Hello readers! Recently in class we’ve been discussing The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid. The book itself was fascinating to read. I found myself unable to decide who, between the nameless American and the protagonist (Changez), was the one who was more “dangerous.” Is it the suspicious American, whose hand continues to creep into his jacket in the way one reaches for a wallet or for a sidearm? Or is it Changez, whose peculiar language hints at a feeling of, perhaps, bitterness towards America?
In many instances within the text, we find words that gives us reason to suspect both of these characters to be hiding something potentially sinister. For example, when describing any actions the American does, Changez uses language that, while perfectly polite, points out the ways in which the American appears to be not just a tourist or one on a simple business trip. For now, I wish to focus only on the behaviour of the American.
For example, within the first paragraph, the American is described by Changes to appear to be on a “mission”, the word being italicized for emphasis within the text. Why would “mission” be emphasised? Was it done by the author to immediately point out the dubious nature of the American to the reader? But the whole narrative is the monologue of Changez, so surely “mission” was emphasised because Changez had emphasised the word when speaking to the American as well. If so, was Changez pointing out the suspicious nature of the American to the man himself?
Not only that, but the American had been noted to be sitting on the seat closest to the wall. Such a decision is a wise one for someone who cannot be sure of their safety and wishes to protect themselves. By placing his back close to the wall, it prevents people from being able to sneak up behind him. Of course, that small act of untrusting behaviour, as well as tactical thought, places even more suspicion upon the American. Why would a normal civilian think to do such things?
However, likely the most important and repeated action the American does is reaching his hand into his jacket. It has been noted in the book that the American could be retrieving his wallet. It has also been noted that such an area is exactly where people with hidden sidearms favour holstering it. It can also be noted that the American has a habit of reaching inside his jacket whenever he is likely to be feeling threatened, like when he was taken by surprise by their burly waiter, or when the lights had temporarily gone out in the bazaar. It is suspicious behaviour, quite simply, yet it has never been truly stated whether the item inside the jacket is a wallet or a gun.
Indeed the American is quite a suspect individual. But does this truly mean that the American is in Pakistan for something more sinister than a company business trip?