Response to Essay Topic #1
Mohsin Hamid writes The Reluctant Fundamentalist in the form of a monologue in which the Pakistani character Changez is allowed to speak, and the unknown American character is not allowed to speak. This is done for several reasons. For one, Changez has an interesting life story to tell. Another reason for the monologue format is, it allows the reader to see how an American might view what Changez talks about. The monologue structure is a simple, but intense format for the book, which leaves the reader with a lot to think about. The way in which Hamid wrote his book, is the most effective way of portraying the messages which he wanted to spread.
Changez has a life story that strikes close to the heart of American …show more content…
He did well academically and had a wealthy family so he is able to go to Princeton. Once at Princeton, Changez gets all As and earns him self a good internship. Before pursuing his internship, he went on vacation to Manila and falls in love with a fellow Princeton student. Her name is Erica, she represents a change in Changez, where he begins to feel an American identity. “I did something in Manila I had never done before: I attempted to act and speak, as much as my dignity would permit, more like an American.” (page 75) Unfortunately, their relationship does not last and Erica is not able to move past the loss of her ex boyfriend Chris. Chris likely represents Christian and Erica could not move past that to pursue Changez which represents the Muslim religion. The ending of this relationship makes Changez disconnect with the American identity which he had developed. With this, Changez moves back to Pakistan, where he obtains a job as a college professor. He becomes popular with his students because …show more content…
“More than looking, in fact you seemed to be on a mission…”(page 1) “True, your hair, short-cropped, and your expansive chest – the chest I would say, of a man who bench-presses regularly…are typical of a certain type of American.” (page 2) From these initial assertions it is pretty clear that the American is a military personnel of some form. Later on is the monologue, Changez remarks, ““You're a watchful guy. you know where that comes from?" I shook my head. "It comes from feeling out of place," he said. "Believe me. I know.”” (pg. 48) Just as Changez did not feel he truly belonged when he lived in the States, the American who he is talking to feels out of place in Pakistan. This sense of austrazation is a sad reality which the book emphasizes. Both Western and Arab cultures have a tendency to view the other as alien. The book comes to an end in the middle of an interaction between the American and Changez. Changez is walking the American back to his hotel when the American reaches inside his jacket pocket. The American could be reaching for a weapon, or they could be reaching for a business card. This question is left up in the air. The ending is the most powerful statement which the book makes. It says to the reader that our differences can be solved by working together. Or, we can continue to make the situation worse with
Mohsin Hamid writes The Reluctant Fundamentalist in the form of a monologue in which the Pakistani character Changez is allowed to speak, and the unknown American character is not allowed to speak. This is done for several reasons. For one, Changez has an interesting life story to tell. Another reason for the monologue format is, it allows the reader to see how an American might view what Changez talks about. The monologue structure is a simple, but intense format for the book, which leaves the reader with a lot to think about. The way in which Hamid wrote his book, is the most effective way of portraying the messages which he wanted to spread.
Changez has a life story that strikes close to the heart of American …show more content…
He did well academically and had a wealthy family so he is able to go to Princeton. Once at Princeton, Changez gets all As and earns him self a good internship. Before pursuing his internship, he went on vacation to Manila and falls in love with a fellow Princeton student. Her name is Erica, she represents a change in Changez, where he begins to feel an American identity. “I did something in Manila I had never done before: I attempted to act and speak, as much as my dignity would permit, more like an American.” (page 75) Unfortunately, their relationship does not last and Erica is not able to move past the loss of her ex boyfriend Chris. Chris likely represents Christian and Erica could not move past that to pursue Changez which represents the Muslim religion. The ending of this relationship makes Changez disconnect with the American identity which he had developed. With this, Changez moves back to Pakistan, where he obtains a job as a college professor. He becomes popular with his students because …show more content…
“More than looking, in fact you seemed to be on a mission…”(page 1) “True, your hair, short-cropped, and your expansive chest – the chest I would say, of a man who bench-presses regularly…are typical of a certain type of American.” (page 2) From these initial assertions it is pretty clear that the American is a military personnel of some form. Later on is the monologue, Changez remarks, ““You're a watchful guy. you know where that comes from?" I shook my head. "It comes from feeling out of place," he said. "Believe me. I know.”” (pg. 48) Just as Changez did not feel he truly belonged when he lived in the States, the American who he is talking to feels out of place in Pakistan. This sense of austrazation is a sad reality which the book emphasizes. Both Western and Arab cultures have a tendency to view the other as alien. The book comes to an end in the middle of an interaction between the American and Changez. Changez is walking the American back to his hotel when the American reaches inside his jacket pocket. The American could be reaching for a weapon, or they could be reaching for a business card. This question is left up in the air. The ending is the most powerful statement which the book makes. It says to the reader that our differences can be solved by working together. Or, we can continue to make the situation worse with