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Baba is Born
Chapter four states that it was "1933, the year Baba was born" (Hosseini 24). Because Baba is born, he is eventually able to become a parent to Amir. From 1933 to 1963 (Amir's birth year), Baba learns from many experiences that form into lessons he can teach Amir. -
Hassan is Born
Amir describes how "Hassan was born in the winter of 1964" (Hosseini 1964). Because Hassan is born, he becomes a servant and good friend to Amir. Eventually, Amir learns valuable lessons from his experiences with Hassan. -
Amir Writes His First Story
Rahim Khan writes in a letter to Amir, "I enjoyed your story very much. Mashallah, God has granted you a special talent. It is now your duty to hone that talent" (Hosseini 32). Because Rahim Khan deeply enjoys Amir's story, he wants Amir to continue to write stories. This exemplifies foreshadowing because Rahim Khan motivates Amir, as Amir eventually becomes a published author. -
New Constitution Proposition from Khan
From 1975 to 1977, "Khan proposes a new constitution that grants women rights and works to modernize the largely communist state. He also cracks down on opponents, forcing many suspected of not supporting Khan out of the government" (http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/asia-jan-june11-timeline-afghanistan/). -
Amir does not stand up for Hassan
As Hassan is being raped, Amir narrates, "I ran because I was a coward" (Hosseini 77). Amir is afraid that Assef, the boy raping Hassan, will harm him as well. However, Amir should not have this fear because he knows Hassan is his best friend who should be helped when desperately needed. This is a great example of foreshadowing because it is one of the events that drives Hassan and his father Ali out of Baba and Amir's house. -
Hassan and Ali leave Baba and Amir's home
Ali says to Baba, "'We can't live here anymore'" (Hosseini 106). Because Ali and Hassan are moving, Baba and Amir will have no helpers or brother-like friends living with them. Amir will have to atone for his harmful sins that may have driven Ali and Hassan away from Baba and Amir's home. -
1978 Communist Coup D'etat
In 1978, "Khan is killed in a communist coup. Nur Mohammad Taraki, one of the founding members of the Afghan Communist Party, takes control of the country as president, and Babrak Karmal is named deputy prime minister. They proclaim independence from Soviet influence, and declare their policies to be based on Islamic principles, Afghan nationalism and socioeconomic justice" (http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/asia-jan-june11-timeline-afghanistan/). -
USSR Invasion of Afghanistan
In 1979, the Soviet Union "intervened in support of the Afghan communist government in its conflict with anticommunist Muslim guerrillas" (https://www.britannica.com/event/Soviet-invasion-of-Afghanistan). -
Amir and Baba Move to America
Amir writes that "Baba loved the idea of America" (Hosseini 125). Possibly, Baba loved how America had more advancements than Afghanistan, making living qualities better. He could see America as a land of opportunity and better lifestyle for him and Amir. -
People Flee War in Afghanistan
In 1982, "some 2.8 million Afghans have fled from the war to Pakistan, and another 1.5 million have fled to Iran. Afghan guerrillas gain control of rural areas, and Soviet troops hold urban areas" (http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/asia-jan-june11-timeline-afghanistan/). -
Amir Receives a Graduation Present
After Baba gives him a car, Amir writes, "I wanted to say more [than thank you], tell him how touched I was by his act of kindness, how much I appreciated all that he had done for me, all that he was still doing" (Hosseini 133). Amir is showing gratitude towards his father not only for buying him a car, but for sacrificing a whole other life in Afghanistan and coming to America so that his son could have a better future. This includes Russians almost shooting Baba when leaving Kabul. -
Amir Meets Soraya Taheri
Amir remembers, "My heart stuttered at the thought of her. Soraya Taheri. My Swap Meet Princess" (Hosseini 142). Clearly, Amir is attracted to Soraya. This foreshadows that if Amir is nice to her, they could have a very good relationship, such as a marriage. -
Osama bin Laden Aids anti-Soviet Fighters
In 1984, "Saudi Islamist Osama bin Laden makes his first documented trip to Afghanistan to aid anti-Soviet fighters. The United Nations investigates reported human rights violations in Afghanistan" (http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/asia-jan-june11-timeline-afghanistan/). -
