-
Period: to
timespan
-
Hassan's surgury
For Hassan's birthday, Baba contacts a plastic surgeon to fix his hairlip which primarily resulted in a "grotesque mesh of swollen, raw tissue" (p.46). This moment in the book illustrates Amir's slight jealousy of Hassan and Baba'a relationship something he realizes the reasoning behind later in the novel. Also, this is an important moment for Hassan who is finally changing his troublesome physical feature that has caused him years of embarassment and insecurity. -
Kite Runner Contest
Kite Running was a tradition in Afghanistan and to win was a prestigious honor. Amir and Hassan triumphed this year and Amir remembers "Baba on our roof. He was standing on the edge, pumping both of his fists...proud of me at last" (p.66). This moment initiates the beginning of a blossoming relationship between Amir and his father. He was trying to prove his worthiness to Baba thoughout his childhood and the competition win showed his temporary braveness and courage until it is put to the test. -
The Sexual Assault
Amidst the celebration of the Amir and Hassan's victory, a terrible event occurs and in the moment of despair, Hassan "didn't even wimper. He moved his head slightly and [Amir] caught a glimpse of his face. Saw the ignation in it, it was the look of a lamb" (p.76). Amir hopelessly stands by and witnesses the event and attempts to atone for it throughout the rest of the book, but ultimately cannot fully achieve it. In addition, it changes their relationship from best friends to strangers. -
Hassan and Ali's departure
Amir attempts to sabatage Hassan and Ali's job by hiding money underneath their mattress. When Baba forgives them, they decide to leave because "life here is impossible for us now. We're leaving" (p.106). This angers Baba and was a gesture or Amir's cowardness because he chooses to not atone for his sins but run from them. Also, Baba never finds out why it was truely impossible for them to continie their jobs and ends his live in the dark. -
Soviet Union Invasion
On this date, the first Soviet troops landed in Kabul and Moscow insisted that they came in response to a "plea for help from a legitamently constituted Karmal Government' (p.3) -
Period: to
Timespan
-
Amir and Baba's arrival in America
Amir and Baba go through a lot to arrive in America and finally get to Fremont, California, their new home. Amir says that "America is different. America was a river, roaring along, unmindful of the past" (p.136). America was a fresh start for both of them, espacially for Amir who was trying to recover from the pain back in Kabul. Baba had a difficult time adjusting, but they seem to bond in America and they finally have a honest relationship. -
Amir and Soraya meet and marry
From the moment Amir laid eyes on Soraya, he thought she was perfect, but she had a secret. They get to know each other and Soraya tells Amir of her scarring past similar to Amir's. Afterwards, Amir "suspected there were many ways in which Soraya Taheri was a better person than me. Courage was just one of them" (p.165). Amir had an opportunity to share his past with Soraya as she did, but he declines it cowardly. She is courageous while he is not and she eventually helps him become brave. -
Baba dies
Baba grew ill leading up to Amir and Soraya's wedding and didn't survive the disease that had struck. A funeral was prepared and Amir relalized "much of who I was, what I was, had been defined by Baba and the marks he had left on people's lives" (p.174). Amir also realizes that it is now his turn to mature and follow his father by touching lives and helping others. He knows that he must atone just like his father tried many times to atone for his wrondoings as well. -
Soviet Troops Leave
Peace talks were made with the United Nations and the Soviets finally left the country, They left behind a country that was "not only devastated by war, but had become a beacon to Islamic extremists" (p.3) -
Hassan's mother returns
Sanaubar returns to Hassan after fleeing from her imperfect child and arrived a "toothless woman with stringy graying hair and sores on her arms. She looked like she had not eaten for days" (p.209). Sanaubar's return was very unexpected and strange for Hassan and his family. She may have been attempting to atone for her absense all his life by assistingin the care of Hassan's newborn son, but could have also been searching for shelter and hoped they would welcome her in, -
Sohrab is born
Sohrab was delivered by Sanaubar who had a great relationship with him until she passed. Rahim Khan described him as a "beautiful little boy, sweet as sugar, and had the same temperament as his father" (p.211). He was named after a story Hassan and Amir would read and was named after a warrier. His name most likely represents his ability to stay alive after Hassan's wife had lost their first child the previous year. -
Mullah Omar Arises
Mullah Omar was a member of the Taliban and a member of the Pashtuns, a large ethnic group in Afghanistan. He tried to restore Islam into daily lives with "corruption and brutality" (p.3). -
The Taliban Takes Control
With the help of the Pakistans, the Taliban imposed strict laws that enforced "fundimental Islamic law, banning movies and music and forcing women out of school' (p.5). -
Rahim Khan contacts and meets with Amir
Rahim Khan contacts Amir and they meet in Hazarajat and Amir sees what has happened in Afghanistan since the Taliban have been in control. He tells Amir about the death of Hassan and his wife and "summoned [him] here because I wanted to see you before I die...I want you to go to Kabul. I want you to bring Sohrab here" (p.220). Rahim Khan tells Amir that it is a dying man's wish and Amir must do it not inly for Hassan but for him too. Also, Amir finally sees an opportunity to atone and takes it. -
The suprise with Assef
Amir found Sorhab under the control of Assef, which frightened him and angered him. They make a deal and begin to fight and while Amir is being hurt he felt "healed. Healed at last. I laughed" (p.289). He laughed because he had waited since Hassan's molestation to be happy and now repaying him, he felt happy and laughed. His laugh shows his true atonement to Hassan and finally got what he deserved, and ended in triumph. -
Adoption
Amir faces many obstacles while trying to adopt Sohrab and asks Soraya if she is ready for him and she says, "Amir, he's your quom, your family, so he's my quom too" (p.326). They both feel truely ready to adopt Sohrab even through Sohrab is depressed and troubled. It seems that Amir is finally committed to Sohrab, but Sohrab changes after Amir breaks his promise to him -
Sohrab's suicide attempt
After Amir tells Sohrab he may be returning to an orphanage for a few months for his adoption, Sohrab is devastated that he broke his promis and attempts suicide. In the hospital, Sohrab says "I want Father and Mother jan. I want Sasa. I want to play with Rahim Khan sahib in the garden. I want to live in our house again" (p.354). He may feel this way because he isn't sure if Amir wants him or not. Also, he misses his parents terribly and Amir's dishonesty caused him to explode and lose himself. -
9/11 Attack on the USA
Al Qaeda and its leader, Osama bin Laden, attacked the World Trade Center in New York City. Afterward, the US allied an anti-Taliban group in Afghanistan and together they "drove that Taliban out of the major Afghan cities by the end of the year" (p.5) -
Return home
After Sohrab's suicide attempt, he becomes very depressed and doesn't speak to Amir or Soraya very much back at home. He became silent and "with time, the queries about our adopted-and decidedly eccentric-little boy had mercifully ceased" (p.365). He was literally dead inside and didn't show any emotion towards his parents. Amir tried to help him and atone for Hassan, but only caused Sohrab greater pain and depression. -
Moment of happiness
Back at home, the family went to a gathering for Afghan New Year and they had kites to be flown just like the old times. Together, Amir and Sohrab flew the kite and suprisingly "one corner of [Sohrab's] mouth had up just so. A smile. Lopsided. Hardly there. But there" (p.370-1). Sohrab realized that Amir holds a piece of his father inside of him and doesn't have to be depressed about losing them. Because of Sohrab's happiness, Amir can finally atone for his sin and be fully liberated forever. -
Harmid Karzai Takes Office
He was a relative of Mohammed Zahir Shah and replaced the Taliban. He took office and hoped to "secure peace for Afghanistan and win the country much-needed international aid" (p.5)