The Reluctant Fundamentalist
 
CHAPTER 2
 
1) Main function:
 
- introduce one of the most important characters: Erica.
Changez meets her on holiday in Greece in a high class club. Changez tells about his first lover. After his meeting with her he falls in love for her. The novelist introduces Erica commenting on a group of girls in Lahore, while Changez and his interlocutor are meeting in a Café.
 
2)Structural elements:

The novelist mainly relies on characterization: Erica helps to give a deeper understanding of Changez' personality. Erica also represents America: the name "Erica" reminds the word America. On the same level the name "Changez" sounds like "change" and the name "Chris" recalls Christianity.
The first time Changez sees Erica, he describes her like a divine creature her hair was piled up like a tiara. Changez immediately finds her "regal".

Several contrasts  can be recognized in the second chapter:
- different cultures
- different genders
- upper class and lower class
- different religions
- different love relationships