The Reluctant
Fundamentalist…
CHAPTER 7
By: Alicia & Bridgette
Chapter 7 Summary
• Changez continues to focus on his job, doing a valuation in New Jersey
that involved job cuts and he begins to see first hand the ramifications of
job loss on people’s lives.
• America gripped by a growing and self righteous rage after 9/11, Pakistani
cab drivers being assaulted, mosques being raided and Muslims
disappearing.
• Jim encourages him to ‘focus on the fundamentals’
• But Changez realise that Afghanistan is a friend and neighbour and fellow
Muslim nation so he is questioning his loyalties. He watches the bombing
of Afghanistan and gets drunk and he is late for work the next day-for the
first time.
• Erica harder to get in contact with and when he finally sees her she is a
pale, nervous creature, who is struggling with her ghosts, they manage to
have make love because Changez urges her to pretend he is Chris.
Characters in the Novel & their
Development
• Relationship between Erica & Changez: They like each other
but do not begin a relationship. Later on in the novel when
changez arrives in New York, he goes out frequently with
Erica. He falls in love with her and she likes him but they do
not ever have a proper relationship. Then during chapter 7
they make love.
• Development of them Changing during this chapter: Changez
becomes more connected to Erica but as Erica is still in love
with her childhood boyfriend whom passed away, she does
not feel the same connection that Changez feels.
Memories Explored in the Chapter
• Love Making with Erica in Changez Apartment in New York
• After the 9/11 had happened Muslim men were disappearing
and Changez was being attacked verbally in the office by
Wainwright
• Changez becoming more attached to Erica
• Erica drifting apart from Changez
Why is Vandalism in this Chapter
Significant ?
Vandalism in this chapter is significant because that is the part
where 9/11 is discovered and New Yorkers start to become afraid
and angry for themselves, believing that every Muslim can attack
them and has destroyed their city.
Changez describes the food on offer in Pakistan
as ‘predatory delicacies’ What is the effect of
the novels references to animals?
Changez is making an allergy between food and his work force in
New York, He is trying to state the example by saying the
predators are the bosses for the company and the prey are the
people whom work for the company.
MOHSIN HAMID