Status Updates From The Reluctant Fundamentalist

I realized name "Chris" alludes christian/christianity because Chris was an obstacle that separated Changez and Erica apart. Same, Christianity's (white people's) prejudice also viewed Changez as a suspicious person after 9/11. If I were in the same situation as Changez, I would lose affection towards America, like how Changez lost affection towards Erica because of Chris.

The love scene between Erica and Changez made me think about Changez in America. Knowing Changez has lived in America for over four years, he enjoys living in New York, but he struggles be accepted because of 9/11. I see this in his relationship with Erica because she likes him, but struggles to move forward with Changez because of Chris. The more Erica and him move forward, the harder it will be to live in New York.

This page was interesting because of the behavior of Changez when he discovered his fellow nation, Afghanistan, was being invaded. It is understandable to think that he will get angry if his own country was invaded but the fact that he got so upset about other countries is confusing. It was especially confusing because as a student studying abroad, this does not effect Changez at all.

The moment when Changez is stuck in traffic and staring at a hostile jeepney driver felt random at first, but later I understood it was the point where Changez realizes he doesn’t truly belong. He feels closer to the driver than his American coworker, and that makes him question who he is. The author is showing that the more Changez tries to fit in, the more he loses himself, and he might never feel like he belongs.

After reading the 9/11 incident, I felt worried for Changez's future. He discovered his distinct identity does not match the American dream that he tried to pursue in New York. I'm also impressed by what Erica did. As time goes by, she still can't get over the death of her ex boyfriend chris. If I were Changez, I would leave Erica and completely leave her behind, since she is always missing her ex and getting drunk.

Over these 20 pages i often found myself uncomfortable and surprised to the themes the author was mentioning. Especially when inticamcy throgh intercourse it depicted very vividly i had to skip the page as i did not see the need to read such things. Also the mention of how real muslims were affected from harassed to tortured/attacked and even murdered just for being muslims which i found very interesting.

Mohsin Hamid does a great job in emphasizing the effects of 9/11 in this section. You can feel the gravity of the impact upon the people as they continue their relentless raids and revolutions in the Levant. He also shows a lot of the delicate sides of Erica and gets to an understanding of the relationship that they have truly developed. However, you can clearly see that it is not meant to be because of Chris.

I am surprised how honest Changez was to the American man about his feelings when 9/11 happened. He just admitted he was pleased when he saw the twin towers got hit by the planes. If I were in the American guy's shoes I would have most likely just left because I might think this guy is a terrorist. By Changez saying that he just helped prove all the stereotypes that are in that guy's head.

I felt worried about Changez’s future. The patriotism after 911 was gradually pushing his life to the edge, and the Pakistani family was leaving the elite too. I would be desperate if I were Changez because nobody would consider him a part of the country. In addition, I felt that his relationship with Erica would fail because she always misses her ex and only sees Changez as a close friend with an exotic culture.

During this part of the book, Changez really found out that he is sometimes really different from others. In the U.S, he was constantly being told to remember that he was a Pakistani; however, in his home country, he was being treated well and fairly. And in Chile, he met Juan-Bautista. This moment also makes Changez question his loyalty to America and realize how far he has drifted from his home country's culture.

as i was reading through the book. And we were discussing in class i found really curious the relationship between Changez, Erica and Chris. In the book we see how Erica cant stop talking about chris and that relationship might mean the relationship between religion, america, and how their changing. I just don't know very well.

Over this past chapter, I have noticed that Erica and Changez have gotten a lot closer but at the same time more distant. Erica and Changez are growing closer but it seems that no matter how close they get, Erica still thinks about Chris. Erica has opened up to Changez a lot more in this past chapter and I am interested to see where their relationship and to see how 9/11 affects Changez's life in America.

It was interesting to see Changez smile on TV when the 9/11 attack happened. I personally learned more about Changez that his real identity is Pakistani. Although he has accomplished many things in the U.S and has built a life here, it was surprising to see him smile after the incident. This made me realize that his heart does not really belong in the U.S.

As Changez returns to the United States, he notices that New York City has changed dramatically. The country seems united in sorrow and patriotism, hanging flags and singing songs. Im confused on how he does not feel more excluded. Although he keeps seeing Erica and she does not treat him differently, she remains unattracted and still attached to Chris. I predict Changez will encounter issues with 9'11 in the US.

