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Hassan is born
While Amir reminisces about Hassan's and his first words he remembers that "mine was Baba. His was Amir. My name" (Hosseini 11). This quote foreshadows the person which each character desires attention from. For instance, throughout Hassan's life, he always cherishes and admires Amir. On the other hand, Amir takes this love for granted and instead seeks appreciation from his father. -
Baba gets Hassan lip surgery as his birthday present
While Amir is retelling how during his childhood Baba helped Hassan fix his lip he adds how "Baba never missed Hassan's birthday" (Hosseini 44). The generosity and love Baba displays towards Hassan foreshadows the revelation that Hassan is Baba's second son. He is never able to fully express his love towards Hassan due to fear of exposing his adultery so must demonstrate his compassion through more subtle methods. -
Soviet Union invades Afghanistan
Throughout history, Afghanistan "has known little peace since 1979 when, when the Soviet Union invaded" (NYT 1). -
Assef rapes Hassan
As Assef is about to rape Hassan, Amir states how he "just watched. Paralyzed... In the end I ran" (Hosseini 73). Amir's lack of courage to protect Hassan haunts him throughout his life. Even as he matures, the remorse and regret from this experience continue to cause him uncontrollable amounts of guilt and regret which he desperately seeks to atone for. -
Baba and Amir flee Afganistan
As Amir and Baba are in a vehicle leaving Afghanistan, Amir remembers, "Tapestries still hung on the walls of the living room and my mother's books still crowded the shelves in Baba's study" (Hosseini 112). This quote illustrates the sacrifices Baba and Amir made when they fled from Afghanistan after the Soviets took over. In addition to losing power and socioeconomic status by having to start over in a new country, they were forced to give up all their cherished belongings and memories. -
Baba stands up to Russian soldier
After a soldier requests to rape a young woman, Baba demands to "Ask him where his shame is... I'll take a thousand bullets before I let this indecency take place" (Hosseini 115). Baba exemplifies all of his righteousness and morality in this single moment. It is a reminder to Amir of the ethics and values Baba has been indoctrinating to him for all these years. -
Amir graduates from high school
Amir states how during the "summer of 1983, I graduated from high school at the age of twenty, by far the oldest senior" (Hosseini 131). This moment marks a monumental accomplishment in Amir's life. It not only paves the way for him being able to receive higher education, but also signifies his integration into American culture and consequently gaining socioeconomic status. -
American aid to Afghans hinders Soviet invasion
The war continued until "After 1986, the Soviet Air Force was also rendered largely useless by advanced Stinger antiaircraft missiles supplied by the United States to the rebels" (NYT 2). -
Amir marries Soraya
During Amir's wedding, he states that while "looking at Soraya's smiling face in that mirror... I whispered to her for the first time that I loved her" (Hosseini 171). Amir's discovery of his soulmate lifts some of the burdens he has experienced throughout his life. She is a source of comfort and an effective distraction of all the pain and regret he still has from his childhood in Afghanistan. -
Baba dies
Amir recounts his last encounter with Baba with how Soraya "pulled up his blanket. We closed the door. Baba never woke up.... Baba couldn't show me the way anymore... the thought of it terrified me" (Hosseini 173). The loss of his father signifies a major change in Amir's life. Baba has always served as a mentor and a guide for him and as a result, Amir becomes lost and disoriented. -
Soviet Union withdraws from Afghanistan
The conflict ended when "after peace talks moderated by the United Nations, the last Soviet troops left Afghanistan in February 1989" (NYT 2). -
Sohrab is born
As Rahim Khan is explaining to Amir what happened in Kabul while he was gone, he says that "Sanaubar delivered Hassan's son that winter of 1990" (Hosseini 211). Through events in the story, the author emphasizes how Sohrab is an extension of his father. Both characters eventually experience traumatic hardships throughout their childhoods and yet somehow still remain compassionate and caring afterwards. -
Pakistan sends aid to Taliban
Th article says, "As early as 1994, Pakistani intelligence officers began funneling arms, money, and supplies to Mullah Omar's men..." (NYT 3). -
Afghanistan devastated by war with Soviets
Unfortunately, once the war ended "Afghanistan descended into vicious internecine strife; by the summer of 1994, power was anarchically divided among competing warlords and individual fiefdoms" (NYT 2). -
Mullah Omar builds massive following
According to the article, "By the end of 1994, Mullah Omar has nearly 12,000 followers and was rolling up the warlords to the north and east" (NYT 2). -
Taliban seize control of Afghanistan
The article states, "the Taliban an extremist Islamic group that has seized control in 1996" (NYT 1). -
Taliban execute Hassan
Due to how Hassan was a Hazara, the Taliban "ordered him to kneel and shot him in the back of the head" (Hosseini 219). Hassan's death marks one event out of many in Sohrab's tragic life. Not only is the loss of a parent devastating but he has also been orphaned and left alone in a dangerous and devastated country. -
Rahim Khan reveals Baba is Hassan's father
After finding out Hassan is his brother, Amir describes how "I felt like a man sliding down a steep cliff, clutching at shrubs and tangles of brambles and coming up empty-handed" (Hosseini 222). This shocking revelation completely alters Amir's perception of his father. Until now, Amir had always thought of his father as a remarkable and flawless human being but now, he is able to see that his father had shortcomings as well. -
Amir returns to Afghanistan
After crossing into Afghanistan, Amir is shocked and describes how "the signs of poverty were everywhere... 'I feel like a tourist in my own country'" (Hosseini 231). The horrid landscape Amir describes illustrates how war and violent conflict have taken a toll on Afghanistan. Amir's distance and isolation from Afghanistan for decades led to him not being aware of some of the catastrophes which were taking place. -
Sohrab slingshots Assef's eye and rescues Amir
As Assef is beating Amir, Sohrab intervenes by pointing a slingshot at Assef's eye which "made a thwiiiiit sound when Sohrab released the cup. Then Assef was screaming" (Hosseini 291). Sohrab's courage and bravery resembles his father's dedication to protect Amir. The author attempts to illustrate the parallels between Hassan and his son in terms of their interactions and relationship with Amir. -
Sohrab's attempted suicide
Amir is checking up on Sohrab and is horrified by the gruesome sight he sees" in the bathroom. Suddenly I was on my knees screaming. Screaming until I thought my throat would rip and my chest explode" (Hosseini 343). Amir's shock and horror stems from him being terrified of having more blood on his hands. He fears having to deal with another sin on his conscious and that all of his efforts to redeem himself have become undone. -
September 11th Attacks
The nation experienced a tragedy after the attack on "the World Trade Center in New York on Sept. 11, 2001" (NYT 3). -
Sohrab smiles at Amir
After a kite flying competition, Amir notices that ", a small, wondrous thing happened... I looked down at Sohrab. One corner has curled up just so. A smile" (Hosseini 370). Despite the smile being such a minor gesture, it marks a key moment in Amir's path to atonement. If he is able to give Hassan's son the happiness he deserves, Amir may finally be able to redeem himself and forego some of the guilt he has been carrying all these years. -
Hamid Karzai becomes President of Afghanistan
The leader "took office as interim president in June 2002... subsequently [Mr. Karzai] was elected to a five year term" (NYT 3). -
President delivers plans to deploy more troops in Afghanistan
The article reports, "In a speech delivered Dec. 1, 2009, at West Point, Mr. Obama announced his plan to deploy 30,000 additional troops" (NYT 4).