The Buddha of Suburbia: Part 1, Chapter 6 Summary & Analysis

Karim and Helen accompany Jeeta and Jamila to the airport to pick up Jamila's new husband. His name is Changez, and he's a very short and fat man. Helen drives them to Anwar's store in Hairy Back's car. When they arrive, a weak and pale Anwar pinches his new son-in-law's cheeks. Karim explains that Anwar is over the moon about his victory over Jamila and Jeeta. Anwar has been pulling Karim into the shop storeroom for weeks now and talking about how excited he is to have grandchildren and be able to spoil "his woman" now that there's another man around to work.

Changez's welcome party is awkward. Jamila and Changez don't look at each other, and even Helen is unusually subdued. Karim thinks that Anwar doesn't know anything about his own daughter. The party picks up when some of Anwar's relatives arrive with gifts. Slowly, Anwar seems to realize that Changez isn't a strapping young man, and he points with concern at Changez's left arm, which is withered and has only a tiny fist on the end. Karim thinks that even if Changez had had several working arms, Changez doesn't seem like a man who knows how to work.

Jamila seems wholly resigned to her marriage. She'd called Karim the day after her decision, and Karim had thought it typical of her to make this choice. He'd reasoned that it would be a rebellion against rebellion to marry him. When it's time to eat, Helen looks ready to vomit as she watches Changez eat with his one hand, not with silverware. Karim, however, feels bad for Changez. They talk about books for a few minutes and Karim finds Changez kind and innocently enthusiastic. Jamila reprimands Karim for this when Anwar takes Changez to talk about the shop.

Dad arrives at the party, dressed colorfully and looking exceptionally young next to Anwar. Helen asks Karim if they can leave and soon, she, Karim, and Dad leave. Helen explains that one of Anwar's relatives had been rude to her, and she's mad at Jamila for marrying Changez. Karim tells Helen to go to San Francisco. As they pass through Anwar's shop, Changez runs after Karim and asks him to use his nickname, Bubble, and asks if they can go to a bookshop soon. Karim agrees.

Outside, Dad tells Karim to get into Eva's car. Karim tries to refuse, but Dad insists. Karim says goodbye to Helen and gets into Eva's car. Karim watches Dad and Eva touch each other in the front seat and thinks they're in love. Karim thinks about how the foundations of his family are eroding, and he thinks that poor Allie has it the worst because he doesn't know anything.

When they get to Eva's house, Eva sends Karim upstairs to see Charlie. Karim is annoyed, but he sees Eva and Dad groping at each other as they fall back into a bedroom. He peeks his head into Charlie's attic and notices that it appears as though Charlie is giving up on being a hippie—he's throwing flowered shirts out his skylight. The Fish sits in a chair and laughs as Charlie talks about how jobs should be assigned to people randomly, though some are undeserving of jobs. Charlie offhandedly tells Karim that he'll be down in a minute. When Karim looks hurt, Charlie invites him into the attic.

Charlie embraces Karim, and Karim grabs Charlie's buttocks. When Charlie jumps, Karim grabs between his legs. Charlie throws Karim into his drum kit. Karim pretends like he's not hurt. Downstairs a few minutes later, Eva wipes Karim's forehead as Charlie and Dad sit on the couch. Dad begins to explain that he and Eva are in love. Karim interrupts and says that this is all boring. Dad pauses for a moment before saying that he's decided to be with Eva.

Karim asks what'll happen to his family, and asks what will happen to Mum. Dad gets up to go talk to her. Karim gets up too and walks outside. He wanders around for a while before using a payphone to call Auntie Jean. He tells her only that Dad has decided to live with Eva.