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Period: to
1975-present day
Afghan history for Kite Runner -
Amir Wins Kite Flying Competition
After Amir cut the final opposing kite in the competition, he said, "I was throwing my free arm around Hassan and we were hopping up and down... 'You won, Amir agha! You won!'" (Hosseini 66). Throughout Amir’s childhood, making his father feel proud of him had always been one of his goals. Winning this competition would accomplish that, since he wished for nothing more than to be able to bring the winning kite home to remind his father about his accomplishment every time that he saw it. -
Hassan is Raped
When Amir arrives to the rape scene, he said "I opened my mouth, I almost said something. Almost" (Hosseini 74). Amir’s choice to not stand up for Hassan changed their relationship completely, but especially affected how Amir viewed himself. The following events in the story show how the two families drift apart due to the lie from that night that the two boys were living. Amir spends the majority of his teenage and young-adult life trying to make-up for his actions to rid himself of the guilt. -
Amir's Birthday Party
At Amir's birthday party, he hears someone say "'Happy Birthday, Amir!' It was Assef, with his parents" (Hosseini 95). When Assef makes an appearance at Amir’s birthday party, his amount of power over those around him becomes very visible to the readers, but especially Baba. During the conversation among the two families, Assef impresses Baba with the intention to bother Amir. Assef is able to manipulate Baba, which gives us a hint of what will come in later novel, where Assef has true power. -
Ali and Hassan Leave
One morning, Ali has important news to share with Ali and announces, "We are leaving, Agha Sahib... we can't live here anymore" (Hosseini 106). The day that Ali and Hassan leave Baba’s home has many hidden emotions within it, such as how Baba would miss his other son and how Amir would feel guilty for the rest of his life. Honesty and loyalty among the two families could have led to many other outcomes where they could have stayed together. -
Baba and Amir leave Afghanistan
Amir and Baba begin their journey of leaving Afghanistan by taking a truck driven by a man named Farid, who "was a people smuggler... he was taking us to Jalalabad" (Hosseini 111). The decision to move to the United States from Afghanistan completely changed the dynamic between Amir and his father. The shift in Baba’s power and wealth caused Amir to no longer be able to depend on his father to provide everything for him, which made them more like equals for once. -
Soviet Army Invasion
In the year of 1979, the "Soviet Army invades and props up communist government" (www.bbc.com). -
Installation of New Leader
In the year of 1980, Opposition intensifies with various mujahideen groups when "Babrak Karmal installed as ruler, backed by Soviet troops" (www.bbc.com). -
Amir Graduates from High School
One of Amir's proudest moments was when he "graduated from high school at the age of twenty... I remember losing Baba in the swarm of families, flashing cameras, blue gowns" (Hosseini 131). Amir's graduation from high school was very impressive and was celebrated by many people. Amir was able to follow the path that he wanted of getting an education to be able to become a well-known writer. In addition, Baba was allowed to brag to others about his son’s hard work, which also made Amir happy. -
Baba and Amir Sell at Flea Market
Once the father and son had gotten situated at their new job at the market, Amir said, "I ran the stand sometimes as Baba sauntered down the aisle, greeting people he knew from Kabul" (Hosseini 138). When Baba and Amir have to make a living selling food at the flea market, they experience the difference between their statuses in Afghanistan and the U.S. They also realize that they act differently with citizens there and the fellow Afghans selling with them because of the change in culture. -
Amir Marries Soraya
The day that Amir and Soraya finally marry, Amir says, "I remember walking toward the stage in my tuxedo, Soraya veiled Pari in white, our hands locked" (Hosseini 170). The marriage of Amir and Soraya was an event that created a great sense of pride and happiness among the couple and their families. Amir’s perseverance to have Soraya as his wife resulted in a warm, stable life that he provided for himself and his sick father, who needed the extra care. -
US Supplies Missles
1986 - As Babrak Karmal is replaced by Najibullah, the "US begins supplying mujahideen with Stinger missiles, enabling them to shoot down Soviet helicopter gunships" (www.bbc.com). -
Baba Dies
