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Amir and Hassan's first encounter with Assef.
While Amir and Hassan were going to the hill so Amir could read, Hassan was struck by a rock. Assef and his two friends wanted to stir some trouble so Assef verbally insulted Amir,"If idiots like you and your father didn't take these people in, we'd be rid of them by now....You're a disgrace to Afghanistan" (41). In this quotation, Assef calls Amir stupid since Amir calls Hassan, a Hazara, his friend. At this time, Amir falls into Assef's trap and believes Hassan is not a friend, but a servant. -
Amir and Hassan win the kite tournament.
After many hours of kite flying, Amir and Hassan's kite was the last in the sky. Amir was so happy he won, he thought it was only a dream. Amir only managed to shout,"We won! We won! ... Then I saw Baba on our roof. He was standing on the edge, pumping both of his fists" (66). In this quote, Amir is very happy since winning the kite competition is the greatest moment of his twelve years of life. This quote illustrates Baba's happiness for Amir and the first time Baba is proud of his son. -
Hassan is abused and raped.
While Hassan was running Amir's kite around the neighborhood, he was chased by Assef and his friends. Assef decides to teach the Hazara a lesson so he,"flung himself at Hassan, knocking him to the ground. Wali and Kamal followed" (73). Assef, Wali, and Kamal continuously strike Hassan and then Assef rapes Hassan. Assef abuses Hassan by using the excuse that he is just a Hazara. Amir is witnessing the cruelty, but abandons his friend because Amir is a coward. -
Amir leaves his birthday party and receives his favorite gift.
Amir escapes his birthday party because he feels the party is not his. Rahim Khan finds Amir and gives him,"a brown leather-bound notebook....For your stories" (99). The notebook Amir receives displays the love and care Rahim Khan has for Amir. In addition, Amir knows that he can tell Rahim Khan anything since he is a great friend. -
Hassan and Ali leave forever.
Amir is ashamed in himself for not helping Hassan and he can no longer live with this guilt. Since Amir know he cannot live with this shame any more he,"Lifted Hassan's mattress and planted my me new watch and a handful of Afghani bills under it" (104). Amir tells his dad of his stolen possessions and Hassan admits to stealing them. Baba forgives Hassan and Amir is upset since Baba said theft is the worst thing a man can do. As a result of Amir treating Hassan poorly, Hassan and Ali leave Baba. -
Amir and Baba leave Afghanistan.
Due to the difficult life for Afghans during the Taliban's rule, Amir and Baba escape on a truck,"To Peshawar. On to freedom. On to safety" (119). Since most Afghans never know if they will be able to live till the next day, Amir and Baba flee to Pakistan. They travel with other Afghans to safety in Pakistan hidden in a big tanker truck. -
Amir and Baba create a stronger relationship in Fremont, California.
Amir and Baba spent each weekend together and started building a bond. On Saturdays, they would stop,"at garage sales and buy knickknacks that people no longer wanted. Then early Sunday mornings, we drove to the San Jose flea market, rented a spot, and sold the junk for a small profit" (137). At the flea market, Amir and Baba could catch up with other Afghan families and talk about their new lives in America. Also, Amir and Baba would enjoy themselves since they spent the weekends together. -
Amir and Soraya get married.
After meeting each other at the San Jose flea markets, they know they are meant for each other right away. Amir asks General Taheri with his blessings and Taheri responds,"We are honored to welcome the son of a man such as yourself into our family.... You both have our blessings" (171). They partied for hours after the wedding and enjoyed the company of their families and friends. Amir really loved Soraya and became blessed to have her as his wife. -
Baba's death.
At the mosque Amir listened to the countless stories,"Helped me build the house in Taimani...no one else to turn to and he lent me...found me a job...barely knew him" (174). Even in California, Baba knew almost every Afghan because he was a generous man who tried to help everyone he could. Now that Baba was dead, Amir had to find his own path and become his true self. -
Amir decides to grant Rahim Khan's dying wish.
Rahim Khan wanted Amir to come back to Pakistan since he wanted Amir to,"got to Kabul and bring Sohrab here" (220). Rahim Khan knew Sohrab could not live in the orphanage much longer and that he was going to die soon. Amir was not going to complete this task until Rahim Khan told Amir that Sohrab was his nephew. -
Amir and Farid witness two Afghans being stoned to death.
At the soccer game at Ghazi stadium a cleric calls out,"And what manner of punishment brothers and sisters, befits the adulterer?... WE SHALL THROW THE STONES BACK!" (270). Amir and Farid watch the cruelty of the Taliban as rocks are being thrown one after the other. Amir finally sees the chaos Afghanistan is in after being shielded in America for too long. -
Amir prays for the first time in 15 years.
Since Amir watched helplessly as Sohrab was motionless,"He remembered he hasn't prayed for over fifteen years. I have long forgotten the words. But it doesn't matter, I will utter those few words I still remember" (357). This quotation shows how much Amir cares for Sohrab and his health. Amir has sacrificed so much already for Sohrab and continues because he loves him. -
Amir finally feels free from guilt.
The only way Amir could get Sohrab from Assef was fighting him face to face. Despite the pain and agony Amir was going through,"he started laughing. It hurt to laugh, hurt my jaws, my ribs, my throat" (289). Amir was laughing because for the first time since the winter of 1975, he felt at peace. Amir felt free of guilt of abandoning Hassan, framing Hassan, and releasing his anger on Hassan. -
The smile.
As Amir flies the kite for Sohrab, he turns and sees,"Only a smile, nothing more" (371). This was the first time he saw Sohrab ever smile and Amir knew he was doing the right thing. Though the smile did not mean everything was healed, it was a start and it was powerful. -
The Kite Runner
Amir's memory with Hassan comes back as he says,"For you, a thousand times over" (371). Amir flies the kite for Sohrab just as Hassan flied the kite for Amir. Amir did not care that he was being judged for being a grown man flying a kite with a group of kids because he wanted to make everything right. He wanted to fly a kite for Sohrab and never abandon him again.