hassan (KR)
Rahim Khan "went to Hazarajat to find Hassan" because he "was lonely" and "it was getting harder for [Rahim] to maintain [Baba's] house." (204) He found Hassan and asked Hassan to move in with Rahim, which they refused to do. However, Hassan "broke into tears" when he learnt Baba had died and agreed to move. (207) Analysis: Hassan's long lasting loyalty is illustrated for after all these years, Baba's memory was enough to convince him to move. This shows that Hassan may still be loyal to Amir -
Soviet Union leaves Afghanistan
"[T]he last Soviet troops left Afghanistan" "after peace talks moderated by the United Nations" however Afghanistan "was not only devastated by the war but ... had become a beacon to Islamic extremists." (NYT) -
Sanaubar Returns (KR)
"A woman covered in a sky blue burqa" approached Baba's house and collapsed; additionally, Rahim and Hassan took her to the living room. (209) When she came to, she spoke to Hassan and regretfully said that when he was born "[she] wouldn't even hold [him]". (210) This makes them realize she's Sanaubar and when Hassan's child was born, "he became the center of her existence." (211) Analysis: The fact Sanaubar returned shows the amount people can change. She finally returned to nurture her son. -
Formation of the Taliban
"The Taliban grew out of a student movement dedicated to purifying the country, based in the southeast", which was home to "the dominant ethnic group, the Pashtun." (NYT) "The group's first action occurred when Mullah Omar", a Pashtun, and a small group of men attacked some warlords" who had raped a girl and shaved her head." (NYT) -
The Taliban Take Over
Thanks to Pakistani assistance, the Taliban took command of Afghanistan, "imposing strict enforcement of fundamentalist Islamic law." (NYT) -
Sanctuary for Mr. bin Laden
The Taliban granted sanctuary for Mr. bin Laden, "who arrived by chartered jet... and for Al Qaeda." (NYT) -
Reemergence of the Taliban
After their defeat in 2001, the Taliban "continued to wage a guerrilla warfare from a base ... on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border" while the United States' military focus was occupied with Iraq. (NYT) The Taliban were funded by the opium trade. -
Sohrab attempts Suicide (KR)
Amir tells Sohrab he may need to be placed in an orphanage, even though Amir promised not to do so. Sohrab had "tears pooling in his eyes" and says "they'll hurt [him]", so while Amir sleeps and calls Soraya, Sohrab attempted to commit suicide in the bathroom. (341) Analysis:
Sohrab's suicide attempt reveals how trauma drives one to desperate acts. This is important because Sohrab's breaking point is when Amir appears to bring about Sohrab's fear; thus robbing him of the one person he trusts. -
United States Invasion of Afghanistan
In response to the "Sept. 11 attacks by Al Qaeda" the United States invaded Afghanistan and "succeeded in dislodging Al Qaeda and removing the Taliban from power" however neither group was eradicated. (NYT) "Remnants of Al Qaeda and Taliban leadership retreated to Tora Bora" and "eventually escaped after a battle" that had involved Afghan forces and the United States. (NYT) -
Rahim Khan Calls (KR)
In June 2001, Amir receives a call from Rahim Khan and learns "Rahim Khan is very sick" and Amir informs his wife of this and tells her he decided he "[has] to go to Pakistan." (191) Amir goes for a walk in Golden Gate Park, mulling over Rahim's statement "'Come. There is a way to be good again.'" (192) Analysis: Superficially, Amir appears motivated to visit Rahim because of Rahim's severe illness. However, Amir's pondering of Rahim's last statement indicates he is motivated by his guilt. -
Amir fights Assef for Sohrab (KR)
Amir discovers that a Taliban leader has Sohrab, Hassan's son, and proceeds to try and rescue Sohrab. Amir meets with the Talib, who turns out to be Assef, who declares "[they] have some unfinished business." (286) Assef and Amir brawl violently, and during the fight, Amir is severely hurt, yet felt "healed at last." (289) Analysis:
Amir's reaction to harm indicates Amir feels to have atoned slightly for failing Hassan. Amir, by letting himself be punished, allows himself to forgive himself. -
Hamid Karzai's Government
"Hamid Karzai ... was named chairman" in December 2001 "of an interim government that replaced the defeated Taliban" and he took office in June 2002. Karzai was an adherent as well as a relative of Mohammad Zahir Shah, "the exiled former king of Afghanistan." (NYT) -
Sohrab's Smile (KR)
Sohrab had returned with Amir to the U.S, yet is mostly silent. Soraya, who married Amir around 1983, points out an Afghan kite fighting competition. Amir encourages Sohrab to fly a kite with him and after they cut a kite, Amir sees "a smile. Hardly there. But there." (371) Amir then proceeds to run the cut kite for Sohrab. Analysis:
The smile Sohrab gives Amir reveals that Amir has progressed in earning forgiveness. Amir chases the kite for Sohrab which shows he desires to delight Sohrab. -
General David H. Petraeus's Appointment
General Petraeus was "the architect of the 2007 'surge' in Iraq" and President Obama placed him in charge of American forces in Afghanistan. (NYT) He had the "responsibility for military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and across the region." (NYT) -
Obamas's Speech at West Point
Mr. Obama declared "his plan to deploy 30,000 additional troops" as well as pledging to begin bringing back American forces from Afghanistan in the middle of 2011. (NYT)