Summary
Karim grows increasingly concerned for Jamila’s upcoming arranged marriage. He begins to think about how Anwar’s behavior is out of character, as he has never been one for traditionalism. Karim tries to draw connections between Haroon’s affair and Anwar’s desire to marry Jamila off. He wonders if, after all of this time attempting to assimilate to modern-day British society, both are returning to habits and behaviors that help them feel closer to their Indian roots. Karim believes that it could be possible, though Haroon and Anwar seem to be drifting apart due to their newfound preoccupations.
One day, Haroon confides in Karim by telling him that he has fallen in love with Eva. Karim asks his father if he has plans to leave the family and begin a new life with Eva, to which Haroon replies that he could never put his family through such pain. Haroon also explains that Eva is dating other people, and he feels embarrassed committing to her when she expresses interest in others. When Karim sees his father over the next few days, he finds it strange that Haroon acts as if the conversation about him “being in love with someone else” never happened.
One day, while leaving school, Karim runs into Helen. The two also encounter Charlie, who has been ignoring his friends ever since he found success with his band. Despite his general aloofness, Charlie explains that he admires Haroon and hopes that Eva continues to pursue a relationship with him. Helen tells Karim that she plans on moving to San Francisco to join a counter-culture movement. The two then run into Jamila, who explains that her father has refused to give up his hunger strike. With his condition deteriorating rapidly, Jamila feels forced to make a decision. She plans to run away from home, but before doing so, she seeks Haroon’s advice.
Upon the group’s arrival at Karim’s house, Helen begins speaking with Karim’s mother about the devastation of World War II. Jamila is annoyed by Helen’s superficial comments, and she turns to Haroon for advice regarding her father. Haroon explains that he will meditate before commenting on the subject, and the three head to a nearby pub while they wait. While at the pub, they talk about Charlie and his rise to fame. When they return to see Haroon, he tells Jamila that happiness is only possible if one follows one's intuition. Jamila seems comforted by this advice, and after Helen and Karim accompany Jamila home, they debate about whether she will succumb to Anwar’s wishes or rebel.
The sixth chapter begins with Karim, Helen, and Jamila waiting for Jamila’s husband-to-be at the airport. His name is Changez, and Karim describes him as unattractive—balding, with two chins and a gray mustache. Changez also suffers from a physical disability, as one of his hands is coiled and useless. The group goes to Anwar’s house, where the family has prepared a feast to celebrate the wedding that will take place on the following day. Anwar expresses his excitement for Changez to take over the family business and soon impregnate Jamila. Karim spends time with Changez at the party, and although he finds him repulsive, he also thinks he is harmless.
After leaving the party, Karim sees Eva and Haroon in a car nearby. Karim listens to the lyrics of a Beatles song as they resonate out of a nearby car, and he thinks about how many things in his life are changing. Eva and Haroon tell Karim to come for a ride, and they soon arrive at Eva’s house. The two force Karim to hang out with Charlie and Charlie’s manager in the attic so that way they can have alone time as a couple. A little while later, Haroon and Eva corral Karim and Charlie in order to tell them that Haroon will officially leave his wife and marry Eva. Although Karim is not surprised by his father’s decision, he feels bad for his mother.
Auntie Jean and Uncle Ted soon arrive at the family home in order to take Karim’s mother and younger brother to their house. Karim chooses to move in with Eva, and he spends the first night in her house taking a bath. While Haroon is caught up in his new romance, Karim spends time with Changez and Jamila. Anwar grows increasingly frustrated with his son-in-law, since he is unable to take care of the family business. Changez and Karim grow closer, and Changez becomes influenced by the literature that Karim gives him. Karim realizes that he hasn’t been giving much attention to his mother since moving in with Eva, so he goes over to Auntie Jean and Uncle Ted’s house one afternoon. Karim is intrigued by his mother when she draws a sketch of him one afternoon that very clearly resembles his father.
Analysis
In this section, the audience sees how Haroon and Anwar are emerging as foils for each other. While both are stuck in unhappy marriages, Anwar is in deep denial about his relationship while Haroon’s world is opening to other romantic possibilities. It is clear that Haroon and Anwar are at different points in the crossroads of their immigrant experience. Although both struggle with assimilating to or feeling a sense of belonging in the Western world, Anwar reverts to his more conservative Indian traditions while Haroon has relationships with British women. Haroon and Anwar’s behaviors trickle down to how they interact with their respective children, Karim and Jamila. Ultimately, Haroon accepts Karim’s multiple partners and homosexuality, while Anwar ignores his daughter’s interests and is instead preoccupied with having Jamila build a nuclear family.
When Helen speaks to Karim’s mother about post-war society, it is the first time that the readers get a glimpse into her struggles and traumas. Although Karim loves and respects his mother, he is much closer to and spends more time with Haroon. It seems as though Karim is unable to see her beyond the role of mother, whereas he views Haroon as an individual with flaws. This argument can be further justified by the fact that Karim’s mother remains unnamed throughout the story. In this regard, there is an element of invisibility to this character. The author’s choice in leaving Karim’s mother unnamed underscores the private struggles that mothers often experience and the social pressures of motherhood.
The pressures of motherhood and continuing the family lineage are further explored in the story with Anwar’s plan to marry Jamila. When Changez arrives from the airport, it is clear that he is not a match for the dynamic, driven Jamila. While Anwar has huge hopes of Changez taking over the family business and impregnating his daughter, this plan quickly seems implausible. Ironically, Changez is unable to complete even the most menial tasks at the family store or have a romantic relationship with Jamila. It is humorous that he is named Changez, and perhaps it can be interpreted to mean that Anwar’s arranged marriage plans have changed outside the realm of his control.
A critical moment in this section arrives when Haroon gives advice to Jamila about how she should proceed with Anwar’s verdict. Upon meeting with Haroon, she refers to him as “God,” which is a jab at what his new white clients call him. Although Jamila mocks Haroon, she still seeks his counsel, which speaks to his insight and role as a confidant in the community. While Haroon is giving Jamila advice, it becomes increasingly clear that he is speaking as much to Jamila as he is to himself. Karim is able to pick up on Haroon’s affirmations, and he correctly predicts that he will soon leave his family in order to begin a life with Eva.
Although the family unit is a major theme explored throughout the novel, in this section we see how it transforms, molds, and switches outside of the nuclear tradition. Following Haroon’s separation from his wife, Auntie Jean and Uncle Ted become quasi-parental figures. They take Karim’s mother under their wing, and they begin to co-parent Allie, Karim’s younger brother. Additionally, Karim’s move to Eva’s house presents interesting dynamics. He and Eva establish a friendship that differs from a traditional step-parent/step-child relationship, and Karim becomes quasi “step-siblings” with his former lover, Charlie. These unconventional dynamics underscore the countercultural attitudes of the 1970s.
