ENGL 115W Study Guide - Final Guide: Meritocracy
27 Apr 2018
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Changez’s relationship with Erica also reflects his relationship with America as he
transitions into and attempts finds his place in American society, and ultimately, as he becomes
alienated. Throughout the novel, Changez attempts to form connections with America and Erica,
but is rejected by both. In Manila, he attempts “to act and speak, as much as [his] dignity would
permit, more like an American,” which shows that he does not see himself as an American;
instead, he is someone who wants to prove, not only to others, but to himself, that he is American
(65). He even feels so distanced from America that at one point during his trip when he looks at
his colleague, his colleague appears “foreign” and he feels “much closer to the Filipino driver”
(67).
The events during 9/11 functions as a catalyst for Erica’s detachment from reality and
Changez’s disconnection from America, causing Changez to feel increasingly isolated. After this
event, Erica’s behaviour mirrors America’s response to 9/11 of “giving itself to a dangerous
nostalgia” (115). She begins to withdraw completely from Changez, diminishing even a
possibility of a friendship between them. Changez’s attempts to maintain his connection with
Erica are futile, as she only retreats further and further away from reality into her memories of
Chris, her dead boyfriend, for a sense of comfort; “she [disappears] into a powerful nostalgia”
(113). Similarly, America begins to completely reject Changez, forcing him into a role of an
outsider. He is stopped at the airport when he returns from Manila, and joins the queue for
foreigners, whereas his colleagues join the one for American citizens. By growing a beard, he
becomes aware of the prejudice in America: on the subway, he is “subjected to verbal abuse by
complete strangers” and within his workplace, he becomes an “overnight a subject of whispers
and stares “ (130). Along with this, he sees that despite the diversity in his workplace, nobody
Document Summary
Changez"s relationship with erica also reflects his relationship with america as he transitions into and attempts finds his place in american society, and ultimately, as he becomes alienated. Throughout the novel, changez attempts to form connections with america and erica, but is rejected by both. He even feels so distanced from america that at one point during his trip when he looks at his colleague, his colleague appears foreign and he feels much closer to the filipino driver (67). The events during 9/11 functions as a catalyst for erica"s detachment from reality and. Changez"s disconnection from america, causing changez to feel increasingly isolated. After this event, erica"s behaviour mirrors america"s response to 9/11 of giving itself to a dangerous nostalgia (115). She begins to withdraw completely from changez, diminishing even a possibility of a friendship between them. Erica are futile, as she only retreats further and further away from reality into her memories of.
