Structure

The excerpt from the novel How to get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia by Mohsin Hamid begins with a short introduction. The introduction outlines the similarities between the pursuit of love and the pursuit of wealth, as well as the differences. The conclusion is that falling in love prevents one from getting rich. This introduction leads up to the events in the story: “So it is worrisome that you, in the late middle of your teenage years, are infatuated with a pretty girl.” (p. 153, ll. 1-2). 

This creates the expectations that a cautionary tale will follow, outlining why a romantic relationship was bad for the narrator’s financial situation. However, this expectation is proven wrong. The narrator does not lose any money, and the pretty girl ends the relationship not long after it starts. 

It should be noted that the introduction seems to be written in the style of a self-help book. Therefore, the readers might expect some sort of clear advice to follow. However, the chapter ends without the readers being offered any clear advice, and they are left to draw their own conclusions. 

The story is told in chronological order. It follows the interactions between the narrator and the pretty girl...