The Reluctant Fundamentalist

While en route to Manila with the Underwood Samson team, Changez notes that Manila, with all its splendor, reminds him of New York, and admits that the progress of these metropolitan cities causes him to feel shame at being a native of Lahore. He also finds that Americans are treated with respect in Manila, and so he attempts to act as American as he can, even adopting the mannerisms of his coworkers: “I did something in Manila I had never done before: I attempted to act and speak, as much as my dignity would permit, more like an American” (p.65).

While the team is stuck in traffic one day, a man looks at Changez with disgust, which unnerves him. He’s not sure why but the feeling sticks with him and angers him.

Jim arrives in Manila as the project comes to an end and tells Changez that he’s doing a great job. Everyone is in good spirits and is planning to return to New York when Changez returns to his room to pack and witnesses the attack on the twin towers on television. Instead of being shocked, however, Changez smiles. The narrative switches back to the Lahore café where the American stranger is disgusted by this admission from Changez. Changez himself admits that it sounds heartless, sinister even. He confesses that he didn’t find pleasure in the deaths of innocent people, however. He had smiled because someone had brought America to its knees through a public spectacle. And yet as pleased as he had been, thinking about Erica back in Manhattan helped Changez, to some degree, to share in the communal grief of his coworkers.

While waiting for a flight back to the U.S.—all flights having been grounded after the attacks—Changez is placed in secondary inspection before boarding the plane and made to strip down to his underwear. Boarding the plane, he receives looks of disapproval from his fellow passengers as well. Though he tries to remain calm, it’s obvious—even to Jim—that Changez is uncomfortable. Changez says that he “flew to New York uncomfortable in my own face: I was aware of being under suspicion; I felt guilty” (p.74). Going through customs after the flight, Changez is again made to queue in line with other foreigners and sent to secondary inspection.

Changez remembers purchasing wisteria flowers for a grandmother, who died, and this memory of his own grief leads him to recall the collective mourning that followed 9/11 and the immense amount of flowers left at makeshift shrines and graves. America’s reaction to the attack was constantly on his mind. Amidst all of the unrest, Changez sees Erica again. Though pale, she looks elegant and mature. The attacks have brought back old memories for Erica, memories of Chris and their life together: “The destruction of the World Trade Centre had, as she had said, churned up old thoughts that had settled in the manner of sediment to the bottom of a pond; now the waters of her mind were murky with what previously had been ignored” (p.83). The destruction of the World Trade Center rekindles Erica’s depression, casting her deeper into nostalgic thoughts of simpler, safer times with Chris. Even though Changez realizes this, he’s simply happy to be close to Erica.

After dinner one night, Erica and Changez go back to his apartment where, after a brief chat, the two fall asleep. Erica and Changez begin attending relief functions benefits for the victims of 9/11, and Changez is excited at the chance to spend so much time with her. Watching Erica during these events, Changez always feels protective of her. Even surrounded by friends, she always appears withdrawn, what she refers to as “spacing out”. Changez takes pride in the fact that, by being in close proximity to her, he can snap her out of her introverted state and bring her back to reality.

One night, while leaving a function, Erica tells Changez that she has an agent for her book and the two decide to celebrate. They go to Changez’s apartment again. They try to make love but Erica’s body remains rigid due to the fact that she has not been with anyone since Chris. Erica and Changez talk about relationships, hers with Chris and his in Lahore. The two fall asleep again, side by side. Returning to the café narrative, Changez notes that the stranger appears discomfited by his revelation of such intimate details. Changez admits that he normally would never be so forthcoming, but the night in question, the two of them agree, is one of great importance.