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Cholera Epidemic (Ch. 19)
When Amir was standing outside Wahid's home, "[he] felt like [he] was back" (240) because he was again standing on the soil of his ancestors. His great-grandfather died to a cholera epidemic in Kabul. -
Sanaubar Leaves (Ch.16)
After Sanaubar gave birth to Hassan, she left with a dance troup and left Hassan, Baba, and Ali. "None of us had seen Sanaubar since she had eloped with a band of singers of dancers in 1964, just after she had given birth to Hassan" (210). Suddenly, Hassan sees her in front of him. It shows the regret Sanaubar experienced after she left and now she is back because she misses her son. -
Baba's Orphanage (Ch.3)
Baba had decided to build an orphanage, working mainly by himself. "Baba had drawn the blueprints himself despite the fact that he'd had no architectural experience at all" (13). This shows Baba's love and sincerity towards the community. He truly loves his people and will fight for what is right, not for publicity or attention. -
Winter Arrives (Ch.6)
Trying to seek acceptance from Baba, Amir tries to do all things to finally impress his father. "[T]he chill between Baba and me thawed a little. And the reason for that was the kites. Baba and I lived in the same house, but in different spheres of existence" (49). Winter was finally the time for Amir to mend the relationship with his father. He can win the kite running competition and make him proud, which shows his desperation for Baba's acknowledgement. -
Soviet Union Invasion
After the invasion by the Soviet Union in 1979, "American forces [have been trying] to help a weak and corrupt government tame a stubborn insurgency. (The New York Times 1) America has been sponsoring the needs of Afghanistan to help them reach a stable economy. -
First Soviet Troops Land in Afghanistan
Troops first landed in Kabul "in response to a plea for help from a legitimately constituted Karmal Government" (2). However, this invasion was thought of as to replace an unwanted leader. -
The Trip Into Peshawar from Kabul (Ch.10)
Baba, Amir, and a few other strangers were driven by Karim, who smuggled people into the safety of Pakistan. When a Russian soldier charged a tax to pass, which was assault with a woman, Baba said; " ' Tell him I'll take a thousand of his bullets before I let his incency take place. This shows Baba's audacious character and his strong morals and integrity'"(116). -
Soviets Leave
"Eventually, after peace talks moderated by the United Nations, the last Soviet troops left Afghanistan in February 1989, in what was in effect a unilateral withdrawal" (2).However, after the Soviets left, Afghanistan was left in a time period of chaos and economic troubles. -
Novel Release (Ch.13)
When Amir finally became popular and became a published writer, he said, "I became a minor celebrity in the Afghan community" (183). He looked back on Rahim Khan and Hassan's support and hopes of him becoming a great writer. -
Hassan's Son (Ch.16)
Hassan and Farzana's son, Sohrab, was delivered by Sanaubar that summer, and "[h]e became the center of [Sanaubar's] existence" (211). Shockingly, the couple had a daughter prior to this baby, but she died out of the womb. Sanaubar was attached to her grandson because she literally obsessed over him. Once Sohrab turns four, Sanaubar dies. -
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Life Conditions (Ch.14)
After the Northern Alliance took over, life in Kabul became difficult for Rahim Khan. However, Rahim Khan still wouldn't leave because "Kabul was my home. It still is" (200). This shows how loyal Rahim Khan is because he was technically protecting Baba's house even through the bullets and bombs that are being rained down outside. -
Scattered Power
"After Soviet forces departed, Afghanistan descended into vicious internecine strife; by the summer of 1994, power was anarchically divided among competing warlords and individual fiefdoms" (2). Soon, warlords and other power-hungry groups decided to take the initiative to come into power. -
Pakistan's Involvement
By 1994, "Pakistani intelligence officers began funneling arms, money and supplies to Mullah Omar's men, as well as military advisers to help guide them in battle" (3). The Pakistan influence may be the reasoning behind Omar's dominance in battle because they provided resources for the soldiers and other necessary needs. -
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Taliban Gains Power
