Someone will continue to have an "American Dream" after all

Erich 2022-01-17 08:03:35

Excluding his degree in higher education, the title of Wall Street financial upstart, and the drunken fans who entered the upper class, he is just a descendant of a declining family in Pakistan. On this soil that advertises democracy, freedom and equality everywhere, after all, he is just a stranger.

Those invisible prejudices and predictions are like hidden swells under the surface of the water. Once they fall into a small stone, they will cause waves of waves. Those hustle and bustle that he thought had long been far away came after the appearance of the terms "911, the fall of the twin towers, and bin Laden". This stranger, in the eyes of former colleagues, immediately changed from a young and motivated youth to a "suspected terrorist". After experiencing the collision of reality and being in the shadow of political conflict, he began to re-examine his national identity and religious beliefs.

The "American Dream" has given countless people an illusion that "as long as you step on the land of the United States and you can get a good life through unremitting struggle". Immigration, fake marriage, smuggling, illegal stay, there will still be people who want to stay in various ways, create dreams, and change tomorrow.

View more about The Reluctant Fundamentalist reviews

Extended Reading

The Reluctant Fundamentalist quotes

  • Changez: Pretend I'm him.

  • Changez: [about watching the events of 9/11 unfold] In that moment, I should have felt sorrow or anger, but all I felt was awe. What audacity. The ruthlessness of the act was surpassed only by its genius. And David had struck Goliath. I'm sorry if my reaction to the attacks has offended you, Bobby. I hope you see that I'm not celebrating at the death of 3,000 innocents, just as you would not celebrate the death of 100,000 in Baghdad or Kabul, for that matter. But before conscience kicks in, have you never felt a split-second of pleasure at arrogance brought low?

    Bobby Lincoln: And you ask me why they're harrassing your family. Let's just cut the bullshit, okay? You believe in violence as a tool for social change. You teach a course in violent revolution at Lahore University. Your lectures are full of anti-American rhetoric.

    Changez: [cut to him teaching] We will wipe the blood of the invaders from our swords!

    Bobby Lincoln: If that weren't enough, you were spotted at an Asal Mujahideen meeting with Mustafa Fazil, a known cell leader.

    Changez: [cut to said meeting] I think I can help.

    Mustafa Fazil: I knew you would.

    Bobby Lincoln: Last night, Anse Rainier was kidnapped. And this morning, your class was canceled. If you're just an innocent bystander, Changez, why were you hiding? Only guilty people hide.

    Changez: Your candor is appreciated, Bobby, but your conclusions are wrong.