Introduction 

The reluctant fundamentalist is a novel written by Mohsin Hamid. It is structured in twelve chapters with main functions. This novel gives us a particular and new point of view about Occidental life.

The main functions of chapter one are:

 - to present the protagonist (Changez);

 - to underline the most important themes of the novel;

 - to set the story.

In the first chapter, the novelist Changez as a protagonist and sets the story and the narrative strategy used to tell the story.

The monologue is very important because the reader seems to be his interlocutor. The intelligent reader can also understand that there is an interlocutor even if he doesn’t speak.

Indeed, the narrator says “do not be frightened by my beard”. This signifies that he is speaking with someone.

The first chapter is important because it presents all the most important themes of the book: fundamentalism, racism, discrimination, meritocracy, religion and different traditions.

The first chapter introduces also the use of stereotypes. An example is the sentence: "are typical of a certain type of American".

The main functions of chapter two are:

-          To introduce Erica;

-          To show the differences between Islamic and American costumes;

-          To make a comparison between Changez and Erica, therefore between their different countries;

-          To put in evidence the differences between the social classes;

-          To underline that Pakistani are like Americans;

-          To introduce the differences between the generations in Lahore.

The novelist mainly relies on the characters: he presents the second protagonist of the novel. The setting is important to present Erica and to introduce others themes like the differences between classes. The plot puts in evidence also other messages. The name "Erica" reminds the intelligent reader of "America" as "Underwood Samson" is similar to "United States". Indeed, in this novel there are a lot of symbolism like this.