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I believe that at the end of the book when Changez is pointing out the local businesses, the author shows how different it is from New York. The buildings he points out are all family owned businesses in buildings from the British era of Pakistan. Comparing this to the place he left, New York, and you can see another reason for him wanting to leave. All of the big stores and building were nice at first but not now.

I found it interesting how the author put in Juan-Bautista during Changez's most confusing time so far in the book. I think that the author put him in to show Changez was leaning towards leaving leaving America. Juan brings up boys who were taken in childhood and converted to muslims, but he also says after that it is hard to change when memories have been made you can't forget. This is leading to Changez leaving.

I find it interesting that the author has begun to show Changez becoming different after his last meeting with Erica. He has begun to change, and instead of being the productive and hard working man he was, he is lazy and preoccupied with military matters with Pakistan and India. I think that this is supposed to show how much America has changed him, with his work and Erica, he is becoming a different kind of person.

I think that Erica's mental illness brought on by Chris and enhanced by Changez is almost a representation of America after 9/11. Her declining mental state I think was supposed to show America's feelings towards Muslims at this time. Changez continues to support her through her hard times, which could be interpreted as him sticking around in America through all of the hat towards his people.

I found it interesting how Changez was willing to yield himself to Erica in order to make her happy. I think that the author is trying to show how much he cares for Erica because he will do anything to make her happy. He has to compete with someone who is no longer living, which makes it all the more harder to appease Erica. This again shows how much he loves her, as he is willing to keep going when things get hard.

I think the author was trying to show that Changez's relationship with Erica is a metaphor for being American. As she obsessively grieves her past, Changez feels invisible. He realizes he can only be with her if he pretends to be someone else, just as he can only be American by ignoring his Pakistani roots. It is a sad thing, the more he defends his home, the more America treats him like an enemy.

I find it interesting how Changez strikes up a new friendship at Underwood Samson, and how it might affect him later on. Changez mees Wainwright, the only other non-white person in the office, and they become friends. I also found it interesting that the author show Pakistani culture in the form of Changes giving change to a homeless man. This is supposed to show that he is being giving, and it is engrained in him.

I found it interesting how the author put attention on the female features during Changez's interactions with Erica. It made it seem as though Changez was American, though with a few differences employed by the author. I think that the author was trying to show Changez's old-world charm, as even in the most delicate of situation, like on the nude beach, he still doesn't say anything inappropriate or do anything rash.

I found it interesting how Changez composes himself. He says he acts like a young prince on campus, even though he comes from a not very wealthy family. He also has a very sophisticated accent. I think the author is trying to show that Changez thinks very highly of himself. He is also very smart, which may lead to an interesting personality. This might be an important detail later on if he tries to make new friends.

It was interesting that to finish Franks story of sin, the author had him kill himself instead of facing punishment. This was not much of a surprise considering his reputation. I think this was added in because he knew that his life was over either way and he wanted to go out on his own terms. He decided to end his life early and keep his reputation in the afterlife. This added a sad touch to the end of the book.

It was interesting that Julian sent his men to take care of the Frank situation. This just continues to add to Julian's power and how he gets people to do whatever he wants. I believe that this is setting up for the shotgun scene, with Gail shooting them. I don't think Gail will kill anyone but may show that she is not defenceless by firing into the ceiling or away from the attackers. This is leading to the climax.

It was interesting that right after calling Gloria, Enid and Julian show up demanding Frank be let go. I think it is supposed to show that there would be resistance to Franks arrest. I also believe that having Frank locked up in the basement is going to lead to something going wrong, because he should be in jail but instead he is being sheltered in the basement. This leads me to think that it was the wrong decision.

It was interesting how after the whole investigation of Frank, Wes still tried to keep it on the low. I think this is because he thinks he will gain more respect from his father. It was also interesting that Frank killed Marie because he thought it would keep her quiet. He instead sealed his fate because Len and David saw it. I believe this the author showing that David supported Marie by speaking up like she did.

It was interesting how the author had the part about killing the magpie. I think it is supposed to show how David is being changed, and to show his respect for the rest of the world. The magpie could symbolize his high esteem of his family, and especially of Uncle Frank, being shot down and covered in a thin layer of veiled hurt. He also found satisfaction in killing it, which shows how he has changed from the start.

It was interesting that the author had Grandpa's house be so large, but look simplistic. I found this to be an underlying symbol of power, as is already associated with him. This large but "simplistic" house is yet another reason Gail has to dislike the Haydens. Her continued dislike is setting up to look like she will be one side of a important argument about Frank with her husband or his family on the other side.

It was interesting how the author had David's dad dislike Indians when he seems good in other aspect.s I think this is because once he hears about what Marie said Uncle Frank does to Sioux girls it gives him more reason to not believe what she says. This means that even though he is the one investigating his brother, which already would add bias, he also doesn't like Indians, which makes it harder for him to believe.

It was interesting how the author continued to make David's father look meek and obedient. When Uncle Frank finished examining Marie he asked for a beer, and David's father ran to get one. This shows how much he looks up to his brother and is always trying to please him or his father in any way possible. This mentality could mean if something came up he would side with his brother because he wants to be appreciated.

It was interesting how the three generations varied, with the boys father wanting to be a lawyer, the boy being wild and the grandfather needing power. This adds separation between the generations because of different interests. There is also the setting, a small town with nothing to speak of. I think the author sets it as this so that it seems as though nothing will happen, but I believe that something will happen.