-
Family Ties
As Amir looks back on family photos, he finds a rugged picture of his "grandfather and King Nadir Shah, two years before the kings assassination" (Hosseini 5). This quote illustrates the wealth Amir's family has and the assumed political influence his family has as well. In addition, it shows the influence the monarchy's influence in Afghanistan, so much so that even a naïve young Amir recognizes the King Nadir Shah -
Baba's Birth and his and Ali's Background.
When Amir describes Baba's and Ali's background, he states, "In 1933, the year Baba was born and the year Zahir Shah began his forty-year reign of Afghanistan... my grandfather ordered the two young men [that killed Ali's parents] to go to Kandahar at once and enlist in the army for one year" (Hosseini 24). This quote illustrates Baba's importance, as well as the time period he is born in. The quote expresses the period of war Afghanistan was in and show the struggles of the Afghan people. -
Hassan's Birth
When Amir describes the quaint living quarters of Ali and Hassan, Amir goes on a tangent about Hassan and his mother, Sanuabar, stating, "it was in that small shack about that Hassan's mother Sanaubar gave birth to him one cold winter day in 1964... she ran off with a clan of traveling singers and dancers" (Hosseini 6). The quote illustrates the struggles of Hassan and his pain, which helps the audience feel empathetic towards him. The quote also highlights the emotional struggles Hassan endures -
Period: to
Kite Runner & The History of Afghanistan
-
Khan's Coup against Zahir Shah
In 1973, Mohommad Daoud Khan leds a coup and, "overthrows the last king, Mohammed Zahir Shah." Khan leads his political party, the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan, and establishes ties to the USSR http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/asia-jan-june11-timeline-afghanistan -
Hassan's Surgery
When Baba gets Hassan his birthday present, which is an Indian doctor that can fix his cleft lip, he states how "it's an unusual present, and not what you [Hassan] had in mind, but this present will last you forever" (Hosseini 46). This quote expresses Baba's father figure towards both Amir and Hassan, which may foreshadow to something later. In addition, illustrates Baba's gentle manner to both Ali and Hassan, and how he is nonaligned with the racism of Afghanistan races, specifically Hazaras. -
Hassan's Rape
When Amir sees Assef raping Hassan, he states how he had the choice of running away or saving Hassan and getting hurt by Assef, Amir says, "In the end, I ran because I was a coward" (Hosseini 77). This quote illustrates Amir's cowardice and selfishness to help the boy that always covered for Amir because Amir was his friend. In addition, it represents the racial conflicts of the Pashtuns and the Hazaras because Amir has the reoccurring lie he tells himself that Hassan is only a servant. -
Amir Wins the Kite Contest
When Amir wins the kite running contest, he sees Baba jeering and hollering, and Amir states, "and that right there was the single most of my life, seeing Baba proud of me at last" (Hosseini 66). This quote illustrates a very clear scene of Amir's and Baba's relationship, when Amir realizes that to make Baba proud is to win and be courageous. Also, it highlights the key detail that Baba does love Amir, Baba just aspires Amir to grow up and mature. -
Hassan and Ali leave
When Ali announces that he and Hassan are leaving Kabul to go to Hazarajat, Baba is described to have "a sheen of grief across his face" and continues to beg Ali to stay (Hosseini 106). This description illustrates Baba's strong sense of family and sticking together, even if Ali and Hassan aren't family. It also reveals Baba's weakness, which is abandonment and shows Amir that Baba is also just a human being. -
Dauod's Coup
When Amir hears gunshots and screams in Chapter Five and asks Baba what was going on, Baba replies "they're hunting ducks," when in actuality, it was Dauod Khan's communist coup against Zahir Shah (Hosseini 35). This quote expresses the theme of Baba's hypocrisy against his philosophy of theft being the greatest sin. However, it also illustrates the fatherly figure Baba is to protect Amir and his innocence. -
Assassantion of Khan
Khan is killed in a coup, and Nur Mohammad Taraki, one of the founding fathers of the Afghan Communist Party takes power. Taraki bases the new Communist Afghanistan policies "on Islamic principles, Afghan nationalism and socioeconomic justice." http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/asia-jan-june11-timeline-afghanistan/ -
USSR invades Afghanistan
When America cuts off assistance to Afghanistan, a power struggle between Taraki and Deputy Prime Minister Hafizullah Amin commences, where Taraki is killed. The USSR economy falters, and the USSR "invades Afghanistan on Dec. 24 to bolster the faltering communist regime" in hopes of a war of conquest to boost money -
Babrak Karmel in Power
Babrak Karmel is " installed as ruler, backed by Soviet troops," angering many Afghanis. In the meantime, various rebel and mujahideen groups fight the Soviets and are backed by US, Pakistan, China, Iran and Saudi Arabia with weapons and wealth. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253 -
