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Hassan is Born
Hassan was born to his mother Sanaubar "in that little shack, that [he] was born in the winter of 1964" (Hosseini 6). This is a significant event because Hassan is the person that causes Amir to spend his entire life feeling guilt for what he did to him. When Hassan was raped, and Amir witnessed it and did nothing to stop it, it caused Amir to question his ethics, values and morals for the rest of his life. -
Sanaubar Leaves the Family
A week after Hassan was born, his mother Sanaubar left the family and "ran off with a clan of traveling singers and dancers" (Hosseini 6). This event illustrates the way that Sanaubar and Ali never truly loved each other. -
Baba Builds an Orphanage
Baba decided to build an orphanage and despite having no architectural experience and with others telling him not to, he drew the blueprints himself and "personally funded the entire project" (Hosseini 13). These actions demonstrate Baba's generosity and that he is willing to help out people in need. -
Ali is Teased by Neighborhood Children
Ali's leg was crippled from polio and he also had a congenital paralysis of his lower face muscles, resulting in kids who "chased him on the street, and mocked him when he hobbled by" (Hosseini 8). This shows that Ali was strong and resilient even when he was being made fun of for his unusual looks. Due to having polio, Ali not only had to deal with being taunted, but also with having disadvantages and difficulties through out the war. -
Hassan's Rape
This is the time when Amir says he became who he is today, and he did not protect Hassan "I could step into that alley, stand up for Hassan-the way he'd stood up for me all those times in the past...[o]r I could run. In the end, I ran" (Hosseini 76). -
Amir and Hassan Win the Kite Running Tournament
When Amir and Hassan knocked down the last kite and won the tournament, Amir saw Baba cheering and said, "and that right there was the single greatest moment in my 12 years of life, seeing Baba on that roof, proud of me at last" (Hosseini 66). This is significant because it shows how much Amir wants his fathers pride and attention and cherishes the moments when Baba is proud of him. -
Amir's Birthday When he Tried to Get Hassan and Ali Fired
Amir tried to frame Hassan for stealing his gifts, he said, "then I took a couple of envelopes of cash from the pile of gifts and my watch, and tiptoed out' (Hosseini 104). Amir wanted to get Hassan and Ali fired so he would not have to see them. He could not bear seeing Hassan because it made him think of the awful thing he did. -
The Soviet Invasion
"Afghanistan was a stable, relatively prosperous and relatively secular country" (The New York Times 2), until the Soviet Invasion when troops invaded Afghanistan and stayed there for ten years. -
Move to California
When they moved to America, Amir says, "Baba loved the idea of America. It was living in America that gave him an ulcer" (Hosseini 125). They moved to America in the 1980's and Baba was excited about the idea. Once they got there he did not enjoy it. -
Leaving Kabul
Amir and Baba were on a truck heading out of Kabul and Amir felt very guilty for what he had done, "I wanted to tell him I was sorry, but suddenly I was salivating, the back of my throat tasting bile" (Hosseini 111). When the invasion of Soviet Union started, Amir and Baba Fled to the US along with many other people. On the way out, Amir tried to apologize for what he had done but just ended up getting car sick. -
Baba and Amir Arrive in America
Baba and Amir fleet Afghanistan and started a new life in Fremont where the "smog stung [Baba's] eyes, the traffic noise gave him headaches, and the pollen made him cough" (Hosseini 126). This symbolizes the way that the move America causes Baba to change. He experiences a major shift in socioeconomic status, and it can be interpreted through this quote that Baba has to work very hard and begins to age after the move. -
Baba Almost Takes a Bullet
When standing up for a woman who is about to be sexually assaulted, Baba says,"Tell him I'll take a thousand of his bullets before I let this indecency take place" (Hosseini 116). Baba's actions show that he is selfless and heroic. It is also shown that Baba has strong ethics, morals, and values, and will sacrifice himself for other people -
Baba Spends Life Savings on Amir's Wedding
When Amir marries Soraya Taheri, Baba spends "nearly the balance of his life savings on the awroussi, the wedding ceremony" (Hosseini 168). This event demonstrates Baba's kind heart and generosity, especially because Baba and Amir are now much more poor because of their move to America. It is also reflected through this event that Baba and Amir have a Healy and loving relationship, unlike they did when Amir was a child. -
Peace Accords Are Signed
Causing the Soviet Union to begin pulling out troops, "Afghanistan, USSR, the US and Pakistan sign peace accords..." (BBC -
Baba Passes Away
At Baba's funeral, Amir listens to things others had to say that defined Baba as a person, such as, "'helped me build a house in Taimani', 'bless him', 'no one else to turn to and he lent me'" (Hosseini 174). This moment is impactful because Amir reflects on who he is and realizes how deeply his life and his choices had been influenced by Baba. The event also marksAmir's growing up because he no longer has Baba to lead the way and has to make is own choices from now on. -
Soviet Troops Leave
In February of 1989, the Soviet troops "left behind a country that was not only devastated by war but that had become a beacon to Islamic extremist from across the globe who had come to assist in the fighting" (NYT 2) -
Sohrab is Born
Hassan's wife Farzana gives birth to their son and "they [name] him Sohrab, after Hassan's favorite hero from the Shahnamah" (Hosseini 211). This is a very important event in the novel because it is the way Amir can finally atone for the wrongs he has done by taking in Sohrab. He makes a great impact on Amir's life and he had to go through a lot to get him. -
Power Divide
During the summer of 1994 there was competition for power was "anarchically divided among competing warlords and individual firedoms" (NYT 2). -
Taliban Hangs Former President of Kabul
Al-Qaeda's leader, "Osama bin Laden... who fought with mujahideen groups against the Soviet occupation, returns to Afghanistan. The Taliban takes Kabul and hangs former president Mohammad Najibullah" (Aljazeera). -
US Retaliates
After US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania are bombed, "The US launches missiles at suspected bin Laden bases in retaliation..." (Aljazeera). -
US Fights Back
After the 9/11 attacks, the US decided to retaliate and, "US-led bombing of Afghanistan begins..." (BBC). -
9/11 Attack
The Taliban made an "attack on the World Trade Center in New York on September 11, 2001" (NYT 3). -
Karzai Takes Over
The former king of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai "was named chairman of an interim government that replaced the defeated Taliban" (NYT 3). -
Soraya and Amir Adopt Sorhab
Amir and Soraya adopted Sohrab and were very loving and protective parents. Amir said, protecting Sohrab as he was called a 'Hazara boy', "'You will never again refer to him as 'Hazara boy' in my presence. He has a name and it is Sohrab''" (Hosseini 361). Amir finally had his chance to atone and show he was sorry for what he had done to Hassan. He took in Sohrab and showed loyalty to Hassan by being the great father he had always wanted for his child. -
Zahir Shah Returns
in 2002, "Former king Zahie Shah returns, but makes no claim to the throne and dies in 2007" (BBC).