Fundamentalism is seen throughout the book and the film. At Underwood Samson, their main point was to "focus on the fundamentals." The company was a picture perfect view of corporate America, where making it to the top gave you extravagant privileges. They focused on growing within the company, and it did not seem like the outside world mattered much. Also, in the book the Qu'ran is known as a "fundamental truth" to which all people should follow, no matter what, despite any moral consequences. That mindset is sort of close to corporate America as well. Some of the people who are a part of the "elite social class" do not have good moral standards.
The book, compared to the film, felt much more personal. Reading the book I felt like I was having a conversation with Changez and felt what he was feeling. Yes, in the movie someone is interviewing him, but you don't get to experience his excitement and emotions as he recalls an exciting moment in his life. The movie felt more formal and less intimate. Another difference, of course, was Erica. I think the movie portrayed her well, although her story may have been different. It caught my attention more in the movie than the book, with her being the cause of her late boyfriend's death. That gave more reason for her not to be completely over him, and her guilty feelings for being with Changez were more justified. Also, in the film Changez just says goodbye to Erica before returning to Lahore, where in the book Erica ends up as a missing person with her clothes found near the Hudson River. That would have been a more powerful message if it were to be in the film.
The 9/11 aspect of the film was more prominent than the book as well. I'm sure this is because this is an American film, where Americans would have been more affected by these images. I was taken aback when Changez admitted he felt a sense of pleasure when he witnessed the attacks in New York. Being in America, I believed that everyone in the country who was living there, was appalled at what had happened. Seeing America ban together after that also gave me a sense of hope, so to see some people may have been "happy" that it happened, shocked me.
Maggie,
ReplyDeleteThe film was made by an Indian filmmaker. That's important to remember... I really love your description of the film as being "less intimate." That's exactly how I felt about it while watching it...
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I agree with your sentiment that the book was more personal. I understand your shock at Changez's feeling of satisfaction about the attack, but if you think about it, his pleasure was probably similar to that felt by Americans back during WWII when the atomic bomb was dropped on Japan. America has taken part in attacks like this on other countries so while it may be difficult to emphasize with Changez that moment it is easy to understand why he feels the way he does.
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