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Prime Minister Mohammed Daoud Khan Proposes New Constitution
In 1975, prime minister Mohammed Daoud Khan proposes a new constitution to increase the rights of women and modernize the state. PBS states, "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" (PBS). -
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Kite Runner & the History of Afghanistan
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Hassan Gets Raped
After Amir wins the kite competition, Hassan goes to run the last kite that Amir defeated. Amir finds Hassan in an alleyway getting beat and raped by Assef, but Amir decides to run away. Amir narrates, "Assef yelped as he flung himself at Hassan, knocking him to the ground" (Hosseini 73). Amir's decision to not stand up for Hassan demonstrates Amir's lack of courage and inability to stand up for his friend. Additionally, Amir's reaction to the event opposes resemblance of his brave father. -
Ali and Hassan Leave Kabul
Following his thirteenth birthday, Amir hides his presents under Hassan's bed, making it look like Hassan stole Amir's birthday presents. When Ali finds out, he leaves with Hassan immediately. As Baba drives Hassan and Ali away, [Amir] caught one final blurry glimpse of Hassan slumped in the backseat" (Hosseini 109). Similar to Amir watching Hassan's rape, Amir's actions to get rid of Hassan represent those of a coward. More importantly, this is another event that Amir needs to atone for. -
Baba and Amir Leave Kabul
Following Russian attacks on Kabul, Amir and Baba are smuggled out of Kabul. Amir asks himself, "What was I doing on this road in the middle of the night? I should have been in bed, under my blanket, a book with dog-eared pages at my side" (Hosseini 113). This quote displays an instant adjustment Amir must make to a new life away from Kabul. In addition, Baba must adjust to a new life where he does not have the amount of wealth and power he had in Kabul. -
Amir and Baba Arrive in America
After spending weeks in tight basements and being smuggled in trucks, Amir and Baba finally arrive in America. According to Amir, "Baba loved the idea of America. It was living in America that gave him an ulcer." This quote reveals Baba's struggles in adapting to a new life in America. Moving to America leads to an influential power shift, for Baba goes from being rich, powerful and popular to a place where he is poor and nobody looks up to him as people did in Kabul. -
Afghans Flee to Pakistan
In 1982, many Afghans begin to flee to Pakistan to evade war with Russia. The article "A Historical Timeline of Afghanistan" states, "Some 2.8 million Afghans have fled from the war to Pakistan, and another 1.5 million have fled to Iran" (PBS). -
Osama bin Laden Travels to Afghanistan
Saudi Islamist Osama bin Laden goes to Afghanistan for the first time. The PBS article states, "Although he claims to have traveled to Afghanistan immediately after the Soviet invasion, Saudi Islamist Osama bin Laden makes his first documented trip to Afghanistan to aid anti-Soviet fighters" (PBS). -
Amir Meets Soraya
In America, Baba and Amir spend their weekends working at the flea market. At the flea market, Amir meets an Afghan girl named Soraya. Amir describes Soraya, "She had thick black eyebrows that touched in the middle like the arched wings of a flying bird, and the gracefully hooked nose from a princess from old Persia" (Hosseini 140). Clearly, Soraya is very appealing to Amir. However, Baba warns Amir not to embarrass Baba, showing his lack of confidence in Amir. -
Amir Gets Married
Amir marries Soraya, General Taheri's daughter. At the wedding, Baba tells Amir, "It's the happiest day of my life, Amir" (Hosseini 168). This quote demonstrates how proud Baba is of his son, Amir. Baba's pride in his son indicates dynamic characterization, for Baba had never been this satisfied with Amir. -
Baba Dies
A month after Amir and Soraya get married, Baba passes away from cancer. One night, Baba denies his pain medicine,"'Not tonight,' he said. 'There is no pain tonight.' 'Okay', [Soraya] said... Baba never woke up" (Hosseini 173). Many people at Baba's funeral recognize Amir as "Baba's son" and tell Amir how much they admired Baba (Hosseini 174). This causes Amir to realize how he was defined by Baba and that now he must live more independently without Baba's presence -
Al-Quaida is Formed
Osama bin Laden and 15 other Islamists form the group al-Quaida to help fight for their goal to make Afghanistan purely governed by Islam. Al-Quaida is formed "to continue their jihad, or holy war, against the Soviets and other who they say oppose their goal of a pure nation governed by Islam" (PBS). -
Peace Accords Signed
The United States, Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Soviet Union sign peace accords in Geneva, ending the war between Afghanistan and the Soviet Union. After Afghanistan is cleared of all the Soviets, "the Mujahadeen continue their resistance against the Soviet-backed regime of communist president Dr. Mohammad Najibullah, who had been elected president of the puppet Soviet state in 1986" (PBS). -
President Najibullah Forced Out of Power
The Mujahdeen and other rebel groups force Najibullah out of his power. The rebel group known as "The Mujahadeen, a group already beginning to fracture as warlords fight over the future of Afghanistan, form a largely Islamic state with professor Burhannudin Rabbani as president" (PBS). -
