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War Starts in Afghanistan
Amir's town is astonished from the sounds of gunshots because "They were foreign sounds to us then. The generation of Afghan children whose ears would know nothing but the sounds of bombs and gunfire was not yet born." (Hosseini 36). This foreshadows life back then and how much more dangerous and different the lifestyle was back then in Afghanistan. Also it explains a side of Afghanistan modern day children have not seen, a peace Afghanistan. -
Hassan gets plastic surgery
For Hassan's birthday, Baba gifts him with a plastic surgeon for his lips. After Hassan's surgery went well, Amir "wished [he] too had some kind of scar that would beget Baba's sympathy. It wasn't fair" (Hosseini 47). Amir was jealous of the affection shown to Hassan by his father. This caused him to think that his father's relationship with Hassan is better than with his own sons. -
Hassan get's raped by Assef
When Hassan gets raped when Assef found him, Amir witnesses the event occur. His decision to help him like "the way he'd stood up for [Amir] all those other times" (Hosseini 77), or to flea ends up with Amir running away. Amir demonstrates his weakness in standing up for himself and others even though there was a legitimate reason to fight back against Assef. This also relates to Baba's expectations between Amir and Hassan, yet Hassan is the only one living up to Baba's expectations. -
Ali and Hassan leave Baba and Amir
Although Hassan and Ali left because Ali was worried about his son, Hassan, Amir was shocked because he has never seen Baba "cry" (Hosseini 107). Baba shows love towards Hassan and Ali because grown men sobbing are uncultured back then. Baba pleading for them to stay makes Amir lost and isolated because he never felt the same love from his father just like this moment. -
Amir hits Hassan with a Pomegranate
Amir's selfishness was overwhelming him since her wonders about their relationship. He questions "What would you do if I hit you with this?" "Hit me back I snapped" (Hosseini 92). This explains Amir and Hassan's one sided relationship. Hassan's loyalty means he commits to protecting Amir. On the other hand, Amir is not accepting Hassan's loyalty after the events of his rape. This concludes Amir as not a bad person, but doesn't know how to handle after the event of Hassan being raped. -
Soviet Union Invades Afghanistan
During the war between the Soviet Union and Afghanistan, "The Soviet Union sent thousands of troops into Afghanistan and immediately assumed complete military and political control of Kabul and large portions of the country. This event began a brutal, decade-long attempt by Moscow to subdue the Afghan civil war and maintain a friendly and socialist government on its border" ("Office of the Historian" 1). -
Amir and Baba move to America
Baba and Amir leave and head to America so that Amir can start over and hide the past. Though Amir is satisfied with the way of life in a new country, "Baba found a job... as an assistant at a gas station (Hosseini 130).The father-and-son relationship becomes significant towards the middle of the story. From being wealthy and respected in Afghanistan to working six days a week in a gas station demonstrated how committed he is to have a better relationship with his son. -
Amir graduates and receives a gift
After graduating from high school, Amir was surprised and gifted with "An old model Ford, long and wide, a dark color I couldn't discern in the moonlight" (Hosseini 133). This pin points a special moment Amir will never forget. Ever since Amir was looking and striving for Baba's attention and love, the car he received and a night of celebration represents how Baba accepted him. This was more than just acceptance, it felt the right time to show how meaningful Amir was to Baba. -
Baba dies
When the tragedy of Baba dying occurred, and Amir is living with Soraya "[Amir] wondered why he felt different" (Hosseini 180). Because Amir was raised by Baba throughout his life, he feels fear and lost on how to control situations because he has no one to rely on. This becomes the start of Amir's growth in confidence and atoning for his mistakes from the path, ever since he realized what life is like without Baba. -
Soviet Union Air Force
The Soviet Air Force were completely useless because the advanced antiaircraft missiles were created and "Supplied by the United States to the rebels" ("New York Times" 2). -
Soviet Union troops leave Afghanistan
After time, "The Soviet Union signed the Geneva Accords with the United States, Pakistan and Afghanistan that created a timetable for withdrawal. The last Soviet troops left Afghanistan on Feb. 15, 1989, ending an occupation that lasted more than nine years" ("On This Day 1). -
Sanuabar comes back
Although Sanuabar is the mother of Hassan,"None of us had seen Sanuabar since she had eloped with a band of singers and dancers in 1964, just after she had given birth to Hassan." (Hosseini 210). This shows how although she abandoned Hassan, she still looks back on her mistake and do right thing by visiting him after all these years. This explained Hassan still had forgiveness for her and still accepted her as his mother. This ultimately represents how Hassan is loyal and is open to forgiveness. -
