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Zahir Shah Begins His Forty-Year Reign of Afghanistan
Amir describes this period of time when says, "In the year 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 event is a significant change in Baba's life, and it eventually affects Amir's also. This event caused Ali and Baba to grow up together, and ultimately brings Amir to Hassan. -
Hassan is Born
Amir describes Hassan's childhood when he says that, "It was in that small shack that Hassan's mother, Sanaubar, gave birth to him one cold winter day in 1964" (Hosseini 6). When Amir describes Hassan's birth, it provides readers with details about Hassan's childhood and social background. It is clear that Hassan's family is very low in social status and that they are not very wealthy, judging from Hassan's birthplace, which was a shack. -
Baba Builds An Orphanage
Amir expresses his pride in Baba and his nobility when he says "In the late 1960s, when I was five or six, Baba decided to build an orphanage... Baba had drawn the blueprints himself despite the fact that he'd had no architectural experience at all" (Hosseini 13). Although Baba had no previour architectural experience, he was stubborn and insisted that he builds his own orphanage. Amir admires Baba's strong-headedness and stubborness. -
The End of Zahir Shah's Dynasty
After a violent night filled with gunshots, Amir woke up "the next morning to find that the monarchy was a thing of the past. The king, Zahir Shah, was away in Italy. In his absence, his counsin Daoud Khan had ended the king's forty-year reign with a bloodless coup" (Hosseini36). Although young Amir doesn't comprehend the impact of this event, it will severely affect his life in the future. The change of the monarchy leads to a war, and will cause trauma and turmoil in the future. -
Hassan Receives Plastic Surgery
On Hassan birthday, he received plastic surgery as a gift from Baba to remove his harelip. Amir described the result and said, "the swelling subsided, and the wound healed with time" (Hossein 74). This event is significant in the plot of the book because of Amir's jealousy. Amir wishes that he had some kind of physical scar or flaw that would earn Baba's attention for him. -
The Kite Runner Competition
The kite runner competition was an important event that Amir wanted to win to win Baba's approval. It was especially significant this year because "usually each neighborhood held its own competition. But that year, the tournament was going to be held in my neighborhood" (Hosseini 55). Although it is just a friendly competition, Amir values this event. He needs it to win the approval and acknowledgement of Baba. -
Hassan Is Violated By Assef
Amir looks back on the event as an adult and he says, "I became what I am today at the age of twelve, ona frigid overcast dayin the winter of 1975. I remember the precise moment, crouching behind a crumbling mud wall, peeking into the aley near the frozen creek" (Hosseini 1). The ordeal of watching Hassan get violated traumatized Amir so much that he believes that it directly affects his life as an adult in America. He regrets his decision to stand by idly and witness the event without interveni -
Amir Turns Thirteen
Amir's thirteenth birthday is especially significant because it was "Afghanistan's next to last summer of peace and anoymity" (Hosseini 93). In a way, Amir's thirteenth birthday marks the end of his childhood. The dramatic and life-changing events that follow after show his maturity. -
Soviet Union Attacks Afghanistan
In the background information, the author claims that "Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, has known little peace since 1979, when the Soviet Union invaded" (NYT 1). -
Baba and Amir Escape to America
When they leave Kabul, Amir says, "I thought of the way we'd left the house where I'd live my entire life" (Hosseini 112). When Baba and Amir immigrate to Amierca, they leave behind a whole past. Most importantly, they leave behind Hassan and Ali. -
Amir Graduates High School
Amir graduated from the high school "at the age of twenty, by far the oldest senior tossing his mortarboard on the football field that day" (Hosseini 131). No matter his age, graduating was a big accomplishment for Amir. Adjusting to American life was difficult, and Amir's high school dipoloma proves the struggles he overcame. -
Amir Marries Soraya
Even at his own wedding in America, Amir wonders about Hassan. He thinks, "...I remember wondering if Hassan too had married. And if so, whose face he had sesen in the mirror under the veil?" (Hosseini 171). Amir acknowledges the impact Hassan has had on his life. Even in times of happiness and joy, Amir still recalls his relationship with Hassan. -
Baba Passes Away From Cancer
About a month after Amir's wedding, "Baba never woke up" (Hosseini 173). Baba's death was a very mournful experience for Amir, but it provoked another experience. It let Amir be free from Baba's expectations for the first time. -
Amir finishes his first novel
Amir states that "in the summer of 1988, about six months before the Soviets withdrew from Afghanistan, I finished my first novel, a father-son story set in Kabul..." (Hosseini 182). This is a significant moment in Amir's life and career. He lives his childhood dream as a writer and he also reflects on his relationship with his father. -
12,000 Followers Join Mullah Omar
The author says, "by the end of 1994 Mullah Omar had nearly 12,000 followers and was rolling up the warlords to the north and east" (NYT 2). -
Amir Goes Back to Pakistan
After Rahim Khan calls him, Amir explains "I have to go to Pakistan... Rahim Khan is very sick..." (Hosseini 191). The fact that Amir risks his life to go to Pakistan to visit Rahim Khan proves that he still is connected to his old life in a way. It also proves that he still cares for Rahim Khan and the people in his previous life. -
Amir Adopts Sohrab
After Amir visits Pakistan and finds Hassan's son, Sohrab, he offers something to him and says, "would you like to come live in Amiercan with me and my wife?" Amir's offer shows his true compassion for Hassan's son. Also, it is Amir's final gesture of atonement for what he did to Hassan so many years ago. -
Al Qaeda Invades the US
The article describes "an invasion after the Sept. 11 attacks by Al Qaeda" (NVT 1). -
Hamid Karzai is Named Chairman of a Government that Replaced the Taliban
The reader is informed that, "Hamid Karzai, a supporter and relative of mohammad Aahir Shah, the exiled former king of Afghanistan, was named chairman of an interim governemnt that replaced the defeated Taliban, making him the leader of the country" (NYT 3). -
Karzai is Elected As Interim President
The author explains that "Mr. Karzai was elected to a five-year term as president in 2004" (NYT 3). -
President Obama Announces His Plan
The author describes how "Mr. obama announced his plan to deploy 30,000 additional troops" (NYT 4). -
Obama's First Deadline
It is said that "he [Mr. Obama] vowed to start bringing American forces home from Afghanistan in the middle of 2011" (NYT 4). -
President George W. Bush's Ultimatem to the Taliban
It is evident that "President George W. Bush gave the Taliban an ultimatum to hand over Mr. bin Laden" (NYT 3). -
Obama's Final Deadline
Obama says that "the United States will have forces in the country until at least the end of 2014" (NYT 4).