John McNair’s Reviews > The Reluctant Fundamentalist > Status Update

Changez's mindset shifts when Juan Bautista calls him out for being a modern day janissary. This was the catalyst of Changez quitting his job at Underwood Samson and debated to leave America as a whole. Underwood Samson symbolizes America and once Changez quit it was evident he would quit trying to become American and leave the country. He proceeds to lie to his brother saying he got fired and his visa was invalid!

Changez's work life has collided with his personal life. Erica's recent decisions have made Changez depressed, it is evident he is not trying as hard and mentally cannot focus. On the Chile trip He meets a wise man name Juan Bautista who enjoys books, Changez makes a strong impression telling Juan his family's history in books. Bautista is likely the sage, mentoring Changez silently alike Elroy mentored Tim O'Brien!

When Changez returned to Pakistan his house ‘smacked of lowness’ he was shamed that is where he came from. He realizes everything has been the same since he left he is just looking at the house through the lense of a foreigner. As he compares America and Pakistan I learned about struggles in Pakistan I hadn’t heard of.Lastly, when he texts Erica she gives a simple answer making me think she is hiding something.

Personally, I see Erica and Changez’s relationship at an end. Erica has to deal with so much physical and mental stress throughout this all. Changez is good at being a wise man but I think that he shouldn’t pretend to be another man during sex. This shows that Erica doesn’t want Changez she just wants somebody to comfort and please her. Post 9/11 I think many racially motivated acts will be made towards Changez

After the sexual part of the book I am unsure what point Mohsin is trying to make. I believe that he is trying to use Chris as a symbol. I think Chris symbolizes the typical American. Chris is a common name. It symbolizes how Changez is not capable of fully being American even though that is his goal. Chris and Erica’s names sound like a typical American couple while Changez and Eric’s don’t fit with each other

I believe that Moshin is making Erica a symbol of America. Changez cannot get her to go on a legitimate romantic date. He also doesn't feel quite like he belongs in America. He cannot achieve the two. I think that Moshin calls her Erica on purpose too to symbolize AmERICA. I predict that later in the book there will be an accident which will ruin Changez's dreams of being American and his relationship with Erica.

At the end of chapter 4 I am enjoying the novel. There seems to be a theme of Changez trying to convert to be an American. Changez's Pakistani brothers are starting to disassociate from Changez. In class we talked about how the Pakistan sandwich shop refused to take his American Express card. This exemplifies Changez attempting to move onto a new American life with more opportunity than Pakistan had to offer.

Often times I am confused by the way Mohsin Hamid is writing. It is difficult to decipher the point of view he is writing from. Changez is great at describing people and observing how they carry themselves; their bearing. On page 17 when Changez first mentions Erica he provides great detail including information about their relationship. I can infer from Changez's tone they had a romantic relationship at some point.