Shaleah Joseph

August 26, 14
English 12A

Cultural Pride
The Earth consists of many cultures with a wide range of diversity, different
traditions, cuisines, and delicacies. Hamid mainly focuses on the cuisine and the
development of Pakistan. London is described as a multicultural nation whom can
adapt to any culture, Cook explains. No matter the origin from the world, they are all
proud of the accomplishments their country has made. Some may express their pride
with a determined, strong tone and others with an accepting tone.

The two texts being compared are The Reluctant Fundamentalists (text 3), a
novel written by Moshin Hamid in 2007 and a text extracted from a speech by Labor
Foreign Secretary Robin Cook to the Social Market Foundation in London' (text 4).
Both texts touch base on taking pride in ones culture. Moshin Hamid is a Pakistani
and Robin Cook is a Britain. The audiences of the texts are quite different. Hamid is
addressing his pride towards an American. The narrator is host to an American is
the clarification of whom this is intended for. This concentration on the United States
can also be assumed when Hamid speaks of a collection of thirteen small colonies.
Through the history of the United States, we can assume that this is what Hamid is
talking about. Robin Cooks audience is the Social Market Foundation, but the
audience could also be towards anyone with interest for opinion-based information on
London. Cook is describing London to be more accepting and welcoming to the rest
of the world outside of Britain, how London is a perfect hub of the globe. Though
Cook is not comparing to another country or culture.

Shaleah Joseph
August 26, 14
English 12A
The two texts have a purpose of showing the cultural development. Hamid is
biased because he is promoting only one specific view and way of living while
deliberately excluding others. On the other hand, Cook explains how London is
broadening their horizons in their lifestyles and cultures. A specific example used by
Cook is the true British national dish being Chicken Tikka Masala. This is a perfect
illustration of how Britain absorbs and adapts external influences. Cook states It is
a perfect illustration of the way Britain absorbs and adapts external influences. Using
a formal tone, Cook explains how Britains are more open to new influences and more
likely have been educated in a multi-ethnic environment.

Hamids colloquialism depicts a rude and ill-mannered perception of how

Pakistanis are not open to other cultures and traditions. The connotation of Hamid
can make the audience feel uncomfortable. Though the diction Hamid presents is
quite profound, such as, these, sir, are predatory delicacies, delicacies imbued with a
hint of luxury, of wanton abandon. The attacking tone in text 3 comes off slightly
arrogant. Not one of these worthy restaurateurs would consider placing a western
dish on his menu. The reference towards western dishes conveys very offensive. The
narrator looks down upon western dishes. Hamid shows his superiority by saying;
here we are not squeamish when it comes to facing the consequences of our desire.
The narrator is aware of his arrogance and rudeness because at the end he says, But
once more I am raising my voice, and making you rather uncomfortable besides, I
apologize; it was not my intention to be rude. This last phrase comes of very
sarcastic because of his intention of being rude.

Shaleah Joseph
August 26, 14
English 12A
The variation between the two texts is the style. Cook has more of a
explicatory style with some persuasion. Cook uses facts like London was first
established as the capital of Celtic Britain Hamid presents a compelling style in
order to persuade with arguments, justifications, and opinions. He defends his
persuasion with we built the Royal Mosque and the Shalimar Gardens in this city,
and we built the Lahore Fort with its mighty walls and did these things when your
country was still a collection of thirteen small colonies, gnawing away at the edge of a
continent.
Overall, both texts create an image of how is it to live in London or Pakistan.
The imagery for London is more pleasant and embracing. Pakistans imagery is more
traditional and customary. The pride in which London embraces is their accepting
way of life. Pakistans pride is in their food, culture, and development. The stylistics
features and tone is quite opposing between the two texts. Still, we must look at where
these texts come from, one from a speech towards the Social Market Foundation (a
more formal setting) and the other from the novel The Reluctant Fundamentalists.