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Amir wins the kite-fighting competition, Hassan is raped by Assef
The narrator begins the book by saying, "I became what I am today at the age of twelve, on a frigid overcast day in the winter of 1975" (Hosseini 1). The dramatic way he describes this event show how it truly impacted his life. It shows that if we experience a trauma in our life, we have to move forward and try to be the best person we can be. -
Amir turns thirteen
Amir says his birthday party was "four hundred Kakas and Khalas who were going to bring me gifts and congratulate me for having lived to thirteen," (Hosseini 93-94). Amir's cynical view of his own party shows that he doesn't seem to be a social person and like being around other people. -
Ali and Hassan leave
When Ali tells Baba that they are leaving, Baba starts pleading with them, saying, "At least tell me why. I need to know!" (Hosseini 107). Baba took his two servants for granted for so long that he just realized their importance in his life. At that same moment, Ali and Hassan gain power by getting Baba to plead them to stay. -
Soviet Union invades Afghanistan
New York Times says, "The first Soviet troops parachuted into Kabul on December 27, 1979, to assist Babrak Karmal, who had become president in a coup..." (2). -
Amir and Baba leave Kabul
Amir says, "My innards had been turning since we'd left Kabul just after two in the morning," (Hosseini 110). Clearly, Amir was comfortable at home, but since the conflict had worsened, they were forced to leave. As they left, Amir was very scared and nervous about what lay ahead. This event shows that conquering your fears is necessary to live a successful and meaningful life. -
Amir graduates
Amir recalls, "That summer of 1983, I graduated high school at the age of twenty...in a way, this was [Baba's] day mkre than mine," (Hosseini 131). From the narrator's tone, it seems that he isn't as excited as he should be about graduating high school, choosing to focus on the fact that he graduated at an older age than the others. However, the thing that makes him the most happy is the feeling of pride he gives his father. -
Amir marries Soraya
During Amir and Soraya's wedding, Amir was "wondering if Hassan too had married," (Hosseini 171). Hassan hadn't been mentioned for a long time, and now, during one of the happiest moments of Amir's life, he thinks of his old friend. This could have been the moment when Amir realized that he cared about Hassan and wanted to atone for the way he treated him. -
Baba dies
Amir's description of his father's death bed ends with "Baba never woke up," (Hosseini 173). He says this instead of "Baba died" because he is in denial about Baba's death. This proves that Amir respects his father, as he can't even fathom the idea of not having Baba to look up to. -
Amir publishes his first book
After Amir finishes his book, a publisher offers to represent him. Upon hearing the news, Amir tells Soraya, "Just because I have an agent doesn't mean I'll get published," (Hosseini 183) Later, his book sells and he becomes a published author. Amir's negative and pessimistic attitude could have been a result of his other life experiences. Perhaps he was disappointed by something in the past. Someone's attitude can reveal a lot about their life experience. -
Soviets leave Afghanistan
New York Times says, "Eventually, after peace talks moderated by the United Nations, the last soviet troops left Afghanistan..." (2). -
Pakistan helps Taliban
New York Times says, "As early as 1994, Pakistani intelligence officers began funneling arms, money, and supplies to Mullah's men..." (3). -
The Taliban increases in size to about 12,000 members
New York Times says, "By the end of 1994 Omar Mullah had nearly 12,000 followers..." (2). -
Taliban seizes control of Afghanistan
New York Times states that "the extremist Islamic group [the Taliban] seized controol in 1996 after years of civil war" (1). -
Taliban helps Al Qaeda hide
New York Times says, "The Taliban also provided a save haven for Mr. bin Laden, who arrived by chartered jet at Jalalabad Airport in May 1996, and for Al Qaeda" (3)/ -
Rahim Khan asks Amir to visit him in Pakistan
After talking to Rahim Khan on the phone, Amir immediately says to Soraya, "I have to go to Pakistan...Rahim Khan is very sick," (Hosseini 191) Amir later says that "he was the first grown-up I ever thought of as a friend," (191). Amir cares so much about Rahim Khan because he was open-minded to Amir when Amir was a child. The key to having a relationship so loyal is mutual respect. -
9/11 attacks
The New York Times says that "[Al Quaeda] had been given safe haven in [Afghanistan] by the Taliban" (1). -
Hamid Karzai elected president
The New York Times says,"Mr. Karzai was elected to a five-year term as president in 2004" (1). -
Alleged withdrawal of American forces
New York Times says, "Though initial plans called for American combat forces to begin withdrawing from Afghanistan in the summer of 2011..." (1). -
The US's secondary plans for leaving Afghanistan could take place
New York Times says, "...the Obama administration increasingly emphasizes the idea that the United States will have forces in the country until at least the end of 2014..." (1).