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Baba is Born
In the beginning of chapter 4, Hosseini says that "In 1933, the year Baba was born, [was] the year Zahir Shah began his forty-year reign of Afghanistan,"(24) This foreshadows the Pashtun and Hazara power difference, as baba was born into a society that favored himself. This difference reveals his ability to yield socioeconomic status. -
Daoud Khan's Coup after Zahir Khan's reign
Later that night,“They weren’t shooting ducks after all...The king, Zahir Shah, was away in Italy. In his absence, his cousin Daoud Khan had ended the king’s forty-year reign with a bloodless coup”(36).Baba’s story of the shooting ducks reveals that he is protective of his children living in a war-filled society.This foreshadows Baba’s willing to lie for the greater good, as he does about Hassan being his son. -
First encounter with Assef
Amir and Hassan encounter Assef, and “Hassan held the slingshot pointed directly at Assef’s face,”(42) trying to protect Amir. His brave actions demonstrate his value of Amir, and friendship. Hassan always tries to protect Amir; however, Amir is not willing to always guard Hassan. -
Hassan's Harelip Surgery Gift from Baba
Amir yearned for a connection with Baba, and wanted “some kind of scar that would beget Baba’s sympathy. It wasn’t fair. Hassan hadn’t done anything to earn Baba’s affections; he’d just been born with that stupid harelip”(46). Baba’s gift, demonstrates his secret parental love toward Hassan, because he is his son. Amir’s jealousy arises issues, which roots from the secret that Hassan is his brother. -
Amir Wins The Kite Race
As Amir chased down the kite he felt a rush as he did, “in the winter of 1975, just after I had cut the last kite, when I spotted Baba on our rooftop, clapping, beaming”(370). His flashback to his past kite race, shows how the story eventually comes full circle. The quote also reveals the atonement of the traumatic day that is now reoccuring in peace. -
Hassan Is Raped by Assef
Assef rapes Hassan and “positioned himself behind Hassan. Hassan didn’t struggle. Didn’t even whimper”(76) Hassan’s decline of emotion show he has accepted his role of a worthless Hazara that is treated like dirt. His inability to say anything, show the power of a Pashtun towards a Hazara in an Afghan society. -
Amir Throws Pomegranates at Hassan
Through guilt, Amir wanted Hassan to hurt him, “but Hassan did nothing as [Amir] pelted him again and again”(92). Hassan’s unwillingness to hurt Amir, shows that he is unable to do anything to a Pashtun as a Hazara. Because of their power gap, from religion, Amir’s guilt cannot be repelled back at him, and Hassan won’t ever be able to give Amir peace with himself. -
Ali and Hassan Leave Kabul
Because of Amir taking advantage of Hassan’s religion, Ali and Hassan decided that “life is impossible for [them now]... [and that they are] leaving”(106) Amir’s lies have created an irreconcilable relationship between the two families, which will leave him with guilt for the rest of his life. Ultimately, Amir is able to move on from his sin, and is relieved that he can escape his guilt. -
Period: to
The Kite Runner and the History of Afghanistan
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Soviet Union Invasion
Afghanistan has been peaceful until "the first Soviet troops parachuted into Kabul on Dec. 7, 1979" (New York Times) -
Baba Is Kicked Out Of Mr. Nyugen's Store
Unable to understand American societal expectations, Baba forgets cash, the Nyugen’s need to see his ID and he feels that because “almost two years we’ve bought his damn fruits and puts money in his pocket and the son of a dog wants to see my license”(127), that he doesn’t trust him. His inability to follow American norms, makes him yield less power in American. It also demonstrates how much trust is used in Afghan society. -
Amir Graduates From High School
After his school years were over he, “graduated from high school”, and Baba “walked to me, curled his arm around my neck, and gave me a single brow kiss”(131). Finally, Amir got his affection from Baba that he yearned for so long. This moment was a turning point for Amir, realizing that he needed to create his own path, rather than rely on Baba. -
Soraya Confesses Her Secret To Amir
Because Amir was getting married, Soraya confessed her secrets, and Amir“envied her. Her secret was out. Dealt with.[It made him want to open his] mouth and almost [tell] her how [He’d] betrayed Hassan, lied, driven him out, and destroyed a forty-year old relationship between Baba and Ali”(165).His guilt, from Soraya’s confessions, further pushed him towards atonement.Now he feels guilty that she has told him her secrets, he will have no choice to confess, in order to have a honest relationship. -
Rahim Khan Looks For Hassan
Rahim Khan explained his story to Amir and said, “There were a lot of reasons why I went to Hazarajat to find Hassan In 1986. The biggest one Allah, forgive me, was that I was lonely”(203)
Because Rahim Khan created a new life with Hassan, he found out about the secrets Amir has kept. This led to Rahim convincing Amir to be able to atone his sins, and live in peace. -
Soviet Troops Leave Afghanistan
WIthin time, "peace talks moderated by the United Nations, the last Soviet troops left Afghanistan in February 1989"(New York Times) -
Power and Order
After the Soviet troops left, in the "summer of 1994, power was anarchically divided among competing warlords and individual fiefdoms."(New York Times) -
The Growing of Taliban
The Taliban had nearly 12,000 followers by 1994 and "Pakistani intelligence officers began funneling arms, money, and supplies to Mullah Omar's men..."(New York Times) -
Takeover Of Taliban
Given supporters and aid, "the Taliban had taken control of Afghanistan imposing strict enforcement of fundamentalist Islamic Law, banning movies, and music..."(New York Times) -
The Karzai Government
Harmid Karzai, "was named chairman of an interim government that replaced the defeated Taliban" and "was elected to a five year term as president in 2004" -
Rahim Khan calls Amir To come back to Afganistan
Rahim Khan had called Amir to come back to Afghanistan by saying, “come there is a way to be good again”(192). Amir’s constant guilt from Hassan, holds him down, and Rahim Khan’s words make him remember what he did. These words prove that it is necessary for Amir to atone. -
Amir feels at peace with his sins
During the fight, Amir’s “body was broken--just how badly I wouldn’t find out until later--but felt healed. Healed at last. I laughed”(289). Amir finally receives the pain that he needed to feel fine with his sin. His broken body represents his life after the winter of 1975, and now that it’s broken his life is put back together. -
Sohrab and Amir arrive in America
At last Amir and Sohrab, “arrived home about seven months ago, on a warm day in August 2001”(357) The warm day shows the relaxation in America and the breath of fresh air they feel after such a long journey. Amir’s comforting home shows his feelings that he has atoned his sin and can live happily. -
9/11
On Sept 11, the extremist Islamic group Al Qaeda, attacked New York and "the United States has been militarily involved"(New York Times) since. -
General Petraeus
As Obama Planned involvement in Afghanistan, "General Petraeus, the Iraq commander who received much of the credit for the success of the surge there, had taken charge of the United States Central Command..."(New York Times) -
Plan of Deployment Of Troops
President Obama gave a speech about "his plan to deploy 30,000 additional troops."(New York Times) -
American forces Deadline
Despite the promise to bring home troops in 2011, " the Obama administration changed its tone to increasingly emphasize the idea that the United States will have forces in the country until at least 2014."(New York Times)
