Luke Elsinger’s Reviews > The Reluctant Fundamentalist > Status Update

Hamid writes that other well-known animals, compared to bats, lack agility and awareness. I believe that Hamid is using the bats to illustrate Pakistanis. Oftentimes, like bats, people look at Pakistanis and think they are unusual or lack certain qualities that others have. However, it is quite the opposite. This was shown when Changez had patience with Erica rather than the typical American going straight for sex.

Changez says that New York feels like home, because of its immense diversity and established immigrant communities. But I struggle to decipher the deeper message of how this impacts the book. Even so, I believe Hamid is trying to give him a sense of belonging. I can predict that in the future, he will not feel at home, and his relationship with New York will change, connecting to his name, Changez (Changes).

Changez's annoyances towards Mike and Chuck during their trip in Greece were thought-provoking. Not only does he talk about the "ease with which they part ways with their money," but also how they treat their elders. I believe the author did this to show that Pakistani and American cultures differ. I can predict that culture will be a recurring theme, affecting Changez's future relationships and view of America.