The Dark Age
Once the Soviet Union left Afghanistan, they "Descended into vicious intercine strife; by the summer of 1994, power was anarchically divided among competing warlords and individual fiefdoms" ("New York Times" 2). -
Mullah Omar followers
Towards the end of 1994, "Mullah Omar had nearly 12,000 followers and was rolling up the warlords to the north and east. With his promise of restoring the centrality of Islam to daily life" ("New York Times" 2). -
Civil War in Afghanistan
During the civil war in Afghanistan, "Taliban captured the Afghan capital Kabul and established the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan" ("OnWar" 1). -
Hassan and Farzana get killed
When Amir was told Hassan and Farzana got killed, he remembers the phrase "There is a way to be good again" (Hosseini 226). Amir never atoned for his mistake from past events, and he failed to overcome it because he never attempted to atone when he had the chance. However, Amir finds a way to atone by saving Hassan's child, Sahrob, from Assef to know that he has done the right thing, yet in a bitter sweet feeling. -
Phone call with Rahim Khan
Amir's starts to get curious when Rahim khan asked to "Come. There is a way to be good again, Rahim Khan had said on the phone just before hanging up." (Hosseini 192). This portrays how Amir is not the only one that witnessed Hassan being raped and what Amir did that Winter of 1975. He also gives a chance for Amir to redeem himself and gain respect from him again. This explains Amir's chance to atone for his actions and redeem himself to Hassan. -
Amir breaks a promise with Sohrab
When Amir told Sohrab that it was unlikely to go to America, "[Amir] rocked [Sohrab] back and forth... that's how to deal with children. They fall asleep" (Hosseini 342). This demonstrates how although Amir promises to keep Sohrab with him, he is still uncontrollable of others and can't keep Sohrab with joy. Ultimately, due to this moment led a downfall to their relationship, failing Amir's atonement towards Hassan. -
Assef returns
Amir did not believe " he was already here, in the flesh, sitting less than ten feet from me, after all these years. His name escaped my lips "Assef." " (Hosseini 281). This shows how when Assef said he would return when they were kids, he would actually return and mark his words. This reinforces Assef's craziness and desire to his eagerness to attack Amir and rape Hassans son. -
Sohrab suicide attempt
Amir was horrified to find "The bloody bathwater; the left arm dangling over the side of the tub, the blood-soaked razor sitting on the toilet tank" (Hosseini 349). This shows how since Amir mentioned to Sohrab on staying in the orphanage, it caused extreme trauma to Sohrab due to the amount of pain he endured there. This caused him to be done with being tortured and rather be dead than go back to the orphanage. -
Amir is introduced to Sohrab
Amir was introduced to Sohrab, the boy who " had his father's round moon face, his pointy stub of a chin, his twisted, seashell ears, and the same slight frame. It was the Chinese doll face of my childhood" (Hosseini 279). This shows Sohrab reflected his pastimes with Hassan, but keeps in mind of his mission to atone for his actions from the past event with Hassan. Amir was also surprised with his condition and it is his job to redeem himself and turn his life around with Sohrab at his side. -
Al Qaeda being removed
During the war in 2001, "The invasion succeeded in dislodging Al Qaeda and removing the Taliban from power, but not in eradicating either group" ("New York Times "1). -
U.S. military initial bomb
Before the bombing on 9/11, "US-led bombing of Afghanistan following the September 11 attacks on the United States. Anti-Taliban Northern Alliance forces enter Kabul shortly afterwards. 2001 December - Afghan groups agree deal in Bonn, Germany for interim government" (BBC). -
9/11 hijact
During the event on September 11, 2001 where two planes crash into the Twin Towers in New York, "Nineteen men hijack four commercial airlines loaded with fuel for cross country flights, to carry out a terrorist attack on the United States orchestrated by al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden" ("CNN" 1). -
George Bush adds more troops
While the attention goes towards Iraq and Taliban regroup to stronger themselves, "The American command on the ground calls for manpower to carry out an effective strategy against the Taliban. Bush agrees to send additional soldiers and by mid-2008 there are 48,500 US troops there" ("News/Asia" 1). -
Barack Obama's plan to end war
After a month from being elected for presidency, "[He] promises to end the two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan - there is a surge in the number of American soldiers in Afghanistan to around 68,000" ("News/Asia" 1). -
Bill Laden killed in Pakistan
Al-Qaeda's new leader Bill Laden was "Killed on May 2, 2011 during an operation by US special forces in Pakistan, where he is in hiding" ("News/Asia" 1).