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The Reluctant Fundamentalist. CHAPTER 1. Chapter 1. Vocab. Framed narrative : story within a story, with the narrative shifting back and forth between the present storyteller and the story they tell .
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The Reluctant Fundamentalist CHAPTER 1
Vocab • Framed narrative: story within a story, with the narrative shifting back and forth between the present storyteller and the story they tell. • Monologue: long, uninterrupted speech of one character directly addressing another character or the audience. • Seems as though Changez is speaking directly to the reader but ALSO silences the American point of view. Answers back to America. • Procatalepsis: where the writer pre-empts the reader’s possible reactions to the story and attempts to defuse them. Egneedn’t be suspicious of my beard, (pre-empts racial prejudice)- I am a lover of America.
Big words in chapter 1 • Courtesan - prostitute, esp. one whose clients are members of a royal court or men of high social standing. • Immured - imprisoned“a courtesan immured for loving a prince” • Pragmatic – practical, logical“pragmatic and effective, like so much of America” • Meritocracy – power because of merit, instead of class“invited into the ranks of meritocracy” • Aristocracy – nobility, upper classes “old European aristocracy • Exalted – high ranking, grand“They gave one a robust set of skills and an exalted brand name” • Tenacious - stubborn, persistent“I told him that I was tenacious” • Bourgeoisie – middle class “confronted by the ascendance of bourgeoisie”
Layers to the narrative • What are the two layers of the narrative? • How are they structured within each chapter?
Framed Narrative/Framing narrative • Framing narrative – interaction between he and American in Lahore • Framed narrative – the story he is telling
Allegory • The framed narrative is an allegory • Allegory = when a story is symbolic of a bigger idea • The characters are symbolic • Erica = American people? • Represents the nation’s reaction to 9/11 • Also relationship to Chris (Christopher Columbus/Christianity) • Underwood Samson = United States as a country – as a player in world politics
Allegory • You could also argue the framing narrative is an allegory, that the American man and Changez represents the east and west or America and Pakistan, and their interaction reflects the relationship between countries.
Setting • Setting plays an integral role in the narrative. • What is the effect of the cafe setting? • What comparisons does Changez make between America and Pakistan.
Language • Changez is very specific and deliberate in the words he uses to describe himself, America, Pakistan and when addressing the America. • mission • What are the implications of this word? • Why does Changez use it? • Why would the American be frightened of Changez’s beard? • What happens to suggest that Changez is not religious? • (p16)
Changez • Changez’s assuming tone. • He ‘analyses’ the American, but he also tells the American that he is doing this. Is he trying to intimidate him? Is he just being observant? • Find evidence for both • Write a few sentences about what you think Changez’s intentions are using evidence.
The American • Who is he? • Find quotes to support your interpretation. • Remember that, as a reader, you only have Changez’s descriptions and reactions to go off. • So perhaps the question is more accurately- • Who does Changez think he is?
Homework – Due Mon 23rd 1. Sum up your initial impressions of: • Changez • The American • Lahore/Old Anarkali • The author’s intentions – structure and language. 2. Read chapter two and create one page summary
