Also in Kite Runner, Sohrab saves Amir from Assef's brutality by using a slingshot. This scene mirrors the actions of Hassan earlier in the film. Is Amir's defense of Sohrab to General Taheri Amir's attempt to take a stand he didn't take earlier in the film? Or rather, does Amir redeem himself in the process of accepting Sohrab into his home?

Both of these assumptions are correct. When Amir went to go and find Sohrab, and brought him back to America, he redeemed himself to his childhood friend Hassan. When they were children, Amir treated Hassan poorly, and the last time he ever saw Hassan, they were not on good terms. Amir treated his best friend like crap. However, when Amir risks his life to save Hassan's son, and take him back to America to raise as his own, he fully redeems himself to his old friend and possibly to himself. I don't believe that this thought was the reason for his actions, because I believe that he was a good person, and that he knew he was doing the right thing.