The Reluctant Fundamentalist - Free Essay Examples and Topic Ideas

The term post-colonial refers to all characteristics of culture that is influenced by the process of colonial occupation. According to Loomba, (2003) “Post-colonial studies is a resistance to the domination and legacies of colonialism.” The Reluctant Fundamentalist (Hamid, 2007) is a Pakistani novel of Mohsin Hamid which got published in the year 2007. The novel is in the form of dramatic monologue and thus during their discussion, a degree of doubtfulness rules the conversation as Changez mediates and understands the…

The Scarlet Letter and the Fundamentalist System of the Time The Scarlet Letter written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, is a American Literature classic. The story of Hester Prynne's adulterous affair with Mr. Dimmesdale, and the twisted tale that follows, however entertaining and is the bulk of written work, is not the main theme of the book. The Scarlet Letter is a novel based upon the unjust mindset of hypocritical Puritans, as they governed Boston with a fundamentalist regime, possessed an eagerness…

The Anti-American Fundamentalist There are many parallels between the author and the main character of the book “The Reluctant Fundamentalist”, including the fact that they were both born in Lahore, Pakistan, they both continued on to attend Princeton University, and they both gained a lot of knowledge and intimacy with American culture through exclusive involvement. The book exquisitely renders America speechless as the main character Changez expresses his anti-American views through appraisal and accurate but negative perception involving American culture.…

After reading The Reluctant Fundamentalist we could ask the question as to whether Changez’s relationship to America is the reason Changez is attached to his relationship with Erica? Erica has striking similarities to Changez’s dream country, America, which can be what makes him feel so attached to Erica. We can see Changez is a “lover of America” and is also in love with Erica (1). Erica is seen throughout the book as being warm and kind to Changez, but also…

Nostalgia is the sentimental longing or affection for the past that most people would associate with positive personal memories that transport them back to a happier time. Mohsin Hamid uses the concept of nostalgia throughout his novel, The Reluctant Fundamentalist, to communicate the life story of Changez to the American man while in Lahore, Pakistan at a café. In Hamid's essay, "On the Dangers of Nostalgia", Hamid depicts the prominence of nostalgia in our world today and how it has…

In the enthralling narrative of The Reluctant Fundamentalist, we follow the life journey of Changez, a character whose initial admiration for America transforms into reluctant skepticism after the cataclysmic events of 9/11. At first, Changez revels in the American dream, relishing the luxuries of Manhattan and building a successful career at Underwood Samson. However, as the shadow of 9/11 looms large, his experiences in a post-9/11 America lead him to question his once-idealized perception of the nation. Initially, the author…

Society is filled with few powerful people, and the ones they have power over. Although so many people feel powerless, they are incorrect to feel that way. In one’s daily life, the responsibility to look out for and help one's fellow person, even if they are a stranger is always present. This can be seen in many ways, some positive and some negative. Whether it be helping an old woman across the street or committing acts of hate against one's…

The Kite Runner, written by Khaled Hosseini, is a famous novel for its devastating and painfully honest depiction of identity, betrayal, deception, and atonement. The narrative portrays the journey of a boy escaping from his haunted childhood while torturing himself with his own contrition. These two concepts of identity and redemption play a vital role in creating a string that binds the characters together. As a reader of The Kite Runner, one embarks on a journey that leads through the…

New York City, the most populated city in New York and the United States with a population of 17, 990, 455, lies at the end of the Hudson River on the southernmost tip of the state of New York. New York City is divided into five boroughs, Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island. The city's physical setting is a complex assortment of lands and islands. The only borough of the city that is on the mainland of New…

Mohsin Hamid’s “The Reluctant Fundamentalist” focuses on the consequences of the “9/11” attack in America on individuals and society as a whole. The main character, Changez, changes significantly as the story unfolds. At the beginning, he is depicted as a ‘lover’ of America and is determined to become wealthy, even though he is not entirely at ease. After the destruction of the World Trade Centre and the subsequent racist assaults, his attitude changes dramatically and he becomes embittered and disillusioned.…

Identity is not something fixed once and for all, but rather in a state of flux. This aspect is well illustrated in The Reluctant Fundamentalist as the character of Changez (whose very name implies change) takes on different identities throughout the novel, rather than simply losing or acquiring a given one. He first becomes the quintessentially-American success immigrant story, believing in the corporate ethos of meritocracy, only to reject this condition and adopt Islamic fundamentalism. When Erica is unable to…

Mohsin Hamid's The Hesitant Fundamentalist follows the journey of a young Pakistani man and his journey after transferring to America in search of the American dream. Changez remains in a minority group when relocating to America and is a clear outsider however he is accepted into American meritocracy and offered the chance to become 'an effective American'. Though he tries to fit into what he believes an effective American needs to be, through changing his identity according to the standards…