America's Global Reach

The opinion that America's global reach and influence is too great and as such much be curtailed is a primary theme in the novel. America is a powerful country and Changez is aware of all the opportunity that awaits him as he studies at Princeton and finds employment in a prestigious American corporation. However, viewing the country from the outside, as he did initially, and later learning firsthand and understanding how America wielded its power around the globe were two very different things. Changez is schooled in the fundamental principles of finance. Decisions are made by adhering to the principles and checking the bottom line. Changez is very good at developing these skills and rises to the top of the pile, both at school and work. But after he experiences life in other cities such as Manilla and Valparaiso, he sees the effects of...