Amir and Soraya Marry
At Amir and Soraya's wedding, General Taheri (Soraya's father) tells Amir, "'Your pain will be our pain, your joy our joy'" (Hosseini 168). A key element in this story is atoning for one's sins. When the families are joined, Amir's, Soraya's, and everybody else's atoning of their sins will be much easier, as more forgiveness would take place. -
Baba Dies
Amir, most likely, emotionally, writes that Baba "asked us to lean in, gave us each a kiss ... Baba never woke up" (Hosseini 173). Before Baba died, he showed his love for Amir and Soraya once more. He thanked them for everything they did for him and the happiness they helped give him in America, as they took great care of him. -
Other Countries help the Mujahadeen
By 1986, "the Mujahadeen are receiving arms from the United States, Britain and China via Pakistan" (http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/asia-jan-june11-timeline-afghanistan/). -
Amir becomes a published novelist
Amir writes in The Kite Runner, "Martin called and informed me I was going to be a published novelist" (Hosseini 183). Rahim Khan motivated Amir to write stories, and this motivation stuck with Amir. This demonstrates that when one follows his or her dreams, that person can achieve beautiful success, as reading reminds people of life and its lessons. -
al-Qaida is Formed
In September of 1988, "an international terrorist group existed which was dedicated to opposing non-Islamic governments with force and violence" (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/network/alqaeda/indictment.html). -
Countries Sign Peace Accords in Geneva
In 1989, "the U.S., Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the Soviet Union sign peace accords in Geneva guaranteeing Afghan independence and the withdrawal of 100,000 Soviet troops. Afghan guerrillas name Sibhatullah Mojadidi as head of their exiled government" (http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/asia-jan-june11-timeline-afghanistan/). -
The Taliban Rise to Power
In 1994, the "Taliban inevitably become a guerrilla group; and, compared to the blatant self-interest of certain other mujaheddin, the Taliban's simple message of Muslim fundamentalism proves immensely attractive" (http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?ParagraphID=itc). -
Amir finds out he is Hassan's half-brother
Rahim Khan tells Amir that "'Ali was sterile ... I think you know who [had Hassan]'" (Hosseini 222). Rahim Khan was implying that it was not Ali and Sanaubar who had Hassan, but that Baba had Hassan with Sanaubar. This not only means that Amir and Hassan are half-brothers. It also means that throughout the majority of Amir's life, Baba lied to him, most likely because he would not be accepted into society due to having relations with a Hazara woman, as Baba is a Pashtun. -
A Talib (Assef) Stones Two People
The Talib "hurled the stone at the blindfolded man in the hole ... It struck the side of his head" (Hosseini 271). This Talib, found later to be Assef, feels that because the two people violated his religious customs, they should be stoned to death. Assef takes his extreme anger from his childhood and puts it into public practice, using religion to define his cruel actions. -
Sohrab Saves Amir's Life
After the fight between Amir and Assef, "Assef was screaming" (Hosseini 291). Sohrab's "slingshot made a thwiiiiit sound when Sohrab released the cup" (Hosseini 291). Sohrab used his father's (Hassan's) ability to stand up to dangerous people such as Assef, and to use small but impactful weapons like slingshots. Without Sohrab's courage, Amir might not have survived the fight. -
Sohrab Attempts Suicide
Dr. Nawaz told Amir that Sohrab "has cut himself deeply and had lost a great deal of blood" (Hosseini 348). Sohrab wanted to kill himself because Amir told him that he would have to go back to an orphanage for a period of time, in order to be able to come to America. Sohrab was violently and sexually abused at previous orphanages, and deeply does not want to live through that abuse any longer. As a result, he wanted to end his life, which he felt was better than living in his version of hell. -
U.S. Forces Take Out Osama bin Laden
Finally, in 2011, under President Barack Obama, "Osama bin Laden [is] killed by U.S. forces" (http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/osama-bin-laden-killed-by-u-s-forces).