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Amir is born (TKR)
Sofia, Amir's now dead mother died during childbirth, this leaves Baba with a feeling of hatred towards Amir. Baba states "I wouldn't believe he was my son if the doctor didn't pull him out of my wife" (Hosseini 21). Baba's loth for Amir leaves Amir constantly trying for Baba's approval. However, Baba's affections is rarely seen. -
First words (TKR)
Amir and Hassan speak their first words "under the same roof, [Amir's] was Baba. [Hassan's] was Amir" (Hosseini 11). Their choices in words predicted their future in terms of what they would deem important. Hassan being Amir's loyal companion and Amir always seeking the approval of Baba. -
Amir begins to write (TKR)
Amir begins reading stories to Hassan, finding his true passion in literature. Hassan said it was "the best story [he's] read to me in a long time" (Hosseini 30). From the comment of his best friend Hassan, Amir begins to grow as a writer. This event is significant because it shapes Amir into who his is later in the book. -
Assef rapes Hassan (TKR)
Amir's disregard for the safety of his best friend Hassan was determined when he said the following "Maybe Hassan was the lamb i had to slay, to win Baba" (Hosseini 77). Due to Amir's cowardice choice of not fighting for Hassan, he now lives with the regret of his decisions forever. Amir's actions have him seeking atonement for all of his mature life. -
Hassan gets his lip fixed (TKR)
Hassan was born with a cleft lip that he is never able to forget about. Baba payed to get his lip fixed and Amir "wished [he] too had a scar that would get Baba's sympathy. It wasn't fair. Hassan hadn't done anything to earn Baba's affection…" (Hosseini 46). This quote demonstrates a little foreshadowing because if Baba payed to get Hassan's lip fixed. This quotes also shows hoe important Baba's attention is to Amir. -
Mohammed Daud (1975-1978)
It has been two years since Mohammed Daud gained power and began a republic. Mohammed holds power from 1973-1977. In the year of 1978 "General Daud is overthrown and killed" (http://www.bbc.com). Democratic party comes to power but is unable to act in this power due to US backed Mujahideen groups -
Amir wins the kite competition (1975 TKR)
Amir brings the kite to Baba and sees "a smile played on father's lips.He opened his arms…I buried my face in the warmth of his chest and wept" (Hosseini 79). This moment is when Amir finally feels loved and worthy to Baba, Amir at last gains a sense of worth. -
Hassan's dream (TKR)
Hassan dreamed of "[Amir] [swimming] immediately in the center of [a] lake" (Hosseini 149), which was said to have a monster lurking in water. Hassan's pure loyalty which sired him to Amir had him following in the lake. However there was no monster until the winter of 1975, in which Amir announced he was the monster. Similarly the dream represents how Hassan as a young boy would follow Amir blindly no matter the cost or backlash he might face. -
Soviet Union(1979-1884)
1979-soviet union invades and helps communist government. 1980-1984 Babrak Karmal is now in power, backed up by soviet troops. However the problem is that the "Mujahideen groups are fighting back against the soviets" (http://www.bbc.com). -
Amir graduates from high school (TKR)
Amir remember, "That summer of 1983, i graduated from high school at the age of twenty, by far the oldest senior tossing his mortarboard on the football field that day" (Hosseini 131). Thus event is of great significance in the story because its a big achievement especially after everything Amir has been through. -
Mujahideen (1985)
Mujahideen makes alliance against soviet forces in Pakistan, many residents flee. Moreover half the citizens are "estimated to be displaced by war" ( http://www.bbc.com). -
Battle (1986-1987)
1986-1987 US supplies Mujahideen with weapons to fight against soviets. Also the leader Babrak karma is "replaced by Najibullah as head of soviet-backed regime"( http://www.bbc.com). -
Baba dies (TKR)
Soraya asks Baba if he needs his medicine, and he responds with "Not tonight… There is not pain tonight," she replies okay and "pulled his blanket…Baba never woke up" (Hosseini 173). This event is of major significance because it demonstrates how Baba was a tough and knew it was his time to go. Baba dies a respectable death. -
