My son the Fanatic
← Literature and Community | Critique of Alien Relative by Amy Tan → |
As exhibited in “My son the Fanatic”, Hanif Kureishi presents a picture of a big conflict between Parvez and his son Ali. This conflict is majorly a result of Ali’s stand on religious matters; we see Ali a staunch Muslim keenly adhering the Koran’s teachings while his father (not a religious person from childhood) having trouble following Alla’s teachings. Ali’s attitude changes on many issues including on his father as a result of this development.
On page 147, from the 11th to 15th paragraph, we see Ali sticking to Zakat (which describes the aspects of Islam) which makes him to discard his fashionable clothes, computer disks, videotapes, TV, stereo system, guitar, video player and other possessions which he regards anti Islam to keep. He even starts keeping a beard. These developments make his father to think that Ali’s is taking drugs. On the other hand, Ali sees his father as having left the Koran teachings and so does not approve of his way of life. It is even said that when Parvez took a drink in Ali’s company, the boy winced, or made some kind of fastidious face. He hated his father for this.
In this story, the two had a conflict over what was best for Ali; according to Parvez, Ali was to study accounting and get a good job and he works long hours to see that it happens but Ali gives up his studies and instead goes to work in prison with poor Muslims which he deems right as far as the Koran is concerned. He also gives up sports and breaks up with his English girlfriend. Ali generally hates Britain and all that pertains to it. This makes his father think that he has become addicted to drugs and he even talks to Bettina in the hope of getting some helpful advice.
Parvez has embraced the ways of the west and we see this in the way he drinks socializes with the prostitute – Bettina and even eats pork which is anti Islam. This increases the conflict with his son who detests the westerners’ ways and is willing to go for a jihad against them. We also see Ali declining to have an appointment with his father on the grounds that he is busy (with religious issues).
The extent of this conflict is also exhibited when Ali meets his father with Bettina the prostitute. Ali gets into the car and sits on the back seat where passengers usually sit an indication that they are more of strangers than father and son. Certainly, Bettina is closer to Parvez than his own son.
Looking at this conflict, on can fail to notice that is not only a religious conflict but also an intergenerational conflict. Parvez represents the older generation while Ali is a representative of the younger generation. This is brought out in the difference on their attitudes on life; like the older generation, Parvez thinks he’s the one to shape Ali’s future and so he is doing all he can so that Ali can get a good job (be an accountant), marry the right girl (an English girl), and start a family (p. 149 ll.15-16). Ali, on the other hands believes he is to be left and decide all these by himself.
In this conflict, we have both the right and wrong sides depending on where one decides to stand. For instance, from a parental perspective, Parvez is right as it is believed that a parent is charged with the responsibility ensuring a better future for his children. And so I would say he was right because he meant good for Ali in all these. On the other hand, Ali is equally right given the freedom of worship and subscribing to any religion around the world. It is his life and therefore he should be left to make his decisions so as to be responsible for his own life.
- Critique of Alien Relative by Amy Tan
- The Cask of Amontillado
- Literature and Community
- The Scarlet Letter
![]() |
Steve P.
Portland, OR
|
|
I am beginning to understand why your writing service was recommended to me so highly. Everything you do is a cut above your competition. You’re really great! |
![]() |
Ohjasi O.
Tokyo, JP
|
|
The essay that your writers turned out for me far exceeded what I was expecting. It even came with a plagiarism report to prove that it was original. The customer service center was the picture of perfection, too. I loved everything about using EssaysEmpire.com and plan to use your services again. You are one class act! |
![]() |
Maddie P.
Seattle, WA
|
|
The EssaysEmpire.com website is so great! There are no mysteries to be solved. They give you the full layout about what they have to offer and how much it costs. No surprises. I had a couple of questions about the different options and their customer service rep was so friendly! She answered all my questions. I ordered my first paper and it was so well written that I got an A+ on it! Thank you, EssaysEmpire.com! |
![]() |
Terry M.
Sparta, NJ
|
|
I got an A+ on the paper that you guys wrote for me. I can’t believe it! THANKS!!!! Many, many thanks! This A+ added those few extra points that I needed to stay on the Dean’s Honor List. You’re the greatest, EssaysEmpire.com! |
![]() |
Quincy S.
Cambridge, MA
|
|
You guys did a super job on my paper. The work definitely exceeded my expectations and eased my anxiety. This was the first time I had hired a writing service. The transaction was seamless. I would use you guys again in a heartbeat! No questions asked. You’re the best, hands down. |
![]() |
Zola R.
