The Reluctant Fundamentalist thread

[walkec]

Hi everyone,

Who else is doing TRF for the exam? Thought it would be a good idea to make a thread so we can all bounce ideas off each other because it's always good to get other perspectives on a text.

I'll get us started then - what do you think of The American? Do you think The American was actually in the cafe with Changez? Or is the American just a figure of Changez's imagination and a way for Changez to highlight his criticisms of America? I'm interested to read other people's thoughts 

[Penguuu]

Yesss I am, good idea for this thread! im a little 'reluctant' to do this text because it's the fourth year so I reckon there might be a hard prompt... but anyway hahaha

I think the American was actually in the cafe, Changez cant speak to himself for a whole night, that's my logic haha. I do however think that they are not just having a friendly conversation and there are other motives of both of them. I do think the American is an undercover assassin and I also think Changez is a terrorist. They're both trying to kill each other hahaha. I guess there no correct answer but there is plenty of evidence to back up both identities so.. why not both?

Something which I have always interpreted differently to a lot of people is... does Erica exist? I personally think Erica is a figment of Changez's imagination which he made up so that the American is more sympathetic with him because it makes him seem more connected to America, and a victim in a way. That way he is possibly trying to protect himself because (interpretation) he knows the American is trying to kill him. (i got his from the literary Kurtz thing at the end)

When you write essays would you use such a bias perspective though? Is it a bit risky? Im scared the examiner might say its wrong!!

[walkec]

Yesss I am, good idea for this thread! im a little 'reluctant' to do this text because it's the fourth year so I reckon there might be a hard prompt... but anyway hahaha

I think the American was actually in the cafe, Changez cant speak to himself for a whole night, that's my logic haha. I do however think that they are not just having a friendly conversation and there are other motives of both of them. I do think the American is an undercover assassin and I also think Changez is a terrorist. They're both trying to kill each other hahaha. I guess there no correct answer but there is plenty of evidence to back up both identities so.. why not both?

Something which I have always interpreted differently to a lot of people is... does Erica exist? I personally think Erica is a figment of Changez's imagination which he made up so that the American is more sympathetic with him because it makes him seem more connected to America, and a victim in a way. That way he is possibly trying to protect himself because (interpretation) he knows the American is trying to kill him. (i got his from the literary Kurtz thing at the end)

When you write essays would you use such a bias perspective though? Is it a bit risky? Im scared the examiner might say its wrong!!

Yeah I've heard of people thinking Erica doesn't exist, which has got me thinking that maybe the American doesn't exist either?
Can you explain the Heart of Darkness reference to me please, still don't understand it!

I don't really understand what you define as a "bias" perspective. Can you please clarify? And also with what you were saying about it being harder because it's in its last year - yeah sure, there's a chance they could throw us a curveball. But then everyone would find it hard and we are going to know the text so well that it shouldn't matter what we get!

[Vermilliona]

I'm not doing TRF for the exam, but just wanted to contribute re: ambiguous ending/identities. The way I tended to approach it in my essays when preparing for the SAC was acknowledging that different interpretations of the true identity of Changez/the American exist, and then talking about why Hamid deliberately constructs this ambiguity. So I wouldn't go with one perspective, but discuss multiple ones and then look at them as a construction - what is Hamid telling us about the nature of representation and truth by making the reader come up with their own stereotype of who the characters really are? Just my two cents

[speedy]

I'm not sure where the hint that these characters don't exist comes from...? This is not something I have ever considered or heard about. I can't think of any evidence to back it up, and I definitely wouldn't want to argue it in an exam. It just seems too farfetched for me.

[walkec]

I'm not sure where the hint that these characters don't exist comes from...? This is not something I have ever considered or heard about. I can't think of any evidence to back it up, and I definitely wouldn't want to argue it in an exam. It just seems too farfetched for me.

I wouldn't argue it either, but I just thought it was an interesting point of discussion. The similarities between people and Changez's experiences and American values and stuff seems too convenient.

