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Amir Is Born
Amir describes his birth when he narrates, "Because the truth of it was, I always felt like Baba hated me a little. And why not? After all, I had killed his beloved wife, his beautiful princess, hadn't I?" (19). Amir seems to believe that it is his fault Baba is unhappy. He also longs to meet his mother. -
Amir Writes His First Story
Baba did not agree to read Amir's story; Amir described, "Most days I worshipped Baba with an intensity approaching the religious. But right then, I wished I could open my veins and drain his cursed blood from my body" (32). Amir presents a very conflicted personality, even at a young age. Also, Baba never seems to understand his son's worship of him. -
Hassan Threatens Assef With His Slingshot
As Hassan threatens Assef, he says, "'Please leave us alone, Agha'" (42). Hassan remembers his place in society even in moments of great fear. He is a very brave character in the novel. -
Hassan Is Raped By Assef
Amir describes Hassan before being raped when he narrates, "Hassan didn't struggle. Didn't even whimper" (75). Readers get the sense that Amir envies Hassan for his bravery. This foreshadows that Amir fights Assef in the future. -
Hassan and Ali Leave Baba and Amir
When Hassan and Ali leave, Amir "... saw Baba do something [he] had never seen him do before: He cried" (107). Baba crying makes readers want to hate Amir. In addition, Amir does not cry himself. -
The Soviet Union Invades Kabul
Afghanistan had a monumental conflict when "The first Soviet troops parachuted into Kabul on Dec. 27, 1979..." (New York Times). -
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Afghanistan Timespan
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Baba and Amir Exit Kabul
Describing the journey away from Kabul, Amir narrates, "We rode in silence for about fifteen minutes before the young woman's husband suddenly stood and did something I'd seen many others do before him: He kissed Baba's hand" (117). Amir foreshadows that Baba is not a man with a clean conscience. He also seems to have jealousy towards Baba. -
Amir Gets Married
Before his wedding, Amir describes Soraya when he narrates "I envied her. Her secret was out. Spoken. Dealt with" (165). Amir is forced to live with the knowledge that his wife is more honest than he is. He loves Soraya for this. -
Baba Dies
Amir describes his father's funeral when he narrates, "Listening to [people at the funeral], I realized how much of who I was, what I was, had been defined by Baba and the marks he had left on people's lives" (174). This makes readers wonder whether or not Amir will have the same qualities as Baba in the future. Also, Amir's voice sounds more childish than adult as he mourns, which provides an interesting perspective. -
Amir Writes His First Novel
Soon after Baba dies, Amir narrates"... I finished my first novel, a father-son story set in Kabul..." (182). The exact plot of the novel Amir writes is never revealed. This makes readers curious about Amir's growth as a writer since he wrote his first story. -
Soviet Troops Leave Afghanistan
Finally, after many years, "... the last Soviet troops left Afghanistan in February 1989..." (New York Times). -
The Taliban Takes Control
Kabul was taken over because "... the Taliban by 1996 had taken control of Afghanistan..." (New York Times). -
Mullah Omar Orders the Destruction of Cherished Buddha Statues
The world was shocked, as "Western diplomats say Al Qaeda helped persuade Mullah Omar to order the destruction of the 800-year-old Buddha statues..." (New York Times). -
Osama bin Laden Arrives In Afghanistan
The United States knows that "The Taliban also provided a haven for Mr. bin Laden, who arrived by chartered jet..." (New York Times). -
Rahim Khan Asks Amir to Come to Pakistan Again
As Amir talked to Rahim Khan, he "... knew it wasn't just Rahim Khan on the line. It was [his] past of unatoned sins" (1). Amir felt that if he listened to Rahim Khan he would begin the journey to atone for his sins. Readers get the impression that Amir is a very troubled man. -
Amir Fights Assef
Amir is touched when Sohrab defends him by saying, "'No more, Agha. Please..." (290). Sohrab continues to call Assef "Agha" much like Ali called Baba "Agha" when he resigned from being his servant. This shows how it is difficult for Sohrab to forget that he does not need to have so much respect for Assef. -
Sohrab Agrees to Move to America
Before Sohrab agrees to move to America, Amir mentions that "On the TV screen, the two mullahs were consulting each other" (323). Hosseini may have included this detail to emphasize that this was a moment of great decision for Sohrab. Also, Amir is judged during this time, much like the subject the mullahs talked about. -
Sohrab Attempts Suicide
While Sohrab is in the hospital for attempting suicide, Amir thinks "There is a God, there has to be, and now I will pray..." (346). Towards the end of the story, Amir begins to think the opposite of Baba. There is a shift in power from Baba to Islam in Amir's mind, and this shows that Amir has grown to become truly independent from Baba. -
The Attack on the World Trade Center
There was much anger when it was "After the attack on the World Trade Center in New York on Sept. 11, 2001..." (New York Times). -
9/11 Occurs
Amir describes 9/11 when he narrates, "One Tuesday morning last September, the Twin Towers came crumbling down and, overnight, the world changed. The American flag suddenly appeared everywhere..." (362). Hosseini gives readers an interesting perspective on the aftermath of 9/11. People reading the novel in 2016 can make the connection that in 2016 there was not as much nationalism as during 9/11. -
The Taliban Gains Power
The United States focused on Iraq and "... the Taliban regrouped and began to extend its influence in the southern part of Afghanistan" (New York Times). -
Sohrab Smiles For the First Time in America
After Sohrab smiles, Amir tells him, "'For you, a thousand times over..." (371). Readers sense that Amir feels that he has atoned for his sins through telling Sohrab this. The book ends after this, which leaves readers with a sense of completion. -
Hamid Karzai Becomes President
Taliban rule was over when "Mr. Karzai was elected to a five-year term as president in 2004" (New York Times). -
President Obama Plans To Bring American Forces Home Soon
President Obama historically "... vowed to start bringing American forces home from Afghanistan in the middle of 2011..." (New York Times). -
General Petraeus Leads the War Effort in Afghanistan
A large decision was made when "Mr. Obama tapped Gen. Petraeus to lead the war effort there" (New York Times).