‘Mohsin Hamid uses a variety of strategies to create tension in the novel’
The Reluctant Fundamentalist uses a variety of narrative strategies and literary techniques to create a tension throughout the novel. Even before one has begun reading, The Reluctant Fundamentalist plays on the reader’s prejudices about the word ‘fundamentalist’. One of the striking elements of this novel is that, despite its title, there is almost no mention of religion in the story. Hamid suggests instead that nostalgia is far more insidious and dangerous to people. Nostalgia is, according to Changez, as addictive as crack cocaine. Tension is created in the novel not only by the transition of Changez identity but also by the confronting reasons for Changez’s rejection of the American Dream which forces us to lament our own prejudices about the Muslim world and question the morality and intentions of the dominant and powerful United States.
Throughout the story of The Reluctant Fundamentalist, Hamid attempts to expose the prejudices and stereotypes which the Western world posses in relation to Islam and Muslims. Changez comments in the opening paragraph of the book “do not be frightened by my beard: I am a lover of America” By suggesting that the American shouldn’t feel threatened or be suspicious of Changez because of his appearance, readers are made to feel uncomfortable as they too subconsciously hold these assumptions. The general sense of suspicion that exists between Changez and the American creates an ongoing tension throughout the novel. Changez accuses the American of assuming the scars on his arms were obtained at “some sort of training camp”, alluding to terrorist camps that were set up in Pakistan in the 1980’s. Changez however is also suspicious and paints a picture of the American as “a seasoned army officer”, with a “hardened face”, “short cropped hair” and “expansive chest”. He alludes to the fact that the American is probably armed. The relationship between the...