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Baba's Birth
Baba's birth marked a change in Afghanistan that year, "[i]n 1933, [was] the year baba was born and the year Zahir Shah began his forty-year reign on Aghanistan, (Hosseini 24). In the the novel, Baba was a character of power and stability, which is seen by his wealth. The birth of Baba and the rise of Zahir Shah demonstrates that same stability at the time Baba enters the world. In this manner Baba brings stability to Afghanistan. -
Ali is Adopted
With Baba also came a Hazara as on that day, "young men from a wealthy and reputable family in Kabul, got behind the wheel of a thier fahter's Ford roadster. High on hashish and mast on Frech wine they struck and killed a Hazara... as for the orphan my grandfahter adopted him into his own household," (Hosseini 24). This quote shows family character. Like Hassan and Baba, Ali and Baba's father took care of him even though he was a Hazara. Amir needed to continue this and atone by saving Sohrab. -
Amir is Born
Amir reflects on his very early childhood when he says, " While my mother hemorrhaged to death during childbirth, Hassan lost his less than a week after he was born. Lost her to a fate most Afghans considered far worse than death: She ran off with a clan of traveling singers and dancers"(6). This quote tell of the birth of two main characters. These two are drawn together for the reason that they don't have mothers. This is one of the only things that keep them together. -
Hassan is Born
The servant, Hassan, was like a friend to Amir, "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," (Hosseini 6). This quotation shows the start of a long lasting complicated relationship between Amir and Hassan. To Amir it was an exchange of a mother for a brother. -
Assef's Character is Revealed
Amir and Hassan encounted Assef on their walk though town. Assef threatens Hassan telling Amir, " there’s nothing sinful about
teaching a lesson to a disrespectful donkey, ”(Hosseini 40). This quotes helps us see and understand a possible conflict between Assef and Hassan. This also shows the dark thoughts of Assef. -
Afghanistan Becomes a Republic
People lost faith "awa[king] the next morning to find that the monarchy was a think of the past. The king, Zahir Shah, was away in Italy... his cousin... ended the king's forty-year reign with a bloodless coup," (Hosseini 36). In this event violance breaks out all over Kabul as there is no longer power in the king. People go on with improved lives until the Soviets mess with Afghanistan. -
Hassan is Violated
There is a turning point in the novel when Amir's relationship towards Hassan is changed. Amir says " In the Winter of 1975 I saw Hassan run a kite for the last time," (Hosseini 55). This event changed the novel forever as when Hassan in being abused Amir does not step in to help in but just watches. Ultimately, this causes the death of Hassan and a lifetime of guilt for Amir. -
Communist Coup D'état
Afghanistan was changing forever, "tthe official end, would come first in April 1978 with the communist coup d'état," (Hosseini 36). The lives all of the characters in the novel were changed. No longer did Amir and Baba prosper. Their home was turning into a "tourist" land. -
Invasion of Kabul
Afghanistan goes through more preril as ".Russian tanks [roll] into the very same streets where Hassan and I played..." (Hosseini 36). Most Afghanis lost hope in their nation. There was nothing they could do. Freedom is limited in this setting, and fighting for it is impossible. -
First Soviet Troops Parachute In
The war on Afghanistan begins as, "The first Soviet troops parachut[e] into Kabul on Dec. 27 1979, to assist Babrak Karmal, who had become president in a coup within the Afghan Communist leadership," (New York Times 2) -
Boycott of the Moscow Olympic Games
Amir an Baba were making the best of the war torn Afghanistan as Amir says "In 1980, when we were still in Kabul, the U.S. announced it would be boycotting the Olympic Games in Moscow," (Hosseini 126). The resliance of the U.S. towards to Soviet Union is comparable to Baba's hate towards the Soviet Union. This evidence shows that Baba and the U.S. relate and a foreshadowing is seen to future of Baba's life. -
Amir Graduates Highschool
