“identity is formed in the ‘interaction’ between self and society” – Stuart Hall

In The Reluctant Fundamentalist, Mohsin Hamid reveals Changez’s identity through his interactions with the society in Lahore, Princeton University, and New York. Through his interactions with Lahore, the audience realizes his love for Pakistan. Additionally, when Erica invites Changez to her house and her father offends aspects of Pakistan, Changez answered him back in order to defend his country from the stereotypes and assumptions as Pakistan is a big part of his identity. His interactions with New York and Princeton University as well as his feelings about these places reveal to the audience that these places are strongly associated with his identity as well since he mentions in the book that he feels like a ‘New Yorker’.