Brief biography of mohsin hamid was born in Pakistan, but he spent much of his
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| they believe—as she does—in what they’re fighting for human “compassion.” Nadia and Saeed wake up in their cramped tent one morning and hear people running out of the camp. Springing to their feet, they follow the crowd to anew door that has opened in town, one rumored to lead to Germany. Just as the crowd reaches it, though, they see soldiers guarding it, and so Nadia and Saeed fallback, watching as several migrants try unsuccessfully to run past the guards, though nobody gets hurt. After awhile, the crowd disappointedly files back to the camp and waits for the next opportunity. The migrants eagerness to pass through this new door alerts readers to the fact that conditions in Mykonos are less than ideal. In fact, some people are so eager to leave the refugee camp that they’re willing to risk their physical safety by running past the guards. As such, it becomes clear that, although Saeed and Nadia have escaped the danger of their own country, they’ve only traded unfavorable circumstances for other unfavorable circumstances. Get hundreds more LitCharts at www.litcharts.com ©2018 LitCharts LLC www.LitCharts.com Page 37 To fight off the boredom of life in the camp, Nadia and Saeed decide to explore the island. Sometimes they see sinister groups of men, but they otherwise enjoy drifting through town and along the beach. One day, they meet an old friend of Saeed’s who tells them he can help them get off the island because he knows all the ins and outs He even gives them a discount on his rates because Saeed is a friend. After the couple gives the man their money, though, they never hear from him again and are unable to track him down. Fora while, Saeed gives the man the benefit of the doubt, even praying for his safety. Soon enough, though he gives up hope, reconciling himself to the fact that the man stole their money. When Saeed’s friend offers to help Saeed and Nadia but only ends up taking their money, it becomes clear that the refugee camp in Mykonos sorely lacks a meaningful sense of unity. Though fellow migrants could aid one another by banding together and sharing their resources, they are ultimately divided and self-interested. During this time, Saeed asks Nadia why she still wears her black robes even though they are no longer in a city that requires women to dress in this highly conservative religious fashion. She reminds him that she didn’t have to wear the robes before the militants came to their country but that she did anyway, since the robes send a signal This signal, she tells him, is still something she wants to send. A signal even tome he asks, and she smiles and replies Not to you, you have seen me with nothing.” In this scene, Nadia confirms once again that she wears her religious robes fora very specific purpose to send a signal to people who see her in public. This signal ultimately acts as a boundary of sorts, keeping people from thinking that she might be open to sexual propositions or flirtation. In this way, readers see yet again that religion—in this case the mere idea of religion—can be used to a person’s benefit, even if that person is not religious. Because money is tight, Saeed obtains a fishing rod to help them supplement their meals. One evening, he and Nadia are fishing after dark when they see a group of men moving toward them. They decide to leave, walking quickly in the other direction, but the men follow even as they speedup, winding up the beach’s hill. Atone point, Nadia slips and cuts her arm on a rock, but the couple forges on, shedding their belongings to go faster. Tossing the fishing rod, they scurry up the hill, cresting only to find a small house guarded by soldiers, meaning that the house contains a door to a desirable place The guards yell at them to halt, and so they stand trapped between soldiers and a group of sinister men. Fortunately, the group of men never reach the hilltop, and the couple pitches their tent where they stand. Download 0.56 Mb. Share with your friends:
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