Allie Character Analysis in The Buddha of Suburbia

Allie is Karim's little brother. His real name is Amar, but he goes by Allie to avoid "racial trouble." He's four years younger and when they're young, Karim mostly ignores Allie. When Mum and Dad divorce, Allie moves with Mum to Ted and Jean's house. At the end of the novel when Allie and Karim spend time together, Karim finds that Allie is actually an interesting and passionate adult.

Allie Character Timeline in The Buddha of Suburbia

The timeline below shows where the character Allie appears in The Buddha of Suburbia. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Racism, Success, and Identity Theme Icon

...work in a good mood—an unusual event. Dad greets Mum, Karim, and Karim's little brother, Allie. Then, instead of watching television, Dad strips to his underwear and commands Karim to bring... (full context)

...yard, where Ted and Jean used to host lavish parties during the summer. Karim and Allie always loved the parties, while Mum and Dad always looked out of place. This was... (full context)

...he can't tell Mum because she'll suffer, and he'd rather suffer himself than make Mum, Allie, and Karim suffer. Suddenly, Dad grabs Karim and starts to kiss his face. Karim pulls... (full context)

...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. (full context)

When Karim gets home, Mum and Dad are in the bedroom and Allie is banging on their door. Ted and Jean arrive immediately. Jean packs for Mum and... (full context)

Social and Political Discontent Theme Icon

...against Jean's rules. When Ted lets Karim go, Jean greets him curtly and mentions that Allie dresses up a lot and plucks his eyebrows, both unmanly things. Karim suggests she join... (full context)

At Mum's house, Karim finds Mum out and Allie getting dressed. Allie is extremely impressed that Karim landed the soap opera. When Karim questions... (full context)

Allie congratulates Karim again on the soap opera, and then tells him that Mum has a... (full context)

Karim admits that everything went crazy after Mum and Dad broke up. Allie angrily says that he doesn't have time for people like Dad who abandon their wife... (full context)

...has a job and mentions she has a friend coming over soon. While she dresses, Allie and Karim vacuum and dust. When the doorbell rings, Mum shoos them out the back... (full context)

That night, Karim takes Dad, Eva, Allie, and Allie's girlfriend out to dinner to celebrate his new job. He also invites Changez... (full context)