Leo Song’s Reviews > The Reluctant Fundamentalist > Status Update

I was astonished by the final page of the book. When Changez and the American went to the hotel and detects a glint of metal, I realized right away that this moment was shown in the opening of the book. The uncertainty over whether the metal is a gun shows the constant sense of danger related with America. The ambiguous ending left me thinking about what happened later.

It was shocking to read that Erica had a suicide. As Erica, who represents America, disappears, Changez also loses his American dream. In the past, he was chasing the success and love he believed he could have achieved in America, but now he has become his true self, no longer forcing himself to act like an American. Since the book is coming close to the end, I am excited to see how Changez's journey will conclude.

It was shocking to read that Erica had a suicide. As Erica, who represents America, disappears, Changez also loses his American dream. In the past, he was chasing the success and love he believed he could have achieved in America, but now he has become his true self, no longer forcing himself to act like an American. Since the book is coming close to the end, I am excited to see how Changez's journey will conclude.

Earlier in the book, I predicted that Changez might face a major challenge that would lead him toward failure, and that is what happened in this chapter. After the 9/11 attacks, he returned to Pakistan. I personally felt pity for Changez when he lost his American dream, and I believe he will face even more tragedy in the future.

I did not felt great when I read about Changez getting treated differently after 9/11. People around him began to view him with bias as a terrorist just because he was a Muslim man. I felt especially empathetic because as an international student, I have sometimes felt people watching me weirdly when I visited New York with my family. I hope later in the book Changez finds himself equally with others.

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.

At this point in the book, I have all my attention in the relationship between Changez and Erica. Erica represents America. She is beautiful and promising, but unable to accept Changez fully because she is trapped in nostalgia with her boyfriend, Chris, who died. I feel so frustrated since not much progress is shown, with Changez constantly reaching out while Erica remains locked in the past.

I was happy that Changez finally got his job at Underwood Samson. I think that it was mostly because the interviewer, Jim, saw himself in Changez during the interview. However, I felt something weird through the reading as if Changez will not be able to succeed like Jim. There is no clear evidence yet, but I guess in the future that Changez will face a major challenge that could lead him to a significant failure.

I was intrigued to The Reluctant Fundamentalist because of how it explores identity in the story. Changez’s experiences as an outsider in America made me think about cultural assumptions and the little ways people judge one another. His reflections on love and his connection to home reveal a character who is both thoughtful and conflicted, which kept me engaged and curious about how his story would show out later.