The novel which we have been reading in class these past few weeks is that by Mohsin Hamid called “The Reluctant Fundamentalist” and is about a young man who attends university at Princeton and recalls his journey (through self-reflection) in the lead up and aftermath of 9/11 as he lives in New York. One of what I feel to be the most important aspects of the book is the “us vs. them” rhetoric that George W. Bush set forth in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. This furthermore lends itself to the ‘culture of fear’ that surrounded the US in the years to follow, much of which has had extreme implications of US policy, an example of which being heightened airport security. While discussing the wave of fear that engulfed the US, began comparing it to Satrapi’s “Persepolis”, the story of a young girl and her life while living in Iran during the 70’s and 80’s, a time where political tensions were a growing concern.

Changez’s story in TRF and Marji’s in Persepolis seemed to be two different sides to a very similar story line. In both, they seem to be reflecting upon the events of the past, and both discuss aspects of their lives from their home country, Changez when he reverts back to present discussing customs and foods and Marji with her struggle with her religion and her want to rebel. What intrigues me about these to pieces is that in both storylines, Changez and Marji both face a culture of fear. Changez is viewed by others, following 9/11, as the one to be feared merely by his appearance. In contrast to this Marji faces fear in her homeland of Iran during the Iran/Iraq war. The fear she faces is also similar to that which Changez’s family must feel while Changez is in America and they are in Iran, fearing for their lives. Because of the reading of Persepolis, I found it easier to understand the fear Changez’s family must have faced as it would have been similar to that of Marji and her family those 30 or so years prior.

The culture of fear seen in both further showed a connection between how countries operate when under duress and in times of war. The US, after 9/11 presents the front that people are either with them (Americans), or against them (terrorists/ from Iran and the middle-east), refusing to believe that you could be neutral. This can be seen in the media following 9/11 in the many years to come as the number of hate crimes against those of middle eastern descent has yet to decrease to the level it was before as shown in a graph from CNN- Anti-Muslim hate crimes: Ignorance in action?

Differing slightly but still holding true to the idea of a culture of fear, in Satrapi’s graphic narrative. She describes how women were forced to wear “the Veil” (a sign of one’s religion) at school and were shunned in public if they didn’t. Nearing the middle of the Graphic narrative, Marji is seen breaking her religious connection with god and seems to struggle later on with her religions as well as her place among the revolution that was occurring. This similarly ties to Changez’s in turmoil, as he struggles with his betrayal of Underwood and Samson (furthermore the US) and his return home. Both of these novels further end with an unfinished story, leaving the reader to speculate as to what happens next and if they are both going to be alright. I find this indicative of current culture and many fears people in the middle east as well as he US still feel today, we are all unsure of how, if ever these stories of turmoil and fear will end.

Persepolis- Satrapi

The Reluctant Fundamentalist- Hamid

https://www.cnn.com/2017/01/30/us/islamerica-excerpt-hate-crimes/index.html