Mohsin Hamid The Reluctant Fundamentalist October 2014 Fiodor

Mohsin Hamid The Reluctant Fundamentalist 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 (chapter by chapter) • cultural references • sources October 2014 Fiodor Nicola Misuri 2

general information • • • first edition (UK) October 2014 • writer: Mohsin Hamid (born 1971) is a Pakistani writer publishing: 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 Fiodor Nicola Misuri 3

characters • The main 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 4

analysis of the novel Mohsin Hamid October 2014 • 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 Fiodor Nicola Misuri 5

• 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 6

chapter one • main function(s): – introduction • • the the protagonist interlocutor setting 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 7

chapter two • main function(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 8

chapter three • main function(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 9

chapter four • main function(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 10

chapter five • main function(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 11

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 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 12

chapter seven • main function(s): – anger in front of country threatened – the change of Changez and his life • structural element(s): Aerial view of the. World Trade Center site, as it appeared in September 2001. October 2014 – 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 Fiodor Nicola Misuri 13

chapter eight • main function(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 14

chapter nine • main function(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 15

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 October 2014 Fiodor Nicola Misuri La Sebastiana, Valparaíso, Chile Pablo Neruda’s house 16

chapter eleven • main function(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 17

chapter twelve • main function(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 October 2014 Fiodor Nicola Misuri Lahore, Pakistan 18

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

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 20

thanks for your attention October 2014 Fiodor Nicola Misuri 21