Student+Responses+-+My+Son+the+Fanatic

//Writing Assignment:// //What are your thoughts and feelings after having read this story? Please remember to sign your post with 4 times ~

Please do not write an "I liked it" or "I didn't like it" type response. Instead, respond to the content of the story itself. What did the story make you think about? What feelings do you have about the events or characters in the story? Did anything confuse you? Is there anything you would like to know more about?//

While I was reading the story I felt with Ali's father. I was shocked how the relationship between father and son changed. Why did it happen? Why does Ali hate his father? What will happen in the future? I just can't understand Ali even though I have a critical view of both sides. When I was finished, I had to order my thoughts; I sill have many questions! (Linda)

When I read “My Son the Fanatic” I was shocked that the father did not accept his son's opinion. I was also surprised by the roles that the father and the son assumed. I would have thought that the son would drink and that the father would pray. I rather would have thought that the father would want the son to pray. But I think the story was very moving. (Theresa Kramm)

The story of "My Son the Fanatic" showed an interesting and current conflict: the conflict between the beliefs of different religions. I liked the critical view of both sides: Western **and** Eastern lifestyles. That faith can divide a family is unfortunately very often said. But in this story it doesn't tell you which beliefs are right. It shows you that faith doesn't destroy families, the religious fanatic does. (//by Julian Hölzer)//

I could identify with the father very well. Watching your child become a religious fanatic, throw away all the things you worked so hard for, and destroy his future in a society that you chose to provide him with a better life, will turn nearly anyone into a fanatic. 1271880177

When I had finished reading the story I was kind of shocked: throughout the story I felt some pity with Parvez but also with his son Ali. Parvez has a hard life and does everything for his son, but his son doesn't respect him. With Ali I felt also pity, because he distances himself from others and is mostly alone. In the end, both characters got more and more unsympathetic to me. At the same time I felt pity too, because the two are the most important people for each other, yet they have such problems with each other. 1271880532

While reading the story, I grew to dislike Ali more and more. I always asked myself how a young man, who has everything he needs, and whose father does everything to offer him a better life, could throw that all away? There were also no logical reasons for Ali to be fanatic. In the end I was sad that Parvez could not manage to reach his son. But on the other hand, I think that Parvez had not had enough time for his son in the past and so I think Ali turned to religion to get his father's attention. (by anna M)

When reading the story, I felt it was a little bit similar to the story "A Pair of Jeans". These foreigner-problems in social life are an important parallel between both. I dislike the ending because I think the father is too hard on his son and should think more about his own problems with integration. 1272210748

The story made me a little bit sad and I really felt sorry for Parvez. I saw the conflict between father and son and how helpless Parvez felt about the way Ali was changing. He worked long hours to support his son so that he could live a better life. And it is so obvious that they are not able to talk things over and discuss their different ways of life. I think Ali should think about how he could become more integrated in British society. (AntoniaK.)

The story was interesting, but there is no thrill in it, because the title "My Son The Fanatic" already tells the reader what's up with Ali. The ending is hard and shocked me a little bit. //Written by Johannes// S.

When I read the story I asked myself what caused Ali to turn his life upside down. Was it his friends? Or was it a pious hope that plumbed his very soul? Did he think he would be accepted? I do not know but one thing is sure. With such behaviour, every father would have sincere sorrow. However, the father goes too far and hits him, which leads to Ali's question: "Who is the fanatic now?" 1271960690

I think the story “My Son the Fanatic” tells about a very interesting conflict that is often seen in families. I can feel with the father, Parvez, who is helpless and depressed, because it is understandable, that he is worried about his son. However, I was shocked about the change in the relationship between Ali and his father, because of religion. I really like how Parvez respects Bettina. Although she is a prostitute, he accepts her as a friend and also sees her positive sides. (Anika W.)