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Kite Runner & the History of Afghanistan
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Amir Writes his First Story
Amir was reading to Hassan when he began to make up his own story. Hassan loved the story which inspired Amir to write one of his own. Later that day, Amir "wrote [his] first short story" (Hosseini 30). This was the day he discovered his skill for storytelling which became his job in the future -
The King is usurped
When King Mohammed Zahir Shah was in Italy for eye and back treatment, "his cousin and former Prime Minister Mohammed Daoud Khan staged a coup d'état and established a republican government."(Wikipedia) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammed_Zahir_Shah -
Hassan Defends Amir
Hassan and Amir were on their way to their favorite tree, when they saw Assef and his cronies tailing them. Assef went on about the greatness of Hitler and prepared to attack Amir for spending time with Hassan. However, "Hassan held the slingshot pointed directly at Assef's face" (Hosseini 42). Hassan prepared to defend Amir with his slingshot. This event demonstrated Hassan's unwavering loyalty to Amir. He could've ran but he chose to defend Amir instead. -
Hassan and Ali Leave
Amir felt so guilty for failing to protect Hassan that he had to get rid of him in some way. Amir planted money and his watch in Hassan's mattress to frame him. After this, Ali and Hassan realized they weren't welcome so they decided that they're "leaving"(Hosseini 106). This was the ultimate consequence for Amir's actions and was the reason he later returned to Afghanistan. -
Soviets Invade.
In the winter of 1979, the "Soviet Army [invaded] and [propped] up a communist government" (BBC News). -
Baba and Amir go to California
Because of the conditions in Afghanistan, Baba decided that America was a better place to live. Baba loved America; however, "it was the idea of living in America that gave him an ulcer"(Hosseini 125). Baba and Amir moved to America because Afghanistan was becoming increasingly dangerous and forbidding. This marked their arrival to California and the start of a new life. -
Amir Graduates from High School
After moving to America, Amir found time to enroll himself into high school. Because of his hard work, he finally "graduated from high school at the age of twenty"(Hosseini 131). This event is important because it gave Baba extreme pride to see his son succeed. Amir wanted Baba's love and admiration and he finally received it when he graduated. -
America Starts Funding Afghan Rebels
After finally publicly announcing their plan to remove the Soviets from Afghanistan, "the CIA sent Afghan guerrillas $470 million,"(Kinzer 10).The US wanted to make their occupation of Afghanistan as costly as possible so they decided helping the rebels would be the best course of action. -
Rahim Khan finds Hassan
Rahim was getting old and he needed a helper, so he went looking for Hassan. There was another reason however:"[he] was lonely"(Hosseini 203). Rahim went looking for Hassan because of his lack of friends and his growing age. I believe he also felt obligated to check on him because he was his best friend's son. The discovery of Hassan living happily was an important part of the novel. -
Mohammad Najibullah Becomes Prime Minister
The former prime minister Barbak was replaced "by the Soviets for his ineffectiveness and replaced by the former chief of the Afghan Secret Police, Mohammad Najibulla"(PBS). -
The Soviets Withdraw From Afghanistan
After a devastating war between the mujahideen groups and the Soviet Army, the "last Soviet troops leave"(BBC News). -
Sanaubar Returns
Sanabaur had been away for decades, but she found Hassan again. Her once beautiful visage had been marred by slashes. She "knocked on the front gates one morning" (Hosseini 209) and collapsed in the house. Sanaubar became a welcome addition to the household. She was nothing like her old self and told Hassan about her past. She even helped deliver Sohrab which further extends her importance. -
Sohrab is Born
In the winter, "It was Sanabaur who delivered Hassan's son"(Hosseini 221). Sohrab's birth is an extremely important part of the novel. Sanabaur had delivered Sohrab and was helpful finally. -
Amir Gets Married
After seeing Soraya, Amir immediately fell in love. They began talking until Amir finally said, "I want us to marry"(Hosseini 165). Amir had asked Soraya to marry him and she accepted. He was growing as an individual and beginning to be more independent from his father. -
Baba Passes Away
Baba had lung cancer because of his smoking habit. Despite this, he refused treatment because of his pride. Things were fine, until one day he collapsed. Not long after, Baba went to sleep and "never woke up"(Hosseini 173). Baba had passed away in his sleep because of his cancer. This event is significant because it made Amir realize how much he needed Baba. Now Baba is dead. -
Northern Alliance Takes Control of Kabul
In 1992, the Northern Alliance "began entering Kabul at dawn" (TheGuardian). They soon took key government buildings and drove the Taliban away. -
The Taliban Take Control
The Taliban "seize control of Kabul"(BBC News). The began to introduce a very serious version of Islam and dish out punishments to those who don't follow the rules. -
Assef Reappears
Amir heard that Sohrab was in the hands of a Talib official. However, when he confronted him the official revealed his true identity when he asked, "Whatever happened to old Babalu anyways?"(Hosseini 281). This was Amir's chance to redeem himself after being a coward for so long. It also marked the day Amir met Sohrab. -
Amir asks Sohrab to go to America with him
Rahim told Amir that there was an American couple that ran a children's home that Sohrab could be taken to. However, this turned out to be a lie. Amir realized what Rahim really wanted him to do and decided to adopt Sohrab when he asked, "would you like to come live in America with me and my wife?"(Hosseini 320). Amir was finally atoning for what he did to Hassan by adopting Sohrad and giving a new family and home. -
Sohrab Attempts Suicide
After Amir told Sohrab that he might need to stay in an orphanage for a while, Sohrab became distraught, and "had cut himself deeply" (Hosseini 348) Sohrab had traumatic experiences from the orphanage so he tried to kill himself to stay away from it. This is yet another example of Amir betraying one's trust. -
Amir and Sohrab Return to America
After the whole ordeal in Afghanistan, Amir and Sohrab finally "arrived home . . . on a warm day in August 2001."(Hosseini 357) Amir was successful in retrieving Sohrab. This was when Amir could finally take Sohrab home and adopt him. -
Ahmad Shah Masoud is Assassinated
Ahmad Shah Masood was a popular and well liked rebel leader who disliked the Taliban. However, "two Al Gauda operatives arrived at Massoud's headquarters posing as journalists . . . Their video camera was actually a bomb, and moments after Massoud sat down for his interview they detonated it" (Kinzer 16). -
The Taliban Abandons Their Final Stronghold
The Taliban was disintegrating as the Northern Alliance kept attacking them. They "abandon their final stronghold in Kandahar"(PBS) and eventually surrender all of their remaining territory. -
Sohrab Smiles Again
After Sohrab attempted suicide, he became completely mute and unresponsive. However, when Amir showed him the tricks he and Hassan used to use when kite flying, "one corner of his mouth had curled up so"(Hosseini 370). Sohrab finally smiled after all those years of silence. He was slowly becoming the kid he used to be. -
Barack Obama Decides to Train Afghans to Fight the Taliban
President Obama revealed that he planned to add "an extra 4,000 US personnel [to] train and bolster the Afghan army and police" (BBC).