“My son the fanatic” by Hanif Kureishi, published in 1994
Contents
• Parvez notices significant change in Ali´s behavior
• Ali is clearing his room of all electronic gadgets and fashionable clothes
• He breaks up with his English girlfriend what worries his father Parvez
• Parvez is afraid that Ali might be taking drugs and confides in Bettina, a prostitute,
who he has known for three years.
• She advices him to watch out for changes in Ali´s appearance, but the drug theory
cannot be proved
• Parvez´ confusion and worries increase when he discovers that Ali is praying five
times a day and has given up sports.
• Parvez and Ali have a talk in a restaurant because Parvez wants to find out what is
happening with his son
• The get-together becomes the worst experience of Parvez´ life.
• Instead of finding out why Ali has changed, Parvez is confronted with harsh
accusations by his son.
• Ali criticizes his father for adopting the decadent Western lifestyle (in Ali´s eyes the
lifestyle of the oppressors)
• Parvez tries to suppress his anger but Ali starts preaching about the law of Islam, the
necessity of jihad and the punishment of anybody who does not live a life in
accordance with the Koran
• Parvez wants Ali to give a reason for his drastic change and he blames living in
England
• Ali wants to give up his studies to work in prisons supporting incarcerated Muslims
• Parvez fears that he will be constantly criticized by his fundamentalist son, thinks
about making Ali leave the house but Bettina encourages him to stick to Ali, as he
might just be going through a phase
• During the two following weeks Parvez´ attempts to persuade his son to accept his
philosophy of life are met with contempt
• A few evenings later Parvez (accompanied by Bettina) offers Ali a ride in his taxi
when he sees him coming out of a mosque. While driving Bettina tries to mediate
between father and son by starting a friendly conversation with Ali.
• Ali insults her and she jumps out of the car and runs away
• Parvez at first manages to suppress his fury but when they get home, he enters Ali´s
room, drags the praying boy up by his shirt and hits him
• Ali does not retaliate but asks Parvez calmly which of them is a fanatic.
Characters
Parvez:
− grew up in Pakistan and immigrated to England
− working as a taxi driver for twenty years
− typical first-generation immigrant who works hard to succeed
− Parvez does not feel an outsider because he has assimilated to the British lifestyle
and adopted its values
− Likes English breakfast, pork pies and drinking whisky
− Main aim: help his son get a good education and climb the social ladder
− Out of frustration, Parvez turns to violence when he realizes that Ali rejects everything
he has worked for
Contents
• Parvez notices significant change in Ali´s behavior
• Ali is clearing his room of all electronic gadgets and fashionable clothes
• He breaks up with his English girlfriend what worries his father Parvez
• Parvez is afraid that Ali might be taking drugs and confides in Bettina, a prostitute,
who he has known for three years.
• She advices him to watch out for changes in Ali´s appearance, but the drug theory
cannot be proved
• Parvez´ confusion and worries increase when he discovers that Ali is praying five
times a day and has given up sports.
• Parvez and Ali have a talk in a restaurant because Parvez wants to find out what is
happening with his son
• The get-together becomes the worst experience of Parvez´ life.
• Instead of finding out why Ali has changed, Parvez is confronted with harsh
accusations by his son.
• Ali criticizes his father for adopting the decadent Western lifestyle (in Ali´s eyes the
lifestyle of the oppressors)
• Parvez tries to suppress his anger but Ali starts preaching about the law of Islam, the
necessity of jihad and the punishment of anybody who does not live a life in
accordance with the Koran
• Parvez wants Ali to give a reason for his drastic change and he blames living in
England
• Ali wants to give up his studies to work in prisons supporting incarcerated Muslims
• Parvez fears that he will be constantly criticized by his fundamentalist son, thinks
about making Ali leave the house but Bettina encourages him to stick to Ali, as he
might just be going through a phase
• During the two following weeks Parvez´ attempts to persuade his son to accept his
philosophy of life are met with contempt
• A few evenings later Parvez (accompanied by Bettina) offers Ali a ride in his taxi
when he sees him coming out of a mosque. While driving Bettina tries to mediate
between father and son by starting a friendly conversation with Ali.
• Ali insults her and she jumps out of the car and runs away
• Parvez at first manages to suppress his fury but when they get home, he enters Ali´s
room, drags the praying boy up by his shirt and hits him
• Ali does not retaliate but asks Parvez calmly which of them is a fanatic.
Characters
Parvez:
− grew up in Pakistan and immigrated to England
− working as a taxi driver for twenty years
− typical first-generation immigrant who works hard to succeed
− Parvez does not feel an outsider because he has assimilated to the British lifestyle
and adopted its values
− Likes English breakfast, pork pies and drinking whisky
− Main aim: help his son get a good education and climb the social ladder
− Out of frustration, Parvez turns to violence when he realizes that Ali rejects everything
he has worked for