Baba's Heroicity
When Amir and Baba are in the truck fleeing to Pakistan, the bus driver, opens the trunk to present to a Russian soldier anyone to rape. Baba, disgusted, tells the Russian soldier "I'll take a thousand bullets before I let indecency take place" (Hosseini 116). This quote illustrates Baba's black-and-white perspective, and how his masculinity must prove he is the alpha, even when he is about to die. Baba doesn't interpret the sacrifice people have to make, and is present throughout the novel. -
Refugee Crisis of 1982
Throughout 1982, in hopes to escape war with USSR and not be involved or killed in the war, "2.8 million Afghans fled from the war to Pakistan, and another 1.5 million fled to Iran." http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/asia-jan-june11-timeline-afghanistan/ -
Amir And Soraya Meet and Marry
Once Amir saw Soraya, he instantly fell in love. After refusing to tell his past, Amir listens to her complicated past, Amir "suspected there were many ways in which Soraya Taheri was a better person than me. Courage was just one of them" (Hosseini 165). This quote reveals Amir's cowardice might change, and Soraya will become the woman he has to protect. With Amir an adult and Baba with cancer, Amir must mature and Soraya is going to be the woman that will help Amir overcome his lack of bravery. -
Baba Dies
At Baba's funeral, Amir listens to multiple people come up to him and give their condolences and stories. Amir gets an epiphany and thinks "my whole life, I had been "Baba's son. Now he was gone. Baba couldn't show me the way anymore; I'd have to find it on my own" (Hosseini 174). Amir's thought illustrates the relationship of Baba and him and the enlightenment Amir gets. Amir finally realizes that without Baba to protect him, Amir must take control and defend Baba's legacy and begin his own. -
Al-Qaida is formed
In sometime in September, al-Qaida is formed by leader "Osama bin Laden and 15 other Islamists" with the jihad of fighting against the Soviets and establishing a pure Islamic nation http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/asia-jan-june11-timeline-afghanistan/ -
Soviets pull out of Afghanistan
The Geneva Accords are signed on April 15, 1988, "facilitated the withdrawal of the Red Army from Afghanistan." The Geneva Accords put an end to a almost decade long Soviet occupation, and all Soviets and Soviet-related technology or bases leave Afghanistan in 1989. http://insidethecoldwar.org/sites/default/files/documents/The%20Geneva%20Accords%20on%20Afghanistan,%20April%2014,%201988.pdf -
Sanuabar Comes Home
When Amir describes Sanuabar's and Hassan's relationship, he says, "it was Sanuabar who delivered Hassan's son that winter of 1990" (Hosseini 211). This quote illustrates Sauabar's change to help make up what the damage she has caused. In addition, this shows Sanuabar's journey and love for Hassan and tries to project it onto Sohrab. -
Najibullah's Government Crumbles, Civil War rages
In 1992, mujahideen groups fought against Mohammad Najibullah, the USSR-backed president, and "his government toppled, but a devastating civil war follows" http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253 -
Hassan and Farzana are Killed
When Amir hears about the murder of Hassan and Farzana, Amir says, "no, no, no" (Hosseini 219) over and over again. This illustrates Amir's love for Hassan and was believed Hassan was his friend. It also emphasizes the fact that Amir can't make up the damage he caused and will always be a coward. -
Sohrab Attempts Suicide
After Amir tells Sohrab that he may be returning to an orphanage for a few months in Pakistan so Amir can adopt him, Sohrab is devastated that Amir will break his promise and attempts suicide. In the hospital, Sohrab says "I want Father and Mother jan. I want Sasa. I want to play with Rahim Khan sahib in the garden. I want to live in our house again" (Hosseini 354) This quote illustrates Sohrab's insecurities and unsurety of Amir's love. Also, it highlights Sohrab's fractured mental state. -
9/11 Airplane Attacks
On the fateful morning of September 11, Taliban terrorist hijack four commercial airline planes and steer them into "the World Trade Center Towers in New York, the Pentagon outside Washington, D.C., and a Pennsylvania field, killing thousands." http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/asia-jan-june11-timeline-afghanistan/ -
Hassan's Subtle Smile
After adopting Sohrab and moving him to the US, Amir and Sohrab fly kites for Afghan New Year, and Amir finds, "one corner of [Sohrab's] mouth had up just so. A smile. Lopsided. Hardly there. But there" (p.370-371). This quote illustrates the relation between Hassan and Sohrab and how blood is thicker than water, Sohrab realize that his family isn't actually gone unless he believes so. In addition, it shows Amir's close attention to Sohrab and his desperate need to atone for his sins. -
Newest Constitution of Afghanistan
In Afghanistan 2004, the newest constitution is ratified, stating that the nation "pledges to be both Islamic and democratic" http://www.cfr.org/afghanistan/afghanistan-new-constitution/p7710