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Zahir Shah Becomes King
"Zahir Shah becomes king. The new king brings a semblance of stability to the country and he rules for the next 40 years" (3). -
U.S. recognizes Afghanistan
"The United States formally recognizes Afghanistan"(4). -
Britain Withdraws From India
"Britain withdraws from India, creating the predominantly Hindu but secular state of India and the Islamic state of Pakistan. The nation of Pakistan includes a long, largely uncontrollable, border with Afghanistan"(5). -
Mohammed Daoud Khan Becomes Prime Minister
"The pro-Soviet Gen. Mohammed Daoud Khan, cousin of the king, becomes prime minister and looks to the communist nation for economic and military assistance. He also introduces a number of social reforms including allowing women a more public presence"(6). -
Afghanistan Makes Allies
"Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev agrees to help Afghanistan, and the two countries become close allies"(7). -
Women Can Get Jobs And Education
"As part of Daoud’s reforms, women are allowed to attend university and enter the workforce"(8). -
Communist Party Forms
"The Afghan Communist Party secretly forms. The group’s principal leaders are Babrak Karmal and Nur Mohammad Taraki"(9). -
King Overthrown
"Khan overthrows the last king, Mohammed Zahir Shah, in a military coup. Khan’s regime, the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan, comes to power. Khan abolishes the monarchy and names himself president. The Republic of Afghanistan is established with firm ties to the USSR"(10). -
Womens Rights
"Khan proposes a new constitution that grants women rights and works to modernize the largely communist state. He also cracks down on opponents, forcing many suspected of not supporting Khan out of the government"(11). -
Amir wins the kite flying tournament
Amir was extremely happy when he won the tournament, he "was throwing [his]... arm around Hassan and hopping up and down..."(66). In Amir's mind, he finally won his father's approval. He would do anything to gain it even at the cost of Hassan. -
Hassan gets raped
Amir could have stopped Hassan from getting raped when "[he] opened [his] mouth, almost said something. Almost...but...I just watched" (70). Hassan would have intervened in a second if he saw Amir in his position. However, Amir was being influenced too much by his society so he did not help his friend and secretly brother. -
Hassan and Ali leave Baba's house
Ali and Hassan leave after the stealing incident that Amir used to frame Hassan with, "'Life here is impossible for us now...We're leaving'"(106). Ali knew the truth about what happened and was trying to protect Hassan from Amir once he realized how selfish he was. Ali did not want Hassan around his lying half brother. -
Kamal dies
Once the people arrived in Peshawar, someone in the group was "wailing... Kamal's father was sitting...rocking back and forth, kissing his sons ashen face"(124). After he died from the fumes in the tank, his father shot himself from the grief he was facing. This shows how dangerous and difficult the trip to Peshawar was. -
Baba and Amir sneak out of Afghanistan
Amir thinks of his old life on the truck to Peshawar, "No grim-faced Russian soldiers patrolling the sidewalks...no tanks rolling up and down the streets...no curfews..."(113). Everything Amir was used to was gone, however he was grateful for the lack of soviet soldiers. Even though they left their home, they also left behind all the fear. -
Amir graduates from high school
After the graduation, "[Baba's] eyes gleamed"(131) after watching Amir graduate. Even though Amir is less desperate for Baba's approval, him being proud still means the world to Amir. -
Amir meets Soraya at the flea market
The general introduces his daughter "Soraya jan"(141). Amir instantly starts becoming interested in her. They end up liking each other so much that they later get married in the novel. -
U.S. Sends Mujahadeen Weapons
"The Mujahadeen are receiving arms from the United States, Britain and China via Pakistan"(16). -
Baba dies
Baba said that "there [was[ no pain... Baba never woke up"(173). Baba was finally at peace with Amir and himself. He knew he lived a good life helping raise Amir to become a mature man. -
Soraya is infertile
Amir believes that the reason him and Soraya cannot have children is karma, "someone, somewhere, had decided to deny [him] fatherhood for the things [he] had done"(188). He is overwhelmed with guilt about Hassan that he does not want to adopt kid. However, he later has the chance to atone for what he did by adopting Sohrab. -
Hassan dies
When the Taliban barged into Baba's house trying to kick out Hassan's family, they "shot [Hassan} in the back of the head"(218) when he refused. Hassan died protecting the house he grew up in and the people he loved. He died for Amir even though they never got the chance to speak to each other again. -
Sohrab attempts suicide
Amir walks into the bathroom to tell Sohrab good news only to see him bleeding. "[Amir] was on [his] knees, screaming..."(343). Amir feels like it could have been like losing Hassan again. He does not want to make the same mistake by losing Hassan and Sohrab. -
Amir's first novel is published
Amir was "called and informed [that] he was going to be a published novelist"(182). This shows how much Baba influences Amir. Even though Baba died, Amir honors him with his first novel that he has dreamed of writing since he was a child. -
Amir reunites with Rahim Khan
Amir arrives in Pakistan and Rahim reveals that "[Hassan's] whole life is one big fucking lie"(223). This is very difficult for Amir because everything he thought to be true was all one lie. He is now more determined to find Sohrab because he is his brothers' son. -
Sohrab smiles
On New Years, Sohrab joins Amir, "[Amir} looked down at Sohrab. One corner of his mouth had curled just so. A smile"(370). This foreshadows a long lasting friendship between the both of them and gives the reader hope by showing progress in their relationship. Some trust has been gained back and Amir has atoned for what he did to Hassan.
