-
Period: to
Kite Runner & the History of Afghanistan
-
Mohammed Daoud Khan Overthrows King
The prime minister, Mohammed Daoud Khan, "overthrows the last king, Mohammed Zahir Shah, in a military coup"(PBS). Khan first creates the the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan, and then abolishes the monarchy and names himself president. Khan is also quick to establish close ties with Russia. -
Hassan stands up to Assef
Assef, a boy who lives in Amir and Hassan's neighborhood comes up to them and is about to beat up Amir because he is friends with Hassan, a Shi'a Muslim, when, "I turmed and came face to face with Hassan's slingshot...Hassan held the slingshot pointed directly a Assef's face"(41-42 Hosseini). Here Hassan is willing to stand up for Amir even though he is scared. This portrays how Hassan is willing to help anyone out, especially Amir, no matter the circumstances, showing how kind Hassan really is. -
Assef Rapes Hassan
After Amir won the kite flying contest, Hassan went to get the final kite he cut for him. Assef and his friends cornered Hassan in an alley, and they raped and hurt Hassan. Amir watched this and then ran away, and Amir thinks here, "I ran because I was a coward"(Hosseini 77). Amir runs away from Hassan in trouble even though Hassan had stood uup to Assef for him. This shows that Amiris disloyal and very cowardly because he left Hassan to be attacked. -
Amir hides watch and money in Hassans bed.
After long and terrible relationship between Amir and Hassan, Amir decides that he will frame Hassan and get Baba to kick the servants out. He hides money and a watch in Hassans bed, and tells Baba about it. Hassan confirms that he stole the watch, and Amir thinks, "then I understood: this was Hassan's final sacrifice for me"(105). Even though Baba pardons Hassan, Ali still decides that they are to leave to Pakistan. -
Khan Killed in Coup, Taraki Takes Over
After a secret communist party was created, they plotted to overthrow the king and, "Khan is killed in a communist coup. Nur Mohammad Taraki, one of the founding members of the Afghan Communist Party, takes control of the country as president"(PBS). The new president is quick to establish ties with the Soviet Union, and an armed revolt breaks out against the new government. -
USSR invades Afghanistan to help communist regime
After militia uprisings against the communist regime, Russia, "invades Afghanistan on Dec. 24 to bolster the faltering communist regime" (PBS). This causes many to flee the country due to the near police state that Russia installs. -
Amir and Baba flee Afghanistan
After being fed up with living under the police state Russia installed, Amir and Baba decide to leave the country. They go through a lot to get out and even ride in a gas tanker for some time. In the gas tanker, Amir thinks, " You want to scream. You would if you could But you have to breathe to scream"(121). This portrays the great struggle people went through to flee Afghanistan. -
Amir graduates from highschool
After moving to America from Pakistan to start a new life, Baba has had a very hard time adjusting. But even with the tension between father and son, Baba happily celebrates Amir's graduation by telling him, "'I am moftakhir, Amir.' Proud"(131). This quote shows that Baba has always love and cared for Amir no matter what. -
Amir meets Soraya
On a day of going to the flea market with Baba, Amir meets general Taheri, one of Baba's old friends from Afghanistan. While they are talking, Amir discovers that the general has a daughter who is about the same age as Amir. Amir thinks, "My heart stuttered at the thought of her. Soraya Taheri. My swap meet princess"(142). This is a turning point in the book because it introduces someone who Amir can be really close with in America. -
Baba Dies from Cancer
After moving to America, Amir discovers that Baba has cancer. Baba decides to not take chemo to delay his death, and one nght Baba does not wake up from his sleep. During the funeral, Amir thinks, "Baba couldn't show me the way anymore; I'd have to find it on my own. The thought of it terrified me"(174). Amir is very worried to live without Baba because even though they didn't always get along he was a big influence on him. THis also foreshadows Amir fending for himself in the future. -
Taliban Rises to power
After driving the soviets out of Afghanistan with the help of major powers, the Taliban "rises to power on promises of peace" (PBS). They crack down on crime and institute strict Islamic values. The U.S decides not to recognize the Taliban's authority in Afghanistan. -
Amir goes to see Rahim Khan
Amir receives a phone call from Rahim Khan telling him to come to Pakistan because 'There is way t be good again'. Rahim Khan informs Amir about Hassan's death. Amir doesn't want to go in person to get Hassan's son, Sohrab, but Rahim Khan says to him, "'your father and I were talking... I remember he said to me 'Rahim, a boy who won't stand up for himself becomes a man who can't stand up to anything''"(221). Rahim Khan is giving Amir a chance for him to atone for his past mistakes with Hassan. -
Amir fights Assef
Amir arranges a meeting with the person who adopted Sohrab to get him and bring him back to Pakistan. Once there, Amir discovers that Assef is the person who adopted Sohrab and is now a member of the Taliban. Amir feels relieved to fight Assef, like it was his punishment, and he thinks, "my body was broken... but I felt healed. Healed at last"(289). -
Amir brings Sohrab Back to America
After Sohrab tries to kill himself because he thought he might have to stay in an orphanage, Amir talks to him in the Hospital. He tells Sohrab that he can come to America with him, and later Amir recounts, "we crossed a strip of warm, black tarmac and I brought Hassan's son from Afghanistan to America"(356). This point marks Amir's Atonement in the book and shows how Air has gone full circle and grown into a more loving caring person. -
Terrorist Attacks in the U.S
On September 11, Hijackers take over 4 planes and "crash them into the World Trade Center Towers in New York, the Pentagon outside Washington, D.C., and a Pennsylvania field, killing thousands"(PBS). The attacks shook the world, and the primary suspect was bin-Laden, who was believed to be hiding in Afghanistan. This triggered the U.S to declare war on the country.