Up to page 85, it's pretty clear that Changez is starting to feel like he doesn't belong in America anymore. I say this because his whole dream of being successful in America is changing after the 9/11 attacks. I do think that, in the end, Changez will still find a way to be successful with whatever he does. Something that caught me off guard was how Erica still talked to Changez after 9/11, but I'm glad she did.

Changez appears successful at this point in the book, thriving at Underwood Samson, dating Erica, and enjoying elite status, but beneath the success, it seems there is tension. Changez often suppresses himself to fit an American mold that doesn’t fully accept him. Whether it be by hiding his true emotions or trying to act more American, it is as if he is putting on an act to fool himself into believing he belongs.

As close as Changez and Erica are, Erica still cannot get over Chris. Erica says Changez was the only other man that was as close with her since Chris, so why can't she get over him? Erica's relationship with Chris must have gone deeper than what we know so far in the book for her to act this way, as she breaks down in tears by simply talking about him with Changez. Could this impact Changez later on in the book?

As Changez came back to USA he saw the change in NYC. There was a lot of US flags in the city supporting the ones that died and also the whole country wanted to show support to New York. Changez went to see Erica fastly after he came to USA. They had much fun but Erica still keeps only talking about chris which annoys me as a reader a lot. If I were in Changes' boots I would leave Erica as she only talks about Chris.

as reading through around these pages, my thoughts about Changez have been changing. The reason for that is because he started to think about if his job is right for him or not and that made me think too. i think how other people sees him hurts him just in general. i felt like he is thinking like having good job isn't just right thing.

It's interesting to me how Erica is still stuck thinking about Chris throughout the book so far, which keeps her distant from Changez. Changez really cares about Erica, but she cannot return his feelings. I think Hamid includes Erica to symbolize America, someone/thing Changez cares about but who cannot fully accept him, especially after 9/11, showing his sense of rejection, not belonging, and being out of place.

After reading to page 120, I think there are many things that I can focus on throughout these pages. But Changez is in Chile for work with Underwood Sampson, and he meets a man named Juan Bautista. He is an older man, and Changez thinks that he is very important. The book also keeps bringing up Chris's name. Which I think this is going to lead to something important, because I think Chris's name sybolizes somtehing.

In this section of the book, we get to see an important reaction from Changez on the bombing of Afghanistan. The attack makes him feel angry and sad because innocent people are suffering. It makes him see what America really is and pushes him to question America's actions. I think this feeling will later on be a factor in why he distanced himself from America.

During his Manila assignment we see that Changez is not only an outsider in America, but he also feels like an outsider in another third world country. He grew up in Pakistan which is a poor country and has been a key piece of his identidy. Yet, the moment where he stares out of the cab at the filipinos he realizes how this newfound wealth has also alienated him from his roots making him an outcast in both settings.

I could imagine Changez's feelings during the airport scene. The scene made me frustrated because it showed how quickly people judged him by appearance alone, and I've faced similar events where people judge you based on your look. For example, there is a stereotype about people who wear glasses that you must be smart, which is not true. I respect Changez for facing unfair treatment for something that they didn't do.

Up to page 79, Changez feels caught between two places. In the U.S, 9/11 made him suddenly visible as a Muslim, slowly lost the confidence he once had. Back in Pakistan, identity feels shared, not questioned. The contrast exposes how fragile belonging can be, especially for Muslims after the 9/11 event. Overall, this moment marks the beginning of his emotional change in the country he once believed he belonged to.

I found it interesting how the author keeps Chris in the story even though he's dead. Eria is so happy and when her and Changez are sharing intimacy she breaks down thinking of him, there must be a deeper meaning to Chris in the book. What does he represent? I have a feeling that Changez life is a rollercoaster with good news and bad news, but he finds a way to push past it. That's why I think he will be successful.

What is genuinely wrong with Changez? After seeing 9/11, instead of feeling any sadness for the country that allowed him to acquire a great job and attend one of the prestigious colleges, he decides to laugh. Wow, that really took me off guard. Is this because he genuinely feels glad America got attacked, or is it that he was filled with mixed emotions and did not know what reaction to put on? I am extremely confused