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
![]() |
Glen M.
Oakland, CA
|
|
Your writers are awesome! I got an A and two A+’s on the papers that they wrote for me! |
![]() |
Sarah M.
Portland, OR
|
|
Today was the perfect day to make an A+! It convinced me that there are solutions to problems that seem impossible to solve. When I realized that the due date for my paper was coming up quickly, I felt like there was nothing I could do. If I didn’t hand in my paper on time, I would get an F and fail the course. However, I had to study for 3 major exams and write two other papers. My roommate suggested that I turn the paper over to you guys, which I did, and voila! I got an A+ on it and the problem was solved. Thank you, EssaysEmpire.com and to your writers and staff. You are a great writing service. |
![]() |
Jeff M.
Baltimore, MD
|
|
I would like to commend your excellent writers for a job well done. They followed my directions to a tee. Thank you, EssaysEmpire.com for being who you are and for doing what you do. There is no better writing service anywhere. |
![]() |
Pierre W.
Memphis, TN
|
|
There are four things that I look for in a good writing service. #1. They have to be fast. A good writing service won’t miss an important deadline. #2. A good writing service will let customers actually talk to the writer who is working on their customer’s papers, so the customer can work out important details. #3. A good writing service will have a user-friendly website that is easy for the customer to use and #4, a good writing service will offer quality guarantees. EssaysEmpire.com meets all of this criteria and more. EssaysEmpire.com is the best writing service and has the reputation to prove it. I wouldn’t even consider using another writing service since experiencing the excellence that is EssaysEmpire.com! |
![]() |
Sharon S.
Dallas, TX
|
|
I greatly appreciate your assistance. Writing has never been my strong point. When I needed help, EssaysEmpire.com gave it to me. I am completely satisfied! |
![]() |
Allen P.
Denver, CO
|
|
Writer #3827 is a great writer! I got an A+ on my very first paper of the term. This is the way to set the pace for the rest of the term. Thanks! |
![]() |
Carolyn C.
Norman, OK
|
|
My paper was completed 3 days earlier than I had requested it. It needed no revisions and was much better than I had imagined. Thanks, EssaysEmpire.com! |
![]() |
Emily H.
Norman, OK
|
|
My writer revealed to me that when he isn’t working for you, he is teaching at a major university. He also told me that a lot of the other writers who work for you are professors. That is impressive! No wonder I got an A+ on my paper! |
![]() |
Louise O.
Oakland, CA.
|
|
The A+ that I got on the paper that I ordered from you, helped boost my grade up an entire letter grade! Thanks, EssaysEmpire.com! |
![]() |
Tiffany E.
Monroe, LA
|
|
I am 100% satisfied with the writer that you assigned to my project. This person understood exactly what I needed, even though I’m not the best communicator and the instructions were tedious and difficult. I felt certain I would have to send my paper back for a number of revisions, but I didn’t. The writer was able to convey exactly what I wished to express and he did it in record time!Thanks for everything. EssaysEmpire.com is the greatest! |
![]() |
Kaylie B.
Casper, WY
|
|
Thank you, EssaysEmpire.com, for being the one writing service that I can always depend upon. You are reliable, honest and you do great work. I have been happy with every order I have placed with you |
![]() |
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. |
![]() |
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. |
![]() |
Kyle N.
Tempe, AZ
|
|
Dear Sirs: I have just placed my third order from EssaysEmpire.com this term. I feel confident that my paper will be written on time and that the quality of it will be out of the ballpark. The first two papers I ordered from you got A+ marks, and I know this one will, too. It is so great to be able to sit back and concern myself with my reading and exams while you do the difficult writing projects for me. That is really great. You guys are a class act! |
![]() |
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! |
![]() |
Melissa C.
Rochester, NY
|
|
I am completely satisfied with the paper I purchased from your company. I only wish I had known about you last year when I took an F grade for not being able to complete a paper on time. The work you did was marvelous. Whenever I find myself falling behind in my school work, I will be sure to pass along some of my more difficult written assignments to you |
![]() |
Royce E.
Dallas, TX
|
|
I first approached EssaysEmpire.com with skepticism. However, now, I have none. I am convinced that you are probably the best writing service on the Internet. Plus, you don’t overcharge, as so many writing services do. Thank you for the quality writing at affordable prices. You offer such a valuable service to students such as me. |
![]() |
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! |
![]() |
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. |
![]() |
Mike G.
Rochester, NY
|
|
Your writing service is different from other writing services. Yours is the only one I have ever dealt with that I can truthfully say is legitimate. The staff is very professional. The writers are the best in the business. I am pleased with the results of my last three orders and plan to return for more soon. |