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Amir and Hassan grow up together
Hassan is technically Amir's servant but they have a relationship that friends would considering that Amir had "spent the first twelve years of [his] life playing with Hassan" (25). The two friends spend their free time together, reading, watching movies and playing pranks. Even though Hassan does some things that a servant would do, at home they act as friends. -
Assef tries to beat up Hassan and Amir
Assef attempts to hit Amir when trying to pick a fight but before he can Hassan stops him with "the slingshot pointed directly at Assef's face" (42). Hassan knows what a risk he is taking by facing a bully and one who will beat him up not only because of his dislike of him but because of his ethnicity. He is willing to take this risk because he is protecting Amir and he would risk anything to save his friend. -
Hassan Gets Raped
After Amir wins a kite flying competition, Hassan runs the final kite Amir cut. However, when he is cornered by bullies who decide to rape him, Amir sees "a glimpse of his face...the resignation in it" (76). Hassan is kind-hearted and gentle, although he initially tries to fight the boys when he realizes he won't win he gives up. Amir had followed Hassan and seen the boys, but he chooses not to fight them for fear they will hurt him. Hassan would defend Amir, but Amir wouldn't do the same. -
Hassan and Ali Leave
Amir pretends that Hassan has stolen a watch from him and Ali decides that it is best for them to leave as Ali knows what has happened; however, instead of feeling guilt Amir is "glad that someone knew [him] for who [he] really was" (106). Amir cannot deal with the remorse he feels for not protecting Hassan and wants Hassan to hurt him back, which he hopes will happen by pretending Hassan has stolen from him. However, Hassan continues to protect him which hurts Amir even more. -
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Kite Runner & the History of Afghanistan
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Soviet troops arrive in Kabul
In late December, Soviet troops arrived in Kabul to help leader Babrak Karmal, although "analysts say the Soviets engineered the coup as a pretext to replace Hafizullah Amin" (NYT). The Soviets disapproved of this leader and wanted to overthrow him because they did not trust what his plans were. -
Baba and Amir Move to America
Although initially, Baba wanted to live in America, once they are living there he "misse[s] the sugar cane fields of Jalalabad and the gardens of Paghman" (129). For Amir, America is full of opportunities, but for Baba, a once wealthy man, his life has changed drastically. He becomes homesick for his past life as he now works a less prestigious job and lives in a new way. -
Amir and Baba Evacuate Afghanistan
Due to the Russian invasion, "you couldn't trust anyone in Kabul anymore...people told on each other" (112). For Amir and his father to stay in Kabul was risky, the smallest mistake could lead to death. Because of the escalation of the war, the only solution for them was to flee, abandoning their past lives. -
Baba Gets Sick
Baba is diagnosed with cancer; yet, he decides not to have chemo and tells Amir "'Nobody finds about this... I don't want anybody's sympathy'" (157). It is a point of pride for Baba to be self-dependent and not have to rely on charity or help from others. Additionally, by not discussing his cancer Baba can pretend it does not exist and does not have to face it. Although Amir is worried about him he honors his wishes and keeps Baba's illness to himself. -
Amir Marries Soraya
Amir meets his wife Soraya, the love of his life at a flea market and describes her as "the morning sun to my yelda" (144). She is what he looks forward to every week and as Baba's cancer progresses Amir begins to realize that he wants to marry her. Although Baba is dying he is happy as his son has finally found someone to marry and he knows Amir will be safe after he is gone. -
Soviet Troops Leave Afghanistan
Eventually, after over 10 years, the Soviet troops left Afghanistan. Their efforts hadn't benefited them and they ended up "fighting a conflict that cost them roughly 15,000 lives and undisclosed billions of rubles" (NYT). Although they had valiant efforts to turn the tables their way, the situation in Afghanistan grew worse, leaving the country wartorn. -
Taliban Begins to Gain Power
Starting as a movement by students, Mullah Omar, a Pashtun eventually gained 12,000 followers by the end of 1994. His group had the "promise of restoring the centrality of Islam to daily life" (NYT). The movement was very popular and began to gain support from the Pakistani government, with hopes of overthrowing the Afghanistani government. -
Taliban Begins to be Treated as Outsiders
With the help of Al Qaeda Mullah Omar, the Taliban leader demanded an 800-year-old statue to be destroyed. This action was "condemned around the world" (NYT). Not only did this bring attention to the Taliban's behaviors but it caused them to be treated as more of an enemy and outsiders. -
In the Wake of 9/11
After 9/11 President Bush demanded that the Taliban release Osama bin Laden into the United States control. However, they denied so "the United States joined forces with rebel groups...that drove the Taliban out of major Afghan cities by the end of the year" (NYT). After only a year of fighting the Taliban had diminished, however not for long. -
