Atmosphere and Setting

The novel The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid, follows the wiz Changez journey by dint of American business fundamentalism. Hamid utilises a plethora of surroundings that convey specific feelings, throughout the novel to heighten the emotions mat up by Changez. This is first evident through current York Citys drastic change from affirmative to hostile, following the 9/11 attacks, which correlates with Changez understanding himself. Further as Changez is through his travels exposed to difference countries such(prenominal) as Greece and the Philippines, he pass aways aw be of the disparity between Americans and himself.This eventually leading him back to Lahore where he is revolt to realise that he has become a foreigner. Shortly after . time in Valpariso ultimately leaves him disenchanted with American. Hamid creates such environments and ambiences to amplify Changez conflicting beliefs about his place in America and Pakistan. The changes in line and view of New York City, mirror Changez changing attitude towards America and his identity in the milieu of New York City.Before the 9/11 attacks New York is depicted as a society that is diverse, modern and honorable of opportunity. The urban center itself exudes a feeling of encouragement and optimistic, welcoming individuals of all cultures. Hamid portrays, the city like this to consequently allow Changez, the protagonist to feel as though he belongs. Changez feel at home, in New York because of the taxi drivers mouth Urdu, the Punjab deli and his skin colour falling in the middle of the colour spectrum. He remarks that he neer felt like an American, but immediately felt like a New Yorker.To Changez, New York offers him an opportunity to achieve the American dream, it made everything possible. It is because of these specific feelings that Changez experiences towards New York City, that he is infatuated with America. However after 9/11 New York becomes of city of patriotism and paranoia, much m ore seclusive and guarded. At this point in the novel, Changez has begun to con the inhumanity of the pragmatic and materialistic America that he has accepted. Hamid, changes the melodic line of New York, to further amplify Changez shun for America.Changez feels as through the city is saying We are America-not New York, making him un reliable of his place, as he never really felt like an American. In addition, New Yorks tense atmosphere provokes rumours of racism Pakistani cab drivers being beaten.. the FBI raiding mosques Muslim men.. disappearing. As a result this atmosphere makes Changez feel uncomfortable and unsure about where he stands in America. Changez time in Greece and the Manila provides the absolute enviorment for him to become increasingly aware of the disparity between Americans and himself.Hamids use of Greece is significant, due to its laid back, relaxing atmosphere that juxtaposes against New York. This provides the ideal environment to stimulate Changez Ameri can companions, to exhibit their preconceived American superiority. Changez becomes aware of the tranquility at which they parted with m hotshoty, and their self righteousness, as though they were part of the ruling strain. He becomes increasing attentive of this self satis positionion that Americans carry with them. Further, Hamid uses Manila because of its similarity to Pakistan and its idolisation of Americans.Thus, Changez finds that, it was one thing to accept that New York was more wealthy than Lahore, but quite another to swallow the fact that Manila was as well. This setting evokes pride and jealousy in Changez. Hence, he attempts to act and chatter. more like an American he wanted his share of that respect. Despite his belief that his Pakistaniness was invisible, the flare that he receives from a driver of a jeppney, with its undisguised hostility, shakes Changez. He consequently realises, that this driver has seen through him and this once again makes him feel as thoug h he is betraying Pakistan.The atmosphere in Lahore and Valparaiso plays an important character in concreting Changez disenchantment with America. When Changez first returns back to Lahore, he notices how shabby his house appeared, he was saddened to find it in such a state and ashamed that this was where he had come from. Hamid creates such an atmosphere to act as significant for Changez realization of who he has become. Soon after Changez releases that his surroundings had not changed since his departure, he had changed. He realises that he, was feeling ith the eyes of a foreigner. of that particular type of entitled and unsympathetic American. This setting forces Changez to become aware of his new identity and question his loyalty to Pakistan. Changez feels as though he is abandoning his people. Upon realising this, he begins to appreciate his homes enduring grandeur and rich history. Furthermore, Hamid chooses Valparaiso as the next crucial setting because Changez associates the city with Pakistan, hence feeling more comfortable there.The citys decline as a large port reminds Changez of Lahore. Therefore he is able to trust the chief of the publishing company, Juan Bautisa. Thus, when Juan-Bautisa tells Changez of the janissaries, Changez is able to realise that he has become, a servant of the American empire when it was invading a country of kinship to mine. This setting and atmosphere provides the vital catalyst that convinces Changez that he no longer belongs in America. He now knows that his age of focusing on the fundamentals were done.Hamid uses particular settings and atmospheres in his novel, to provoke his protagonist Changez to feel certain emotions and act accordingly. The environments prove to be crucial in how the plot unfolds as they are all are essential in influencing Changez subsequent actions. The changes of New York Citys welcomeness, his observations in Greece and his sense of comfort in Valparaiso all accept Changez emotionally. Overall, had the novel not used such specific surroundings, Changez feelings may have not been realised to their full intensity.