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Amir's First words.
In the first Chapter of the book, the author describes Amir's early years. Soon after his birth, Amir says his first word which was, "Baba" (Husseini 11). This quote illustrates how even though he is only an infant, Amir recognizes how important Baba is to him at an early age. This foreshadows how Amir cares so much about Baba and is willing to sacrifice people and things to get the attention he craves from Baba. -
Hassan's first words
Although Hassan was born after Amir, he grew up with Amir and spoke his first words in the same place Amir did, under the same roof. Hassan's first words were, "Amir, [Amir's] name" (Husseini 11). I feel that this quote truly shows how Amir and Hassan grew up together and Hassan looks up to Amir. This is also Foreshadowing the sacrifices Hassan will make for Amir later on in the book. -
Amir's lake visit with Baba
In one of the first few chapters, Amir, Baba and Hassan visit Ghargha Lake. At this lake Baba asks Amir to fetch Hassan, Amir "lied and told him Hassan had the runs" (Husseini 13). This quote has a lot of significance because it is the first time Amir lies to Baba. This lie is more significant then other because he lied simply to have Baba to himself, without Hassan. -
Baba's orphanage is finished
When Baba's Orphanage is finally finished after 3 years of construction, so many people attend they run out of chairs and some have to stand. In Afghan society, Baba is adored so after his speech the audience, "Stood up and cheered, Afterwards, shook his hand, shook [Amir's] too" (Husseini 15). This passage displays Baba's influence on society and how he is respected. The opening ceremony is also significant because Amir uses this memory too represent his image of Baba. -
Period: to
Kite Runner and the history of Afghanistan
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The violation of Hassan
Following Amir's victory in the kite tournament, Hassan goes to run his kite. Once he has the kite he is confronted by Assef then raped. Amir was watching all this happen and he "had one last opportunity to stick up for Hassan, the way he had stuck up for me all those times in the past" (Husseini 77). This quote is very significant to the story because it proves how one-sided the relationship is. This is significant because this is what holds Amir back, and eventually compel him. -
Amir's birthday
On Amir's 13th birthday he receives a multitude of gifts, but this is not what he is longs for. Amir craves attention and love from Baba he does this by attempting to get rid of Hassan. When Amir accused Hassan of stealing, Hassan had, "One final sacrifice for [Amir]" (Husseini 105). Hassan's final sacrifice was lying to Baba just to please Amir and Baba. This quote is extremely powerful because it demonstrates Hassan's loyalty to Amir, while Amir would never do the same. -
General Daud assanitation
The nation is very displeased with General Daud's rule so the war escalates. In the midst of the war, "General Daud is overthrown and killed in a pro-Soviet coup. The People's Democratic Party comes to power but is paralyzed by violent infighting and faces opposition by US-backed mujahideen groups" (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253). -
Soviet War in Afghanistan
Soviet Russia was a powerful dictatorship parading through many nations. Because they were, "fearing the collapse of the Amin regime, the Soviet army invaded Afghanistan." (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253). -
Babrak Kamal Appointment
After General Daud's assasination, Afghanistan needs leadership. As a result, "Babrak Karmal is installed as ruler, backed by Soviet troops" (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253). -
Amir and Baba flee Afghnaistan
After Hassan and Ali leave Baba's home for good because of Amir's lies, the Soviets invade Russia. In fear of being captured or killed by the Soviets, Amir and Baba, "left Kabul just after two in the morning" (Husseini 110). In this passage, Baba and Amir were in such a rush they packed there bags and flee the war-stricken Kabul they once called home. This is also a significant time in amir and Baba's life because he is not leaving Kabul, but also leaving behind his childhood, and Hassan. -
Amir and Baba starting a new life in America and Amir meets Soraya
Once they have fled Afghanistan, Baba and Amir find a new life and community at the Afghan swap meet. At this swap meet Amir meets, "Soraya Taheri. [his] Swap Meet Princess" (Husseini 142). This quote illustrates Baba and Amir finally blending in with America and becoming a part of the society. Also, this quote is the first mention of Soraya Taheri, Amir's love interest in the book. Soraya becomess an important character in the book because in hard times, Amir thinks of her to calm him down. -
US Support
As the war continues to get worse, the US gets involved. To help the defenses, the "US begins supplying mujahideen with Stinger missiles, enabling them to shoot down Soviet helicopter gunships. Babrak Karmal replaced by Najibullah as head of Soviet-backed regime" (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253). -
Amir and Soraya's marriage
After meeting Soraya and her family, Amir and Soraya instantly fall in love. Baba loves Amir so much and Soraya that he "spent 35,000, nearly the balance of his life savings, on the awroussi, or wedding ceremony" (Husseini 169). The wedding is a very important event in the Kite Runner because it is two milestones for Amir. The wedding represents Amir building a new life in America. This wedding is also important because Baba and Amir a rare, but very close, connection between each other. -
Baba passes away
After the wedding, Soraya moved in with Baba and Amir so she could care for Baba because he was dying of lung cancer. One night Soraya said she would give Baba his morphine pills but he said it was okay, no pain tonight. Unfortunately, "Baba never woke up" (Husseini 173). This death is very hard on everyone because Baba had impacted everyone, being the great person he is. Although this death was hard on everyone, it was hard on Amir because he never told Baba about him abandoning Hassan. -
Peace Cords
Near the end of the war, all the nations need to come together.
