1. The Reluctant Fundamentalist Mohsin Hamid October 2014
Fiodor Nicola Misuri

2. index general information characters
writer
publishing
genre
sub genre
narrator and point of view
places and time
characters
analysis of the novel (chapter by chapter)
cultural references
sources
October 2014
Fiodor Nicola Misuri

3. general information
writer: Mohsin Hamid (born 1971) is a Pakistani writer
publishing: Hamish Hamilton (United Kingdom); Harcourt (United States); Oxford University Press (Pakistan)
genre: fiction
sub genre: cultural, social, politic, economic
narrator and point of view: The protagonist’s point of view
places and time: in Lahore, in the Old district of Anarkali
first edition (UK)
October 2014
Fiodor Nicola Misuri

4. characters The main characters The secondary characters
The protagonist: Changez, Pakistani student who studied and worked in America
The interlocutor: American tourist
The secondary characters
Erica: American girls.
October 2014
Fiodor Nicola Misuri

5. analysis of the novel the novel is organized into twelve chapters
the comparison between two cultures (American and Pakistani) is the main aspect of the novel
the writer use some narrative and linguistic elements in order to underline the deference between two cultures
Mohsin Hamid
October 2014
Fiodor Nicola Misuri

6. in the novel the use of language and the narration linked with actuality (for example some events like the attacks of Twin Tower in 2001) come together to underline the encounter/clash of two cultures
in addition the writer puts in evidence the different attitudes and behaviours of each characters
October 2014
Fiodor Nicola Misuri

7. chapter one main function(s): structural element(s): introduction
the protagonist
the interlocutor
the setting
the situation
structural element(s):
some notes about Pakistani culture
experiences of studying in America
discussion about social and economic fields of two countries
October 2014
Fiodor Nicola Misuri

8. chapter two main function(s): structural element(s):
characterization of Erica
relationship with Erica
structural element(s):
comparison between families, human relationships and human nature
discussion about love and physical attraction
different attitudes and behaviours
discussion about society
October 2014
Fiodor Nicola Misuri

9. chapter three main function(s): structural element(s):
underlining of two different cultures and its common fields
structural element(s):
foreign people's attitudes and behaviours
some notes about life in Lahore
comparison between two cities (Lahore and Manhattan)
comparison between universities in Pakistan and in the USA
October 2014
Fiodor Nicola Misuri

10. chapter four main function(s): structural element(s):
predominance of stereotypes and prejudices in people’s life
structural element(s):
comparison between two developments in Lahore and in NYC
cosmopolitan element of NYC
discussion about Pakistani reality between Erica’s father and Changez
Erica’s confession about the traumatic effect of Chris’ death
October 2014
Fiodor Nicola Misuri

11. chapter five main function(s): structural element(s):
the attitudes in other country
pettiness/narrowness of mind
structural element(s):
the USA, seen from Philippines
comparison between Lahore and Manila
culture shock and adjustment to new cultures
attacks of Twin Towers (turning point)
the first American fears
October 2014
Fiodor Nicola Misuri

12. chapter six main function(s): structural element(s):
the traumas of life
structural element(s):
use of sense of smell to identify some aspects of a culture
discussion about the idea of death
return in wounded City
meeting with Erica after the attacks
discussion about social classes
the emotions and the relationship with Erica
October 2014
Fiodor Nicola Misuri

13. chapter seven main function(s): structural element(s):
anger in front of country threatened
the change of Changez and his life
structural element(s):
some notes about American attitudes with foreign people
discussion about economic and financial fields
some notes about Pakistani food
the emotions and the relationship with Erica
Aerial view of theWorld Trade Center
site, as it appeared in September 2001.
October 2014
Fiodor Nicola Misuri

14. chapter eight main function(s): structural element(s):
parallelism between NYC trauma and Erica’s trauma
structural element(s):
traumatic dialogue with Erica’s mother
leaving from Erica
food and smell like indicators of a culture
«nostalgia that was becoming to prevalent in my world»
civil discrimination
work tollerance
October 2014
Fiodor Nicola Misuri

15. chapter nine main function(s): structural element(s):
reflection about life
structural element(s):
ways of eating
Changez return in Lahore but he fells foreigner
new cultural shock
situation in Pakistan
symbols of national identity
last meeting with Erica in a clinic
new situation at work
October 2014
Fiodor Nicola Misuri

16. La Sebastiana, Valparaíso, Chile
chapter ten
main function(s):
protagonist’s inner upheavals
reflection about services to the USA, «the enemy»
structural element(s):
protagonist’s work experience in Chile
meeting with Juan-Bautista
the visit of Pablo Neruda’s house
thoughts about Erica
La Sebastiana, Valparaíso, Chile
Pablo Neruda’s house
October 2014
Fiodor Nicola Misuri

17. chapter eleven main function(s): structural element(s):
change of ways of seeing USA
structural element(s):
return to New York City
his failure in his work and his layoff
Erica’s disappearance
remainder and nostalgia of past and defining moments with Erica
the definitive return in Lahore
October 2014
Fiodor Nicola Misuri

18. chapter twelve main function(s): structural element(s):
reflection about the fear in front of different thoughts
structural element(s):
Changez is a professor in a Lahore campus
he is involved in some protests with his students against the attitude of American government
his anguished life in Lahore
the conclusion of dialogue with American
Lahore, Pakistan
October 2014
Fiodor Nicola Misuri

19. cultural references
the novel The Reluctant Fundamentalist influenced the homonymous film adaptation by director Mira Nair
Official website
October 2014
Fiodor Nicola Misuri

20. sources the book The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid
imagines from the movie The Reluctant Fundamentalist by director Mira Nair
October 2014
Fiodor Nicola Misuri

21. thanks
for your attention
October 2014
Fiodor Nicola Misuri