Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. Can you think of any novels, TV shows, or films that center around a Middle Eastern or, more specifically, Pakistani protagonist?

Teaching Suggestion: The Reluctant Fundamentalist encourages students to think about the influence of the United States on Middle Easterners, especially in the wake of 9/11. If students have trouble coming up with ideas, you may wish to name some examples, such as the TV show Ms. Marvel and the memoir I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai.

• Literary Quicksand has put together a list of seven award-winning books by Pakistani writers.

2. What do you know about 9/11?

Teaching Suggestion: Discussing students’ preconceived notions about 9/11 can help prepare them to understand how the event and America’s response to it affected people like Changez and others in America and around the world.

• The 9/11 Museum and Memorial has a set of interactive timelines laying out the events of September 11, 2011, the recovery at Ground Zero, and the 1993 World Trade Center Bombing.