[Vermilliona]

Plus both he and Hamid constantly hint at the fact that his story is manipulated and reconstructed to deliver a certain message - stage references, references to movies and fairy tales, plus the explicit "it's the gist that counts". The unreliable narrator thing also plays into this. His descriptions of Erica and perceptions of their relationship are often disconnected from reality, suggesting that he is embellishing at least a little, if not making her up altogether to draw those convenient parallels between her and the US (which he does almost too explicitly). And also, Juan Bautista? I mean really, literally having a spiritual awakening facilitated by a John the Baptist, Hamid constructs it to seem far-fetched. I would bring up Juan and whether he exists, in an essay, and would maybe even mention Erica's embellished character as well, as a way of acknowledging differing interpretations of the text. This stuff plays really well into a discussion of the nature of truth and representation, as well as things like allegory and the politicisation of the personal.

I'm spending so much time on this thread, maybe I should do TRF for the exam d:

[walkec]

Plus both he and Hamid constantly hint at the fact that his story is manipulated and reconstructed to deliver a certain message - stage references, references to movies and fairy tales, plus the explicit "it's the gist that counts". The unreliable narrator thing also plays into this. His descriptions of Erica and perceptions of their relationship are often disconnected from reality, suggesting that he is embellishing at least a little, if not making her up altogether to draw those convenient parallels between her and the US (which he does almost too explicitly). And also, Juan Bautista? I mean really, literally having a spiritual awakening facilitated by a John the Baptist, Hamid constructs it to seem far-fetched. I would bring up Juan and whether he exists, in an essay, and would maybe even mention Erica's embellished character as well, as a way of acknowledging differing interpretations of the text. This stuff plays really well into a discussion of the nature of truth and representation, as well as things like allegory and the politicisation of the personal.

I'm spending so much time on this thread, maybe I should do TRF for the exam d:

Hmm 25 days until the English exam? I wouldn't be bothered changing now, but by all means contribute to the thread!

[Sid_Dev]

Can we be absolutely certain that one of the prompts is going to be about the structural element of the text, and the other one based around themes/characters etc. ?

[Penguuu]

Yeah I've heard of people thinking Erica doesn't exist, which has got me thinking that maybe the American doesn't exist either?
Can you explain the Heart of Darkness reference to me please, still don't understand it!

I don't really understand what you define as a "bias" perspective. Can you please clarify? And also with what you were saying about it being harder because it's in its last year - yeah sure, there's a chance they could throw us a curveball. But then everyone would find it hard and we are going to know the text so well that it shouldn't matter what we get!

Heyy, so Changez says something along the lines of "I have felt like a Kurtz waiting for his Marlow." In the Heart of Darkness, Marlow was searching for Kurtz (who was a criminal in a way, he had committed acts of inhumane violence). Kurtz knows that Marlow is coming for him, but he does not bother to run or hide.

This really mirrors the American and Changez's relationship from a certain perspective. If Changez is Kurtz, he is the terrorist and is part of some anti-American thing perhaps (hinted at the end of the book). Changez engages in a conversation with the American even though he knows that the American is trying to kill him, and just like Kurtz, he doesn't do anything but accept his fate.

I say bias because it is really one sided, the book is so open ended that i think it is best to talk about all perspectives and not focus in on one. However, i have read that it doesn't matter what you do, even if the examiners don't agree with your point of view because it is really bias, if there is enough evidence to back it up, it's all good!

Can we be absolutely certain that one of the prompts is going to be about the structural element of the text, and the other one based around themes/characters etc. ?

Last year there wasn't really one on structure. One was on theme and the other was on character. Actually, they were kind of both on character.
"The personal and the political are deeply intertwined. Is this true of Changez"
"To what extent does Changez's relationship with Erica affect him and his later choices"

[walkec]

Okay so I've been re reading parts of the text that I didn't really "get" before my SAC and I need some clarification on bits..

