The Standard of the Student Body
Studying in Princeton University, Changez discovered that almost all students were similar (though not necessarily alike), and he built his own standard of the student society in the university: “They were almost all intelligent, and many were brilliant, but whereas I was one of only two Pakistanis in my entering class—two from a population of over a hundred million souls, mind you—the Americans faced much less daunting odds in the selection process.” This imagery serves for better understanding of the society the protagonist was involved in.
The Fair Bargain
Changez was good at studying; he didn’t receive any B marks during his senior year in university and the fact that he was from another county wasn’t an obstruction: “Students like me were given visas and scholarships, complete financial aid, mind you, and invited into the ranks of the meritocracy.” But, there is nothing free in this world, and such good treatment required payment: “In return, we were expected to contribute our talents to your society, the society we were joining.” And they did so, even with pleasure. Good education in exchange for allegiance. This imagery shows the realities that the protagonist met with in America.
The Sea
During his vacations in Greece, Changez realized that many things in his life had changed since he left Lahore, his native city in Pakistan. And these changes were good—for instance, he could only dream about swimming in the sea in his country and now it was possible for him and he enjoyed it. “The sea had always seemed far away to me, luxurious and full of adventure; now it was becoming almost a regular part of my life.” This imagery shows the evolution of Changez’s personality in its social aspect.
Valparaiso
This beautiful city in Chile was special for Changez. He came there to gather data about building his financial model but he couldn’t concentrate on work, because the city itself was a distraction for him: “the city was powerfully atmospheric; a sense of melancholy pervaded its boulevards and hillsides. I read online about its history and discovered that it had been in decline for over a century; once a great port fought over by rivals because of its status as the last stop for vessels making their way from the Pacific to the Atlantic, it had been bypassed and rendered peripheral by the Panama Canal.” The imagery of Valparaiso reminded him of his city Lahore, which was also ruined and only remnants of buildings could proclaim that the city was beautiful.
