-
Baba is born, and the Shah's reign begins
Amir states, "In 1933, the year Baba was born and the year Zahir Shah began his forty-year reign of Afghanistan, two brothers, young men from a wealthy and reputable family in Kabul, got behind the wheel of their father's Ford roadster" (Hosseini, 24). This is significant because this is the birth date of probably one of the most influential people in Amir's life, his father. Baba's acceptance and attention is something that Amir constantly obsesses over and stresses put about. -
Baba builds an orphanage
Amir explains his fathers accomplishments, "In the late 1960s, when I was five or six, Baba decided to build an orphanage" (Hosseini, 13). -
Amir's 12th birthday
Amir mentions that he has a winter birthday, "I became what I am today at the age of twelve, on a frigid overcast day in the winter of 1975" (Hosseini,1). This is extremely imporant because without Amir, there would be so many changes within his friends and family. His existance both creates and destroys relationships. -
Hassan opens Amir to story telling, he also shows how gullible he is
Amir trys to fool Hassan with a prank, "I pretended I was reading from the book, flipping the pages regularly, but I had abandoned the text altogether, taken over the story, and made up my own..."That was the best story you've read me in a long time,"' (Hosseini, 30). Amir is facinated by the fact that Hassan enjoys the stories he tells over the actual text. It was good that Hassan was gullible enough to believe that it was the author's words, because it opened up Amir's ideas towards writing. -
Hassan stands up to Assef
After Assef continuously harasses Hassan and Amir, Hassan finally stands up to him, "Hassan held the slingshotpointed directly at Assef's face. His hand trembled with the strain of the pulled elastic band and beads of sweat had erupted on his brow" (Hosseini,42). Hassan's boldness and bravery during this time is the first time he stands up to Assef. On the other hand, Amir's actions foreshadow to a time when Hassan needed him to intervene; during the rape. -
Amir wins the kite competition
After an amazing performance put on by Amir's kite, Hassan congradulates him, "You won, Amir agha! You won" (Hosseini, 66). Amir and Hassan are clearly thrilled when they process what just happened. The two seem to become closer in a matter of seconds by hugging and crying together. -
Kabul is no longer a monarchy
Amir explains details about his city, "As it turned out, they hadn't shot much of anything that night of July 17, 1973. Kabul awoke the next morningto find that monarchy was a thing of the past" (Hosseini, 36). The government in Amir's home country greatly affects his father and his life. The chain of occurances ultimately lead to their flee of the country. -
Amir chooses not to get involved during the rape.
During the tragic event that is taking place, Amir is contenplating his choice, "I could step into that alley, stand up for Hassan--the way he'd stood up for me all those times in the past--and accept whatever would happen to me. Or I could run. In the end I ran" (Hosseini, 77).This impactful decisions impacts Amir's, Hassan's, and most likely even Assef's life.Hassan was in a time of need and Amir's actions cause great harm to both of them. -
Hassan gets raped
After a wonderous win in the kite competion, Amir and Hassan bump into Assef and his gang. Assef begins his disgusting actions, "All I want you weaklings to do is hold him down. Can you manage that?"...Assef knelt behind Hassan, put his hands on Hassan's hips and lifted his bare buttocks" (Hosseini, 75). A scaring and traumatizing occurance like this took a toll on both Hassan and Amir. This ultimately leads to the boys' friendship to wither. -
It's Hassan's birthday, and his present is plastic surgery.
Baba's present for Hassan's birthday was a plastic surgeon to fix his cleft lip, he explains to Hassan what is occuring, ""I have summoned Dr, Kumar from New Delhi. Dr. Kumar is a plastic surgeon" (Hosseini, 45). This appears to be ironic for Amir, because of the fact that Hassan can finally smile. He is a loving and bubbly child, yet he has never properly smiled until his surgery. -
The Kite Running competition
Amir shows his excitement by saying, "If you were a boy living in Kabul, the day of the tournament was undeniably the highlight of the cold season. I never slept the night before the tournament" (Hosseini, 50), This competition obviously means an incredible amount to Amir and most likely other boys in Kabul. This gathering of all the boys causing a traumatic event for both Hassan and Amir. -
Rahim Khan asks Amir to visit
"On the last day of summer, my friend Rahim Khan called from Pakistan. He asked me to come see him" (Hosseini,1). Rahim Khan has a big impact on Amir because he acts more like a father than Baba. Rahim encourages Amir to become the person he truly wants himself to be. Amir's visits to Rahim influences him and boosts his confidence. -
Amir blames Hassan for stealing his watch
Amir decides that he can't stand living with the guilt all his life, with Hassan being a constant reminder. He then devises a plan to get rid or lessen his regret by "lift[ing] Hassan's mattress and plant[ing] [his] new watch and a handful of Afghani bills under it" (Hosseini, 104). The result of this is the departure of Hassan and Ali.This action leads to the end in the relationships of Amir, Hassan, Ali, and Baba. -
Soviet Union Invades Afghanistan
Soviet Union invades Afghanistan to promote communism. -
Soviet Union Parachutes
The Soviet troops parachute into Kabu to assist the president of the Afghan community. -
Baba begins to adjust to America
Amir explains his fathers views on America by saying, "Baba love the idea of America. It was living in America that gave him an ulcer" (Hosseini,125). Moving the the United States forced Baba to have a lower socioeconomic status, causing him to think he's more powerful than he actually is. Baba's behavior causes some conflict in his community. He starts out being very tempermental before he finally eases more into his enviornment. -
Amir is going to marry Soraya
Baba thinks that it's time that Amir and Soraya fianlly get married after continuos flirting, so he asks for the generals blessing. Amir is pacing back and forth waiting for an answer until his father says "the general accepted" (Hosseini, 163). Amir and Soraya's marrige is what Amir has been longing for for a long time. Soraya acts like a daughter to Baba and influences Ami's choices in life. -
Baba dies
After a dinner with friends and family, Soraya and Amir put Baba to bed, when Soraya starts, "I'll come back with your morphine and a glass of water, Kaka jan," Soraya said. "Not tonight," he said. "There is no pain tonight"...Baba never woke up" (Hosseini,173). These are the last words we hear from Baba, which clearly breaks Amir's and everyone else's hearts. Baba is the most influenctial and important person in Amir's life. All he ever wanted to do was to please his Baba -
Soviet Union Leaves
The last of the Soviet troops leave Afghanistan -
Afghanistan Decending into Strife
Afghanistan turns to strife -
Pakistani Officers Begin Funneling
Pakistani Intetellegence officers begin funneling arms. -
Mullah Omar Roll up Warlords
Omar and followers roll up warlords to North and East. -
Al Qaeda Seizes Control
Al Qadea has control after the Civil War in Afghanistan ends -
United States becomes involved with Afghanistan
After the 9/11 attack by Al Qaeda -
Karzai's exile
Hamid Karzai exiled former king of Afghanistan -
Plans for the American Forces to Withdraw from Afghanistan
Obama plans to withdraw soldiers from Afghanistan.