The Kite Runner Timeline

In 1963, Amir, the son of Baba was born. Unfortunately, his mom died after giving birth to him. Amir describes this moment, "While my mother hemorrhaged to death during childbirth..." (6). This is a key event in this novel because Amir is the main character and narrator of this book. This is significant because, throughout the book, we watch Amir struggle and find his way to be the best man possible.

In 1964, Hassan the servant of Baba and Amir was born. Amir remembers this moment, saying " It was there, in that little shack, that Hassan was born in the winter of 1964, just one year after my mother died giving birth to me" (6). This is a key event because Hassan is also a main character in this novel. This is significant because Hassan's life also contributes to the growth of Amir's character

In 1973, Amir and Hassan have their first encounter with the neighborhood bully, Assef. As Assef bullies Amir, Hassan sticks up for him " Hassan held the slingshot directly at Assef's face. 'Please leave us alone, Agha...'" (42). This is a key event because it is the moment where Amir and Hassan start the long-going conflict with Assef. This is significant because it reveals how Hassan is always going to support Amir through anything and everything.

In 1974, Baba gave Hassan his birthday present. Hassan stares as the doctor says, "' I am Dr. Kumar,' he said. 'It's a pleasure to meet you'... 'my job is to fix things on peoples bodies. Sometimes their faces'" (45). This is a key event because it is when Hassan realizes even his family sees him as a Hazara with a hair lip. This shows significance because it leads to Hassan's life of being insecure about his lip.

In the winter of 1975, Amir makes a huge mistake. Amir watches Assef hurt Hassan in the alleyway, "Assed knelt behind Hassan, put his hand on Hassan's hips and lifted his bare buttocks... He positioned himself behind Hassan... In the end, I ran. I ran because I was a coward"(75/77). This quote is important because it is when Amir makes a decision that ruins his life. This shows significance because it reveals how after a lifetime of Hassan worshiping Amir, Amir shows he doesn't care.

In 1976, Hassan and Ali decide to leave after Hassan's traumatizing experience. Ali faces Baba, saying "' We are leaving, Agha Sahib', ... 'I'm sorry, Agha Sahib, but our bags are already packed. We have made our decision'" (106). This is an important event because it is the moment where Hassan and Amir's "friendship" is completely over. This shows significance because it reveals how Ali knows about what happened to Hassan and that Amir didn't do anything about it.

In March of 1981, the Russians invade Afghanistan and Baba and Amir leave."My innards had been roiling since we'd left Kabul just after two in the morning" (110). This is a key event because it is when Baba and Amir leave their home country for the first time ever. This is significant because Baba knew if they stayed any longer, they could have gotten very hurt, especially with the Russians in charge.

In 1982, Baba and Amir are finally settled in Fremont, California. Amir describes how they feel about America, saying "Baba loved the idea of America. It was living in America that gave him an ulcer" (125). This is a key event because it is where Baba and Amir spend the rest of their lives. This shows significance because it is a new beginning for them and a way to atone from their pasts.

In 1983, when Baba goes to the grocery store, he gets into a fight with the owners. "I was flipping through a worn copy of a Mike Hammer mystery when I heard screaming and glass breaking. I found the Nguyens behind the counter, all the way against the wall, faces ashen... On the floor: oranges, an over-turned magazine rack, a broken jar of beef jerky, and shards of glass at Baba's feet" (127). This event is important because its the first time Baba feels like he is being discriminated against.

In 1984, Amir meets the woman of his dreams and gets her father's approval in marriage (wedding in 1985). Amir frantically waits, "I paced the living room of our apartment waiting for Baba's call... The phone rang just before noon. It was Baba... 'The General accepted'" (162). This is an important event because Amir finally meets the woman he will spend the rest of his life with. This shows significance because he can finally start to become the man he has always wanted to be.

In 1986, Baba decides to not take his medicine and passes away during his sleep."' I'll come back with your morphine and a glass of water, Kaka jan,' Soraya said. 'Not tonight', he said...She pulled up his blanket. We closed the door. Baba never woke up." This is a key event because the great father of Amir passes away. This shows significance because it is when Amir realizes he has no role model anymore and he has to be one for himself.

In 1990, Hassan and his wife had a child, named Sohrab. Unfortunately, ten years later Farzana and Hassan got shot by the Taliban and Sohrab was in an orphanage. Rahim Khan explains to Amir "It was Sanaubar who delivered Hassan's son that winter of 1990...They named him Sohrab, after Hassan's favorite hero from the Shahnamah..." (211). This is an important event because it reveals to Amir everything he missed out on. This is significant because it is an opportunity for amir to atone.

When Amir finally finds Sohrab, he has trouble telling his family about him."' And one more thing, General Sahib,' I said. 'You will never again refer to him as 'Hazara boy' in my presence. He has a name and it's Sohrab'" (361). This event is important because Amir is finally finding a way to atone for his sinful mistake. This is significant because Amir is doing what he couldn't do for Hassan, stick up for Sohrab.

In 2001, after Sohrab and Amir get home, Sohrab tries to kill himself due to his stress about going back into an orphanage. " Amir explains this moment saying, " I pushed the door open. Stepped into the bathroom. Suddenly I was on my knees, screaming" (343). This is an important event because Amir has grown to care about Sohrab as much as he did for Hassan. This is significant because Amir is saving Sohrab's life, another way to atone for his sins.

In 2002, when Sohrab was finally settled in California, he and Amir started to bond. "'For you, a thousand times over,' I heard myself say. Then I turned and ran. It was only a smile, nothing more." (371). This quote is important because it finally shows Sohrab and Amir happy and in a better place, with each other. When Amir repeated what Hassan had said to him before, it was his final way to atone for his sins.