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Baba is Born
In the book, it states, "In 1933, the year Baba was born... (Hosseini 24). Baba grew up with Ali, his childhood playmate who he never referred to as an actual friend. Having Ali as a servant at all times influenced Baba to grow into a man of high power, being already born into a high status. -
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The Kite Runner
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Amir is Born
When explaining where Hassan and Ali lived, Amir says, "It was there, in that little shack, that Hassan was born in the winter of 1964, just one year after my mother died giving birth to me" (Hosseini 6). Amir was born in the summer of 1963, in which his mother died giving birth to him. He grew up with no female figure in the household, which later affects the way he carries himself around women. -
Hassan is Born
In the novel, "Hassan's mother, Sanauber, gave birth to him one cold winter day in 1964" (Hosseini 6). Growing up, Hassan never talked about his mother due to him being abandoned a week after he was born. he lost his mother to a clan of singers and dancers. Later in the story, Hassan and Sanauber reunite, and Hassan is more than happy to accept her back into his life. -
Baba Starts Building Orphanage
In the novel, Amir explains, "In the late 1960s, when I was five or six, Baba decided to build an orphanage" (Hosseini 13). While everyone around him had their doubts, Baba proved them wrong by pulling off all his plans for the orphanage, despite the fact he had no experience in architecture. It took a total of three years to build and resulted in Baba becoming one of the richest merchants in Kabul. -
Hassan Gets Plastic Surgery
When explaining his job, Dr. Kumar says, "my job is to fix things on people's bodies. Sometimes their faces" (Hosseini 45). Hassan received the gift of plastic surgery on his 10th birthday from Baba. This causes Amir to envy Hassan even more because of the special present. Hassan was praised for "being a man" by Baba, while Amir was looked down upon. -
Hassan Gets Raped
As Amir says how he ran from the scene of rape, he explains, "I ran because I was a coward. I was afraid of Assef and what he would do to me. I was afraid of getting hurt" (Hosseini 77). Rather than standing up for his loyal friend, Amir decides to flee from the alley. Hassan would have stood up for Amir in a heartbeat, similar to the day Assef threatened the both of them. This event caused Amir to feel guilty for a long time; until he felt he had atoned for his sins. -
The Kite Tournament
When describing the outside world, Amir explains, "The streets glistened with fresh snow and the sky was a blameless blue... I had never seen so many people on our street" (Hosseini 60). The Kite Tournament was an event in which all the kids in Amir's neighborhood would participate in. Amir believed if he were to come home as the winner with the last kite to run, Baba would praise him indefinitely. -
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New York Times Article
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Ali and Hassan Move Out
Amir planted money and his new watch under Hassan's mattress in order to make it seem as though Hassan had stolen. When Baba asked whether he had stolen or not, "Hassan's reply was a single word, delivered in a thin, raspy voice: "Yes" " (Hosseini 105). Baba was quick to say he forgives him, but this was the last sacrifice Hassan would make for Amir. Ali and Hassan explain to Baba the best thing for them to do would be to move out. Baba was against this, but they left anyway. -
Soviet Troops Fight Conflict
The article states, "Soviet troops stayed in the country for more than nine years, fighting a conflict that cost them roughly 15,000 lives and undisclosed billions of rubles, while undermining the cherished image of an invincible Soviet Army" (New York Times 2). -
Soviet Union Invades Afghanistan
The article states, "Afghanistan... has known little peace since 1979, when the Soviet Union invaded. Now it is the scene of what has become the central military struggle for the United States, as America forces try to help a weak and corrupt government tame a stubborn insurgency" (New York Times 1). -
Initial Encounter of Soviet Troops Parachuting into Kabul
The articles informs, "The first Soviet troops parachuted into Kabul on Dec. 27, 1979, to assist Barack Karmal... Moscow insisted that the troops came in response to a plea for help from a legitimately constituted Karmal Government" (New York Times 2) -
Baba and Amir Begin Their Life in America