It was a joyous occasion for, "That summer of 1983, [Amir] graduated from highschool at the age of twenty, by far the olderst senior tossing his mortarboard on the football field that day," (Hosseini 130). This the first achievement Amir reaches in the new United States. This portrays the idea that an indivicual is not stuck in one socioeconomic class, and at any time can move up. -
Amir Falls in Love
Amir meets Soraya and he wonders all night about her and says, " I thought of Soraya Taheri’s sickle-shaped birthmark, her gently hooked nose, and the way her luminous eyes had fleetingly held mine. My heart stuttered at the thought of her. Soraya Taheri. My Swap Meet Princess"(Hosseini 142). This is the first point in the story where an emotion overtakes Amir so that be would have a course of action. His emotion of love pushes him into acted by himself. -
Soviet Air Power is Seen as Useless
The New York Times explains, " After 1986, the Soviet air Force was also rendered largely useless bby advanced Stinger antiaircraft missiles supplied by the United States to the rebels,"
(New York Times, 2) -
Withdrawl of Soviet Troops from Arghanistan
The Soviet force leaves Afghanistan as the New York Times states, "Eventurally, after peace talks moderated by the United Nations, the last Soviet troops left Afghanistan in February 1989," (New York Times, 2) -
Afghanistan Falls Apart
The Soviets threw the country into disrepear, "descen[ding} into vicious internecine strife; by the summer of 1994, power was anarchically divided among competing warlord and individual fiefdoms. But one group would eventrually gain control," (New York Times 2). -
Popular Movement Taking Afghanistan
The Taliban movement beings to grow, "by the end of 1994 Mullah Omar had nearly 12,000 followers and was rolling up the warlords to the north and east. With his promise of restoring the ventrality of Islam to daily life, he created a genuinely popular moement in a country weary of corruption and brutality," (New York Times 2) -
Amir Visits Rahim Khan
Amir gets a phone call from his first adult friend, Rahim Khan saying, "Come. There is a way to be good again" (192). This quote is powereful because of the reminder the Rahim Khan gives to Amir. Amir has caused many problems back in Afghanistan which eventually lead to the death of his servant. Rahim Khan tells Amir that he must do something abou this. -
Sohrab Tries to Take His Own Life
After giving Sohrab false news Amir seeks Sohrab and says, " 'We're going to America, you and I. Did you hear me? We're going to America!' I pused the door open Stepped into the bathroom. Suddenly I was on my knees, screaming," (Hosseini 343). In this instance Amir does not realize how powerful his work really is. He told Sohrab that he might be sent back. This took such a toll on him that he would have rather killed himself. -
Sohrab and Amir arrive in the U.S.
After a long journey for Amir and Sohrab "[they] arrived home about seven months ago, on a warm day in August 2001," (Hosseini 357). Amir has finnaly reached his goal of bringing back Sohrab. This was not only to save Sohrab for this event also acted as redeption for Amir's actions towards Hassan. Amir felt guilt. -
Attacks on the Twin Towers
The Al Queda group attacked the Unitad States causing mass panic, "Aftter the attack on the World Trade Center in New York on Sept. 11 2001, President George W. Bush gace the Taliban an ultimatum to hand over Mr. bin Laden." (New York Times 3) -
Invasion of Afghanistan By the US
The United States have launched a war on terror, "[being] militarily involved in Afghanistan since 2013, when it led an invasion after the Sept.11 attacks by Al Qaeda," (New York Times 1). -
New Afghan Leader
Afghanistan hopes to come to a more peaceful future after, "He took office as interim president in June 2002, saying he hoped to secure peace for Afghanistan and win the country much-needed international aid. Mr. Karzai was elected to a five-year term as president in 2004," (New York Times 3) -
War Effort Pressures On
The United States pressures on to find and destroy Al-Queda as, "Mr. Obama announced his plan to deploy 30,000 additional troops," (New York Time 4). -
War Never Ends
Obama tells the word, "emphasiz[ing] the idea that the United Statesd will have forces in the country until at least the end of 2014," (New York Times 1)