The Reluctant Fundamentalist

1. The Reluctant Fundamentalist Chapter 4

2. Chapter summary • Changez explains the scar on his forearm • Changez tells the American about meeting Erica’s parents and about their growing relationship in NY in the summer of 2001 • There is a blackout

3. In more detail… Café: • The American notices a scar similar to a rope burn on Changez’s forearm. Sensing the American’s suspicion, Changez explains he got the scar by spilling molten wax on himself as a child during one of Lahore’s frequent winter blackouts. Framed narrative: • Soon after the trip to Greece, Erica invited Changez to her parents’ penthouse apartment for dinner. He felt at home in her childhood room. • She showed him a package containing her manuscript, which she planned to send to a literary agent the next day. She likened herself to an oyster and the manuscript to a pearl. For the first time, Changez registered something “broken” about Erica. • Changeznoticed a very detailed sketch on Erica’s wall. It depicted an island within an island. • Erica told him that Chris drew it and that his mother gave it to her after he died. • Erica’s father asked Changez whether he drank before serving him wine; he was aware that, according to religious law, Muslims are not supposed to drink alcohol. Changez replied yes. The American seems confused. Changez explains that, although he does have a traditional looking beard, he drinks alcohol. (He also mentions, in passing, that he was beardless for most of his time in the United States.) In fact, even though alcohol is illegal in Pakistan, it is akin to marijuana in the United States; it is fairly readily available and commonly consumed.

4. The American asserts that drinking is a sin according to Islam. Changez affirms this, but adds, “so, for that matter, is coveting thy neighbor’s wife” (54). The American smiles, which Changez takes as a sign that they understand one another. • The dinner went well, except for one unpleasant moment. Erica’s father commented on the poor state of affairs in Pakistan: the crumbling economy, the tyrannical government, the elite that had “raped that place well and good,” and religious fundamentalists (55). The condescension in his voice annoyed Changez, who responded politely out of respect for his host. • Afterwards, on the way to a gallery opening in Chelsea, Erica commented that Changez was “touchy” about Pakistan (56). She said being touchy is a good thing because it shows caring. • At the gallery, Changez noticed—as he did in Greece—the “gravity” that Erica seemed to exert on her peers. Though they were in public, she made sure he knew she appreciated his presence. • After that night, Changez and Erica’s time together was always spent in a group setting. Changeznoticed that Erica seemed to retreat emotionally in public, like “a child who could sleep only with the door open and the light on” (57).

5. Despite keeping their dates public and kissing only on the cheek, Erica and Changez seemed to be growing closer. Finally, Erica invited Changez on a private date, a picnic in Central Park. • As Changez describes the late-July weather in Manhattan, the American says he knows it well. • Erica admitted to Changez that she used to picnic in Central Park with Chris. When he died, she stopped not only picnicking, but also socializing and eating to such an extent that she had to be hospitalized. • Erica and Changez exited the park arm in arm; he appreciated her skin’s softness, especially because of how it contrasted vividly with her jagged ‘brokenness.’ Café: • The American jumps out of his seat because the lights have gone out. He has his hand in his jacket again. Changez assumes he is grabbing his wallet and assures him that no one will steal it. Changezalso reminds the American that blackouts are common in Lahore. • Changez wishes aloud that he could offer the American a shot of whisky. The American smiles at the thought of this. Instead, Changez offers to order him a soft drink, the only American beverage available in Old Anarkali. The American accepts.

6. Evidence for interpretation of the ending

7. The Scar 1. The American is nervous when he sees a scar on Changez’ arm. Note the words Changez uses: • Rope burn • Rappelling • Mountain • Training camp “I detect…you are wondering what sort of training camp could have given a fellow from the plains such as myself cause to engage in these activities!” What sort of training camp does Changezthink the American suspects he is involved in? 2. What criticism does he make of American children and their parents? (p54)

8. Suspicions and Stereotypes Changez accuses the American of assuming that his scar was obtained in ‘some sort of training camp’ (53), alluding to the terrorist training camps set up in Pakistan in the 1980s. It highlights the potential for misunderstanding between the two men: • Perhaps the American wrongly assumes Changez to be a terrorist • Perhaps Changez is a terrorist, weaving a tale of half-truths and lies • Perhaps Changez is merely paranoid that the American mistrusts him and takes offence at the slightest hint of suspicion

9. What might these possibilities suggest the author thinks about the Post 9/11 World? • Perhaps the American wrongly assumes Changez to be a terrorist ? • Perhaps Changez is a terrorist, weaving a tale of half-truths and lies ? • Perhaps Changez is merely paranoid that the American mistrusts him and takes offence at the slightest hint of suspicion ?

10. Suspicions and stereotypes, cont. Changez tells how Erica’s father offended him: • The father assumes Changez doesn’t drink – implying because he is Pakistani, he must be a practising Muslim. • Makes a comment about corruption and fundamentalism in Pakistan. Changez acknowledges there is some truth to this, but is bothered by his sense of superiority. • Erica’s father represents a class whose ill-informed opinions on international affairs can have a direct and devastating effect on the world. He thinks he knows Pakistan when his knowledge is most likely based upon a handful of news items • Changez seems bothered that his country is continually represented in a negative light in the American media, whereas he knows Pakistanis are also ‘princes’, ‘kings’ and ‘poets’. • Discussion questions:Are there any assumptions that people often make about you, wrong or otherwise? Does it bother you? Why?/Why not? • Why do you think people dislike being misrepresented?

11. Other themes/concepts: Nostalgia/Loneliness/Home: Nostalgiadescribes a yearning for the past, often in idealised form. Idealised – synonyms: romanticised, put on a pedestal, viewed through rose-tinted glasses, fanciful "feeling nostalgic" is most commonly used to describe pleasurable emotions associated with and/or a longing to go back to a particular period of time. 1. What references are there to Changez’s longing for home in chapter 4? 2. What references are there to Erica’s longing for her past in chapter 4?

12. Erica • Something “broken behind [her eyes], like a tiny crack in a diamond that becomes visible only when viewed through a magnifying lens…” • What is it?

13. Fundamentalism • strict adherence to any set of basic ideas or principles • Fundamentalists are often intolerant of those who do not share their beliefs and values. • Examples- • The Christian fundamentalists who shoot abortion doctors because they believe the bible tells them to. • The Islamic fundamentalists who flew planes into the World Trade Centre on September 11.

14. Tone • Dark. • Impending doom. • There is an undercurrent to this chapter that points to trouble at each of the levels. • Evidence? • Rope burns and scars • “the crack” in Erica and her history with Chris • His nostalgia for Pakistan • The attitude of Americans like The American and Erica’s father. • New York’s glory • The lights briefly go out (for a moment they are in darkness)