Mohsin Hamid
TheReluctantFundamentalist
October 2014 Fiodor Nicola Misuri 1
Index
• General information– writer– publishing– genre– sub genre– narrator and point of view– places and time
• Characters– analysis of the novel– cultural references– sources
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General Information• Writer: Mohsin Hamid (born
1971) is a Pakistani writer• Publishing year: 2007. 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
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first edition (UK)
Characters
• The main characters– The protagonist:
Changez, a Pakistani student who studied and worked in America
– The interlocutor: an American tourist
• secondary characters• Erica: an American
girl.
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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 uses some narrative and linguistic elements to bring cultural differences to surface
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Mohsin Hamid
• Use of language and narration are linked to
contemporaneity: events like the attacks to the Twin Tower in 2001) come together to underline the encounter/clash between cultures
• The novelist puts the different attitudes and behaviours of each character into evidence
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Chapter one
Main function(s):– introduction
• the protagonist• the interlocutor• the setting• the situation
Structural element(s):– some info about Pakistani
culture– American study experience– social and economic
situation of two countries
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Chapter two
Main function(s):– Erica’s characterization– 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
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Chapter Three
• Main function(s):– underlining aspects of two
different cultures and their common fields
• Structural element(s):– foreign people's attitudes and
behaviours– some info about life in Lahore– comparison between two
cities (Lahore and Manhattan)– comparison between
universities in Pakistan and in the USA
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Chapter four• Main function(s):
– Influence of stereotypes and prejudices in people’s life
• Structural element(s):– comparison between
developments in Lahore and in NYC
– cosmopolitan elements of NYC
– Pakistan’s situation in a conversation between Erica’s father and Changez
– Erica’s confession about the traumatic effect of Chris’ death
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Chapter five
Main function(s):– the attitudes in other country– pettiness/narrow mindedness
Structural element(s):– the USA, seen from
Philippines– comparison between Lahore
and Manila– cultural shock and adjustment
to new cultures– Attack to the Twin Towers
(turning point)– first American fears
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Chapter six
Main function(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 to a wounded City– meeting with Erica after the
attacks– discussion about social classes– the emotions and the
relationship with Erica
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Chapter seven
Main function(s):– anger in front of a threatened
country – Changez ‘s change and his
life
Structural element(s):– Some info about American
attitudes with foreign people– discussion about economic
and financial problems– some info about Pakistani
food– the emotions and the
relationship with Erica
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Aerial view of theWorld Trade Centersite, as it appeared in September 2001.
Chapter eight
Main function(s):– parallelism between NYC’s
and Erica’s trauma
Structural element(s):– traumatic dialogue with
Erica’s mother– Erica breaks relationship– food and smell as cultural
signs – «nostalgia that was
becoming to prevalent in my world» (?)
– civil discrimination– work tolerance
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Chapter nine
Main function(s):– reflection about life
Structural element(s):– ways of eating– Changez ‘s return to Lahore
and his fells foreigner– new cultural shock– situation in Pakistan– symbols of national identity– last meeting with Erica in a
clinic– new situation at work
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Chapter ten
Main function(s):– protagonist’s inner upheaval– 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
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La Sebastiana, Valparaíso, ChilePablo Neruda’s house
Chapter eleven
• Main function(s):– change of perspective about
USA
Structural element(s):– return to New York City– Work failure and layoff– Erica’s disappearance– remainder and nostalgia of
past and defining moments with Erica
– definitive return to Lahore
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Chapter twelve
Main function(s):– reflection about fear in front
of difference
Structural element(s):– Changez is a professor in a
Lahore campus– he is involved in protests
against the attitude of American government
– his anguished life in Lahore– the conclusion of dialogue
with the American
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Lahore, Pakistan
Cultural references
The novel The Reluctant Fundamentalist influenced the homonymous film adaptation by director Mira Nair•Official website
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Sources
• The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid
• images from the movie The Reluctant Fundamentalist by director Mira Nair
• School lessons• Study materials
<http://www.marilenabeltramini.it/schoolwork1415/admin/index.php?act=task&ion=db>
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Thank you for your attention