The Reluctant Fundamentalist
Questions around the themes
Fundamentalism Is Changez a Religious (Islamic) fundamentalist, or does he become one in his rejection of American society?
Is Hamid implying that America is guilty of economic and political fundamentalism?
Is Changez rejecting the ‘fundamentals’ of Underwood Sampson- maximum profit etc?
Nostalgia When does nostalgia become destructive?
Changez compares nostalgia to crack cocaine- How powerful is it really? And to whom?
Identity What is the relationship between personal and cultural identity?
Hamid is challenging the stereotype and suggesting that individual identity is far too complex to be understood easily. How does he do this?
Appearances Appearances are not always what they seem- or are they?
• Changez
• Erica
• America
• Underwood Samson/Corporate America
• The encounter between Changez and the American
Who is misjudged and how?
Chapter 1 The Mission
What Mission Might the American be on? Or is it Changez who might be on a mission?
“Do not be frightened of my beard: I am a lover of America.” (p1)
A. American might be there to assassinate Changez who has become so disheartened with America that he has become a terrorist. Who knows the outcome? Perhaps Changez and the Waiter kill the American?
B. American might be an undercover agent sent to assassinate Changez. Changez has become disillusioned with America but is not a terrorist.
C. Changez is the sinister character. He is inflicting the American with a drawn out story of his failed time in America, and then is going to kill him.
D. Changez is paranoid about his involvement in the protests. The American is uneasy about being delayed in the conversation. The whole situation is innocent and misconstrued.
It is important to note that Changez is often being ironic might have received after September 11 terrorist attacks. Changez appears to be hospitable but there is an undercurrent of hostility evident in this metalanguage- i. He is treating the American (an outsider in Pakistan)
Fundamentalism Is Changez a Religious (Islamic) fundamentalist, or does he become one in his rejection of American society?
Is Hamid implying that America is guilty of economic and political fundamentalism?
Is Changez rejecting the ‘fundamentals’ of Underwood Sampson- maximum profit etc?
Nostalgia When does nostalgia become destructive?
Changez compares nostalgia to crack cocaine- How powerful is it really? And to whom?
Identity What is the relationship between personal and cultural identity?
Hamid is challenging the stereotype and suggesting that individual identity is far too complex to be understood easily. How does he do this?
Appearances Appearances are not always what they seem- or are they?
• Changez
• Erica
• America
• Underwood Samson/Corporate America
• The encounter between Changez and the American
Who is misjudged and how?
Chapter 1 The Mission
What Mission Might the American be on? Or is it Changez who might be on a mission?
“Do not be frightened of my beard: I am a lover of America.” (p1)
A. American might be there to assassinate Changez who has become so disheartened with America that he has become a terrorist. Who knows the outcome? Perhaps Changez and the Waiter kill the American?
B. American might be an undercover agent sent to assassinate Changez. Changez has become disillusioned with America but is not a terrorist.
C. Changez is the sinister character. He is inflicting the American with a drawn out story of his failed time in America, and then is going to kill him.
D. Changez is paranoid about his involvement in the protests. The American is uneasy about being delayed in the conversation. The whole situation is innocent and misconstrued.
It is important to note that Changez is often being ironic might have received after September 11 terrorist attacks. Changez appears to be hospitable but there is an undercurrent of hostility evident in this metalanguage- i. He is treating the American (an outsider in Pakistan)