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Hassan's First Words
Amir tells about how he and Hassan grew uo together and "under the same roof, we spoke out first words. Mine was Baba. His was Amir" (Hosseini 11). This sets the tone for the plot of the story. Amir spends much of his life trying to earn Baba's approval, while Hassan spends his life trying to please Amir. -
Assef the Bully
Over Amir and hassan's childhood, they encounter the neighborhood bully Assef several times and Hassan always saves them with his legendary slingshot skills. Assef insists that they are "'bothering him very much'" by playing together even when they are of different classes (Hosseini 41). Assef's rage is fueled by discrimination and misunderstanding. Later in the book when Amir encounters Assef, Hassan is not with him to help and Amir learns he must deal with his own problems. -
Hassan Raped
Instead of just giving up the kite Hassan ran for Amir, he proves to be "'Loyal as a dog'" and receives a far worse punishment from Assef (Hosseini 72). Hassan not only gives up his pride, but also his innocence. Asssef's comment later proves true when Amir would not make the same sacrifices that Hassan would. -
Amir and Hassan win the kite tournament
After practicing for long hours, Amir exclaims, "'We won'" the kite tournament (Hosseini 66). This is a joyous moment because Amir believes he finally has the approval of Baba. When Hassan promises to return with the second place kite, Amir witnesses a tragic event killing his spirits. -
Hassan and Ali Leave
When Ali tells Baba that "'We are leaving'" it crushes Baba to see his childhood friend and his own son leave. (Hosseini 106). Amir decides that not saving Hassan is so guilty that he is unable to face Hassan anymore. It shows at a young age Amir is weak and selfish. -
Amir Plots to Get Rid of Hassan
Amir cannot stand the guilt of not saving Hassan so he "lifted up Hassan's mattressand planted my new watch and a handful of Afghani bills under it" (Hosseini 104). It is cowardly to no tbe able to admit to mistakes, but Amir only realizes that much later in life. Hassan and Ali leave after the stunt and it is the last time Amir sees them. -
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Kite Runner & the History of Afghanistan
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First Soviet troops land in Afghanistan
The 'first Soviet troops parachuted into Kabul on Dec. 27, 1979" ("Anfghanistan- An Overview") to help the corrupt president they most likely assisted in gaining power. -
Baba and Amir Flee Afghanistan
When they fled, Amir was frightened and questioned himself by thinking "What was I doing on this road in the middle of the night?" on his way out of his home country (Hosseini 113). This adventure marked the end of Amir's old life full of security and the beginning of the unknown. Amir didn't know what to expect and that is what scared him. -
Soraya And Amir Marry
On their wedding day Amir "whispered to [Soraya] for the first time that [he] loved her' (Hosseini 171). Because Baba is sick and dying, the marraige signifies his welcoming to a new family. This shows he will continue to have people who love and care for him once Baba is gone. -
Baba Dies
When Baba remarks "'There is no pain tonight'" and the dies in his sleep it shows that he is in a happy state of mind when he passes. For Amir, Baba dying represents Amir having to take charge of his own life and start calling the shots. Previously, Baba had led him through life and been a reliable figure. -
Last Soviet troops leave
Finally after nine years and "peace talks moderated by the United Nations," ("Afghanistan- An Overview") the last Soviet troops left the country -
Pakistani officers supply Omar
Pakistan offers supply Omar and his men with "arms, money, and supplies" (Afghanistan- An Overview) -
Mullah Omar is popular
Mullah Omar was a man who promised to restore an Islamic lifestyle to Afghanistan and "had nearly 12,000 followers" (Afghanistan-An Overview) by 1994 -
Taliban control begins
With help from Pakistan, "The Taliban by 1996 had taken control of Afghanistan" (Afghanistan-An Overview) and enforced rigid Islamic beliefs. -
bin Laden arrives in Afghanistan to be safe
Because " [t]he Taliban also provide a haven for Mr. bin Laden" (Afghanistan-An Overview), he was protected for several years from America. -
Hassan Dies
When Amir learns Hassan died, he just continues to whisper "'No. No. No'" because he realizes and opportunity has vanished )hosseini 219). Amir will never see Hassan agian nor will he be a to make up his wrongdoings in person. While he may have once betrayed Hassan, he still cared deeply about him. Also, Amir realizes that almost all of his connections to Afghanistan are gone. -
Amir Visits Rahim Khan
Amir knows that going to visit Rahim Khan requires his to face his "past of unatoned sins" (Hosseini 1). Home for Amir holds many bad memories full of guilt and regret. He is afraid of what he will find in Afghanistan. -
Amir discovers he and Hassan are brothers
Rahim Khan finally tells Amir that Ali is not the biological father of Hassan and implies "'I think you know who'" suggestin git is Baba. This heightens Amir's guilt and regret. It also fuels his otivation to atone for his wrongdoings. -
Al Qaeda attacks the United States
"[T]he attack on the World Trade Center in New York on Sep. 11, 2001" ("Afganistan-An Overview") scared the whole country and made people more aware of the serious situation in Afghanistan. -
Sohrab Attempts Suicide
While Sohrab belives he will have to go back to an orphanage, Amir is ready to breaks fantastic news when he comes across Sohrab in a bleeding bathtub and "was suddenly on [his] knees, screaming" (Hosseini 343). Sohrab attempted suicide because of his desperation to go back to his former life. Amir realizes how fragile Sohrab is. -
Amir Fights for Sohrab
Amir is willing to ""finish an old bit of business"" with his past tormentor if he can make it up to Hassan for committing sins all those years ago (Hosseini 287). Amir wants to atone or all the regrets of his past. He believes he can be forgiven if he can rescue Sohrab and is willing to put everything on the line to do so. -
Hamid Karzai named interim president
Karzai banished Afghanistan's former king and "was named chariman of an interim government that replaced the defeated Taliban, making him the leader of the country" (Afghanistan-An Overview). -
Taliban continue to rebel
Undeterred by 2001, "the taliban continued to wage a guerilla warfare" (Afghanistan-An Overview) and extend its influence. -
Sohrab Smiles at Kite
After Amir cuts a kite with Sohrab, he "look[s] down at Sohrab. One corner of his mouth has curled up just so" and Amir spirits are lifted when he can finally see Sohrab coming out of his deppression (Hosseini 370). If Sohrab is happy, then Amir can finish atoning for the sins he committed against Hassan. Also, seeing Sohrab flying a kite next to him reminds Amir of the good memories he shared with Hassan. -
Obama plans to start pulling troops
The "United States will have forces in the country until at least the end of 2014" (Afghanistan-An Overview) but they may still be fighting the Taliban.