The Waiter Character Analysis in The Reluctant Fundamentalist

The Waiter serves Changez and the Stranger while they sit and drink tea in the café in Lahore to which Changez steered the Stranger. A member of a tribe victimized by America’s military, he appears hostile and angry with the Stranger, though Changez assures the Stranger that the man is polite and gentle. At the end of the novel, the Waiter is running toward the Stranger in a dark and street, and may be about to attack him, though this isn’t at all certain.

The Waiter Character Timeline in The Reluctant Fundamentalist

The timeline below shows where the character The Waiter appears in The Reluctant Fundamentalist. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

As Changez and the Stranger sit in the café, a waiter comes to their table who, Changez notes, seems to intimidate the Stranger, who reaches under... (full context)

At the café, the waiter brings tea, and Changez says that the Stranger seems suspicious again, refusing to add sugar... (full context)

...that in fact the only American drinks in the café are sodas. Changez summons the waiter. (full context)

...the Stranger if he’d like another soda, and, when he seems to decline, signals the waiter, supposedly to bring Changez a bottle. The waiter arrives very promptly. (full context)

Patriotism & Post-9/11 United States Theme Icon

Changez notices that the Stranger is uneasy around the waiter. He acknowledges that the waiter seems intimidating, but says that this is only because he... (full context)

The waiter brings a bowl of dessert, which the Stranger finds too sweet. Changez observes that the... (full context)

The waiter brings green tea to Changez and the Stranger. Changez notes that it is unusual for... (full context)

...has been empty for a while. He signals for the bill, and once again the waiter comes immediately. The Stranger seems to offer to pay half, and Changez insists that in... (full context)

Changez notes that the Stranger has noticed that the waiter is walking close behind them as they make their way to the Stranger’s hotel. Changez... (full context)

...story. Instead, he is looking over his shoulder at the group of people, including the waiter, following them. Changez admits that the waiter looks grim, but assures the Stranger that no... (full context)