The Theme of Fear in Ridjal Noors Anil - Essay Example

1. The theme of fear has been explicitly explored in Ridjal Noor’s Anil. The author has developed and created instances of fear beginning with the main character Anil. He then proceeds to create fear of exposure to the main event in this story. The following are instances of exploitation of the theme of fear.

(i) Point
Line 32. His father was a burly man,
Evidence
• A bully to his family.
• Anil debated waking him up
• Had hit her
Analysis
The fact that Anin could not wake up his father to accompany him brings out an element of fear. Earlier on, we are told of his father’s ruthless treatment of his mum, this might have prevented him from waking him up. We find that Anin made attempts to wake the mother but not the father.
(ii) Point 2
Line 211- He said “I don’t want to go away. I don’t want to leave you.
Evidence
• Where am I going?
• How will I know if I will come back?
• stop this train
Analysis
The boy’s state depicts how fearful he was for what would happen in the future. He is being forced into the city yet he does not want to. By crying out loud and asking questions, it is evident that he does not like what may happen when he is away.
(iii) Point
Line 46- battled with his fear of venturing out into the dark on his own
Evidence
• Could go out and not return
• They. Peyi. Please. Ghosts
Analysis
Some theme of fear has been described in this section. The writer describes Anin’s state and goes ahead to describe his feelings and imagination. He believed there could be a ghost outside that will make him not return. Anin feared the dark and unforeseen circumstances. The fact that Anin did not dare go out of the house himself is proof enough that he did have fear. The Author develops this theme by using vivid descriptions. He describes the ghostly tree and the fact that Anin made attempts to move out and came back. We are even told that Anin knew he would not return, which blankly develops this theme.
(iv) Point
Line 95-Anil watched, numbed from the horror
Evidence
• the body hung before his sight in silence
• clutching his mouth
• silencing the sobs that wracked his little body
Analysis
The fact that Noor has described the feelings and emotions around Anin depicts instances of fear. This is a boy who has certainly watched the incident of suicide. In addition to this, the author brings out his body language which clearly shows that the boy was gripped with fear. This story further explores how the village people slept and dreamt from the opening paragraphs. This young boy lacked sleep, creating the element of fear.

(v) Point
Line 161- exposing his naked guilt

Evidence
• sharply to face his accuser
• where none of the villagers could hear
• Are you sending me off because I saw him do it?
Analysis
Fear of exposure. In this section, Marimuthu knew all was not well, someone had sported him. The Author describes his guilty looks and this brings the element of fear. In this category, the village headman and Anil also seem fearful of any repercussions because they know the death was not suicidal. Consider the sentences “I have to talk to you, Ragunathan. I have to talk to you about this son of yours” and ‘Are you sending me off because I saw him do it?’ These two show some element of fear thus the actions that transpired.

2. Noor has deployed the use of different writing styles to express the theme of fear.
Point
Line 44- Wheee…
Evidence
• He heard the constant shuffling of feet
• Send him screaming his head off
The author has used onomatopoeia to create a setting and environment of fear. The lines “he heard the constant shuffling of feet” and “Wheee …” set up a theme of fear. Creating the sound effects, elicits the readers’ emotions and sets up the imagination, showing the state Anil was in.
The writer has also used vivid descriptions as a style to show the element of fear. “Meanwhile the streets were pitch dark, with no lighting and with the sounds of crickets crying out to each other. As the village slept the night away, a little boy in one of the huts was” this description creates a setting of fear. The description of darkness and cricket sounds is evident. Read More