The reluctant
fundamentalist
Ch.10
Beau
Shamma
Dom
Chapter 10- what happened…?
• During the chapter 10, Changez flies over to Chile for a project. During this
time, Changez felt a sudden change in attitude. First class flights and divine
food no longer gave him the satisfaction it did before. All he could think of
was Erica and how he could help her. Changez says he regreted even going
to Chile. Compared to being one of the best performers, he has now no
interest at all.
• Changez in this time was relating Erica, to his childhood dog. He felt this
way because he remembers the gripping moments before his dog had died
of leukaemia. Lifeless and dethatched. He claims that Erica too was in that
state. Even though she did not suffer physical pain, she still experienced
these emotions.
• When Changez arrived in Santiago, it was the southern summer. They
stayed at Valparaiso. The chief of the publishing company was named JaunBautista. (If translated into English meaning, John the Baptist)
Chapter 10 Character Developments
The once determined and success striving Changez is found conflicted and more concerned
with Erica and the trouble with Pakistan and India. “I found myself unable to concentrate on
work. Instead I pursued news websites which informed me Pakistan and India were
conducting tit-for-tat tests of their ballistic missiles.” (Changez Pg.162)
He struggles to focus on his work, The vice president of Underwood and Sampson even
notices and comments on his lack of commitment. “Look, man,” he said, “what’s the
problem? You’re supposed to be good, but from my perspective, you aren't delivering
squat.” (Vice president Pg.164)
Changez resents how the vice president operates even though he used to be the same.
“And for my part I was beginning to resent him as well. I could not respect how he
functioned so completely immersed in the structures of his professional micro universe”
(Changez Pg.165)
Juan Bautista comments on how Changez appears lost. “You seem very unlike your
colleagues. You appear somewhat lost” (Juan Bautista Pg.165)
Chapter 10 Character Developments
Examples from the text that Changez is no longer the determined young adult ready to
take on any job to the best of his ability but a confused, conflicted man.
Changez- “I did not know where I stood on so many issues of consequence; I lacked a
stable core. I was not certain where I belonged” (Pg. 168)
He is beginning to question who he is and what he’s doing with his life. He no longer
knows where he belongs.
Changez’- “Of course I was struggling! Of course I felt torn!” (pg.173)
He feels torn because he is no longer sure where his allegiance lies.
Changez- “In any case, Juan-Bautista’s words plunged me into a deep bout of
introspection” (Pg.173)
Juan-Bautista’s word have affected Changez and left his to make an ultimatum.
Chapter 10 – memories involved
The trip to Chile was the main memory in this chapter, this included:
• Jim being irritated with him because Changez wasn’t getting anything
done as he couldn’t take his mind off Erica, especially the fact that he
thought he might've pushed her into deeper confusion. Jim had begun to
resent Changez and vice versa.
• His memory of seeing Erica last, she was so lacking in life, this is where he
recalls the dog he had as a child. – passivity and desire for solitude before
he succumbed leukaemia.
• His memory of how Juan Bautista singled Changez out from the rest of his
colleagues but added considerable momentum to Changez’s inflective
journey. The journey that still continues to this day.
Chapter 10 – memories involved
• Talks about a memory of Lahore and of that saying : the ruins proclaim.
“I was a modern day janissary, a servant of the American Empire”
“All I knew was that my days of focusing on fundamentals were done.”
Modern Day Janissary
jan·is·sar·y
Were Christian boys, Captured by the ottomans and trained to be soldiers in a
Muslim army. They were ferocious and utterly loyal: they had fought to erase their
own civilizations, so they had nothing else to turn to.
Juan-Bautista- “how old were you when you went to America?”
Changez- “I went for college, I was 18.”
Juan-Bautista- “The janissaries were taken in childhood. It would have been far
more difficult to devote themselves to their adopted empire, you see, if they had
memories they could not forget.”
(Pg. 172)
Juan-Bautista is communicating to Changez indirectly that America has taken him
and adopted him, But that if you had memories (which he knew Changez had)
that it is far more difficult to adopt a new empire (America) This is a great way to
enlighten Changez and help make him make a decision about his conflictive
situation with his life in America and his homeland. His example reflects on
Changez’ situation directly which leads to the decision to leave Chile.
Juan-Bautista
Juan-Bautista is a believable character. Changez’ wouldn’t have
left America when he did if not for his words.
“Did this conversation really happen, you ask? For that matter,
did this so called Juan-Bautista exist? I assure you, sir: you can
trust me. I am not in the habit of inventing untruths! And
moreover, even if I were, there is no reason why this incident
would be more likely to be false then any others I have related to
you.” (Pg.172)
Changez response to the American questioning the validy of
Juan-Bautista.