Introduction
Inspired in part by the effects and aftermath of 9/11, The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid depicts a dramatic monologue between Changez and an American stranger. After rejecting a stellar career as an economic fundamentalist at Underwood Samson, Changez returns to Pakistan as a lecturer.
Barriers:
Hamid relies on an unusual monologue structure to expose the barriers that are often erected between people owing to entrenched cultural, racial or social differences. Similar barriers symbolised by the dead rival Chris also become apparent in Changez’s relationship with Erica. These problems become the catalyst for Changez’s return to Pakistan and his desire to adopt a visionary dual perspective because of its potential to overcome barriers and focus on similarities rather than differences. (.. desire to “transcend the boundaries of continents and civilisations” 207.
Development in Identity
Although a “lover of America”, Changez concedes that he returns home a “changed” person owing to a variety of experiences. Namely, his role as an economic fundamentalist at U S leads to a reappraisal of his career based on his disheartening recognition of the consequences; also his love affair with Erica becomes just as problematic and following the 9/11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre, Changez is determined to reject a system that he believes is harming his cultural and racial identity. His view of himself, Pakistan’s place in the world, as well as his experience with the debilitating consequences of Erica’s nostalgia all impact upon the development of his sense of self.
Although a “lover of America”, Changez concedes that he returns home a “changed” person owing to a variety of experiences. Firstly, his love affair with Erica, then his assignments in developing countries as well as the 9/11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre, all contribute to his developing sense of self. His view of himself, Pakistan’s place in the world, as well as his experienced with the debilitating consequences of Erica’s nostalgia all impact upon his sense of self.
Out of place: As a sign of his increasing displacement of American values, Changez rejects his stellar career as an economic fundamentalist at Underwood Samson, Changez and returns to Pakistan as a lecturer. However, he also feels out of place at home as he nostalgically sees himself as a “lover of America”. Whilst he becomes increasingly critical of America’s empire building status, he nevertheless sees his distance from Pakistan as a necessary tool to broaden his vision and understanding…
Message
Purpose: Hamid constructs the novel as a dramatic monologue between Changez and the American “stranger” to show the dangers of racial profiling. Both are uneasy about each other’s motives. Because of the sense of unease that surrounds the conversation, Hamid shows that either of the strangers could overreact and become dangerous. The tendency to focus on the differences between them leads to constant stereotypying, fear and possible aggression.
(terrorist/undercover assassin) The symbolism of the predator and prey also reinforces his point that the two characters are focussing on their differences. This breeds suspicion and fear.
The purpose of the structural choice: One of Hamid’s messages is the need for reflection, tolerance and understanding between “strangers”. Both must show a willingness to drop the defences, fears etc.
Hamid suggests that it is important to focus on similarities and “transcend” rather than erect boundaries (and reinforce stereotypes). Only then can people and nations attempt to resolve conflict in a way that respects each other’s cultural roots.
Unreliable: (Readers only listen to Changez; they do not directly hear the American’s voice and perspective. Changez presents an American who appears anxious; defensive; ready to reach “into (his) jacket” because of his suspicions;
The open-ending: Hamid suggests that because of the suspicions that arise based on racial differences, the stranger acts like an undercover assassin. Changez constantly draws attention to his “friend’s” propensity to “reach under his jacket”. “no need to reach under your jacket” 6 – Changez finally charges the American with the claim that “you should not imagine that we Pakistanis are all potential terrorists” (209)
Dangers of racial profiling
It becomes clear from the dramatic tension and the suspicions created between them that the American automatically makes many assumptions about Changez based on his appearance. Throughout the one-sided dialogue, the American’s reactions and anxieties reveal a person who seems to assume that “all Pakistanis” are “potential terrorists”. When the American is startled by the loud noise in the distance, which is probably the faulty exhaust system of the rickshaw, he becomes increasingly uneasy. He acts as if it were the pistol sound in the distance. He evidently looks over his shoulder because Changez asks, “is somebody following us” (200) . Later in the conversations, the “friend” is surprised that Changez admits that he drinks alcohol, because he assumes from his beard that he would be a strict fundamental Muslim. “Perhaps you misconstrue the significance of my beard, which I should in any case make clear… In truth, many Pakistanis drink” (61)
Hamid’s ultimate political and ideological message is that it is important to take a stand, show tolerance and understanding.
He also resolves the theme of nostalgia by suggesting that we must reflect critically on our past and present. As an allegory, Erica shows the dangers of nostalgia. Hamid is critical of America’s tendency to look back upon past glories; such obsession, the author suggests, tends to fuel their aggressive empire-building tactics and predispose support for wars.
At the same time, one should not be complicit in a system that erodes individual and cultural differences.
Rejection of the economic system and resignation from Underwood Samson.
Focus on the fundamentals:
Fundamentalism is a term that refers specifically to any religious movement which stresses the literal application of its core principles. It frequently refers to Islamic fundamentalism which is seen as a reactionary and radical brand of Islam. (burqa, repressive of women, strict adherence to medieval religious rules). Many Muslims do not drink alcohol which could be a sign of their fundamentalist beliefs. Hamid also uses the term to refer to Underwood Samson, because it focuses on economic fundamentals.
