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Baba's Birthday
Baba was born a lot later than both Amir and Hassan. Amir mentions that his Baba was born "In 1933, the year Baba was born and the year the great Zahir Shah began his forty year reign of Afghanistan, two brothers, young men from wealthy and reputable family in Kabul, got behind the wheel of their father's Ford roadster." (Hosseini 24). Baba was born in the year of a great leader of Afghanistan. This symbolized that Baba is also a great leader. -
Amir's birthday
The book starts with giving background on Amir and Hassan and does so with their birthdays. Amir mentions that "Hassan was born in . . . 1964, just one year after my mother died after giving birth to me." (hosseini 6). Since both Hassan and Amir where both born at the same estate a year apart, they were meant to be friends. Being born a year apart would also mean that they would be close friends. -
Hassan's Birthday
Amir and Hassans's birthdays are only one year apart making them close in age. Amir talks about Hassan's birthday stating that is was "in a little shack, that Hassan was born in the winter of 1964, just one year after my mother died giving birth to me." (Hosseni 6). Hassan was born in a year close enough to Amir for them to be friends. Amir was born only a year before. -
Hassan's cleft lip surgery
Baba does not buy Hassan any old gift, he gifts him the gift of plastic surgery. When Hassan didn't see any wrapped gift or toy Baba said, "'I have summoned Dr. Kumar from New Delhi. Dr. Kumar is a plastic surgeon"'(Hosseini 45). Baba goes out of his way to give Hassan the gift of plastic surgery, something most Hazaras could not afford at the time. This shows that Baba treats Hassan like a son. -
Hassan and Ali are sabotaged by Amir and sent away
The guilt from witnessing the rape was too much for him, so he got rid of the problem. He got rid of his best friends. Hosseini writes, "[Amir] lifted Hassan's mattress and planted my new watch and a handful of Afghani bills under it" (104). At first, it seems that Amir is being nice and offering Hassan the gifts. It is revealed that he actually did this in order to frame Hassan for stealing the objects. This then sends him away. -
Hassan is raped
On the day of Hassan's rape, Amir realizes how much of a coward he is. He says, "I had one last opportunity to stick up for Hassan- the way he had stuck up for me all those times in the past- and accept whatever happened to me. Or I could run" (Hosseini 77). Everytime something would happen to Amir, Hassan would be by his side to defend him. When Amir choosing to not help Hassan while he is being rape would be his biggest betreayal to Hassan. -
Soviets invade Afghanistan
The Soviets attacked Kabul on December 27th, 1979, and stayed there for 9 years. New York Times states, "Afghanistan has known little peace since 1979" (New York Times 1). -
Baba and Amir settle in America
Baba and Amir move to America as a result of problems in Afghanistan. Adjusting to life in a new country is tough, and it was especially tough for Amir and Baba, but "Baba loved the idea of America" (125). Starting over in a new country is hard. This new problem strengthens Amir and Baba's relationship as they both figure out how to adjust to the big change. -
Baba is diagnosed with cancer
Baba and Amir find out that Baba has cancer. He then refuses medication saying, "No chemo medication for me" (156). The Lung Cancer comes from all the years of Baba smoking. The diagnosis gives Baba a time limit to atone to Amir for his parenting. This would help them grow closer before Baba's last hour strikes. -
Baba's death
Baba dies after restoring his relationship with Amir. Hosseini writes that "Baba never woke up" (Hosseini 173). Baba had died peacfully in his sleep. The actions he had done towards the end of his life made sure that he would rest easy. -
Amir and Soraya are married
Amir marries Soraya soon after first meeting her. It was at their wedding when he, "whispered to her for the first time that I loved her" (171). In Afghan culture it is normal to have a wedding early on in a relationship. This is why Amir tells Soraya that he loves her during their wedding. He did not have the time to do so before. -
Amir becomes a writer
After years of writing in his spare time, Amir becomes a writer. Amir proudly admits, "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). His story is based on his relationship with Baba as we can tell from the quote. It's something he has done to honor his father. -
The Soviets leave Afghanistan
New York Times states, "Soviet troops left Afghanistan in February 1989" (New York Times 2). This was due to UN peace talks with the Soviets. -
Hassan's mother finally visits
When Sanaubar visited Hassan, she said, "I have walked long and far to see if you are as beautiful in the flesh as you are in my dreams" (Hosseini 210). She travels long and far to see her son before she dies. Finally seeing her son would give her closure. She would also be able to rest at peace with herself. -
Power is divided among warlords
New York Times states, "by the summer of 1994, power was anarchically divided among competing warlords" (New York Times 2). -
Mullah Omar gains followers
New York Times states, "By the end of 1994 Mullah Omar had nearly 12,000 followers" (New York Times 2). Mullah Omar and his followers then started attacking warlords in the east and north. -
The Taliban seize control
The New York Times states, "The Taliban by 1996 had taken control of Afghanistan" (The New York Times 3). The Taliban are the extremist leaders of Afghanistan. -
The Taliban kill Hassan
Hassan dies at the fate of the Taliban. Hosseini describes the death scene, "Hassan slumps to the asphalt, his life of unrequited loyalty drifting from him like the windblown kites I have used to chase" (Hosseini 219). Hassan dies after many years of being loyal to Amir. The figurative language used can help the reader picture how he passes. -
Amir visits Rahim Khan
The last time Amir has seen Rahim was when he was very young. Amir says, "I have to go back to Pakistan ... Rahim Khan is very sick" (Hosseini, 191). Rahim being very sick could hint that he is close to dying. Amir would then chose to go back to see his final moments. -
Sohrab is brought to America
Sohrab is Hassan's son. In August 2001, "Soraya picked up Amir and Sohrab at the airport" (Hosseini 357). Soraya, Amir's wife, welcomes home Sohrab and Amir who have suffered in Afghanistan. Both Sohrab and Amir are both finally safe. -
9/11
New York Times states, "The United States has become militarily involved in Afghanistan since 2001, when it led an invasion after the Sept. 11 attack by Al Qaeda" (New York Times 1). Al Qaeda is the extremist group who hates the US. -
Afghan President Elected
Because peace was needed, the New York Times states, "Mr. Karzai was elected to a five-year term, as president in 2004" (New York Times 3). -
General Petraeus becomes commander
General Petraeus was a commander in Iraq was and the New York Times states, "[he] had taken charge of [the] United States Central Command in October 2008" (New York Times 4). -
Obama announces his plan
The New York Times states, "President Obama announced his plan to deploy 30,000 additional troops" (New York Times 4). -
Plan to withdraw
New York Times states, "[The] initial plans called for American troops to begin withdrawing from Afghanistan in the summer of 2011" (New York Times 1). The United States has decided to keep troops in Afghanistan until 2014.