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Hassan's Rape
Upon finding Hassan being raped in the alley, Amir was forced to decide whether to fight or flee, and in the end, he "ran because [he] was a coward. [He] was afraid of Assef and what he would do to [him]" (Hosseini 77). This passage essentially sets up the entire plot of the story. When it comes down to it, the real reason for Amir's return to Afghanistan and nearly all of his other actions revolved around this decision. This choice haunted Amir for over 20 years, and shaped him as a person. -
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Afghanistan
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Hassan and Ali Leave
Amir, so guilty of what he had let happen to Hassan, frames him, forcing him and Ali to leave. As he watches them through the window, he sees, "Baba's car pull away from the curb, taking with it the person whose first spoken word had been [Amir's] name" (Hosseini 109). Amir could not bear to be around Hassan, as he reminded him of what he had done. Although it is immoral, Amir knew no other way to rid himself of this guilt. Hassan was always loyal to Amir, and in turn Amir forced him out. -
The Soviet Union Invades
In December of 1979, in order to promote a communist reign in Afghanistan, the, "Soviet Union invades and props up communist government" (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253). -
A New Ruler
Babrak Karmal, supported by the soviets, gains control, although, "opposition intensifies with various mujahideen groups fighting Soviet forces" (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253) -
Baba and Amir Flee Afghanistan
As Afghanistan becomes increasingly dangerous, Baba and Amir are smuggled into Pakistan, and upon arrival, Amir, "looked up to the gray morning sky, thankful for air, thankful for light, thankful to be alive" (Hosseini 123). After days on end crammed in a fuel truck, they had finally made it to Pakistan. This is the last stop before America, and a new life in a foreign land. Baba and Amir are starting over, leaving behind their class and riches in the hopes for a better, safer future. -
Amir Meets Soraya
While at a swap meet, Amir begins talking to a former general and friend of Baba's. As he is speaking, he notices the general's daughter, and is instantly captivated. As he heads home,
"[Amir's heart stuttered at the thought of her. Soraya Taheri. [Amir's] Swap Meet Princess" (Hosseini 142). Amir, at first glance, has fallen in love with Soraya. Although she has a history, and her father is sure to provide some obstacles, he is determined to marry her. Amir has never been this sure of anything. -
Amir Marries Soraya
Amir, so sure of his aspirations of marrying Soraya, requests that Baba ask the general for his daughter's hand. When General Taheri accepts, Amir, "let out a burst of air. Sat down. [Amir's] hands were shaking" (Hosseini 163). Amir is relieved that General Taheri agreed. He had dreamed of marrying Soraya, and now it is coming true. He is trying to start over in America, and this will certainly help him. Amir truly believes Soraya is a better person than him, and is overjoyed to marry her. -
The Fight Continues
The mujahideen, backed by the U.S., have gained access to Stinger missiles, which allows them to shoot down Soviet helicopters. This gives them a much-needed advantage. At the same time, Babrak Karmal is, "replaced by Najibullah as head of Soviet-backed regime" (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253) -
Baba Passes Away
Recently, Baba had fallen severely ill with cancer. Jut one month after Amir and Soraya got married, as Baba sat in bed, he told Soraya, "'There is no pain tonight.' 'Okay,' she said. She pulled up his blanket. We closed the door. Baba never woke up" (Hosseini 173). With Baba gone, Amir must find his way on his own in the world. Although he has Soraya, Baba was always the father figure that made decisions for him and taught him how to live. Now, Amir must come out from behind Baba's shadow. -
A Hope for Peace
Finally, after years of fighting the Soviets, "Afghanistan, USSR, the U.S. and Pakistan sign peace accords and Soviet Union begins pulling out troops" (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253) -
Soviets Withdraw, but War Continues
Pressured by the treaty, the Soviets are forced to pull out of Afghanistan, but, "civil war continues as mujahideen push to overthrow Najibullah" (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253) -
The Government is Toppled
Najibullah attempted to quell the rebellion with military force for several years. However he was unsuccessful without the aid of the Russians, and, "this, coupled with the internal collapse of his government, led to his ousting from power in April 1992" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghanistan) -
Kabul is Captured
When in September of 1996, the Taliban, supported by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, began preparing, "for another major offensive, [Ahmad Shah Massoud] ordered a full retreat from Kabul" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghanistan). This allowed the Taliban to take control of the city, as Massoud had had control over the city before this. -
Amir Receives a Call
More than 20 years after coming to America, Amir receives a call from Pakistan, explaining that Rahim Khan is very ill. It urges Amir to visit him, and as he hangs up, Rahim Khan states, "'There is a way to be good again'" (Hosseini 192). At this moment, Amir knew Rahim Khan knew about the rape. This statement resonates within Amir, as he realizes Rahim Khan knows what Amir had done, but also knows how he can atone. Amir understands he must go to Pakistan, for the sake of Rahim Khan and himself. -
