Changez is the protagonist of “The Reluctant Fundamentalist” and he can be considered a round character. Indeed he is a realistic and complex character who shows a parabola throughout the story. His development is influenced by his response to the surrounding culture.
Changez is a Pakistani man in America and at first, he is a lover of his new country. However, he has to face with the sense of displacement caused by the cultural difference between America and Pakistan. This feeling is highlighted in the scene where Changes compares the new districts of Lahore with Manhattan: he is trying to overcome the sense of nostalgia by finding similarities between the two countries. Anyway, as I said before, he loves United States and he works hard to be accepted.
Yet, after the Twin Towers attack his perspective changes: he faces racism and discrimination until deciding to return in Pakistan where he will become an anti-US lecturer.
Therefore, his point of view about America completely change throughout the novel.
His development is highlighted by the choice of his name, indeed “Changez” leads to think about a transformation.
As regards his personalities, he was a brilliant student: he went to Princeton where he had excellent marks and he had an important job for Underwood Samson Company. Moreover thanks to his intelligence he is, in a first moment, integrated in United States.
Furthermore the reader understands that he is very polite, he always expresses himself in a formal and respectful way.