It is ironic how Changez shows America’s inhumanity to hurt innocent people globally, but at the same time is expressing grief for the lives lost on 9/11. In addition, he remembers how he smiled on the television when he saw the World Trade Center fall. During his meditations on America’s shortcomings globally, he does not consent to take into account the identity of the 9/11 perpetrators, and the degree of coincidence they had been in Afghanistan and Pakistan before 9/11. He is full of complaints with breathtaking cynicism about how the US and India decided to harm his country after the attack on the Indian Parliament, three months following 9/11; yet again, does not take into account that the people behind this attack came from Pakistan. He sarcastically talks of how the American flag had invaded New York after the attacks. After all, the attacks were in New York and hence this was expected. It was a moment when the country needed to be together and overcome the tragedy.
Moreover, Changez’s actions deceive him and show a great inadequacy of appreciation. He forgets that it is in the US that he obtained a significant education, with financial aid as he talks about it with the Americans in the Lahore café. He talks of how being in Princeton inspired in him the feeling that he was a film star and all things were possible. It was in the US he was awarded an opportunity of earning a $80,000 starting salary. However, with 9/11, a period when the US was most vulnerable, he abandoned a country that had given him so much.
The novel leaves one disappointed with Changez since as a young and well-educated Pakistani with an experience of American life, he is in a better position of motivating moderation and involve critically in the post-9/11 debate. It was at this time that he would encourage positive-sum solutions, championing ideals rather than influencing the situation negatively.
Laqueur, W. (2004), Voices of Terror, Manifestos, writings, and manuals of Al Qaeda, Hamas, and other terrorists from around the world and throughout the ages, Canada, Reed Press
Laqueur investigates terrorism, political violence, and guerrilla warfare. He uses original excerpts showing writings and manifestos of the liberals, revolutionaries, and the terrorists themselves. Hence, the book is efficient in giving the reader an opportunity of making their own, inferences, conclusions, and comprehension without depending on the interpretations of other people.
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