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Baba builds an orphanage
Amir states, "It took Baba three years to build the orphanage" (Hosseini 13). The amount of time it took Baba to build the orphanage proves the that he is a caring man, that will spend three years of his life building a home for others. This is significant because this orphanage raised his socio economic status, and raised his power, because people realized the grand impact he made on society. -
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Afghanistan during the Time of the kite Runner
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Hassan has surgery to fix his cleft lip
After baba announced Hassan's birthday present, Amir thought to himself, "I wished I too had a scar that would beget Baba's sympathy. It wasn't fair" (Hosseini 46). It is clear that Amir is jealous that Baba has payed for Hassan to have a surgeon fix his cleft lip, and sees it as unfair that he receives such a present. Although Baba's motives are unclear, Amir's jealously forms a strong hatred for Hassan, for he feels as if it is a competition for babas love. -
Hassan gets raped
After Hassans rape, Amir thinks, "I had one last chance to make a decision. One final opportunity to decide who I was going to be. I could step into that alley, stand up for Hassan ... or I could run. In the end I ran" (Hosseini 77). This example demonstrates the moral pillar or harm, for it shows how Amir being a bystander has harmed Hassan in terrible ways. This is significant, for it proves that although Hassan would do anything for Amir, to Amir Hassan "is just a Hazara". -
Amir and Hassan win the kite flying contest
After Amir and Hassan's shocking kite flying contest win,
I was throwing my free arm around Hassan and we were hopping up and down both of us laughing both of us weeping"(Hosseini 66). This is one of the many examples of how Amir and Hassan always viewed each other as equals, rather then viewing each other differently. This supports the claim that in the moment, when not thinking about his socio economic status, Amir truly views Hassan as more then just a hazara, and as a brother. -
Ali and Hassan leave
After Amir planted a watch and money under Hassan's matters, he thought to himself, "Then I saw Baba do something I had never seen him do before: He cried. It scared me a little, seeing a grown man sob (Hosseini 107). Baba's character was truly exposed when his true feelings were shown for Hassan and Ali. Clearly, loosing loved ones is one of Baba's weakness's; therefore, it was only reasonable for Baba to be crushed when Hassan and Ali declared they were leaving. -
Amirs 13th birthday is celebrated
At Amir's large birthday party, after not showing appreciation to Assef's gift, "Baba spoke in a low voice, the one he took on whenever I embarrassed him in public" (Hosseini 97). Although Baba appears to be hard on Amir, he clearly cares what others think of his beloved son. This is important, for Amir embarrasses Baba multiple times that Baba has sprung up a specific voice for when he is embarrassed. This proves that Amir is a disappointment and a somewhat failure to Baba. -
The invasion of the Soviet Union
In order to assist the Afghan president, "The first Soviet troops parachuted into Kabul on Dec 27, 1979..." (NYT) -
Amir and Baba arrive in San Francisco
When Amir studies his father's grease-stained hands in America. He thinks,"For me, America was a place to bury my memories. For Baba, a place to mourn his" (Hosseini 129). This quote proves the importance of Amirs safety and wellbeing, for if it weren't for him, Baba would most likely stay in Kabul. Additionally, this proves that for Baba moving to America was basically a new chapter, to start a new life; however, for Amir the move was an escape from his sins. -
Baba Finds a Job
A month after arriving, "Baba found a job off Washington Boulevard as an assistant at a gas station owned by an Afghan acquaintance" (Hosseini 130). Although Baba isn't the bear-wrestling, pipe-smoking legend, this quote proves Baba's work ethic and determination has increased. Additionally, this shows the importance of setting and the impact it has on people, for while living in Kabul Baba hired servants to do his work; however, after moving to America he must work for and earn his own money. -
Amir graduates high school
After graduation Baba, "walked to me, curled his arm around my neck, and gave my brow a single kiss. "I am moftakhir, Amir," he said. Proud. His eyes gleamed when he said that..."(Hosseini 131). This is one of the very little times that Baba is proud of Amir's achievements. This is significant for, the fact that Amir thought so much about his act, proves that Amir was longing for admiration from his father. -