Salulita, MX
|
|
The paper that I bought from EssaysEmpire.com was a whole lot better than I thought it would be. Thank you for the excellent service and product. I will be happy to recommend you to my friends. |
![]() |
Bryce F.
Capistrano, CA
|
|
Thanks for the excellent job that you guys did on my history assignment and my bio research paper. I never could have done this on my own. |
![]() |
Celine H.
Calistoga, CA
|
|
Thanks for doing a great job on a paper that was an important part of my semester. You guys rock! |
![]() |
Mary R.
New York
|
|
Writer #48376 was very easy to work with. My professor made some changes to his requirements after he had assigned the paper. All I had to do was call your customer service and request to speak with the writer directly. Was able to relay the changes that my professor wanted, and he (writer #48376) accommodated them with no problem. I thought that was great. No headaches and perfect work. I couldn’t ask for a better experience! |
![]() |
Sanjaya K.
Calcutta, INDIA
|
|
I am fully satisfied with my research paper. It cannot have been easy for your writers to compose! The topic is called, "PARALLEL ALGORITHM FOR MULTI-DIMENSIONAL MATRIX MULTIPLICATION OPERATIONS REPRESENTATION USING KARNAUGH MAP”. That is a very difficult topic! However, your writers developed an algorithm, included a diagram and a graph and related multi-dimensional matrix multiplication perfectly. I am thrilled with the work I received and will be using your company again in the near future. Thank you for all of your hard work on this project. I love it! |
![]() |
Jaffar M.
Salt Lake City, UT
|
|
My sincere thanks for a job well done. My professor loved my paper and commended me for handing in the one that your writing service helped me with. The paper flowed very well. It was logical and intelligent-sounding. I was very pleased overall. |
![]() |
John G.
Erie, PA
|
|
Thanks goes out to the writers who presented me with the best paper I have ever turned in. My professor was so impressed with it that he took excerpts from it to put in his class handouts on how to write the perfect paper. EssaysEmpire.com, you made me one proud student today! |
![]() |
Bruce R.
Tulsa, OK
|
|
Thanks for everything. You guys know how to write so well! I will call on you again in the future. |
![]() |
Doreen A.
Malibu, CA
|
|
Due to a family emergency, I was unable to complete a very important paper. Thanks to EssaysEmpire.com, I was able to hand in a well written paper and not sacrifice my grade. I will be forever grateful to your writing service for providing such outstanding work. Thank you so much. |
![]() |
Stephanie K.
Stowe, VT
|
|
Dear Sirs: Just a quick note to let you know that I appreciate your working on my paper so quickly. I did get it in time to turn it in for the deadline, even though I hadn’t given you much notice. I made a very good grade on it and was much relieved. Thanks again. You rock. |
![]() |
Trilly M.
Spokane, WA
|
|
I just had to let you know how much I appreciated receiving a paper back that was of quality that high. I will recommend your writing service to other people I know. You guys do great work. |
![]() |
Mia W.
Amherst, MA
|
|
Dear EssaysEmpire.com, I would like to put in a good word for Writer #32412. He was really under the gun. I didn’t give him much notice because I had my dates mixed up and my paper was due sooner than I expected. He didn’t let me down, though. He wrote until the paper was perfected. I handed it in on time got an A+ and wish your writers could accept tips, because I would leave this guy a HUGE one! |
![]() |
Enrico V.
San Diego, CA
|
|
I was really happy about the speedy turn around time for my paper. It is rare to find a writing service that can write things so quickly without taking away from their quality. Hats off to EssaysEmpire.com! |
![]() |
Josef H.
Houston, TX
|
|
The topic for my assigned essay was very intense. It involved a lot of research and knowledge of the subject. The writer who took care of it for me seemed to be a real expert. I found that so impressive! I just had to drop a line to let you know how much I appreciated the work he did. |
![]() |
Marcus H.
Eugene, OR
|
|
You’ve done it again! Every time I order a paper from EssaysEmpire.com, you top the last one. This latest one was the best yet. I truly do appreciate the fact that you offer such high quality writing. It never fails. With some of the other writing services online, you ever really know what you are going to get. Sometimes, they just sell you a paper that someone else has already bought. I never have to worry about things like that happening when I use EssaysEmpire.com. |