One night after a happy dinner, Soraya comes to put Baba to bed and "She pulled up his blanket. We closed the door. Baba never woke up" (Hosseini 173). The world feels like a whole new place to Amir when he does not have his father to lead him through life anymore. Learning to live without Baba was very tough for Amir, since his reputation solely relied on the respect that others had for Baba. -
Peace Accords are Signed
In the year of 1988, "Afghanistan, USSR, the US and Pakistan sign peace accords and Soviet Union begins pulling out troops (www.bbc.com) -
Amir's First Novel is Published
After waiting to hear back from the publishing company, Amir said that "Martin called me and informed me I was going to be a published novelist. When I told Soraya, she screamed" (Hosseini 183). Amir’s success of getting his own writing published brought joy and stability to his family because of the excitement and income they would receive. The achievement made him wish that his father could see that he had pursued his talents and made him feel connected to his mother, since she was a writer. -
Taliban Take Over
With a step backwards in the peace of Afghanistan, the "Taliban seize control of Kabul and introduce hard-line version of Islam, banning women from work, and introducing Islamic punishments, which include stoning to death and amputations" (www.bbc.com). -
Missles Against bin Laden
In support of Afghan residents, the "US launches missile strikes at suspected bases of militant Osama bin Laden, accused of bombing US embassies in Africa" (www.bbc.com). -
Bombing in Afghanistan Following 9/11
Following the attacks on September 11 in the United States, "US-led bombing of Afghanistan begins... Anti-Taliban Northern Alliance forces enter Kabul shortly afterwards" (www.bbc.com). -
Phone Call from Rahim Khan
After Soraya had asked why Amir why he looked so pale, he responded saying, "My friend Rahim Khan called from Pakistan. He asked me to come see him" (Hosseini 1). The journey of coming in contact with Rahim Khan again led Amir to coming to terms with the horrible way that he had treated Hassan. Without Rahim Khan guiding Amir (as he had often done during his childhood as well) to revisit Afghanistan and seek Sohrab, he would still be facing the same problems that he had his whole life. -
Amir Finds Out Hassan is his Brother
When Amir finds out that Hassan is his half brother, he gets angry and yells to Rahim Khan, "You bastards... how could you keep this from me?" (Hosseini 223). The realization that Hassan was Amir’s half-brother and Baba’s son was initially horrendous to Amir, but eventually adapted as logical. Amir finally understood why Baba always treated Hassan with so much love and care, unlike how he was treated by his father. -
Amir Fights Assef
When Amir reunites with Assef to take Sohrab from him, Assef says, "'When it's done, only one of us will walk out of this room alive'" (Hosseini 287). The fight allowed Amir to repent for his cruel actions from many years ago, since Amir could battle the man that had raped Hassan. In addition, Amir’s goal in their battle was to save Hassan’s son from the horrible treatment of the Taliban. Assef’s defeat and the safety of Hassan’s child allowed Amir to feel at peace again. -
Amir Returns to the U.S.
Once Amir finally realized how to adopt Sohrab into his American family, he could proudly say, "we crossed a strip of warm, black tarmac and I brought Hassan's son from Afghanistan to America" (Hosseini 356). Amir being able to return to his home with his healthy nephew was one of great victory, because they overcame the obstacles of getting Sohrab to a safe place. The couple managed to provide Sohrab with a loving family and have a child of their own to care for as they had always hoped for. -
Amir and Sohrab Fly the Kite
Amir offered for Sohrab to fly their kite at a picnic, and "when (Amir) held the string out for him, his hand lifted from his pocket. Hesitated. Took the string" (Hosseini 369). Sohrab had been very shy and antisocial for his whole stay with Amir and Soraya, which made their relationship more quiet and dull. When Sohrab took interest in the kite flying that his father had previously enjoyed, he gave Amir hope that they could all be happy again. -
New Constitution Improves Presidency
In the year of 2004, "Loya Jirga adopts new constitution which provides for strong presidency" (www.bbc.com). -
Peaceful Parliamentary Elections
In 2005, Afghanistan "holds its first parliamentary elections in more than 30 years. The peaceful vote leads to the parliament’s first meeting in December" (www.pbs.org) -
Obama Sends Support
A new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan is unveiled when US President Barack Obama declares that "An extra 4,000 US personnel will train and bolster the Afghan army and police and there will be support for civilian development" (www.bbc.com)