M. Hamid - The Reluctant FundamentalistChapter analysis: function and use of language

Aims and objectivesAim - students should be aware of the importance of:

Knowledge and skills related to intercultural dialogue

Language and learning awareness

Project skills in multilingual and intercultural dimension

Documentation in cultural exchange

Effective communication in a multilingual context

Semantic research in language learning

Cultural features and stereotypes

The way language makes meaning with respect on the previous

Objectives – the students should be able to:Discuss the structure in principle of the novel Moshin Hamid, The Reluctant Fundamentalist, Reclams-Universal Blibliothek, number 19876, 2013 Philipp Reclam Jun

Single out the main function of each chapter with reference to message

Find out keywords and expression used to convey different linguistic and cultural perspectives

Carry out relevant textual analysis with reference to structural elements of fiction (title, layout, structure, denotation, characters, setting, narrative strategy, use of language)

Draw personal conclusions and argumentations supported by textual reference

Relationship signifier-signify

Chapter 1Function

To introduce the main characters: Changez and the American

To introduce the setting of the novel: a cafè in Lahore

To specify the narrative tecnique: drammatic monologue

TopicsTopic of allegory. Chagez and the American: a dialogue between Eastern and Western culture

Topic of ambiguity: Changez and the American are not expressively characterized

Relevant wordsMission: it refers to the purpose of the American’s visit in Lahore

Bearing: it refers to Changez’s prejudicial thought

This is a dream come true: it refers to the idyllic vision of America

That: it refers to the features Changez considers typical of the American people

Chapter 2Function

To introduce the character Erica

TopicTopic of allegory: Erica as a metaphor for the sentimental side of America; Underwood Samson as a metaphor for the financial and economic side of America

Topic of love relationship: Erica and Changez

Topic of the meeting: two different genders, religious faiths, social classes and culture meeting

Topic of culturally marked metaphors

Relevant wordsRegal and tiara: they refer to Erica’s cultural characterization

Mr. Palomar: it refers to Changez’s attitude in observation

Chapter 3Functions

To explicate Changez’s role in American business: the Underwood Samson

Topics: Topic of appurtenance: New York feels like home; Pakistan was a technologically advanced country that was not able to keep up with the US

Topic of city comparison - Lahore and NY: high buildings, Pakistani people and shops among Americans

Relevant wordsUrban: concept of urbanization in Lahore and New York

Proud, power, efficiency, professionalism: they refer to America’s fundamentals of business

Top Gun, The Great Gatby: it refers to the stereotyped view of America

Chapter 4Function

To present the cultural comparison between Erica’s father and Changez

TopicsTopic of culture meeting: Changez and Ericas’ father; Easter and Western culture; comparison between Pakistani and American culture

Topic of love relationship: the love relationship between Changez and Erica progresses

Topic of prejudice: multilayered meaning of “fundamentalism” (alcohol and finance)

Relevant wordsFundamentalism: it refers to teh religious fundamentalism in Changez and Erica’s father discussion

So of course he drinks: it refers to Erica’s father’s prejudice about Pakistani (and Muslims in general) people attitude toward alcohol

Cosmopolitan: it refers to the cosmopolite nature of New York

Chapter 5Function

To deepen Changez’s role in Underwood Samson

To introduce Changez unpleasant feel towards American culture

To develop Changez’s identity growth

TopicsTopic of war: the World Trade Centre attack

Topic appartenance/cultural discrimination: the unpleasant sensation being observed as a possible terrorist

Topic of cultural identity: Changez is ashamed of being considered American

Topic of resentment toward USA: Changez smiles at the attack

Relevant wordsDreamier: it refers to the utopic view of America

Foreign: it refers to Changez’s unpleasant sensation of being a Pakistani in New York

Smiled: it refers to Changez’s pleased reaction to the attack

Nostalgia: it refers to America’s attitude to look at the past with pride

Grease: it refers to a glorious view of America's past

Chapter 6Function

To exploit the sentiment of progressive estrangement between Erica/America and Changez

TopicsTopic of estrangement: Changez is not able to keep on going with his relationship with Erica/America and Underwood Samson

