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Baba is born
Around the same time Zahir Shah "becomes King of Afghanistan", Baba is born as well. This sparks the important figure to Amir (his future child) who sees Baba as a role model, constantly wanting attention. Amir's main goal in life is to make Baba proud, everything he does is for Baba's approval. -
Period: to
The Kite Runner/Historical Afghanistan
(Events in The Kite Runner so far) -
Mohammed Zahir Shah becomes the new King
Mohammed Zahir Shah "becomes [the new] King [of Afghanistan and] brings a semblance of stability to the country... for the next 40 years." He undertook a number of economical developments while maintaining Afghanistan's position in politics. -
Britain withdraws from India
According the article, "Britain withdraws from India, creating the predominantly Hindu... state of India and the Islamic State of Pakistan. The nation of Pakistan includes a long, largely uncontrollable, border with Afghanistan." Because of this, hundreds of people are coming over with their Hindu and Islamic backgrounds. This may explain how people treat individuals like Hassan differently because of their identity. -
Mohammed Daoud Khan becomes prime minister
In 1953, "Mohammed Daoud Khan, cousin of the king [Mohammed Zahir Shah], becomes prime minister and looks to the communist nation for economic and military assistance. He also introduces a number of social reforms including allowing women a more public presence." This is beneficial for women throughout Afghanistan and further helps the nation as a whole. -
Amir is born
As Amir's born, his mother, Sofia Akrami, dies giving birth to him. Here, we are introduced to the main protagonist, who undergoes several events that eventually evolve him further. Throughout the book, Amir betrays Hassan and tries to forget his past, ultimately facing it. Additionally, Amir has trouble finding his identity because he isn't a tradtionally "man" who enjoys sports or "manly activites" like his father. Instead, Amir enjoys writing and reading. -
Hassan is born
As Hassan's born, his mother, Sanaubar, left home shortly after his birth, whereas, she even refused to touch her baby. Eventually, Hassan and his father Ali become Baba and Amir's loyal servants. Here, we are introduced to another main character, Hassan, who always stays loyal to Amir, even when he betrays him. Throughout the book, Hassan always had Amir's back, even when he didn't realize it. Everything he did was for Amir's benefit like retrieving the kite. -
Sanaubar runs off with a band of singers & dancers
Sanaubar, Hassan's mother, runs off with a group of traveling dancers/singers just after she had given birth. She refused to even hold Hassan, whereas, he never got the chance to actually meet her. Sanaubar "had a dimpled smile and walk that drove men crazy" (210). This is significant because it shows that Hassan never grew up with a mother figure in his life. And even when she came back in 1990, Hassan still cared for her. -
Afghan Communist Party
Around the same time of Amir and Hassan's birth, "The Afghan Communist Party secretly forms[, whereas,] the group’s principal leaders are Babrak Karmal and Nur Mohammad Taraki." This explains how throughout the book, Amir sees the discrimination/prejudice treated towards those people. This affects how Amir and his family lives. -
Khan overthrows Zahir Shah
Around the same time as Hassan removes his cleft lip, "Khan overthrows the last king, Mohammed Zahir Shah, in a military coup. Khan’s regime, the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan, comes to power [and] Khan abolishes the monarchy name[ing] himself, president. The Republic of Afghanistan is established with firm ties to the USSR [better known as the Soviet Union]." This shows how throughout Hassan and Amir's childhoods, several events are occurring which may affect how they live. -
Gunshots at Home
Ali, Hassan, and Amir huddle together in the living room while gunfire and explosions thunder around them until morning. The gunshots were a part of a coup when "Khan overth[rew] the last king... in a military coup. [He] abolishes the monarchy and named himself president." Baba shows up safe and sound at sunrise, having made it through or around the blocked roads. Amir says that this night was the start of the end of Afghanistan. -
Hassan's surgery to fix his cleft lip
During Hassan's 13th birthday, Baba decides to give him surgery for his cleft lip. This causes Amir's jealousness over his father's attention to Hassan to grow and ultimately breaking the two boy's relationships. For instance, Amir "wished [he] too had 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). Here, Amir begins disliking Hassan. -
Amir and Hassan's kite tournament
In the winter of 1975, a kite tournament is held in Amir's neighborhood which lasts all day. As it begins, Amir has a great start, and eventually, all that remains are his kite and another blue one. The two boys battle out and Amir wins in the end. After Hassan leaves to recollect the kite, Amir goes out searching for him and catches Assef raping Hassan. Instead of helping, Amir "ran because [he] was a coward" (77). After the rape, the two boys spend less time together. -
Amir's Birthday
In the Summer of 1976, Amir celebrates his thirteenth birthday and Baba hosts a big party with 400+ people for him. Amir personally greets guests and receives several gifts from them, even one from Assef. As fireworks begin, Amir rushes iverand sees Hassan serving drinks to Assef and Wali. After opening all his gifts, he thinks to himself that either he or Hassan must leave. This demonstrates how Amir cares about Hassan, however, he is afraid to reveal that. -
U.S. Cuts Assistance to Afghanistan
"The United States cuts off assistance to Afghanistan [which forms] a power struggle between Taraki and Deputy Prime Minister Hafizullah Amin..." This reveals the start of the downfall for Afghanistan and its citizens like Baba and Amir. This event encouraged many people to leave their home and travel to a safer country in hopes of the safety of their loved ones -
Amir and Baba's ride to Pakistan
Amir and Baba are in the back of a truck with other Afghans to Pakistan. The rafiqs or comrades as Amir likes to call them, have divided society, whereas, people are even turning each other in for money. "Afghan guerrillas gain control of rural areas, and Soviet troops hold urban areas [which is demonstrated through the number of checkpoints]." This demonstrates the intense world both Baba and Amir live through. Baba just wants the best for his son so they travel to safety. -
Fleeing to Pakistan
Around the same time as Amir and Baba's truck ride to Pakistan, "[Other] 2.8 million Afghans have [also] 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" This shows why Amir and Baba are traveling to Pakistan. Their ultimate goal is the United States but they first need their visas. Baba risks everything for Amir, this trip is the key to safety. -
Farzana becomes pregnant (with Sohrab)
Around the same time, a woman knocks on the front gates one morning. When Rahim Khan asks who she is, she collapses. Hassan and Soraya treat her back to health and discover that she's Sanaubar, Hassan's mother. Sanaubar and Hassan reunite and she even delivers their baby. She came out "holding her grandson... tears streaming down... [and] handed him to Hassan" (211). They decide to name him Sohrab and this is where she realizes how great it is to be a mom. She "never wanted to let go" (211). -
Amir and Sohrab arrive in America
Amir and Sohrab arrive in San Francisco and shortly after, Soraya picks them up. As they head home, Soraya is extremely excited to meet Sohrab, however, Sohrab "shift[s] his feet and looked away [from her]" (358). Even when Soraya created a bedroom for Sohrab, he [lowered his head... and said nothing" (358). This is significant because it proves that Sohrab stops speaking after landing in the U.S. He states that he wants his old life back, illustrating how traumatized Sohrab has been. -
Amir takes Soraya, Khala Jamila, and Sohrab to a gathering of Afghans
On a cool, rainy day, Amir, Soraya, Jamila, and Sohrab go to an Afghan event at Elizabeth Park in Fremont. As the sky clears, "A half-dozen kites were flying high..." (366). Amir buys a kite and heads over to Sohrab. He asks Sohrab if he wanted to help him fly the kite and Sohrab agrees. Amir flies the kite into the air and as he "looked down at Sohrab[,] one corner of his mouth had curled up just so. A smile" (370). This shows the first spark of happiness Sohrab feels in the U.S.