After several years, the Taliban finally grew out of their southeastern home. "By the end of 1994, Mullah Omar had nearly 12,000 followers and was rolling up the warlords to the north and east" (2). He was forming a group of supporters behind his back due to his promise to restore Islamic culture. -
Death of Hassan (Ch.17)
When Rahim Khan left Kabul to seek medical treatment, word spread that Hassan and his family were living in Baba's house. Some Talibs sought them, and said "he was a liar and a thief like all Hazaras..." (218). When Hassan protested to leave the house, the Talibs shot both Hassan and his wife in the head. After reading Hassan's letter and seeing the photo, Amir can only weep and feel sorry. -
Hazara Killing Rampage (Ch. 22)
The Taliban man was proud of his killing rampage of Hazaras and was bragging about it to Amir. The Taliban said, " ' Door to door we went, calling for the men and boys. We'd shoot them right there in front of their families' " (278). This just shows the cruelty and disregard for Hazaras shown by the Taliban because they would relentlessly murder people for no reason. -
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The Rule of Hamid Karzai
By December 2001, Karzai became the chairman of the interim government and replaced the Taliban. He took office as president by June 2002 and was elected to a 5 year term in 2004. He was supported as the new president because he promised to "secure peace for Afghanistan and win the country much-needed international aid" (3). -
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The Taliban Were Driven Out
The U.S. requested the Taliban to hand over bin Laden. When they refused, "the United States joined forces with rebel groups that had never accepted Taliban rule, notably the Northern Alliance, which represented minority tribes" (3). Resulting from this, the Taliban were officially driven out of Afghanistan, but a new war started and has been going on for a long time, leading to many casualties. -
Amir Goes to Pakistan (Ch.14)
After several years in America, Rahim Khan calls him and tells him that he is very sick, and he tells Amir to visit him one last time, "'We used to be close,' I said. 'When I was a kid, he was the first grown-up I ever thought of as a friend'" (191). This shows that Amir values long-lasting relationships and shows care even to people he has not contacted with for 20 years. He is a true friend and shows love sincerely, -
Home Sweet Home (Ch.25)
Amir finally goes home back to America and brings Sohrab with him. Soraya and Amir are united again. "I had never been away from Soraya for so long, and when she locked her arms around my neck, when I smelled the apples in her hair, I realized how much I had missed her" (357). This just shows how long Amir has been away from home and the strong connection between Amir and Soraya. -
9/11 Attack
"[Al Queda and the Taliban] led [the] invasion [of] the Sept. 11 attacks." Therefore, the U.S. has been continuously involved with Afghanistan. (1) -
Sohrab's Silence (Ch.25)
Once Sohrab arrived in the United States, he remains silent, and he did not interact with anyone in the house or city. In other words, no one really noticed his movements. "[Sohrab's silence] was the silence of one who has taken cover in a dark place, curled up all the edges and tucked them under" (361). It shows that Sohrab cannot forget his past although he has moved to a new country. He wants his old life back and can't forget the people in it. -
America Bombs Afghanistan (Ch. 25)
After the Twin Towers attack in September, America planned an attack on Afghanistan to avenge themselves. "That December, Pashtuns, Tajiks, Uzbeks, and Hazaras gathered in Bonn and, under the watchful eye of the UN, began the process that might someday end over twenty years of unhappiness in their watan" (362-363). This shows the peace that all these groups have been longing for, and have finally found hope for an end. -
General Taheri is Summoned (Ch.25)
The family were having a picnic in Fremont. But the general was not with them. "The general had finally been summoned to Afghanistan the month before for a ministry position... " (363). The general has been longing for this job for a while now. This shows the perseverance General Taheri has, but it also shows a strong relationship between General Taheri and his wife because his wife misses him dearly. -
Obama's Speech
At West Point, Obama made a speech promising "to deploy 30,000 additional troops" and "bring American forces home from Afghanistan in the middle of 2011" (4). This was referring to the soldiers who were fighting in the war in Afghanistan. He was also warning the Taliban that the U.S. will be persistent in targeting them.