In hope of bringing peace, Afghanistan and the "USSR, the US and Pakistan sign peace accords and Soviet Union begins pulling out troops" (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253). -
Red Army quits
Thanks to the US' help, Afghaistan is string enough to fend off the Soviets. After a long war, the defenses cause the "Last Soviet troops leave, but civil war continues as mujahideen push to overthrow Najibullah" (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253). -
Taliban Invasion
Just as a glimpse of hope is given to the Afghans, a new power takes over. The soviets are driven out, but soon the "Taliban seize control of Kabul and introduce hard-line version of Islam, banning women from work, and introducing Islamic punishments, which include stoning to death and amputations" (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253). -
Amir receives a call form Rahim Khan
After many years in a happy marriage without thoughts of Afghanistan, he gets a phone call from Rahim and was shocked and just "lowered the phone into the cradle and stared at it for a long time" (Husseini 190). This quote is very powerful because it show the impact of what Rahim said to him. On the call Rahim said there is a way to bee good again, which means he knows about the day where Hassan was raped and Amir did nothing to step in and help Amir. -
Amir returns to Afghanistan
After the call from Rahim Khan, Amir is eager to atone for his wrongdoings. As soon as he gets to Afghanistan he describes it as being like, "a tourist in [his] own country" (Husseini 230). This quote exhibits how much the Taliban and war has effected Kabul. someone who and grown up in Kabul and would be able to recognize so much, feels as if he is a tourist in his very own country. This is also significant because he has forgotten about his country, and Hassan. -
Rescuing Sohrab
After learning about Hassan's son named Sohrab from Rahim Khan, Amir begins his journey to atonement by locating Sohrab at a Talib officials house. The Talib official turns out to be the pedophile,abusive man from his childhood, Assef. During this confrontation Assef explains that, "when this is all over, only one of [them] will walk out of [the] room alive" (Husseini 287). This was one of the many climaxes of the book and was important because it parallels the original confrontation with Assef. -
Sohrab's suicide attempt
Sohrab's character has been through so much in his life and all he wants is to leave the orphanage and the hardships of Afghanistan. When Amir tells Sohrab he may have to temporarily be in an orphanage, he attempts suicide. Amir was, "Still screaming when the ambulance arrived" (Husseini 343). This quote illustrates how hard Sohrab has been. This also displays how much Amir cares about Sohrab and he needs Sohrab and needs to take care of him. Amir needs to take care of him for Hassan. -
Sohrab grins
In the very last scene of the whole book, Amir Soraya and Sorhab are all at a party when a kite tournament emerges. After a whole year of trying to get him to speak once letting him try the kite he got something out of him. Amir described it as, "Only a smile, nothing more" (Husseini 371). This is very important because of what had happened to Sohrab like rape and suicide, he has been mute for about a year. This smile represents a new hope for Sohrab, its small, but you have to start somewhere. -
Election
After lots of healing, the Afghan society is attempting to restore civilization. With some restored rights, the "Afghans vote in their first parliamentary elections in more than 30 years" (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253). -
Obama's plan for Afghanistan
The President of the United States, Barack Obama, reveals his plan for the crisis in Afghanistan. He decides that we will need to have, "An extra 4,000 US personnel will train and bolster the Afghan army and police and there will be support for civilian development" (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253). -
Obama continues to help Afghanistan
Due to the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan, President Obama determines that he has to extend the date of troop removal. In his statement he explained that, "8,400 US troops will remain in Afghanistan into 2017 in light of the "precarious security situation". NATO also agrees to maintain troop numbers and reiterates a funding pledge for local security forces until 2020" (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253).