Baba didn't take his medicine
One day Baba decided to not take his medicine; however, the consequence came later that day, for he passed away. Amir watched, "at the gravesite in the small Muslim section of the cemetery, I had watched them lower Baba into the hole" (Hosseini 160). This affects Amir on many levels, for his role model died, and he had to witness him officially departing. This is significant, for death and illness never seemed like threats to someone like Baba; therefore, it take Amir many days to recover. -
Amir and Soraya get married
Amir states, "Soraya and I settled into the routines-and minor wonders-of married life" (Hosseini 181). The couple truly lived happily, and lived an honest, and easy life together. This is significant, for it proves how although they both have unforgettable pasts, they overcame their pasts, and chose love, and honesty. -
Amir publishes his first novel
Amir finished his first novel about, "a father and son story set in Kabul" (Hosseini 182). Amir began to cry when he finds out that Baba requested Soraya to read him the stories, for Amir always felt Baba's disapproval when it came to his writing. This proves the power shift, for Baba only is interested in Amir's writing after they move to America for masculinity is viewed differently in America then in Kabul. -
Soviet troops leave
After 10 years of disaster eventually their was a peace talk and, "the last Soviet troops left Afghanistan in Feburary 1989, in what was in effect a unilateral withdrawl"(NYT). -
The Mulllah Omar rein
Mullah Omar, a Pashtun, "...had nearly 12,000 followers and was rolling up the warlords to the north and east" (NYT). -
Taliban Takeover
The article states, "...The taliban by 1996 had taken control of Afghanistan, imposing strict enforcement of fundamentals Islamic law" (NYT). -
Amir finds out about Hassan's death
After hearing about Hassan's death, "...all I could manage was to whisper "No. No. NO" over and over again" (219). It is clear that the devastation Amir had when finding out about his half brothers death proves her truly cared for Hassan, and cared about what happened to him. This is significant because Amir never had the chance to atone for his sins, which allows him to find other ways to gain forgiveness. -
Amir and Assef fight
After the fight between Amir and Assef, Amir thinks to himself, "My body was broken...but I felt healed. Healed at last" (Hosseini 289). When Amir and Assef fight, he sacrifices his life to save Sohrab, just as Hassan had sacrificed his life to save Amir. The guilt Amir has been suffering from his childhood is finally lifted; therefore, he feels healed, and his mind can finally be in peace. -
Post 9/11 Invasion
After the attack on the World trade center, "An air ground campaign began that drove the Taliban out of the major Afghan cities by the end of the year" (NYT). -
Amir stands up for Sohrab
Amir states, "And one more thing, General Sahib," I said. "You will never again refer to him as 'Hazara boy' in my presence. He has a name and it's Sohrab" (Hosseini 289). This is significant because this is the point where Amir atones for his sins, and stands up for something he didn't stand up for in the past. Additionally, this impacts the relationship between Amir and Sohrab, for this action proves to Sohrab that Amir can be trusted, and is capable of being a father figure in his life. -
The Taliban plan
The text states, "...the Taliban regrouped and began to extend its influence in the southern part of Afghanistan. Their rise was assisted by a resurgent opium trade, which helped to fill the group's coffers" (NYT). -
The Taliban Resurgence
The text states, "Despite their defeat in 2001, the Taliban continued to wage a guerrilla warfare from a base in the mountainous and largely lawless tribal area on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border" (NYT). -
The Karzai government
After Mr. Karzai was elected president, "His popularity, though, steadily plunged, at home as well as abroad, as Mr.Karzai faced an Afghan population that blamed him for the manifest lack of economic progress and lack of economic progess..." (NYT). -
Obama's War
While Obama was president of the United States he had a "plan to widen United States involvement in Afghanistan was shaped by a debate in which Vice President Biden warned against getting into political and military quagmire" (NYT). -
Obamas speech
In a speech delivered, "...at West Point, Mr. Obama announced his plan to deploy 30,000 additional troops" (NYT).