As Amir introduces his life in America, he explains, "Baba loved the idea of America. It was living in America that gave him an ulcer" (Hosseini 125). Baba had been obsessed with the idea of America being superior. What he did not realize was the shift in power when moving to America. In Kabul, Baba was known as a very successful and powerful man, little did he know he would come to America and arrive as a minority. -
Amir and Soraya Get Married
Amir explains his memory of his marriage by saying, "I remember walking toward the stage, now in my tuxedo, Soraya a veiled pari in white, our hands locked" (Hosseini 170). Before getting married, Soraya admitted her sins to Amir in fear of Amir feeling betrayed when finding out on his own. Amir was also presented with the option to open up about how he had run from Hassan when he was being raped, but instead, Amir keeps quiet and hides his secret inside him for the next couple of years. -
Baba Passes Away
When Soraya tells Baba she is coming back with medication, Baba says, "Not tonight... There is no pain tonight" (Hosseini 173). Baba did not wake up the next morning. This left Amir with the feeling of peril, considering he had relied on his father his whole life. -
Soviet Air Force Rendered Useless
The article informs, "After 1986, the Soviet Air Force was also rendered largely useless by advanced Stinger antiaircraft missiles supplied by the United States to the rebels" (New York Times 2). -
Hassan's Firstborn Comes Out As A Stillborn
When updating Amir about Hassan, Rahim Khan explains, "The late that fall, Farzana gave birth to a stillborn baby girl" (Hosseini 209). Farzana, Hassan's wife, and Hassan had been looking forward to raising a child, but the baby did not come out alive. Hassan kissed the baby before burying her in Amir's backyard, leaving Farzana heartbroken. -
Amir Finishes His First Novel
Amir explains, "In the summer of 1988, about six months before the Soviets withdrew from Afghanistan, I finished my first novel, a father-son story set in Kabul..." (Hosseini 182). Amir had been dreaming of being a writer since he was a kid, despite his father not approving. His novel got published a month later, leading to praise from all. -
No More Soviet Troops in Afghanistan
The article states, " Eventually, after peace talks moderated by the United Nations, the last Soviet troops left Afghanistan in February 1989, in what was in effect a unilateral withdrawal" (New York Times 2). -
Afghanistan is Divided
The article states, "...Afghanistan descended into vicious internecine strife; by the summer of 1994, power was anarchically divided among competing warlords and individual fiefdoms. But one group would eventually gain control" (New York Time 2). -
Mullah Omar Prepares For Battle
The article states, "As early as 1994, Pakistani intelligence officers began funneling arms, money, and supplies to Mullah Omar's men, as well as military advisers to help guide them in battle" (New York Times 3). -
Taliban Gains Control
The article states, " Buoyed by Pakistani aid, the Taliban by 1996 had taken control of Afghanistan, imposing strict enforcement of fundamentalist Islamic law, banning movies and music and forcing women out of schools and into all-enveloping burqa clothing" (New York Times 3). -
Arrival of Mr. Bin Laden
The articles informs, "The Taliban also provided a haven for Mr. bin Laden, who arrived by chartered jet at Jalalabad Airport in May 1996, and for Al Qaeda" (New York Times 3). -
Rahim Khan Calls Amir
When going over what Rahim Khan had said, Amir brings up, "Come. There is a way to be good again, Rahim Khan had said on the phone just before hanging up" (Hosseini 192). As a result, Amir wondered whether Rahim Khan had been referring specifically to him running from Hassan's rape, or if he was speaking in general. Amir then realized Rahim Khan had known about the Assef and all the lies Amir had told. -
The US Invasion
The article states, "The United States has been militarily involved in Afghanistan since 2001, when it led an invasion after the Sept. 11 attacks by Al Qaeda... The 2001 invasion succeeded in dislodging Al Qaeda and removing the Taliban from power, but not in eradicating either group" (New York Times 1). -
Sohrab Smiles
As they flew their kite, "(Amir) looked down at Sohrab. One corner of his mouth had curled up just so. A smile. Lopsided" (Hosseini 370). In this moment, Amir had faith in the restoration of his and Sohrab's relationship. Sohrab became suicidal when finding out Amir had broken his promise and was planning on sending him back to an orphanage. Sohrab expressed how he had just wanted his old life back. Living in the US, Sohrab became mute, until this happened.
