Kite Runner & the History of Afghanistan

By ckoch

  • Hassan gets surgery to fix his cleft lip

    Amir is jealous of Hassan, "I wished I too had a scar that would beget Baba's sympathy. It wasn't fair" (Hosseini 46). Amir is anxious that Baba got Hassan such an amazing present present. Amir thinks that Baba loves Hassan more than his own son and that Hassan did not do anything to earn such a great present.
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    Kite Runner & the History of Afghanistan

  • Amir and Hassan win kite flying contest

    Amir and Hassan were ecstatic about winning, "Then I was screaming, and everything was color and sound, everything was alive and good. I was throwing my free arm around Hassan and we were hoping up and down, both of us laughing, both of us weeping" (Hosseini 66). Amir and Hassan could not believe that they won the kite contest. They were so thankful because of all the hard work that was put into the contest.

  • Hassan gets raped

    Assef wants the blue kite that Hassan has, "Assef motioned with his hand, and the other two boys separated, forming a half circle, trapping Hassan in the alley" (Hosseini 73). Hassan is doing all of this for Amir. Hassan deeply cares about Amir and it trying to protect his kite from Assef.

  • Amir's 13th birthday

    Baba helped Amir plan his thirteenth birthday, "Then I realized they weren't really coming for me. It was my birthday, but I knew who the real star of the show was" (Hosseini 94). Baba is considered a role model to the people in their town because Baba is a hazara. Amir thinks that no one wants to see Amir on his birthday, people want to see Baba.

  • Amir blames Hassan for stealing

    Baba's greatest sin is stealing, "'Did you steal that money? Did you steal Amir's watch, Hassan?' Hassan's reply was a single word, delivered in a thin, raspy voice, 'Yes'" (Hosseini 105). Amir was shocked how Hassan lied to protect Amir. Hassan knew that Baba would forgive him, butt if he said no, Amir would get in a lot of trouble.

  • General Daud is overthrown

    General Daud is removed form office and killed, "in a pro-Soviet coup. The People's Democratic Party comes to power but is paralysed by violent infighting and faces opposition by US-backed mujahideen groups." http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253

  • Hassan and Ali leave Kabul

    Amir wishes Hassan and Ali would stay, "I'd chase the car, screaming for it to stop. I'd pull Hassan out of the backseat and tell him I was sorry, so sorry, my tears mixing with rainwater" (Hosseini 109). Amir realizes how much he has hurt Hassan and feels guilty for everything he has done to him. Amir wants to tell him sorry, but it is to late.

  • Soviet Invasion

    Troops from the Soviet army, "invades and props up communist government." http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253

  • Soviet invade Afghanistan, so Baba and Amir leave Kabul

    Kabul has been invaded, so Baba and Amir decide that they must leave, "There were others, in all about a dozen, including Baba and me, sitting with our suitcases between our legs, cramped with these strangers in the tarpaulin-covered cab of an old Russian truck" (Hosseini 110). Amir and Baba are very scared about what could possibly happen to them as they are being smuggled into the US. They are doing what is best for each of them.

  • Karim lied about the truck

    Karim lied about when the truck actually broke down, "'I thought you said the truck broke down last week.' Karim rubbed his throat. 'It might have been the week before" (Hosseini 119). Baba is frustrated that the truck broke down and Karim did nothing about it. Baba wants to get to the US as fast as possible.

  • Kamal's father shoots himself

    Kamal's father loves his son and can not imagine his life without him, "But before any of us could say or do a thing, Kamal's father shoved the barrel in his own mouth" (Hosseini 124). Kamal's father believes that if his son its, so shall he. He thinks that he could not live with without his son for the rest of his life.

  • Afgans Flee

    Many Afgans leave, "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 graduated from High School

    Baba is so proud of Amir, "He walked to me, curled his arm around my neck, and gave my brow a single kiss. 'I am moftakhir, Amir,' he said. Proud (Hosseini 131). Baba is so proud of his son for graduating. Amir is also happy because he made his father proud of him.

  • Baba got Amir a car for graduation

    Baba is so proud go Amir, "'There,' he said pointing to the car in front of us" (Hosseini 133). Baba was so grateful for Amir and everything he has done. Amir realizes how proud baba is of him because he got him a car.

  • Amir meets Soraya

    Amir can't stop thinking about Soraya, "My heart stuttered at the thought of her. Soraya Taheri. My swap meet princess" (Hosseini 142). Amir believes that he has found the love of his life and the person he wants to be with forever. he thinks that she will help him keep his mind off of Baba and be happy.

  • Amir and Soraya get married

    Amir and Soraya get married but, "we all agreed to forgo the Shrini-khori. Everyone knew the reason, so no one actually had to say it: that Baba didn't have months to live" (Hosseini 169). Amir has waited his whole life to see Baba so proud of his, so he wants Baba to see him happily married with Soraya before he dies.

  • Amir and Soraya move in together

    Amir and Soraya move into an apartment in Fremont, "Shortly after Baba's death, Soraya and I moved into a one-bedroom apartment in Fremont, just a few blocks away from the gerneral and Khala Jamila's house" (Hosseini 180). Amir and Soraya are going to start their new life as a happily married couple.

  • Amir publishes first book

    Amir finishes his first book, "Six weeks later, a man named Martin Greenwalt called from New York and offered to represent me" (Hosseini 183). Amir is so proud that he finally published his first real book. Amir now feel very good about his life and his accomplishment.

  • Taliban seizes control of Kabul

    The Taliban seizes control of Kabul, "and spreads its control across the country. The extremist group introduces harsh laws and punishments."

  • US launches missile strikes

    US launches missile strikes, "at suspected bases of militant Osama bin Laden, accused of bombing US embassies in Africa."

  • Ahmad Shah Masood is assassinated

    Ahmad Shah Masood is assassinated, "leader of the main opposition to the Taliban - the Northern Alliance."

  • A new constitution

    A new constitution is adopted, "Afghans elect Hamid Karzai in the country’s first democratic presidential election."

  • Suicide bomb attack

    Suicide bomb attack, "on Indian embassy in Kabul kills more than 50."

  • Obama increases number of troops in Afghanistan

    Obama increases number of troops in Afghanistan, "boost US troop numbers in Afghanistan by 30,000, bringing total to 100,000. He says US will begin withdrawing its forces by 2011."

  • Barak Obama pulls troops

    Barak Obama decided that he will make a decision, "that the U.S. will begin withdrawing some of its troops from Afghanistan."