Amir Learns About the Affair
While reuniting with Rahim Khan, Amir is told that Baba slept with Sanaubar, and Hassan is in fact Baba's son as well. This leaves Amir feeling, "like a man sliding down a steep cliff, clutching at shrubs and tangles of brambles and coming up empty-handed" (Hosseini 222). Amir can't believe that he and Hassan are related. It also shows the shameful side of Baba, that had never appeared before. Baba had always seemed to be a self-righteous, honorable man, but his affair unveils a new side of him. -
Amir Enters Kabul
As Amir searches for Sohrab, he must enter his hometown of Kabul. He knew it was not the same, but, "when Kabul finally did unroll before us, [Amir] was certain, absolutely certain, that he had taken a wrong turn somewhere" (Hosseini 244). After 20 years, Amir is finally returning to his hometown, only to find it reduced to rubble. The signs of the Taliban are everywhere, and the once thriving city of Kabul is destroyed. The Taliban patrol the streets, looking for any chance to assert authority. -
Amir and Farid Locate the Orphanage
Amir finds the orphanage, and is allowed in. As he leads them around, the owner explains, "'There is very little shelter here, almost no food, no clothes, no clean water. What I have in ample supply here is children who've lost their childhood'" (Hosseini 254). The orphanage's situation reflects how bad it has been for the people of Afghanistan. People's lives have been destroyed, including these children's. They are stripped of their childhoods, and forced to live in these terrible conditions. -
Reuniting With Assef
When Amir meets with the officer, he realizes the officer is Assef. Assef tells him that if he wants Sohrab, Amir will have to fight Assef. As Assef beats him, Amir begins to laugh, because, "for the first time since the winter of 1975, [Amir] felt at peace" (Hosseini 289). Amir finally receives the beating he craved from Hassan so long ago, except this time it was from Assef. It releases the burden on his shoulders. He truly believes that he got what he deserves, and this will help him atone. -
Halftime at the Match
After learning that Sohrab was sold to a Taliban official, Amir goes to a soccer game that the official will be at. During halftime, the Taliban execute two people by stoning them, until they are "a mangled mess of blood and shredded rags" (Hosseini 271). The Taliban enjoy demonstrating their power in any way possible. They are ruling with fear, showing all of the spectators what could happen to them if they step out of line. Those two individuals were made into an example for the others. -
Sohrab Attempts Suicide
After Amir tells Sohrab that in order to go to America he must stay in an orphanage for a little while, Sohrab feels devastated and betrayed, and attempts suicide. Amir walks into the bathroom, only to find Sohrab's, "Left arm dangling over the side of the tub, the blood-soaked razor sitting on the toilet tank" (Hosseini 347). Sohrab is so tired of everything going wrong in life that he tries to end it. He has had to deal with so much, and having to go back to an orphanage put him over the top. -
Amir Begins to Forgive
Amir finds the photo of Hassan, and while looking at him he realizes he doesn't feel the pain anymore of Baba's affair. As he thinks about this, he wonders, "if that was how forgiveness budded…with pain gathering its things, packing up, and slipping away..." (Hosseini 359). Amir has begun to forgive Baba's actions. He understands that Baba was not perfect, and he is willing to absolve him. This shows growth in Amir's character, as he is learning to forgive, something he hasn't done often before. -
Massoud Assassinated
Massoud, who was at the time the leader of the Northern Alliance fighting the Taliban, "was assassinated by two Arab suicide attackers in Panjshir province of Afghanistan" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghanistan) -
The 9/11 Attacks
On September 11, 2001, four planes were hijacked in a terrorist attack on America. The country was in shock, and, "the US government suspected Osama bin Laden as the perpetrator of the attacks, and demanded that the Taliban hand him over. After refusing to comply, the October 2001 Operation Enduring Freedom was launched. During the initial invasion, US and UK forces bombed al-Qaeda training camps" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghanistan). -
Amir Runs the Kite
While at an Afghan festival in America, Amir notices some kids flying kites. Trying to get Sohrab to open up, Amir begins teaching him about flying them. After cutting another kid's kite, "[Amir] ran. A grown man running with a swarm of screaming children. But [Amir] didn't care..." (Hosseini 371). At this point, the story has come full circle. The plot began with the running of a kite, and has now concluded in the same way. The pressure has been lifted from Amir, and he is connecting to Hassan. -
Assassinating bin Laden
Following a mission carried out by the highly trained Navy SEAL Team Six which orchestrated the, "death of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan, many prominent Afghan figures were Assassinated" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghanistan). This helped turn the tides of the war, for the better of the U.S.