“The Reluctant Fundamentalist intertwines several stories in order for the reader to make sense of the post 9/11 world” Pakistani Author, Mohsin Hamid’s “The Reluctant Fundamentalist” is a potent example of post 9/11 literature. The story follows an encounter between two apparent strangers in a Lahore Café: one, a silent and nameless American, the other a talkative and educated Pakistani, Changez, who imposes an array of stories of his experience in America upon “The American”. Recounting his experiences, Changez, and indeed Hamid, reveal much about the patriotic and emotional climate in the USA after the September 11 attacks. Hamid’s multiple narratives help the reader to make sense of the post 9/11 world as the framed narrative can be read as an allegory, with characters symbolic of different facets of America and its relationship with the international community. The action unfolding in the café helps the reader to evaluate the complex cultural tensions and fears of the post 9/11 world.
His past is filled with illegal activity and cheating, and there is nothing he can do to erase it. He tries of course, by saying he “came into a good deal of money” when his family from “San Francisco” in the “Middle West” died (65). But Nick instantly sees right through this, as San Francisco is obviously not in the Middle West. Later, Tom, after some research, exposes this to Daisy to show her the kind of man Gatsby actually is. After finding out the truth about Gatsby’s past, Daisy is convinced to end things with Gatsby, ultimately shattering his life dream with her and leaving him with nothing but stolen money and a corrupted
Gatsby tried to give Daisy the illusion that his house was a luxurious hotel as nick explains “It was a factual imitation of the Hotel de Ville in Normandy, with a tower on one side, spanking new under a thin beard of raw ivory, and a marble swimming pool, and more than forty acres of lawn and Garden.” (pg5) This great illusion that Gatsby created in the way of his house for Daisy leads us to the next illusion Daisy imagines for her daughter. Daisy knows that Tom is having an affair. She really doesn’t love Tom but stays in the marriage just because of the money. When she finds out they are having a girl Daisy was relieved. She was relieved because she doesn’t want her daughter to know that she is bored and unhappy.
Through the use of a dramatic monologue Changez is able to explore how he sees himself as he attempts to clarify his experiences in America. His constant use of metaphoric language further enhances the story as Hamid also questions the identity of America and Pakistan as nations. Hamid depicts Changez’s identity as being this on going battle, continuously crossing sides. As the novel is a dramatic monologue, Changez provides the American with a detailed account of his shifting identity. This is used to imply his awareness of the constant shift, however just how unpredictable and inconsistent it really was.
The Reluctant Fundamentalist ‘Does Changez find or lose his identity throughout his journey? Discuss.’ In The Reluctant Fundamentalist, which is written by Mohsin Hamid, the protagonist, who is a Pakistani, Changez struggles over whether he belongs in the modern Western world, which hold “one of the most advanced civilisations”, or his motherland of Pakistan which has the “appearance of former greatness” and is “rich with history”. As a person who likes discoveries, Changez moves across different countries and is exposed to a variety of different lifestyles and cultures. Although Changez has somewhat lost his old identity while living in New York, studying at Princeton and working for Underwood Samson, he ultimately remembers and resorts to his old identity when he is placed in a pressured situation, and is forced to examine his beliefs and attributes. During the beginning of the novel when Changez begins to talk to the ‘unknown’ American, he initially claims to be a “lover of America”.
The valley of ashes emulates this moral decay through the unpleasant events that take place there. Nick recognizes the fragile state of George Wilson after he uncovers the truth of Myrtle’s infidelity, “He had discovered that Myrtle had some sort of life apart from him in another world, and the shock had made him physically sick” (124). George is stricken with “shock” upon apprehending the grave news. Myrtle had taken advantage of her husband’s trusting disposition as she fluttered carelessly into “another world” of wealth and glamor. Morality aside, she “[walks] through her husband as if he were a ghost” (26), completely disregarding his emotions.
This is made clean by his degrading treatment of Myrtle at one of their parties, when he breaks her nose for mentioning his wife's name. The Buchanan marriage is also a complete failure as their relationship is not one of true love. Tom’s wealth and status seemed to be
The story is told by Nick Carraway, a wealthy stock broker. When he moves into Long Island he meets Jay Gatsby, the great, who lives next door to Nick in a mansion and throws splendid parties for fancy New Yorkers. Another important character is Daisy Buchanan. She's Nick's cousin and married to Tom Buchanan. She is a true beauty, and although she and Jay are no longer a couple he can't forget her.
People often look at money as something far greater than a monetary stature, which can lead one to anything they want. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald keenly shows the reader how Jay Gatsby is one of these people. Gatsby attempts to use his money to sway back his former love, Daisy Buchanon. Gatsby throws lavish parties in the hope that Daisy will come. In addition, Gatsby purposely shows off his colossal-size mansion and splendid clothes so that Daisy will finally see just how wealthy he is and come back to him.
Periodic and loose sentences and appositives all emphasize the ideals that Price wants the readers to understand: Flamingos now serve as an icon, a symbol of the wealthy, affluent, and thriving American culture. Price sets the appositive away from the noun that presents with dashes to accentuate the importance and the meaning of the word that it conveys. “Las Vegas – the flamboyant oasis of instant riches” gives more emphasis on the extravagance and the richness of the atmosphere of Las Vegas through the use of appositive. Price often uses periodic sentences in order to give more explanations on what she is trying to say. They are often used when she gives the historical information of the pink flamingos: “When the pink flamingo splashed into the fifties market, it staked two major claims to boldness.” But not only does it add the explanation, but also highlights the “claim” of the pink flamingos.