• p. 156 (chapter 9) - Changez talks about "half expect[ing] someone to come to [his] desk with a pink slip to put [him] out of [his] misery". But what does he mean by a pink slip?
• I've noticed that it is Erica who always initiates deep, intimate moments with Changez. Any time Changez tries to, something interrupts them, she refuses etc. As Erica is an allegory for America, am I unreasonable in saying these mannerisms reflect how the USA treats people of different ethnic backgrounds like Changez? Like they can do all they want to fit in, but they are unable to do so until "invited" by America.

• What does Jim mean by Changez being a "shark"?
• At the start of chapter 5, Changez talks about the fireflies and how they are "incompatible" with the "modern metropolis." Do you think this is a comment on the division that people can feel between their environment and their own identity?

• Chapter 4, p.57 - Changez says he "was forced to lower his eyes" to Erica. But why?

Thanks 

[literally lauren]

• A 'pink slip' is a sheet of paper that tells you you're fired... I think it's some American terminology from ye olde days. Basically he expected to be fired at any point because of his circumstances.
• Interesting interpretation, and definitely worth pursuing. It might be worth considering Changez's reaction too; he opens up to her, but their relationship dynamic is turbulent nonetheless. Perhaps her own reservations and constant 'looking back' to the glory days are inhibiting her happiness.
• Not sure which part of the text this is from, but from memory I think this was just a compliment about his business acumen, ie. predatory nature and instinct. You could read a deeper symbolism into this though; perhaps the misconception about the danger of sharks also applies to Changez (ie. only a risk when provoked?)
• Yes, but I would encourage comparison between the fireflies and the bats. Both are rife for metaphoric discussion, and a good portion of Changez's conversation (or rather, monologue) with The American revolves around their setting.
• I don't have my copy of the text with me so this is pure conjecture, but if this is the scene where they're in Greece(?) on holiday together, it might be an expression of discomfort with their conversation (like you said, she initiates most of the D&M stuff.) Alternatively, it might be his natural deference and shyness that she finds so endearing.
   
  Maybe someone else can fill in the other details; it's been two years since I studied this so I'm a little rusty :p

[walkec]

Going back to the point I made about possibility Changez's tale not being real at all, is that he makes a couple of references to scripts and plays. He talks about the "backdrop" he saw Erica against just after the attacks and then in chapter 11 he mentions the "aroma of dust" and how if smelt in America, it would "foreshadow the passage through this dimly lit stage".

I just thought it was interesting, because someone mentioned about not being able to find evidence in the text to support the possibility of Changez completely making up his story. To me, "backdrop" and "stage" have connotations of theatrics and drama, which on closer readings could indicate that Changez's tale is not entirely accurate.

It could just be that the people in the text and his experiences are a metaphor for how he views America.

[Penguuu]

I really like the strong interpretations of what Hamid might suggest. I think it is safe to use as long as there is evidence!
Could someone please explain to me the metaphor of the fireflies throughout. They "transcend the boundaries of continents and civilisations." This relates to changez finding his homeland i think but im not too sure how.

[speedy]

Anyone have predictions for the exam prompt? Likewise, does anyone have any good, challenging prompts that bring out new ideas/thoughts?

I really like the strong interpretations of what Hamid might suggest. I think it is safe to use as long as there is evidence!
Could someone please explain to me the metaphor of the fireflies throughout. They "transcend the boundaries of continents and civilisations." This relates to changez finding his homeland i think but im not too sure how.

This doesn't directly answer your question, but it is something I wrote a while ago in response to a similar question:

The firefly explores the possibilities of a life Changez and Erica could have together, wherein they share an intimate moment as they watch the firefly. In the same paragraph Changez says when he was holding her, with his arms around her, he felt like “that of an expectant father with his pregnant wife”, which alludes to a long life of love and a family which they could have had. Changez says he has “no idea” if the firefly made it but he “hopes so”.

I think it is a very interesting metaphor though and I'm going to attempt to come up with something more sophisticated.