The character (in both senses of the word) of Amir clearly takes centre-stage here. His single most crippling feature is his single-minded desire to be somebody in the eyes of his father, and it is a desire that eclipses all else, and motivates his- often despicable- actions. It seems impossible that Amir will ever come of age until he becomes happy in his own skin, rather than trying to please his father constantly- something he will never be able to do, being so different.
His treatment of Hassan is, yes, abhorrent, but there are mitigating circumstances. Quite aside from the aforementioned desire for paternal love, there is the sheer selfless willingness of Hassan to put Amir before himself. Though we can see Amir's ultimate betrayal of his servant as horrifying, we have to be aware that leading up to it are numerous acts of charity from Hassan; to Amir, this was just another, the ultimate. Amir himself recognises it for this and gratefully (though not bravely) accepts the sacrifice, though perhaps he wishes it weren't so.
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