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Hassan is born
As Amir introduces Hassan to the reader, he states that Hassan was born "...in the Winter of 1964, just one year after my mother dies giving birth to me." (Hoessini 6). This is important because you learn that Hassan is one year younger, possibly causing a natural superiority to Amir, besides his religion and race. -
Baba builds an orphanage
When Amir was "5 or 6, Baba decided to build an orphanage." (Hossieni 13). This is significant because Baba building an orphanage was the beginning of his high status in the community. Amir's need for his fathers approval even at a very young age is drowned out by how busy Baba is. -
Daoud Khan ends Zahir Shah's 40 year reign
Amir and Hassan huddle together after a night of hearing gunshots, but "...they hadn't shot much of anything that night of July 17, 1975... the monarchy was a thing of the past." (36). This night is significant because it is the first sign of a changing government in the book. It foreshadows more complications in the future. -
Hassan's 10th Birthday
The boys were playing outside when they are called in so Hassan can recieve his birthday present. Hassan meets Dr. Kumar, who "...is a plastic surgeon..." (Hoessini 45) This present is important because it fixes the cleft lip that Hassan has had all his life. This is a physical change as well as an emotional one, because it no longer appears that Hassan is always smiling. -
Hassan is raped by Assef
Amir sees Assef in an alley with Hassan when,"He unzipped his jeans. Dropped his underwear. he positioned himself behind Hassan." (75). This changes both Hassan and Amir's lives forever. After this event Amir truly sees himself for what he is and never forgives himself for not stepping in. Hassan is quiet and never even smiles, showing a major change from the once happy-go-lucky child he was. -
Hassan runs his last kite with Amir
Amir and Hassan are preparing for the Kite competition when it is revealed that, "In the winter of 1975, I saw Hassan run a kite for the last time." (55) This is foreshadowing that something bad is going to happen to Hassan, even hinting at death. It foreshadows the rape of Hassan and him leaving Amir and Baba. -
Amir's 13th Birthday
Baba throws an enormous party for Amir's 13th birthday. Amir is even looking at the guest list and "not recognizing at least three-quarters of the four hundred-plus..." (Hosseini 94) guests. This even is significant because it show how much Baba and Amir's relationship has changed. Even though Baba's appreciaton is not as strong as it was right when he won the kite competition, Baba still puts in the time and effort to throw Amir a huge party. -
The offical end of Afghanistan's culture
As each threat approached Afghanistan the culture would wither, but "...the offical end would come in April 1978, with the communist group d'etat..." (Hosseini 36). As the usual things they used to do become impossible, Baba and Amir need to leave Afghanistan. The beginning of a series of disrupt will make some of the biggets changes Afghanistan has ever seen. -
First Russian tanks spotted in Kabul
Amir started to notice how "...[r]ussian tanks would roll into the very same streets where Hassan and [him] played, bringing the death to the Afghanistan..." (Hosseini 36). These first Russian tanks mark the start of a long bloody era. It is mostly missed by Amir because they move to America, but he gets a glimpse when he returns for atonement. -
Soviet Union Invasion
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The Soviet Union Invasion and After
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Baba and Amir escape Afghanistan
While being smuggled into Pakistan after Afghanistan is invaded by the Soviet Union, Amir shares how he feels about the process. Amir reveals that "...it was a pretty lucrative buisness back then... occupied Kabul to the relative safety of Pakistan." (Hosseini 111). This event is important because it is the first step of Baba and Amir's travel to America. This is the biggest change that they will ever go through. -
Baba and Amir begin their new lives in America
Amir begins his new life in America with Baba who "...loved the idea of America. It was living in America that gave him an ulcer" (Hosseini 125). In America there is a huge power switch between Baba and Amir. Baba loses all of his socal status and power, where Amir gains power because he knows the language better and he is patient, -
Amir graduates High School
After moving to America, Amir "...graduated high school at the age of twenty, by far the oldest senior tossing his mortarboard on the football field that day" (Hosseini 131). After his graduation Baba gives Amir a car, showing his pride and love. This is a huge step for their relationship that started out so bitter. -
Last Soviet troops leave Afghanistan
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Soraya tells her parents that she is infertile
After trying afor a very long time and countless tests, Soraya "...broke the news to her parents..." (Hosseini 186) that she could not bear children. This was a major dissapointment for Amir, Soraya, and Soraya's family because of the fact that family is such a huge part in Afghan culture. This continued o affect Amir and Soraya's relationship, and when they slept together there seemed to be a space between them for the baby they could never have. -
Taliban Have Complete Control Over Afghanistan
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Osama Bin Laden Arrives in Afghanistan
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Taliban Takeover
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World Trade Center Attack from Taliban
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Post 9/11 Invasion
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Hamid Karzai Elected as President of Afghanistan
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Karzai's Term as President
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Amir finishes his first novel
After living in America for quite some time, Amir finishes his "...first novel, a father-son story set in Kabul" (Hosseini 182). This is his first step to beoming an accomplished author. This is very important because his father alway believed that writing would not be a very stble job, but now he has passed away and he will never see that Amir's hard work paid off. -
Amir recieves a phone call from Rahim Khan
Enjoying his life in America with his wife, Amir recieves a call from Rahim Khan. He ends his call with the words, "There is a way to be good again" (Hosseini 192). This is what makes Amir need to go. This message shows how his atonement is possible, and returning to his homeland will bring oppurtunities to make up for his past actions.