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The Reluctant Fundamentalist

The Reluctant Fundamentalist. Chapter 2. Academic Vocab. Allegory - a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.

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The Reluctant Fundamentalist

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  1. The Reluctant Fundamentalist Chapter 2

  2. Academic Vocab • Allegory - a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one. • In The Reluctant Fundamentalist there are a number of allegorical characters and symbols that are used by the author to add depth to the text. • Suggestions? • Unreliable Narrator – a narrator whose credibility is compromised. Developed by an author for a number of reasons, usually to deceive the reader or audience.

  3. Notes

  4. Modernity vs Tradition • Differences between the Americans and Changez • They appear spoilt • He cannot believe their disrespect for the Greeks “twice their age” as they “conduct themselves in the world as though they were its ruling class.” They do not share his “traditional” values. • Tone? • Sarcastic- appears to attack the lack of tradition and cultural identity present in the Americans. Even Erica’s chairman Mao shirt.

  5. Stereotyping • What stereotypes exist in this chapter? • Mike & Chuck • American college grads • The damsel in distress • Pakistanis • The American is suspicious of people with beards • Changez jokes “I hoped one day to be dictator of an Islamic republic with Nuclear capabilities” after Chuck makes fun of him.

  6. Erica • Erica is an allegory for America. Changez relationship, and feelings about that relationship, are representative of his feelings for America as a whole. • Why is Erica drawn to Changez? • His politeness. His “old world” mentality? Understands his sense of humour? • Why is Changez drawn to Erica? • Her physical presence. He seems to ignore her mental fragility (“I’m not good at being alone”) in favour of her refined and regal appearance. • Writing time: In what ways are Erica and Changez similar and different?

  7. The allegory – writing time • How do Changez’s feelings for Erica align with his attitude towards America at this point? • What is author saying about America? • What does Chris represent in this allegory?

  8. The American • Doesn’t verbally respond though Changez guides the conversation based on interpretations of body language. • The mobile phone. Changez notices the foreign nature of the phone. • “I will do the utmost to avoid eavesdropping.” Why is this in italics?

  9. Unreliable Narrator • He admission does he make when discussing the Americans he travels with (p24)? • “I may be inclined to exaggerate…” • How do we know he is compromised? • “…knowing the course my relationship with your country would take.” • He is egocentric. When recounting Chuck’s impersonation of him he notes “my mannerism were, in my opinion, somewhat exaggerated, but others were spot on.” (p32)

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