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Amir is Born
When Amir is born, "Hassan and [Amir] fed from the same breasts. [They] took [their] first steps on the same lawn in the same yard. And, under the same roof, [they] spoke [their] first words" (Hosseini 11). By growing up together, Amir and Hassan create a brotherhood and hold strong bonds with each other. This portrays the importance of childhood memories that form Amir and Hassan's tight relationship. -
Hassan is Born
When Sanaubar gives birth to Hassan and runs away, Hassan stays with Ali in a mud shack with "two mattresses on opposite sides of the room, a worn Herati rug with frayed edges in between, a three-legged stool, and a wooden table in the corner" (Hosseini 6). This portrays that the living conditions Hassan lived under compared to Amir were poor. As a Hazara, Hassan was forced to live with no privileges throughout his life and was often looked down upon. -
Amir Watches Hassan Getting Raped by Assef
After winning the kite tournament, Amir saw Hassan was getting bullied by Assef and his friends, and "[Amir] opened [his] mouth and almost said something. Almost. ... But [he] didn't. [He] just watched. Paralyzed" (Hosseini 73). Even though Hassan had been so loyal to Amir, Amir was too scared to do the same because of how badly he wanted to please Baba. The guilt that results from this has made him feel like a bad friend, and has haunted Amir throughout the rest of his life. -
Amir Wins the Kite Tournament
When Amir cut the last kite in the kite tournament, he saw Baba cheering, "And that right there was the single greatest moment of [Amir's] twelve years of life, seeing Baba on that roof, proud of [him] at last" (Hosseini 66). This depicts how much Amir craves for Baba to love him, and how scarcely Baba showed his love for Amir when Amir was a child. This gives Amir the idea that he must behave a certain way in his community, even if he must make sacrifices. -
Hassan and Ali Quit Working for Baba
When Baba forgave Hassan after he said he stole the money and watch under the mattress, Ali insisted that they would leave and said, "'Life here is impossible for us now, Agha sahib. We're leaving'" (Steinbeck 106). This displays that Ali cares about Hassan, and wants him to feel protected. His gesture to give Hassan a better future shows his sympathy and love towards Hassan. -
Gen. Mohammed Daoud Khan is Killed in a Communist Coup
Mohammed Daoud Khan, who overthrew Mohammed Zahir Shah in a military coup in 1973, gets killed by a coup and "Eighteen members of the Daoud family were killed that night in the presidential palace, along with a number of officers and aides" (Gall). -
Soviet Union Invades Afghanistan
To help support Babrak Karmal, a president in a coup within the Afghan Communist Leadership, "The first Soviet troops parachuted into Kabul on Dec. 27, 1979" (The New York Times). -
Baba and Amir Escape Kabul and Head to Pakistan
When Baba and Amir are on a bus to Pakistan, a Russian soldier tells Karim that he wants a half hour with a lady on the truck, and Baba angrily says, "'I'll take a thousand of his bullets before I let this indecency take place'" (Steinbeck 116). Baba's willingness to put his life at risk for a lady he does not know shows how much he values to do the right thing. His act of kindness displays the selflessness and compassion he has for others. -
Baba and Amir Move to California
After settling in a home in California, Amir describes that "For me, America was a place to bury my memories" (Hosseini 129). Essentially, Amir feels relieved to be in America because he can be away from the guilt and bad memories he made there. This displays how powerful guilt can be, and how it can impact one's life significantly. -
Amir Graduates High School
At the graduation ceremony, "[Baba] walked to [Amir], curled his arm around [Amir's] neck, and gave [Amir's] brow a single kiss. 'I am moftakhir, Amir,' he said. Proud" (Hosseini 131). After years of trying to mold Amir to become manly, Baba tries to repair their relationship to help atone for his lie. This leads to a much closer father and son relationship, which helps Amir to feel more confident and loved. -
Baba is Diagnosed With Cancer
After finding out about Baba's cancer, Baba decides to not go through chemotherapy and when Amir tries to convince him otherwise, Baba yells, "'Don't you challenge me in public, Amir. Ever. Who do you think you are?'" (Hosseini 156). Baba has a strong desire to stick to his opinion, and does not let anyone take that away from him. This indicates his courage and bravery to speak up for himself, and how he feels superior to Amir. -
Amir Marries Soraya
