Moshin Hamid's "The Reluctant Fundamentalist". North America's Foreign Relations with the Middle East

Essay , 2016 , 8 Pages , Grade: 9/10

English Language and Literature Studies - Literature

This essay analyses North America’s foreign relations with the Middle East before and after the 9/11 attacks in Moshin Hamid’s "The Reluctant Fundamentalist". This is inherently depicted in personal and professional relations. Namely, the plotline focuses on the life of Changez, a Pakistani immigrant that portrays an ‘Islamic elite’ dwelling in the US. Following the 9/11 attacks, a growing wave of Islamophobia will emerge, tearing apart Changez’s accommodated American lifestyle. Much of this detriment is conveyed by means of Changez’s relationship with other characters, especially with Erica (Changez’s love interest), a troubled young woman. Erica’s character is a symbol for the American nation.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• CLOSE READING AND EXAMPLES
• The Reluctant Fundamentalist
• Changez’s Love Life in America
• The 9/11 Attacks
• Changez and Erica’s Sexual Encounters

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This essay analyzes the portrayal of North America's foreign relations with the Middle East before and after the 9/11 attacks in Mohsin Hamid's The Reluctant Fundamentalist. The essay specifically examines how these relations are depicted in the personal and professional relationships of the novel's characters, focusing on the life of Changez, a Pakistani immigrant who represents an "Islamic elite" residing in the United States.

• The impact of Islamophobia on the lives of immigrants following the 9/11 attacks
• The complexities of cultural identity and the struggle to reconcile different cultural perspectives
• The relationship between personal and political identity in the context of global conflict
• The consequences of America's "fundamentalist" approach to national security after 9/11
• The use of symbolism to represent the relationship between the United States and the Middle East

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• The Reluctant Fundamentalist: This section analyzes the significance of the novel's title and introduces the main character, Changez, a Pakistani man living in the United States. It also discusses the importance of Underwood Samson & Company's motto, "Focus on the Fundamentals," in relation to American nostalgia after 9/11 and Changez's struggle to understand his own identity. The section further examines the controversial issue of torture in the context of national security and its portrayal in films like Unthinkable.
• Changez’s Love Life in America: This section explores the significance of Changez's relationship with Erica, a troubled young American woman who symbolizes America itself. It analyzes the symbolic connection between Erica and America, highlighting Erica's mental health struggles and the broader implications of America's political isolation in a global context. It also examines the role of Chris, Erica's deceased former boyfriend, as a symbol of America's preference for its Christian background and the barriers this creates for Changez.
• The 9/11 Attacks: This section examines the impact of the 9/11 attacks on Changez's life and his relationship with his American colleagues. It highlights the growing discrimination and prejudice against immigrants from Muslim countries, including Changez's own experiences with verbal abuse. This section also examines the profound impact of the attacks on Erica's mental state, leading to her hospitalization and isolation.
• Changez and Erica’s Sexual Encounters: This section analyzes the symbolic significance of Changez and Erica's sexual encounters, which serve as a visual representation of their incompatibility and the broader political instability between the West and the Middle East. It explores the themes of sexual compatibility and the influence of cultural differences on intimacy. Additionally, it examines the power dynamics at play in their relationship and the implications of Erica's body being treated as a sexual object.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The key concepts explored in this essay include Islamophobia, cultural identity, political identity, national security, torture, American exceptionalism, the Middle East, post-9/11 America, and symbolism. The essay delves into the complex relationships between these concepts as they are portrayed through the characters and events of Mohsin Hamid's The Reluctant Fundamentalist.

• Course: Faculty of Letters
• Grade: 9/10
• Author: Angela Camara Rojo (Author)
• Publication Year: 2016
• Pages: 8
• Catalog Number: V418115
• ISBN (eBook): 9783668691216
• ISBN (Book): 9783668691223
• Language: English
• Tags: American Foreign Policy, Islam, 9/11, Fundamentalism, American Nationalism, Pakistan, Pakistani literature in English language, World Trade Center