Underwood Samson

Yesterday in class, we talked about the meanings of names in The Reluctant Fundamentalist. When it came to the company Changez worked for, Underwood Samson, we talked about how "underwood" could mean old-fashioned or outdated, and how "Samson" could relate to strength.

What we did not talk about is that Underwood Samson abbreviates to U.S.

So is this Hamid's commentary on American businesses? That they are solidly built but outdated? Or is it an ironic association, because American businesses are weak (look at the economy) even though they are constantly trying to push boundaries? I tend to agree with the second take, using the World Trade Center as an example. In Fundamentalist, Hamid says, "I stared as one--and then the other--of the twin towers... collapsed.... I was caught up in the symbolism of it all, the fact that someone had so visibly brought America to her knees" (72-73).

Many viewed the towers as the epitome of American business and capitalism--a testament to U.S. strength, security, business ventures, and modernism. But they proved themselves weaker than anyone thought was possible when they fell on September 11th, as Changez obviously felt about America and its businesses in general. For this reason, I think the name "Underwood Samson" is a bitter, ironic commentary on the state of affairs of U.S. business.