(American Dream)… a career at Underwood Samson epitomised the hallmarks of the American dream – success, opportunity, wealth and status. Even Changez’s anglicised accent was associated with “wealth and power”. He sees himself as “immediately New Yorker”. His role at Underwood Samson is the pinnacle of his professional career and the culmination of Changez’s dream. “This is a dream come true”.
Changez resigns and rejects the system (after the bombing):
The firm focuses on the “fundamentals”; employees are considered “assets” and are rated according to their financial worth to the company; company officials value above all else “maximum productivity”
Changez increasingly rejects a system that is competitively focussed on asset-management, that reduces its employees as well as its clients to business “assets” or liabilities. Their creed values “above all else maximum productivity”… there is no place for “second best”. This focus often causes a great deal of misery in developing countries.
(Janissary)
He is critical of America’s empire building techniques that simply advance their own interests at the expense of local cultures. He feels that he is complicit in the activities of a company that erodes local lifestyles and cultures. Also , as a Pakistani Muslim, Changez feels that, socially, he is undervalued and often typecast as someone who is capable of terrorist actions.
Love relationship: Hamid characterises Erica as a symbol of America. *** America, too, was increasingly giving itself over to a dangerous nostalgia at that time. Many citizens were becoming dangerously patriotic. There was an “undeniable retro about the flags and uniforms, ‘’duty and honor”. Just as Erica tried to look back at a lost past and a lost lover, American citizens turned back to at lost time when they dominated the world. It is “like living in a film about World War II (131) This allegory suggests that such an anachronistic (looking back) attitude will also be dangerous for America.
.. “Of course I was struggling. Of course I felt torn! .. Juan Battista’s words plunged me into a deep bout of introspection”… I really was a modern-day janissary.” He is a “servant of the American empire at a time when it was invading country with a kinship to mine”
Janissary: However, whilst at the pinnacle of his career, Changez experiences grave self doubts and is challenged by Juan Bautista, to identify himself as a “modern day janissary” – someone who is erasing their own culture. (During the Middle Ages, young Christian boys fought with the muslims to undermine their culture.) This is a turning point. He realises that he is working for a company that spreads power throughout the world through its basic principles of greed, materialism and ruthless asset management. In other words, he is becoming a servant in a company that has no regard for people or the consequences of debt reduction. By spreading its power, American companies such as Underwood Samson are undermining local cultures such as his own. He realises this is dangerous because he will eventually lose his roots and his place in the world.
Hence, he begins to wear a beard as a symbol of his Muslim roots and he eventually resigns from the company. – a sign of his rejection of the system. His colleagues’ reactions confirms his view that others are guilty of typecasting him according to his appearance. He was becoming increasingly “deeply angry” and the subject of whispers and stares. When he is fired, he realised “how how deep was the suspicion I had engendered in my colleagues over these past few – bearded and resentful – weeks – only Wainright shook his hand 181 After, the September 11 attacks he is encouraged to shave it off at work so as to appear less of a threat. Jim and Wainright both advise him to shave it.. .”I don’t think it’s making you Mister Popular around here.”
Hater of America – rejects America – and the racism after 9/11: This attack specifically unleashed a wave of racist events against Muslims. Before the attack, Changez did not feel very conspicuous, perhaps occasionally on the highway. However, after the attacks racism increases and he feels very noticeable. (107)
When he returns to America after the attack he is searched separately from everyone else who go home (86). AS Changez notes Pakistani cabdrivers “were being beaten to within an inch of their lives” and the FBI was raiding mosques, shops and “even people’s houses”. (107) In the parking lot, he becomes the butt of racist sentiments when one offender because deliberately close and seeks to intimidate him with racist, derogatory language. “Fucking Arab”. Changez challenges him to “say it to my face coward not as you run and hide” 134
RETURNS HOME : PAKISTANI BUT ALSO WITH “AN AMERICAN GAZE”
Identity: Changez returns home with a mature view of the world and of his place in it.
Hamid suggests that it is important to focus on similarities and “transcend” rather than erect boundaries; he believes it is important deconstruct rather that stereotype. Only then can people and nations attempt to resolve conflict in a way that respects each other’s cultural roots. (problems with America) Specifically as a lecturer in Pakistan he encourages students to adopt the gaze of the ex-janissary and campaign for greater independence in Pakistan’s domestic and international affairs rather than complicitly help to erase Muslim culture.
Be clear about 2 criticisms of America:
Changez is critical of the Underwood Samson system of economic fundamentalism. This reduces people and countries to assets…
Changez is critical of America’s empire building techniques that simultaneously take advantage of Pakistan in the war against terror, but also interferes in the war in Kashmir – “tacitly using India to pressure Pakistan” for its own purposes. At the same time, he is not anti-American; rather he returns home forever nostalgic for Erica (imagining her on the motorbike) as a symbol of the America that he embraces – a sign that she is implicit in his “American gaze”. He does not want to discard the positive features of his experience and involvement in America; Hamid suggests that this would be churlish and practical.
Rather he seeks to practice the dual perspective, of one who attempts to eliminate and blur boundaries based on the paradox of belonging: “Something of us is now outside, and something of the outside is now within us.” This dual perspective can enrich his worldview, and overcome the distance and the differences. Changez presents this as a visionary solution – as the “firefly’s glow” that carves a positive path.