In the present text I am going to analyse Mohsin Hamid’s use of language in his novel The Reluctant Fundamentalist in order to find a deep meaning through the lines and to understand how the language adds to the meaning.

First of all, since the first sentence the reader perceives the distance between the speaker and the interlocutor. Indeed the register used by Hamid is highly formal since he uses expressions like “Sir” or “May I”. In the second sentence the reader exposes the interlocutor doesn’t feel at ease due to Changez’s physical appearance, especially he is quite scared by his beard.  Therefore the protagonist Changez tries soon after to reassure him because he perceives his fright. In the same sentence “Do not be frightened by my beard” there is an alliteration, so the repetition of the consonant “b”.  This sound device contributes to create musicality and it increases the will of reassuring the interlocutor. He adds “I am a lover of America” as well in order to get in touch with the interlocutor reassuring him.

Moving on the word “mission” is very significant since it has a different meaning depending on the reader’s level of literacy. Changez highlights he is both a native of Lahore and a speaker of the same language of his interlocutor. Therefore he feels the duty to express what it means to live in betweenness: both the Pakistani and the American culture influenced him in some aspects.

In addition he underlines the presence of his interlocutor saying he is an American man. He recognizes this aspect thanks not to his complexion or the way he is dressed, to his hair or physical appearance, but thanks to his bearing. He wants to point out this reflection because he shows not to be influenced by other beliefs or by prejudices and stereotypes. However it is a mere observation.

Besides Changez incites his interlocutor to express his intentions since he stands in that place with him. So he invites him to have a cup of tea. Hamid uses again words like “Sir” that help to keep the distance between the two even if they starts to have a closer relationship. Usually two stranger people don’t go to take a tea together. However in this case it’s different because Changez’s aim is to make the American man reflect and think about what he is going to say next. Inviting him to take a seat, Changez spends his time to make a lot of description of the place, of the bar’s furniture and even of the tea itself.

After asking his interlocutor to remove his not american jacket, the protagonist wants to tell his experience in America, which is his listener's native land. He tells about his life, his studies at Princeton University and his increasing American dream. He has the perception to live in a wonderful dream where everything is possible and is dominate by perfection. After that he passes the selections bragging to be better than American students and he goes to study at Underwood Samson & Company which is a valuation firm. He soon gets his job thanks to this firm.

Moreover Changez perceives his interlocutor’s concern again due to the arriving of their waiter.

After giving some other informations about his relationship with other members of the company, Changez returns to reality: he asks to his interlocutor whether the tea is excellent and he suggest to take another cup. Hamid uses this device in order to keep the reader’s attention high and to bring him back at the present time when the two are taking a tea. Furthermore he uses it to increase the reader’s curiosity to go on reading the novel.

To conclude the reader notices the writer uses the narrative technique of the long and dramatic monologue where there is only a character who speaks. Indeed Changez tells the story only from his point of view in order to establish a relationship with the reader who wants only to go on reading. The reader can identify in Changez’s interlocutor since he is a unknown Western person.