their present condition and integrate into American culture, they keep ancestral traditions, particularly portrayed in the events of Amir's courtship of Soraya and their marriage.  All the pomp and circumstance of the protocol, Afghan style, is here, particularly the need not just for parental permission but for their blessing as well.  These events are the link between their adolescence and adulthood and between their old culture and their new start in life in America.

Another aspect of their double identity are the circumstances of their encounter. Soraya has been "tainted" by a previous sexual experience and, according to Afghan tradition, not eligible for marriage because she is no longer a virgin. Amir fully accepts her, even admires her, since she is transparent about her past, something he himself could never do. The fact Amir and Soraya marry according to Occidental standards instead of denying a relationship to respect Afghan tradition shows that they have both made a definite step towards the freedom and personal responsibility they must now assume.

Sohrab was the son of Hassan, who in turn was (or, at least was believed to be) the son of Ali, a lowly Hazara. Hazaras were considered inferior to the other Afghan people (particularly the Pashtun, of which Baba and Amir were members), and mixing with them was frowned upon by Afghan society. General Taheri ridiculed the idea of Sohrab joining the family of Amir and Soraya until Amir made it clear he would no longer allow such behavior from his father-in-law. On the other hand, it was Amir's confession that he had returned to Afghanistan to find his Hazara half-nephew that most impressed his driver, Farid, who only then agreed to accompany Amir wholeheartedly on his quest. 

One thought that occurs to me is that there was a culture of honor among Afghans, and so Amir's rescue of Sohrab might have reflected that aspect of the culture.  But the other thought that occurs to me is that the story is meant to show us the sad deterioration of Afghan culture at the hands of the Taliban, who clearly destroyed the beauty of life in Afghanistan.  You might even say that Sorhab is a symbol of all that went wrong with Afghan culture.  Of course, had Sorhab been living a good life, Amir would not necessarily have felt the need to rescue him, we wouldn't have the wonderful symmetry of that rescue, matching up with the beginning of the book, and Amir would not have found redemption. 

Sohrab is Hassan’s son.  Amir tries to make up for his relationship with Hassan by taking care of Sohrab.  Sohrab represents his second chance.  He has done things to look out for himself, but he tries to look after Sohrab.  When he fails and Sohrab he will need to go to the orphanage temporarily, Sohrab tries to commit suicide.  Like Hassan, Sohrab never blames Amir for anything.

Amir and Soraya are really quite similar to Amir's own parental relationship, but the coupling certainly differs from Soraya's own parents and most other Afghan marriages. Soraya is not unlike Amir's own mother, who was a university professor from a royal background. Baba had no problem with his wife working, and he was proud of his wife's beauty and upbringing. Soraya, too, hopes to become a teacher, and Amir does not dispute her right to become educated and earn a living. General Taheri is more of a traditional Afghan male: He is the dominant member of the household, and he refuses to allow his wife to work or even continue to sing, and she certainly has no part in the decision-making of the home.

Amir gives Soraya more responsibility and equality in their marriage than in most traditional Afghan unions. He has forgiven Soraya for her past indiscretions, recognizing that her admission of her past sins has cleansed her in a way that his own sins will not allow. Soraya, like Amir's mother, is both beautiful and intelligent, and he shows no signs of trying to quash her own dreams in the way the general has manipulated to his own wife. Taheri believes Soraya is too well educated to become a mere teacher, and he attempts to convince her to seek out a higher degree in medicine or the law. However, Amir allows his wife to choose her own profession, and he supports her decision fully.