The image of his father and Eva being affectionate is important because Karim understands in that moment that his parents will most likely split because they are not happy together and because it became easier for them to be affectionate towards complete strangers than to be affectionate with one another.

On the way there, Karim sees how his father is affectionate towards Eva, something he never saw happening between his parents. In chapter 6 of the first part, Haroon and Karim go to Eva’s house. This negative image Indians had about other Indians shows just how hard it was to live as an Indian in Britain during the 1960s and how many where shunned even by their own communities. Mum describes them as being unable to use cutlery and as unknowing how to properly use a toilet. Despite not having money, Karim’s parents still liked to believe they were better that their fellow Indians who migrated to England and who are described by Karim’s mother as being savages. Karim’s father was the child of wealthy parents in India but he was cut off from their money after he decided to come to England and spend his time partying instead of studying and working. In the second chapter of the first part, Karim talks about his parents and how, apparently they are superior to other people.

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The buddha in suburbia