Introduction
The novel The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid is the year 2007 bestseller that focuses on the tension between the American government and the people from East Asia. The book tells a story from a point of view of a professor of finance from Lahore, Pakistan. Bearing a symbolic name, Changez describes his struggles with the American people and their culture throughout his life. The entire story occurs in a cafe, where Changez tells his story to an American visitor, whose identity and intentions remain unclear until the very end. The setting of the book does not describe the true intentions of the main character and the stranger, leaving the reader to make his conclusion. This book touches on many topics regarding the United States and human interactions, including xenophobia, patriotism, bonding with another person and community, and the harmful narrative that the government used to protect its citizens against terrorists.
Main Body
For this essay, I chose to focus on the topic of the radicalization of people from Islamic countries. It might occur unintentionally due to the troubles they face during integration into Western countries, but it can also happen due to harmful political actions. The main character himself experiences this effect, which eventually leads to his return to Pakistan. Hamid (2007), through Changez’s words, explains this disillusion: “I had always thought of America as a nation that looked forward; for the first time I was struck by its determination to look back” (p. 53). Throughout his story, Changez describes the United States as a country with great possibilities with a hint of admiration and recognition of its achievements. However, he also resents it for the way the American government and its citizens chose to follow in their pursuit of safety after the terrorist attack on the twin towers.
A vital part of the story relies on this real-life event, which led to numerous accusations and significantly increased the frequency of xenophobia in American society. Hamid (2007) reveals Changez’s feelings toward it, as his “initial reaction was to be remarkably pleased” (p. 35). However, as he attempts to suppress his inner negativity by holding onto personal relationships. Hamid (2007) describes Changez’s illusion as the refusal to make “the obvious connection between the crumbling of the world around me and the impending destruction of my American dream” (p. 44). This line shows that Changez understands that he did not belong to that culture. The main character describes his adverse experiences after this incident, as he began to meet prejudice and mistrust, he was shamed for his identity and felt separated from his colleagues.
The primary stopping factor for his relative stability used to be his job and his partner with whom he fell in love, Erica. Hamid (2007), through Changez’s words, states that “we are driven by reminders of the one to seek out the other” (p. 37). Changez had this connection at that time, as Erica pulled him out of this agitated state of mind for the time being. Eventually, this connection was lost due to the mental instability of Changez’s partner, and the pressure from media and strangers only continues to worsen his feelings of alienation.
Changez found himself being torn apart with these two notions, as he does not count the United States as an enemy of his people, yet the actions of its government threaten them and his family. Hamid (2007) still has hopes for the future as he writes, “you should not imagine that we Pakistanis are all potential terrorists, just as we should not imagine that you Americans are all undercover assassins” (p. 81). Through this assumption, Changez points out that there is no need for additional escalation, although this attempt has no impact on the stranger. Moreso, his recent past shows that he is willing to take action and prevent any further harm from occurring, and his concerns about the permeating nature of the American culture. This experience had shaped his worldview, as Changez became resentful of his feelings toward the American dream.
The return to his home country seemed inevitable from the moment when the terrorists attacked the World Trade Center. What used to bind Changez to this country was gone, and his inner beliefs were rapidly shifting back to traditionalistic values, which were suppressed by the American culture. After obtaining the position of a professor at the university in Pakistan, Changez took the initiative to encourage his students to protest for the independence of his country. Despite that fact, Hamid (2007) describes Changez as “simply a university lecturer, nothing more nor less” (p. 80). Through this line, the author shows that Changez did not want anything more than what he achieved, yet the situation made him act otherwise. By the time of the dialogue with the stranger, Changez grew a traditional beard to reflect his religious beliefs. While the main character shows a positive attitude towards the stranger, who finds himself a reluctant listener of Changez’s story, the book’s ending leaves the intentions of both characters unclear.
While the book does not usher the reader to pick one side, it poses a valid question about the needlessness of this separation. It shows how the political agenda of the United States pushes people to make this choice, which inevitably leads to further escalation of the conflict. Changez found himself in a unique situation that allowed him to observe changes in society that led both Muslims and Americans to this conflict. He was never thoroughly indoctrinated by either side, which allowed him to pursue the most objective course that could have deescalated the tension.
Changez seemingly discovered the truth behind the actions of the United States. Hamid (2007) describes it as “the advancement of a small coterie’s concept of American interests in the guise of the fight against terrorism” (p. 78). He does not hold any grudge toward American citizens and understands that their aggression is based on politicians’ ambitions and personal misconceptions. Moreover, it also means that he realizes that the stranger understands this notion as well as he does. Changez does not expect the stranger to give up on his mission but does not show any negativity towards him. Instead, the main character continues this dialogue, seemingly enjoying the chance to converse with someone about that topic.
I believe that further investigation of this topic is vital for the future of human civilization. As long as people keep judging others based on their past mistakes or actions of others who are affiliated with them, humanity will struggle to move forward. I chose this topic due to its severity and the issues it caused across the globe. The toxicity that builds up in the country when its government decides to target ethnic groups based on the presumed predisposition for aggression only enforces this type of behavior. Furthermore, it is crucial for humanity, and not just for the United States, to be able to discern between aggression and retaliation.
I want to emphasize that this book does not imply that the main character had done any harm to the others, and Changez himself continuously points out that he only wants peace. However, Changez and the stranger both seem to be alarmed by the behavior of the other, despite presenting no apparent threat. Even if the suspicions of either character are correct, they are the result of Changez’s experience in the United States. Therefore, my thesis is the following: the negative attitude that was created in the United States towards Muslims causes more people from Islamic countries to become radicalized.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Reluctant Fundamentalist depicts how baseless hatred and mistrust create a toxic atmosphere that pushes people to the edge. People are not bound to become what others expect them to be, yet they can be manipulated to the point where it becomes possible to depict them in a particular light. This approach is destructive for society and must be avoided at all costs. The author’s choice to leave the ending open to interpretation gives the reader a chance to act as a judge and decide which side of the perceived conflict is right. Either way, as long as people continue to base their attitudes toward others based on adverse stereotypes, these stereotypes will only gain in strength.
References
Hamid, M. (2007). The reluctant fundamentalist. Bond Street Books.