Hamid Karzai Becomes President
Hamid Karzai was appointed as a temporary president in June 2002; however, in 2004 he was elected as president. Mr. Karzai became well known, "a celebrity in flowing cape and dark grey karakul cap - was also a White House favorite" (NYT). Because he was on good terms with the US government things began to look up, however by the end of his term the citizens began to disapprove. -
Amir Returns to Kabul
Amir returns to Kabul to try to atone for his past mistakes but when he arrives the city he remembers from his childhood is gone and to him it feels like "running into an old, forgotten friend and seeing that life hadn't been good to him" (246). Coming back to his birthplace and seeing that it has been destroyed and is no longer "his real home" is emotionally difficult. Its hard for him to see that his old home has vanished while feeling like he still must atone for his mistakes without Hassan. -
Amir finds Sohrab
Rahim Khan asks Amir to go to Kabul and bring Hassan's son to a different orphanage; however, Amir is hesitant and says "'Kabul is a dangerous place...you'd have me risk everything for..." (221). Although Amir realizes that this is a way for him to atone for his mistake with Hassan he doesn't want to risk his life for someone who he's never met and who is of a lower class. Rahim Khan persuades him to go; yet, he is reluctant because of the danger in the situation. -
Sohrab attempts suicide
While rescuing Sohrab from Kabul Amir begins to realize that Sohrab could be the child he and his wife can't have. However, in order to adopt him, Amir tells him that he may need to put him in an orphanage temporarily to which Sohrab says "'Please, no!... I'm scared of that place" (341). Because of the traumatizing events he experienced, Sohrab doesn't want to return to an orphanage and attempts to commit suicide. He is saved but barely and his demeanor and trust toward Amir are forever changed -
Amir visits Rahim Khan
While visiting Rahim Khan Amir learns that the Taliban had called Hassan "a liar and a thief like all Hazaras" (218) and then killed Hassan and his wife. Hassan was unjustly killed because of ethnic discrimination by the Taliban. Because he was of Hazara descent even though he was innocent he was killed. This shocks Amir, not only because his childhood friend is dead but it is also a wake up call to the state of affairs in Afghanistan. -
Amir rescues Sohrab
When Amir arrives at the orphanage to rescue Sohrab he discovers that he has been sold into sexual slavery with his childhood bully Assef. Amir must fight him, remembering that from his childhood Assef had "promised in the end he'd get us both...now it was [his] turn" (286). When Assef used to terrorize Hassan and Amir he vowed to one day hurt them both which he eventually did to Hassan. Now in order for him to make up for his mistake with Hassan, he must prove that he can stick up for his son. -
Sohrab returns to America
After Amir's betrayal of him Sohrab cannot forgive him; however, "he was just another homeless Hazara orphan. What choice did he have?" (356). Sohrab is reluctant to move to America with Amir but given his circumstances he knows it is his best option. He can't move beyond Amir almost making his worst fear come true, and does not want to associate with him; yet, knowing what Amir is doing for him he agrees to move. -
Amir and Sohrab begin to repair their relationship
Amir is flying a kite and asks Sohrab if he wants to join and "his hand lifted from his pocket.... Took the string" (369). Although Sohrab has been living with Amir for over a year he is reluctant to spend time with him or engage. However, Amir has found a simple activity that they both enjoy doing and Sohrab participate. This signals to Amir that even though the action is small he wants to try to repair their relationship. -
Taliban Revival
Although they were mostly driven out of Afghanistan, the Taliban used guerilla warfare from the Pakistan to make a steady comeback.
Because the United States government was distracted by other political matters in Iraq, the Taliban came back, with help from "a resurgent opium trade, which helped fill the group's coffers" (NYT). This boosted their budget and helped make them a more powerful group. -
General Petraeus Takes Control
An Iraqi commander who had received praise for the surge was given control of the United States Central Command. This meant he was in charge of "military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and across the region" (NYT). The United States government was hoping he would be able to help defeat the Taliban again, once and for all. -
Obama Announces New Plans of Actions
In December Obama gave a speech saying he planned on deploying 30,000 more troops. He also "vowed to start bringing American forces home from Afghanistan in the middle of 2011" (NYT). The United States government was beginning to realize that the forces in Afghanistan were depleting their own resources and they needed more troops back home. -
Troops Remain in Afghanistan
Although Obama promised that troops would begin to leave Afghanistan by 2011, the administration changed the deadline to 2014. This was changed "based on the presumption that the American military would be successful enough in fighting the Taliban that significant withdrawals would be underway by then" (NYT). Because things were not going according to plan and the Taliban continued to occupy the region, the government changed the date.