Peace (1988-1996)
1988-US and pakistan sign peace treaty. 1989- soviet troops leave 1992- Najibullah's government crumbles leaving war to follow. Similarly in 1996 "Taliban take control of Kabul" (http://www.bbc.com) beginning racism and violence to accrue. -
Amir Publishes a book (TKR)
Amir finally feels accomplished when "Martin called and informed [him] that [he] was going to be a published novelist" (Hosseini 183). Similarly, this is a moment when Amir's feels happy again after Baba's death -
Taliban take over (TKR)
Sadly, in 1996 "Taliban seize control of Kabul and introduce hard-line version of islam, banning women from work" (Hosseini 236). This quote accounts for the hardship and injustice that took and is currently taking place in Afghanistan. Similarly this signifies the little to zero control citizens had on there own lives. -
Taliban(1997-2001)
1997-Taliban is seen as rulers and control most of Pakistan and saudi Arabia. 1998-US launches missiles in hopes to "hit Osama bin laden" ( http://www.bbc.com). 1999 UN enforces financial restrictions against Afghanistan so that they will hand over Osama. 2001 Ahmad shah Masood is killed -
Assef and Amir (TKR)
Amir states, "I don't know if i gave Assef a good fight. I don't think i did. Ho could i have? That was the first time i'd fought anyone. I had never so much as thrown a punch in my entire life"(Hosseini 288). This moment is significant because its when Amir tried to make amends to Hassan for not sticking up to Assef. -
Hassan and Farzana are killed (TKR)
Rahim khan tells Amir that the Taliban, "took [Hassan] to the street…and in ordered him to kneel…and shot him in the back of head…Farzana came screaming and attacked then… shot her too" (Hosseini 219). This event is significant because by both Hassan and Farzana getting killed leaves Sohrab (there son) an orphan. -
Sohrab attempts suicide (TKR)
Amir opens the bathroom door to tell sohrab the good new however, "suddenly i was on my knees screaming. Screaming through my clenched teeth… i was still screaming when the ambulance arrived" (Hosseini 343). This quote demonstrates how much Amir cares for Sohrab and how desperate Sohrab was not to go back to the orphanage. -
Amir revisits Afghanistan (TKR)
Amir passes his childhood home and his taxi driver, Farid states "it is best forget," "[Amir] doesn't want to forget anymore" (Hosseini 263). Amir resizes that the key to atonement is remembrance and to honor ones memories is the right thing to do. Amir cannot forget about Hassan because of the disloyalty he actions portrayed apron Hassan. -
New president (2002-2004)
In the year of 2002 Former king "Zahir Shah returns but doesn't care for the throne and later dies" ( http://www.bbc.com) . 2003- Nato gains control of security in Kabul. 2004- Loya jirga adopts new constitution leads to strong president, Hamid Karzai. -
Sohrab is happy (TKR)
After playing with the kite, Amir "looked down at Sohrab. One corner of his mouth had curled up just so. A smile. Lopsided. Hardlt there. But there" (Hosseini 371). This quote demonstrates that Sohrab is finally happy and Amir finally has a son. Similarly, it is the first time Sohrab has smiled after his attempted suicide. -
Troops (2005-2009)
2005 Afgans vote for first time in 30 yrs, 2006- Nato takes control of security through Afghanistan. 2008- President Bush sends 4,500 US troops to Afghanistan. 2009- President Obama sends "30,000 more troops to Afghanistan a total of 100,000"(http://www.bbc.com). -
Death of innocents (2010-2013)
2010- Parliamentary polls by Taliban violence, fraud, Dutch quits. 2011- civilians killed in invasion and "500 Taliban prisoners break free" ( http://www.bbc.com). 2012- Taliban continues to strike innocents. 2013- Afghanistan gains control of military/security from Nato. -
Talk of peace? (2014-2016)
2014- Asgraf Ghani is the new president. In the year 2015 extraordinarily the "Taliban leader and president talk about peace" ( http://www.bbc.com). 2016- 8,400 US troops will stay in Afghanistan until 2017