Now the story has an added twist as the narrator hopes that the reader, like himself, will be convinced that these events were not "...an ordinary succession of very natural causes and effects." ... As the narrator begins to recount the occurrences that "...have terrified--have tortured--have destroyed [him]," (p.11) he reminds the reader that maybe "...some intellect more calm, more logical, and far less excitable than [his] own," (p.11) will perceive "...nothing more than an ordinary succession of very natural causes and effects," (p.11) contrary to his own belief. ... Are the events of the...

• Word Count: 4324
• Approx Pages: 17
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

This ambiguous concept of light Ondaatje presents throughout the novel is not ordinary light, but one that illuminates the void of darkness. ... He is confined to the bus, meeting new and unique people as they get on and off. ... But there is something essentially different from Patrick and the people whom he befriends. ... Throughout his journey, he meets many people who help play an important role in his life. ... It talks about the people he meets and how they change his life. ...

• Word Count: 3985
• Approx Pages: 16
• Grade Level: High School

As in his treatment of Parsi society, he transforms the historical situations and the reality of Indian life into a metaphor that shows how the individual reacts to widespread corruption when entangled in its grasp, as in Such a Long Journey, and how people respond to the endless forms of tyranny that government and society inflict, as in A Fine Balance. ... Asked if this dependence on memory rather than reality causes problems in his fictional re-creation of India, Mistry explained: "Some people might say it's arrogant of me not to live there and assume that I know everything from a vi...

• Word Count: 4675
• Approx Pages: 19
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

As in his treatment of Parsi society, he transforms the historical situations and the reality of Indian life into a metaphor that shows how the individual reacts to widespread corruption when entangled in its grasp, as in Such a Long Journey, and how people respond to the endless forms of tyranny that government and society inflict, as in A Fine Balance. ... Asked if this dependence on memory rather than reality causes problems in his fictional re-creation of India, Mistry explained: "Some people might say it's arrogant of me not to live there and assume that I know everything from a vi...

• Word Count: 4673
• Approx Pages: 19
• Grade Level: Undergraduate