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Assef has a confrontation with Hassan and Amir
Assef talks about an "Afghanistan [for only Pashtuns], the true Afghans, the pure Afghans" (40). This is a significant moment not only because it provides foreshadowing for Assef's future actions. Not only that, this moment is also significant because it establishes an important element of the story, the fact that Amir later "depends" on Hassan to defend him with a slingshot (42). He is not able to say Hassan is his friend in his confrontation with Assef either. -
Baba encourages Amir to stand up for himself
Baba tells Amir that "[a] boy who won't stand up for himself becomes a man who can't stand up to anything" (20). This is an important event because it's a lesson that is taught to Amir which is ultimately related to his decision to atone. Amir, as he grows up, slowly begins to stand up for himself more (at some point standing up for himself against Baba), eventually deciding to rescue Sohrab from Afghanistan, which reveals the importance of this lesson from Baba. -
Assef assaults Hassan during the kite competition
Amir watches Hassan get raped by Assef, but he bystands and does not stand up. Instead, "he [runs] because [he is] a coward" (77). This is an important moment because it shows the imbalance in their relationship, while also being the key event Amir's guilt throughout the story revolves around. -
Ali and Hassan decide to leave
Ali says that "life is impossible for [the two of them] now", and decide that they must leave (106). This is a key moment because it marks a point of no turning back, because this is another moment which causes Amir to feel guilt. He is directly responsible for having them be sent away, something which he ultimately feels guilty for doing. -
Soviet Union invades Afghanistan
First Soviet Troops enter Kabul on 1979, December 27. -
Amir and Baba flee to Pakistan, then to America. Baba struggles with his lack of status
Baba "[attempts to purchase oranges but] had no cash on him... he had [written a check which was not accepted, and became angry]" (127). Here, we see how the difference in power Baba has while in (and not in) Afghanistan causes him to be unable to communicate effectively. This shows how they no longer have the same lifestyle they used to in Afghanistan, and is a pivotal moment, because it provides Amir with a temporary escape from the guilt he felt constantly while in Afghanistan. -
During travels to Pakistan, encounter issues
While Amir and Baba are travelling to Pakistan, they face difficulty actually crossing into Pakistan. As a result "[those seeking to go to Pakistan had to] spen[d] a week in the rat-infested basement." (120). This is an important event, because it is during their escape to Pakistan that Amir first encounters the struggles that other families not as wealthy as his own face. -
Soraya reveals her past to Amir
Soraya reveals that she ran away with another Afghan man (164). Amir, afterwards, is "[envious because] her secret [is now] out" (165). Amir is reminded of his inability to handle and admit that he destroyed the relationship between Baba and Ali. However, this is a key moment, because this reminder of his lack of atonement is one of many things which later drives him to go back to Afghanistan. -
It is revealed that Baba has cancer
Amir takes Baba to the doctor, who suggests they visit the "pulmonary clinic [for Baba's cancer]" (154). This is another significant event because it provides further leveling of the advantages in power Baba used to have over Amir. -
Amir graduates from high school
Amir "graduated from high school at the age of twenty, by far the oldest senior" (131). It is after this that Amir realizes that what he wants is to pursue a major in English. As opposed to his experiences in Afghanistan, Amir is now willing to stand his ground and defend his decision in argument with Baba. While it may not be individually meaningful, it is a significant event because it marks the beginning of a change in Amir's behavior. -
Amir is able to escape his guilt in America
For Amir, "America was a place to bury my memories" (129). Their decision to move to America is for Amir's benefit, and what allows him to escape his feelings of guilt. He is no longer constantly reminded of his actions as a result of their new setting. -
Amir meets Soraya
At the flea market, Amir meets General Taheri and "[his (General Taheri's)] daughter, Soraya"(141). This first meeting of Soraya is important, because she later becomes Amir's wife. This fact is significant, because it is with her support that Amir ultimately decides he has to go back to Afghanistan to atone for his sins. -
Soviet Air Force rendered useless
As a result of Stinger antiaircraft missiles stationed in Afghanistan (and provided by the United States), the Soviet Air Force, like most of the other Soviet force in Afghanistan failed to be successful in warfare. -
Soviet Union's troops leave Afghanistan
Left behind a war-devastated Afghanistan that had essentially become a beacon to Islamic extremists, who had come from across the globe to assist in the fighting (including a large number who would later form Al Qaeda, including Osama bin Laden himself). -
Anarchy in Afghanistan
In 1994, power was loosely divided among a serious of warlords and fiefdoms. Out of this chaos, the Taliban would emerge as a massive power. Originally a student movement dedicated to "purifying the country for the Pashtun race", the group, and its leader, Mullah Omar, gained massive following throughout 1994. Omar claimed he wanted to restore peace and old daily life to Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, a country that was tired of war and corruption, this was a genuinely inspiring message. -
Osama bin Laden arrives
Arrives by chartered jet, for Al Qaeda. -
Taliban seize government control in Afghanistan
Thanks largely to Pakistani aid, the Taliban entered Kabul and established the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan on 1996 September 27. -
Taliban ban movies, Western media, music
Taliban enforce strict fundamentalist Islamic law in Afghanistan. -
Amir encounters Assef
After he is beaten by Assef, Amir says to himself, “[m]y body was broken—just how badly I wouldn’t find out until later—but I felt healed. Healed at last. I laughed" (289). This is a key moment because it is one of the things which allows Amir to atone. The physical punishment Amir receives, he feels, is a partial atonement for his decision to not stand up during Hassan's rape, because it was something which he did out of fear of pain. -
After arriving, Rahim Khan convinces Amir to rescue Sohrab
After being told that both Ali and Hassan are dead, and that Hassan's son Sohrab is orphaned, Amir "[tells] Rahim Khan [he will go to Kabul]" to look for Sohrab (227). In this critical moment, Amir decides to atone for his wrongdoings as a child by showing his exercising his now stronger sense of ethics and helping Sohrab. This quotation is important because it shows that by rescuing Sohrab, Amir sees that there is an opportunity for atonement for his actions. -
Sohrab, in America, smiles
As a result of his trauma, Sohrab barely speaks in America. However, at the end of the story, Sohrab "[smiles a] [l]opsided [smile]" after seeing Amir fly a kite (370). Sohrab's smile shows that Amir has redeemed himself. It is also a significant event because Amir is able to enjoy memories of flying kites with Hassan, memories which were previously nauseating for him to have to experience. -
September 11 attacks by Al Qaeda
on the World Trade Center in New York. -
Karzai named chairman of an interim government
He took power in 2002 June. Despite his hopes to make Afghanistan a peaceful and good country again, Karzai was plagued by lack of clear economic progress and corrupt government officials. -
Amir reflects on what happened in his past
In the first chapter of the book, one which is set after the events in Afghanistan, Amir remarks how "[he] became what [he is] today at the age of twelve, on a frigid overcast day...peeking into the alley near the frozen creek" (11). Amir now he realizes that he should atone for his actions in the past, a realization which is largely pivotal to the plot, as well as the most important part of Amir's character arc in the story. -
Obama announces plans to deploy additional forces
On 2009 December 1, President Obama announced his plan to deploy 30,000 additional troops in Afghanistan. He also promised to begin bringing American forces home.