In "The Kite Runner," why did Amir feel he needed the acceptance of his father and how did he go about getting it?

Amir was plagued by the need to win his father's love even when he already had it. In striving for this love, he was put at odds with his best friend, Hassan. Amir felt he had something to prove, and he was jealous of the relationship his father seemed to have with Hassan. Ironically, Hassan was considered almost less than human as he was a Hazara, and Amir's jealousy was unfounded.

Throughout the entire novel, Hassan tries to prove to Baba that he deserves his love and respect. He wins the kite competition, yet betrays Hassan at the same time. Unfortunately, Amir sees his father as a hero (Chap. 10), and he spends his entire life striving to become the same type of hero. However, Amir learns after he rescues Sohrab, that becoming a hero must come from the heart, and the kite becomes a metaphor for hope even though Baba is dead.