The Reluctant Fundamentalist

1. The Reluctant Fundamentalist Chapter 6

2. Vocab • Patriotism

3. The American • Changez remarks that the American’s demeanor makes him almost certainly not a tourist, but rather someone visiting Pakistan with a “purpose” (p88) • “I see you have detected a scent” • Later, aflower seller has appeared. The American says he is “not in the mood,” but Changez signals to the flower seller and buys a strand of jasmine buds. Changez says they are like balls of velvet; the American jokes that they are like popcorn shrimp. The American’s sensibilities are quite different to Changez’s. • What is the effect of this comment? “tonight, as I think we both understand, is a night of some importance” (p105)

4. Mortality and procreation • The chapter deals with life and death, or as Changez puts it- “It is remarkable indeed how we human beings are capable of delighting in the mating call of a flower while we are surrounded by the charred carcasses of our fellow animals… it is our nature to recognise subconsciously the link between mortality and procreation- … the finite and the infinite…” (pp88-89) • Flowers are a symbol of both life and death. Changez remarks on this and links it to the wreaths post-9/11 • They are a reminder for Changez of the inappropriateness of his delight when the towers fell.

5. Patriotism • “Your country’s flag invaded New York after the attacks” (p90) • “They seemed to proclaim: “We are America- not New York, which, in my opinion, means something quite different- the mightest civilization the world has ever known; you have slighted us; beware our wrath”… I wondered what manner of host would sally forth from so grand a castle.” (p90) • He is protective of New York (and his memories there) though New York is now less cosmopolitan, and more ‘American.’

6. New York • He notes the damage- “the smoldering wreckage downtown” • Erica gives him access to the upper class of society, which is seductive for him. Why? (pp97-98)

7. Identity • Changez has tied his identity to a number of things • His family’s history (and consequently that of Pakistan) • His status in America • His relationship with Erica • Arguably these things define him. • What indication is there that Changez is unsure of who he is? • Post-9/11 he notes the strong sense of nostalgia in both Erica and America. What reference is there? (p94) • 9/11 “churned up old thoughts that had settled in the manner of sediment to the bottom of the pond; now the waters of her mind were murky with what had previously been ignored. I did not know if the same is true of me.” • “I dreamed not of Erica, but of home…” (p105)

8. Erica • The allegory becomes more intense at this point- and much clearer (if a little gross too). • 9/11 reminds Erica of Chris and she finds herself feeling “haunted” by him (p92) • Changez fears he “could never compete” with Chris. How does this feeling mirror his relationship with America? • He wonders if his “infatuation with Erica [is as] doomed” as his Aunt’s was. (p94) • “I would observe that she was utterly detached, lost in a world of her own.” (p98) How is similar to America’s own collective conscience? • What does Chris represent to Erica? To Changez?

9. Sex • How is the metaphor of sex used to explore the flaws in both characters? (pp103-104)