Taliban Rises to Power
An Islamic group known as the Taliban rises to power, claiming to be able to bring about peace in Afghanistan. In order to execute their beliefs of Islamic values in government, "The Taliban outlaws cultivation of poppies for the opium trade, crack down on crime, and curtail the education and employment of women. Women are required to be fully veiled and are not allowed outside alone. Islamic law is enforced via public executions and amputations" (PBS). -
Najibullah Executed
The Taliban publicly executes President Najibullah. Meanwhile, "Ethnic groups in the north, under Masood’s Northern Alliance, and the south, aided in part by Hamid Karzai, continue to battle the Taliban for control of the country" (PBS). -
Amir Travels to the Middle East
After receiving a call from Rahim Khan, Amir decides to visit Rahim Khan in Pakistan. Rahim Khan ends his phone call saying, "There is a way to be good again" (Hosseini 192). This quote reveals that Rahim Khan has known about all of Amir's sins as a child, such as running from Hassan's rape and sneaking his presents under Hassan's mattress. Therefore, Rahim Khan's call represents a request for Amir to atone for his sins. -
Amir Speaks With Rahim Khan
Amir visits Rahim Khan in Pakistan, and Rahim Khan updates Amir on what has happened in Afghanistan ever since Amir left. Amir is shocked that Hassan is dead, but Rahim Khan requests Amir "to go to Kabul... to bring Sohrab here" (Hosseini 220). At first Amir does not want to go and retrieve Hassan's son, and this displays hints of Amir's lack of courage. However, Amir finally decides to go to Kabul to pick up Sohrab, and this exhibits Amir's intentions of atonement. -
Amir Arrives in Afghanistan
Amir arrives in Afghanistan, seeking to retrieve Sohrab. Amir observes many beggars, leading him to state, "I feel like a tourist in my own country" (Hosseini 231). Amir's driver, Farid, responds, "That's the real Afghanistan... You've always been a tourist here, you just didn't know it" (Hosseini 232). Farid's answer illustrates Amir's lack of awareness as a child growing up in Kabul. Incidentally, Amir's lack of awareness is a result of growing up under Baba's high socioeconomic status. -
Amir Arrives at Ghazi Stadium
After finding out that Sohrab was taken away by the Taliban, Amir and Farid go to a soccer game, for the Talib who took Sohrab was going to be there. At halftime, the Talib shows up and declares, "Every sinner must be punished in a manner befitting his sin!" and stones two people to death. For the first time, Amir experiences the Taliban's harsh deeds. Ironically, the Taliban originally states that they would bring about peace in Afghanistan, but instead they commit many wrongful actions. -
Amir Meets with Assef
Amir meets up with the Talib who took Sohrab, later reveals himself as Assef. Assef tells Amir that he can have Sohrab Amir beats Assef in a fight. Although Amir is critically injured, Amir "starts laughing... [Amir's] body was broken... but [he] felt healed. Healed at last" (Hosseini 289). In a literal manner, Amir's reaction to getting beat up displays irony. However, Amir feels happy because he has finally atoned for his sins, as he sacrifices his body to rescue Hassan's son, Sohrab. -
Sohrab Attempts Suicide
After finding out that he will be staying at another orphanage, Sohrab attempts suicide. In the hospital, Amir informs Sohrab that does not have to stay in another orphanage and he can move with Amir to America. However, Sohrab tells Amir, "I want my old life back" (Hosseini 354) This quote displays how Sohrab misses his life when the Taliban was not in control of Afghanistan. However, Sohrab must move on in his life and moving in with Amir is the best and safest choice. -
Amir Returns to America with Sohrab
Amir adopts Sohrab to live in America. Although Sohrab is away from the Taliban, he becomes mute. Amir explains that, "Sohrab has taken cover in a dark place, curled up all the edges and tucked them under" (Hosseini 361). Sohrab's silence demonstrates his emotions of leaving his old life in Kabul with Hassan. In addition, Sohrab's silence is foreshadowed when Hassan stopped smiling after getting raped, and these parallels demonstrate the unfortunate occurrences they both experienced. -
Al-Quaida Attacks the United States
On September 11, 2001, members of Al-Quaida hijack four commercial airplanes and crash them into the World Trade Center Towers, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania, killing thousands of civilians. U.S. officials claim Osama bin Laden, "the Saudi exile believed to be hiding in Afghanistan, is the prime suspect in the attack" (PBS). -
Taliban Rule in Afghanistan Ends
Taliban soldiers surrender their final stronghold in Kandahar and leave the province Zabul. These events leads the "Afghan Islamic Press to declare 'the rule of the Taliban in Afghanistan has totally ended'” (PBS). -
Amir and Sohrab Fly a Kite Together
One day, when Amir, Soraya and Sohrab are at the park, Amir finds a kite seller and buys a kite. Amir and Sohrab fly the kite together, take down an opposing kite and Amir offers to run the kite. Amir narrates, "'For you a thousand times over,' I heard myself say. Then I turned and ran" (Hosseini 371). This quote by Amir is an allusion to what Hassan says right before he runs Amir's kite in 1975. In this event, Sohrab briefly smiles, but this is enough to satisfy Amir.