Topic of patriotism: americans and flags,

Topic of cultural identity: Changez grows his beard according to his newly found Muslim identity

Topic of love relationship: Changez fails having sex with Erica, not being able to get in touch with her

Relevant wordsThe mightest civilization the world has ever known: it refers to American narcisism and egocentrism

Chapter 7Function

To exploit the final breach of Changez’s attempt to rebuild a relationship with America

TopicsLahore being bombed after the attack

Topic of identity: Con his work and pretends to be the Newyorker he felt to be in the beginning. Jim encourages him to “focus on the fundamentals”

Topic of identity: Changez pretends to be Chris in order to have sex with Erica: this stands for him trying to conform to the stereotypical American in order to accomplish pleasure

Topic of religious faith: Changez feels closer and closer to the people who are attacked by the US

Topic of fundamentalism: he watches Afghanistan being attacked and gets drunk, he gets late to work: failed both religious fundamentalism and financial fundamentalism

Relevant wordsFocus on the fundamentals: it refers to Underwood Samson guiding principle

Predatory: it refers to aggressive attitude he finds typical of American people

Chapter 8Function

To present America’s reactions to the attack, in particular its tendency to look back

TopicsTopic of love relationship/past: Erica is focused totally on the past; Changez’s relationship with her comes to a dead end

Topic of fundamentalism: Underwood Samson keeps following his route not caring of world sorrow

Topic of racism: Changez responds violently to provocations

Topic of travel: Changez uses his bonus days to go back visit his family in Lahore and gets angry about the situation in his home country

Relevant wordsNostalgia: it refers to the way America looks back to the past and connotes it

Look back: it refers to America’s attitude to glorify the past and to take him always as an example

Duty and Honor: it refers to the point of view of American people toward the attack and, in particular, they refer to the values which are intended to be ignored by terrorists and which are intended to be the most important for the American people

Chapter 9 Function:

To identify Changez’s final identity

To explicate the incompatibility between his new identity and the American society

TopicsTopic of identity: revaluation of his homeland – Changez is not shaving anymore and now he really feels part of the Pakistani population

Topic of incommunicability : both Changez and Erica/America can’t communicate, especially because of her choice of keeping far from him

Relevant wordsDevout: it connotes Erica’s intention to look back

Dead: it refers to Chris and to Erica’s incapability to accept it

Chapter 10

Function:To clarify the sentiment Changez felt toward every kind of fundamentalism

To exploit Changez’s inner struggle due to his love

TopicsTopic of contrast: the love for Erica is in contrast with his resentment toward America

Topic of fundamentalism: Changez is not able to fully follow both religious and financial fundamentalism

Relevant wordsGot things done: it refers to the way of thinking of Underwood Samson

Chapter 11Function:

To exploit the climax of Changez’s inner struggle: Changez leaves his job and finds out Erica has disappeared and possibly committed suicide

TopicsTopic of illness/death: Erica looks lacking of life and finally disappears, just as his relationship with America, which got worsen as soon as he refuses to conform to the western model

Topic of fundamentalism: “my days of focusing on fundamentals were done”

Relevant words:Lacking: it refers to lack of life in Erica’s eyes

Fundamentals: it refers to economic fundamentals Changez decides not to follow anymore

Solitude: it refers to the sensation Changez feels because of his origin

Chapter 12Function

To give information about Changez’s experience as a lecturer in Lahore

To underline the repressive attitude toward political and social progress in Middle East

To conclude the novel

TopicsTopic of identity: the real identity of the American man is still mysterious

Topic of ambiguity: the end of the novel is unclear and the reader can only imagine how the story really ends

Relevant wordsWell wishers: it connotes the feature of the group Changez is ahead of

Believe: it refers to his thought of having kind of an ordinary relationship with Erica

Key Word: Fundamentalism

The word Fundamentalism can convey different meanings and in particular throughout this novel, it gets far from the ordinary and more common one.

Religious fundamentalism: strict adherence to ancient religious precepts and rules not being able to evolve in religious belief/thogh

Economic fundamentalism: strict adherence to the principles/basics of economy and finance making money is the only measure of value

Politic fundamentalism: use of religion for political purposes the executive power is not separeted from the religious authority