Hey readers!

This week in ASTU we have been reading and discussing Mohsin Hamid’s The Reluctant Fundamentalist. It is an ambiguous novel that follows a young Pakistani mans journey through a post-Princeton life in the wake of 9/11 in New York. However, the story is told by the protagonist Changez, in a meeting that he is having with a mysterious figure from America. Changez tells his life story that is complete with success, romance, turmoil and difficult decisions. Although the reflective narrative and awkward present moment scenes leaves the reader uncomfortable and suspicious of the intentions of both sides of the table.

In groups, we decided to examine the novel through the lens of romance (it could have been analyzed through numerous others). Considering Changez only had one ‘romantic’ relationship with his friend Erica, I assumed we would have little difficulty establishing what the romantic expedition of this story meant. Oh how very wrong I was.

Due to the perplexing narrative and vague information, this story has the power of being interpreted in a multitude of ways, right down to romantic relationships. I, for example, viewed Erica as representing a destination that was not America, I did not see her tied to his passion for the United States, I saw her as a transition stage. I believe Changez was infatuated by her ability to be alone and in her own head, regardless of how or why she was there. Changez describes her as “disappearing into a powerful nostalgia, one from which only she could choose whether or not to return” (113). Even though Erica was sick (due to the passing of her boyfriend Chris), Changez still wanted to be a part of her thoughts and her life story which is witnessed when he visits her in the mental institution and asks if she thinks about him. I believe that Changez is drawn to Erica’s ability to lose herself and disconnect from the world that he is to tightly entangled in.

However, some of my peers read it in a completely different way. Erica, for them represented America’s sense of nostalgia after 9/11. Changez had no other emotional ties to America but that with Erica which led him to stay in America when he didn’t feel like he completely belonged.

This post is not designed to be a debate surrounding the meaning of Erica’s character, I am simply awed by Hamid’s ability to create such a riveting tale that still has so much room for thought. The discussion surrounding The Reluctant Fundamentalist is far from over, I have barely began to scratch the surface. I am excited for further conversation in the attempts of unravelling this ambiguous novel.

Thanks for reading!

Devon Coady