The Reluctant Fundamentalist notes

Why is the interaction with the hostile driver in gentlemanila significant? This interaction is significant because it is the first time that Changez sees himself as the rich, stuck-up, integrated American working man rather than a Pakistani in another country. It is due to the look of disgust he sees in the eye of the driver that he realizes who he has become. He even tells people, upon being asked where he is from, that he is from New York, despite being from Pakistan originally. The feeling he has, however, when telling people he is from America is shame. This is an indication of his self-loathing that he feels because he is an American now.What is the conflict Changez feels?The conflict Changez feels is the need to succeed and substance Americas elite, however he feels that by doing this he will lose his ethnical roots, for example his respect for elders. He also does not want to be part of a society like that of Americas elite because they are not really looked up to in o ther areas, they are more looked upon with anger, like the driver in Manila. He feels out of office staff and yet very much at home with the firm he works for, for example in Manila he feels that he should join the Filipinos on their commission home because he is not an American, however his victorious smile and his obvious drive and commitment to his work take him in the direction of success.Third world sensibility shared experience between Changez and the driver, ground forces to Filipino. They share a third world background however Changez is in a limo while the other man is not intimate or wealthy like Changez is. Changez is protected by his American co-workers and is considered to be part of that society even if he doesnt feel that way all the time.Play acting he is an outsider, a third world man but he takes on the identity of soul that is not him, that is someone of riches and opportunity. However, in the airport he is detained and questioned, suggesting that he isnt Am erican he is Pakistani in a costume.Implication of foreign said to Jim he is not part of the society, he is not one of those people fill with opportunity.