” Fucking Arab!”(p117) The protagonist Changez was angered, of course he belongs to the Muslim group but mistakenly recognized as “terrorist”. He shouts to the drunken guy and took out something from his shoes as a weapon. This atmosphere just lasted for a few seconds with drunken guy leaving as the end. This scene happens in New York’s street right after 9-11 have taken place. The hatred against Muslim group have reached to its highest point. That is the background when the novel was published in 2007. Right now, we come to 2021. In my opinion, the hatred of muslim did not cease at all. In fact, it hides into people’s mind after emphasizing equality and freedom as one part of the political correctness. The reason behind it is the terrorist still exists, but it turned into secret activities. *After 9-11 happened, U.S have established several organizations that helps the security system, such as Department of Homeland Security, Directorate of National Intelligence, and National Counterterrorism Center. Also, it launched several military operations with NATO allies to destruct terrorism. Such as the operation to take out Osama Bin Laden in 2011. It spents huge amount of money to do the work, but it is a way to learn something from 9-11. That is everything happened in real life with a broad perspective. In the book, when an American tourist in Lahore met our protagonist Changez. He must feel uncomfortable because of his appearance. For example, his beard. But this is the start of the book which basically is Changez telling his past in America with some monologues. Actually, the cultural atmosphere in U.S was not friendly to Changez. Not only because of Erica’s family didn’t like him, but also colleagues in the company. At the end of the book, when he decided to go back Pakistan only Wainwright came to shake his hands to say farewell.(p160) There is also trust revealed in the book. Erica, Changez’s lover trusted him a lot. Introduce about her past, her unfriendly parents and always curious about Changez’s lifestyle in Pakistan. Also, Jim his boss also helped him a lot. He inspired Changez at work and provide advice to him. Lastly, Juan-Bautista the guy met in Chile trip talked to him a friend as well. It’s him who let Changez decided to go back to Pakistan, his homeland. It’s very embarassing to let people have similar identity to Changez live in a “multicultural” U.S after 9-11 happened. It would be a good option to become as a fundamentalist.

*https://americanprogress.org/article/lessons-learned-u-s-national-security-policy-20-years-since-911/