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Hassans lip is fixed
As a present for his birthday Baba gets Hassans lip fixed, after the surgery "Baba, Rahim Khan, Ali, and I had huddled around Hassan's bed" (Hosseini). Eeveryone was very excited to see what Hassan looked like without a cleft lip. We would later find out the reason why Baba got him the surgerry was because Hassan was also his son. -
Amir Mocks Hassan
Due to Hassans illiteracy Amir sometimes "abandoned the text altogether" (Hosseini, 30). This is justa prime example of Amir mocking Hassan. Amir thought it was acceptable because Hassan was supposed to be his servant. -
Period: to
1975-Present
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Hassans rape
While trying to run the kite that won the tournament, Hassan is taken and raped by Assef, and Amir "ran because I [Amir] was a coward," (Hosseini 77). After all the things that Hassan does for him, Amir just watches him be abused. Due to his higher socioeconomic status, Amir feels that Hassan does not deserve help from him. -
Amirs 13th Birthday
In the midst of his drama with Hassan, Amir "turned thirteen that summer of 1976, Afghanistan's next to last summer of peace and anonymity" (Hosseini 93). Amir received many gifts for his birthday, including a new bike, but the only thing he really wanted was his father's acceptance. -
Amir asks for new servants
When Amir and Baba are alone, Amir asks if Baba had ever considered new servants, Baba responds by saying "He's staying right here staying right here with us where he belongs." (92) Baba gets very angry that Amir asked this question and would probably be angrier if he knew why. Instead of facing his problems, Amir thinks that sending them away will relieve him of his guilt. -
Amirs outburst at the pomegranate tree
After the rape, Hassan and Amir go to the pomegranate tree for the first time since, up the Amir has and outburst with a pomegranate and says. "‘Hit me back, goddamn you!’ I wished he would. I wish he’d give me the punishment I craved”(92). The guilt drives Amir so crazy he gets mad at the victim. -
Daud's overthrow
General Mohammed Daud is killed in a "pro-Soviet coup. The People's Democratic Party comes to power" (BBC). The US trains and supplies mujahideen groups. The US and USSR keep fighing even in other countries during the cold war. -
Adolph Dubs Killed
The American ambassador of Pakistan Adolph Dubs is executed while in Afghanistan, due to this "The United States cuts off assistance to Afghanistan." (KQED) -
USSR invade Afghanistan
The USSR comes to Afghanistan to help the communist Afghan government keep power against the Mujahedeen groups. Haterid comes upon "Karmal and the Soviets spawns violent public demonstrations." (KQED) -
Obstacle on the way to Pakistan
While escaping to Pakistan, Amir and Baba are angered because "after we'd spent a week in the rat-infested basement. The truck was beyond repair" (Hosseini, 120). As a result of this, Baba almost kills the driver. This goes back to Baba's intolerance of stealing people right to the truth. -
Amir Graduates from High School
At the age of 20, Amir finally graduates from high school as the oldest in his class, Amir says "I [Amir] remember losing Baba in the swarm of families, flashing cameras, blue gowns" (Hosseini 131). Amir graduates oldest in his in his class because of his immigration from Afghanistan. For once in his life he finally has to work very hard to achieve something. -
Flea Market
While in the US, Baba and Amir love to go to the flea market where "Afghan families were working an entire sections"(137). Many of these Afghans were in an identical situations to Amir and Baba. I think this particular flea market lived up to its name as a sanctuary for people to heal after fleeing Afghanistan. -
Amir and Soaraya's wedding
The happiest day of Amir's life finally comes when he marries Soraya, when he talks about it later he "I [Amir] remember walking toward the stage in my tuxedo, Soraya veiled Pari in white, our hands locked" (Hosseini 170). This is one of Amir's first steps in moving forward in America. It is also his first step in letting go of Baba because he will soon die and he will need some companionship after he is gone. -
Baba dies
After a battle with Cancer, Baba finally goes to bed one night and "We closed the door. Baba never woke up" (Hosseini 173). Baba wanted to go out on his own terms having been happy at the end of his life. Baba feels that Amir is ready to take the world on by himself without Baba's guidance. -
Formation of Al Qaeda
15 Mujahedeen groups join to form the terrorist group Al-Qaeda (among them is Osama Bin Laden) to wage war on the Soviet Union who they say will "oppose their goal of a pure nation governed by Islam. (KQED) -
Amirs first book
After completing an English major, a company "informed me I was going to be a published novelist. When I told Soraya, she screamed" (Hosseini 183). Hassan finally achieves his life's dream and is able to tell his story. He is also able to show his dad that something could come out of his love of books. -
Mujahedeen Invade Kabul
The rebel Mujahedeen groups led by General Ahmad Shah Masood invade the capital of Kabul, many of their troops are "turncoat government troops." (KQED) -
Mujahedeen Invade Kabul
The rebel Mujahedeen groups led by General Ahmad Shah Masood invade the capital of Kabul, many of their troops are "turncoat government troops." (KQED) -
Kabul is not what it used to be
Amir goes back to Kabul and is shocked to find out that the conditions are so bad that "people... prayed the next rocket wouldn't hit their home" (Hosseini, 199). Amir is devastated to find the place he once called home devastaed. He also feels guilt that abandoned it and now this is what changed. -
The Talliban Rise to Power
The Islamic Extremist group the Taliban comes to power in Afghanistan and immediately outlaw anything against Islamic Law. They are welcomed with open arms due to "years of drought, famine and war, approve of the Taliban for upholding traditional Islamic values." (KQED) -
The 9/11 attacks
While hiding out in Afghanistan, Osama Bin Laden orders the 9/11 attacks. In these attacks, the world trade center buildings, the pentagon, and a fourth plane that was taken over by the passengers was crashed into a field in Pennsylvania. Former Senator Tom Harkin said "We will win this struggle, not for glory, nor for power, but for justice". Harkins quote symbolizes the US' intentions to fight back rather than just give up. -
Amir brings Sohrab to the US
After all the work, blood, sweat and tears, Amir cold finally say "I brought Hassan's son from Afghanistan to America" (Hosseini 356). Although the main goal was about bring Sohrab to safety, it was about more than that for Amir. It represented atonement for his sins to Hassan. -
Amir goes back to Pakistan
While in America living happily with his wife, Amir gets a phone call telling him "I have to go back Pakistan...Rahim Khan is very sick" (Hosseini, 191). This is a very sad thing for Amir because Rahim Khan was like a father figure to him. Without his real father and unofficial father, he is independent. -
New Counter Terrorism Strategy
President Obama announces new counter terrorism plan for Afghanistan which included points like "dispatch more military and civilian trainers to the country, in addition to the 17,000 more combat troops he previously ordered" (KQED). -
Bin Laden Killed
In a moment 10 years in the making since the 9/11 attacks, "U.S. forces overtake a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, and kill al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden." (KQED)