In preparation for Amir and Soraya's wedding, "Baba [spends] $35,000, nearly the balance of his life savings, on the awroussi, the wedding ceremony" (Hosseini 169). The large amount of money Baba has invested in Amir's wedding shows his act of atonement and love for Amir. This action strengthens their father-son relationship, and helps to relieve Baba's guilt. -
Baba Dies
After Baba dies of cancer, Amir realizes that "Baba [can't] show [him] the way anymore; [Amir will] have to find it on [his] own" (Hosseini 174). Since Baba has been guiding Amir throughout his whole life, losing Baba gives Amir uncertainty. This will allow for Amir to learn to be independent, and stand up for himself. -
Last Soviet Troops Leave Afghanistan
After many of the Soviet troops and Mujahideen were killed, "eventually, after peace talks moderated by the United Nations, the last Soviet troops left Afghanistan in February 1989" (The New York Times). -
Amir Publishes His First Novel
When Amir found out that his novel was published, Amir thought, "There was so much goodness in my life. So much happiness. I wondered whether I deserved any of it" (Hosseini 183). This shows that Amir still feels guilty to what he had let happen to Hassan, and doesn't feel that he deserves the accomplishment of publishing his first novel. Therefore, this displays Amir's sympathy and love for Hassan, and a firmness against himself to be punished for his wrongdoing. -
The Taliban Takes Control Over Afghanistan
The Taliban dominates Afghanistan, "imposing strict enforcement of fundamentalist Islamic law, banning movies and music and forcing women out of and into all-enveloping burqa clothing" (The New York Times). -
Rahim Khan Tells Amir Hassan is His Step-brother
After Rahim Khan updates Amir on Hassan's death, he also tells Amir that Hassan was Baba's son, and Amir "felt like a man sliding down a steep cliff, clutching at shrubs and tangles of brambles and coming up empty-handed" (Hosseini 222). After Amir realizes that Hassan was his half-brother, he feels even more guilty that he did not defend Hassan from Assef. This demonstrates how powerful lies can be to change one's actions and beliefs. -
Amir Brings Home Sohrab
When Amir took Sohrab back to America, Sohrab went to his room to rest and fell asleep. Later, Amir went into his room and "saw something protruding from under his pillow. [He] picked it up. Saw it was Rahim Khan's Polaroid" (Hosseini 359). This implies that Sohrab was looking at this photograph earlier because he greatly missed his family. This shows how important childhood is to individuals, and that the memories made during this time will last with individuals forever. -
End of the Taliban Rule
When Mr. bin Laden refused an ultimatum after the September 11 attacks, "the United States joined forces with rebel groups that had never accepted Taliban rule, notably the Northern Alliance, which represented minority tribes. The air and ground campaign began that drove the Taliban out of major Afghan cities by the end of the year" (The New York Times). -
Amir and Sohrab Fly a Kite Together
When Amir cuts a green kite, "[He looks] down at Sohrab. One corner of his mouth had curled up just so. A smile. Lopsided. Hardly there. But there" (Hosseini 370). For the first time in a while, Amir sees Sohrab smile as they fly kites. This gives him a feeling of appreciation as a father, and helps him relieve his guilt of not defending Hassan. -
NATO Takes Over Security In Kabul
As its first mission outside of Europe, "the North Atlantic Treaty Organization took formal control of Afghanistan's multinational peacekeeping force" (Waldman). -
Hamid Karzai Becomes President of Afghanistan
After elected as an interim president in June 2002 to replace the Taliban, "Mr.Karzai was elected to a five-year term as president in 2004" (The New York Times). -
General Petraeus Takes Charge of the United States Central Command
While trying to make the United States more involved with Afghanistan, "General Petraeus, the Iraq commander who received much of the credit of the surge there, had taken charge of United States Central Command in October 2008, with responsibility for military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and across the region" (The New York Times). -
Gen. Petraeus Replaces Gen. McChrystal as the Top Commander in Afghanistan
After he made disrespectful comments, Barack Obama fired Gen. McChrystal and "tapped Gen. Petraeus to lead the war effort there" (The New York Times). -
Mr. Obama Decides to Keep Troops In Afghanistan
After Obama announced that he would start removing troops at around 2011 in a speech in 2009, close to the deadline, he announces they have "changed [their] tone to increasingly emphasize the idea that the US will have will have forces in the country until at least the end of 2014" (The New York Times).
