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Hassan was raped
As Hassan ran the last kite for Amir, Assef threatened to take the kite but "[He] let [him] keep it so it [would] always remind [him] of what [he was] about to do" (Hosseini 73). Hassan showed his loyalty to Amir when he allowed himself to get raped in order for Amir to have his kite. Amir on the other hand, is guilty for running away and was selfish and a coward for not helping Hassan. -
Amir won the Kite contest
In the winter of 1975, Amir made Baba very proud by winning the kite contest. When Amir arrived home, "[He] put the kite down and walked into [Baba's] thick hairy arms" (Hosseini 79). Although Amir had just committed what would turn out to be the biggest sin of his life, as long as he had Baba's approval, he was content. Amir's selfish attitude about leaving Hassan so easily and accepting his win happily, affected the rest of his life. -
Hassan and Ali moved
Months after Hassan was raped, Hassan finally told his father about what happened that winter of 1975. Ali then told Baba that, "'[They were] leaving'" (Hosseini 106). This reflects off Amir's lack of friendship and shows that eventually consequences follow disloyalty. Also, this demonstrates how Hassan eventually gained enough courage to tell his dad, Ali, and stand up for himself since he knows that Amir would never be loyal or stand up for him. -
Amir's 13th Birthday
In the summer of 1976, Amir, "Turned thirteen... [and it was] Afghanistan's next to last summer of peace and anonymity" (Hosseini 93). This birthday was hardly fun because Assef, who unexpectedly showed up, won the respect of Baba when Amir couldn't even himself. However, Rahim Khan lightened his mood when he gifted Amir a gold notebook that he could write in. Amir was comforted that at least Rahim Khan supported his writing and encouraged him to pursue it. -
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Soviet Intervention
In December of 1979, "Soviet Army [invaded] and [proped] up communist government" (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253) -
Soviet Intervention
By 1980, Soviet troops have a new ruler; however, "opposition intensifies with various mujahideen groups fighting Soviet forces. US, Pakistan, China, Iran and Saudi Arabia supply money and arms to the mujahideen" (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253). -
Baba and Amir went to Pakistan, then to America
Because of the danger in Kabul, Baba and Amir fled Kabul in the fuel tank of a trunk. The driver, Karim "Was taking [them] to Jalalabad, about 170 kilometers southeast of Kabul" (Hosseini 111). Amir and Baba fled in the middle of the night in order to avoid the new Russian occupation. Eventually, they made it to America and started a new like in an Afghan community in Fremont, California. -
Soraya and Amir got married
When Amir moved to Fremont, CA, he met a beautiful, kind woman named Soraya. They eventually got married and on their wedding day, "[He] whispered to her for the first time that [he] loved her" (Hosseini 171). Amir admires Soraya because of her honesty, something Amir cannot do. Before they married, she told him about her rough past with a man she ran away with. When they cannot get pregnant, Amir believes it is because of his inability to tell Soraya the truth about his rough past with Hassan. -
Baba dies
Baba refused medication for his lung cancer; therefore, one morning, months after Amir's wedding, "Baba never woke up" (Hosseini 173). When Baba dies, it affects Amir greatly knowing that he is now an independent man and cannot rely on Baba anymore. Baba's death symbolizes Amir reaching adulthood and finally becoming a grown man. -
Amir's book was published
Through Baba constantly discouraging him to write, Amir finally "finished [his] first novel, a father-son story set in Kabul" (Hosseini 182). Amir lived a very hard life with his main mentor, his father, always telling him not to be a writer. However, Rahim Khan, another father figure, got him a leather notebook to start off his writing career and encouraged him to follow his heart. -
Red Army Quits
In 1989, it is stated that the,"Last Soviet troops leave, but civil war continues as mujahideen push to overthrow Najibullah" (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253). -
Hard-line Version on Islam is introduced
By 1996, "Taliban seize control of Kabul and introduce hard-line version of Islam, banning women from work, and introducing Islamic punishments, which include stoning to death and amputations" (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253). -
Hassan died
When Hassan is accused of lying about the house he was living in (Baba's house), the Taliban "Shot him in the back of the head" and killed both Hassan and his wife (Hosseini 219). Without both of his parents, Sohrab, Hassan's son, is brought to an orphanage where he is eventually taken by the Taliban. In respect to his dear friend and to atone for his mistakes, Amir had motivation to find the only thing left of Hassan, which was Sohrab, and save him. -
Taliban Control Most of the Country
In 1997, "Taliban [are] recognised as legitimate rulers by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. They now control about two-thirds of country" (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253). -
Hassan and Amir are brothers
When Amir visits Rahim Khan in Afghanistan, he finds out that Baba stole from him "The right to know [he] had a brother,...Hassan" (Hosseini 225). When Amir found this out, he stormed out of Rahim Khan's house in anger. When he found this out, it motivated him even more to save Sohrab, Hassan's son, from the awful environment in Kabul. -
Amir visited Baba's house
When Amir visited Kabul, he found his old house and "Stood outside the gates of [his] father's house, feeling like a stranger (Hosseini 261). As he reminisced in his old house, he was disappointed to see how poorly the house was taken care of. All the memories Hassan, Ali, Baba, and Amir had in that house were slowing fading and being taken over by the Taliban. -
Amir fought Assef
The only way that Amir can win Sohrab, is to fight his enemy, a Taliban leader, Assef. Since Amir was too weak to fight Assef, Sohrab held the, "Slingshot at the end of the elastic band which was pulled all the way back" and shot Assef in the eye (Hosseini 290). Amir attempted to fight his biggest enemy in order to atone for his childhood sin and to save Sohrab. He was willing to risk his life and face his fear to prove that his ethics as a child turned into good morals. -
Sohrab attempted suicide
After Amir broke the news that Sohrab needed to stay in an orphanage temporarily, he "Stepped into the bathroom. Suddenly [he] was on [his] knees, screaming" (Hosseini 343). Even though Amir found a way to keep his promise, he originally broke his promise and left Sohrab scared for his life. Sohrab had such a terrible experience at his last orphanage that this news lead him to attempt suicide. -
Amir took Sohrab home
When Amir finally found a way to get Sohrab into the U.S legally, "[They] arrived home... in August 2001" (Hosseini 357). Originally, getting Sohrab into America was very difficult and Sohrab would need to go back to a temporary orphanage, his biggest nightmare. Getting Sohrab into the U.S was a difficult task; therefore, making it home was a huge relief for Amir. -
Masood Assassination
In September of 2001, "Ahmad Shah Masood, leader of the main opposition to the Taliban - the Northern Alliance - is assassinated" (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253). -
US bombs Afghanistan
In October of 2001, after the September 11th attacks, "US-led bombing of Afghanistan begins" (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253). -
Amir and Sohrab flew kites
On Afghanistan's New Year, Soraya, Amir and Sohrab went to a park with other Afghanis to fly kites. Using all of Hassan's tricks, Amir taught Sohrab how to fly a kite best and, "Then, just like that, the green kite was spinning... out of control" (Hosseini 370). This meant a lot to Amir because he could finally share a moment with Sohrab that was one of Hassan and Amir's best memories. Also, this is important because it was the first activity Sohrab took interest in since he moved to the U.S. -
Hamid Karzai Becomes President
In October and November of 2004, "Hamid Karzai is declared winner" of the first presidential election (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253). -
Suicide Bomb Attack
In July of 2008, it is stated that a, "Suicide bomb attack on Indian embassy in Kabul kills more than 50" (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253). -
US Troops are Sent To Afghanistan
A couple months later, "US President George Bush sends an extra 4,500 US troops to Afghanistan, in a move he described as a 'quiet surge'"(http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253).