It is Amir's dearest wish to please his father. What fuels this wish? To what extent does he succeed in doing so and at what cost?

I think the fact that Baba blames Amir for the death of his wife during child birth always causes tension. There is never any open discussion of this but Amir feels it. Baba wishes Amir were braver and stronger. Baba feels that Amir is physically weak. Amir is constantly trying to please his father and earn a little redemption in his eyes. I think it is not until Baba and Amir move to America that their relationship changes. Baba feels vulnerable in America and Amir flourishes. Baba gains new respect for amir before his quick death to cancer.