Kai Baik’s Reviews > The Reluctant Fundamentalist > Status Update

By the end of the novel, I felt really sad. Changez fully embraces his identity and no longer tries to fit into American expectations. His experiences, especially after 9/11, push him to question power, loyalty, and success. Changez chose to go back to Pakistan and criticized America’s power.”

For me, it was very interesting that Juan-Bautista appeared at an important moment in the story, when Changez felt very confused about his future. Their conversation makes Changez reflect on how hard it is to forget where you come from once memories are formed. Juan’s words push Changez to think more deeply about his identity and help guide him toward the idea of leaving America.

By this point, Changez has fully changed the way he sees America and himself. He no longer feels proud of his job and begins to reject the values of Underwood Samson. Growing his beard showsthat he is getting older, reconnecting with his identity and culture. Changez becomes more confident in his beliefs and starts standing against the system he once wanted to be part of.

For me, until I read i felt weird. Changez starts to feel uneasy about his success. Even though he is doing well at Underwood Samson, he feels disconnected from himself and others. His relationship with Erica becomes more complicated, and he notices how America’s actions affect how he sees the country. These experiences push Changez to question his beliefs and begin changing how he views his life and identity.

As I read, I felt kind of confused because Changez begins to feel torn between who he is and who he is expected to be. He enjoys success at Underwood Samson, but he also starts feeling uncomfortable with how focused he is on money and power. His relationship with Erica and the events around him make him question his identity. These moments are when Changez is starting to change inside, not just on the outside.

It was very confusing to me because Changez’s name hints that he will change as the story goes on.He says that what’s inside a person matters more than looks, but his actions don’t always match. In college, even while working three jobs, he still dressed very well.This shows that he cares about appearances too, which suggests he might struggle with his identity and face, but I think it will change later in the story.

The interview that I read stood out to me because of how tense Changez felt. This job means more than just work to him it represents stability and respect. Since his family struggles financially and success matters a lot. Changez wanted real wealth, not just the appearance of it, but others judged him based on looks and status rather than his true self.

From the beginning of the book, the interview caught my attention. Changez was very nervous, and I think it’s because this interview could change his life. He comes from a poor family, so money is important to him. He wants to be truly successful, not just look successful. People care more about how he appears than who he really is inside.