Learning Goal

1. Learning Goal To consolidate understanding of ideas explored in chapter 1 To begin to understand chapter 2.

2. Chapter 1 raised issues about… • Complex and conflicted relationship between Pakistan and America • Fear and Suspicion

3. Complex and conflicted relationship between Pakistan and America • Changez makes a distinction between American society with its “ranks of….meritocracy” (4) and the “traditional, class-conscious society” (11) in which he was raised. • Although Changez insists Princeton gave him endless opportunities for success, it cannot make him forget the tea in Lahore, “steeped long enough to acquire a rich dark colour” (17) – suggesting that Pakistani traditions are more satisfying than the financial opportunities that the U.S offers. • This difference is evident in architecture too. America pretends and parades its history – gothic buildings are made “to look older” (3) , while Pakistan is “layered like a sedimentary plain” (8)

4. Fear and Suspicion • By asking the American to not be “frightened” (1) of his beard, Changez highlights the way in which a simple hairstyle, popular and uncontroversial in Pakistan, has become a symbol of terrorism, anti-Americanism and Islamic fundamentalism due to common portrayals of ‘the bearded terrorist’ in the American media • Changez himself is suspicious – he fears the American is armed and takes him to be a “seasoned army officer” (7) because of his “hardened face”, “short –cropped” hair, and “expansive chest” (1).

5. Chapter 2 - Vocab • Modernity – “moderness” (sic) • Hedonism – pleasure seeking, self-indulgence • Hedonist – person who is hedonistic • Hedonistic – to display characteristics of hedonism • Nostalgia – longing for, romanticising the past

6. Chapter 2 • Layers of narrative Start framing narrative – Changez notes that how people dress differs – e.g. girls in jeans, but some also in traditional dress Framed narrative- Introduces Erica/trip to Greece End framing narrative – American’s mobile phone rings, interrupts

7. Themes Modernity vs Tradition Complex and conflicted relationship between Pakistan and America

8. Modernity vs Tradition • Changez observes women in the street – some in traditional dress, others in jeans (p18) What do you think is the intention behind this?

9. Modernity vs Tradition • Changez is shocked by the behaviour of his fellow Princetonians in Greece - not respectful: • “their self-righteousness in dealing with those whom they had paid for a service” - 23 • “to Greeks twice their age… insisting things be done their way” – 23 What criticism is he making of America here?

10. Modernity vs Tradition • Having worked hard to pay his way, he also feels uncomfortable with “the ease with which they parted money” (22) – he’s not impressed with their hedonistic lifestyle and holds onto the traditional values of his childhood. • Why do you think he looks down upon their spending? • Is it just a matter of his upbringing? What other factors could there be?

11. Complex and conflicted relationship between Pakistan and America • He wonders how his fellow Princetonians “were in a position to conduct themselves in the world as they were its ruling class” when they are so “devoid of refinement” - 24 What does this suggest about his attitude towards America?/Americans?

12. Home Erica is attracted to Changez because he represents everything that she is not. “He give[s] off this strong sense of home” (22) , solidness, and the sense of being comfortable with himself. She feels rootless, empty and afraid of being alone. Erica identifies Chris as her sense of home, whom she misses, because he died – “my home was a guy with long, skinny fingers.” (32) To what extent do you think their relationship is based upon Changez giving off a “sense of home”? Do they have other reasons to be together?

13. America’s yearning for its Christian past America’s yearning for its Christian past • Given that Chris’s name evokes ‘Christianity’ – her nostalgia for him recalls America’s nostalgic rediscovery of religion in the aftermath of 9/11. During this time there was a rise in church attendance across the country. • As America undergoes change and upheaval, with foreign elements posing ever-more threats, one response is to turn back to a past that might provide answers, certainty, a sense of familiarity, and comfort. Chris’s name could also be linked to Christopher Columbus, who “discovered” America. If this is the case, how could you link this to Erica yearning for Chris?

14. Evidence of different interpretations

15. Evidence of different interpretations

16. Writing Task • Using the evidence you have collected… • Medium: • Choose one of three interpretations : - Changez intends to harm the American - American intends to harm Changez - or neither intends to harm Write a paragraph about how the first chapters suggest one of these. Topic sentence starter: By the conclusion of the second chapter, Hamid has established with the reader that… Advanced: Write a paragraph about how Hamid has made the first chapters intentionally complex and ambiguous. (Use evidence from all four pages of notes)

17. Homework • Complete writing task – due Wed • Submit your answers to discussion questions (in red) – due Wed • Read chapter 3 – create one page summary – due tomorrow