PLOT THEME SETTING CHARACTERS LITERARY THEORY

THEMES

Alienation of an individual

This theme stems from Ravi's feelings of insecurity and inferiority. He believes that no one takes him seriously or treats him with respect. What hurts him the most is his painful discovery that he has been completely forgotten and left out by his own family. At the end of the story, he feels as if the children are singing his requiem in their mournful chant at the funeral game. His final decision to withdraw completely from that children's games is strongly indicate his acute sense of alienation.

LITERARY THEORY
Psychological

 

Ravi wanted to be recognized by his family members - He wanted to fit in and belong. It seems like his family wouldn't have cared if he had runaway and the sad part is he knows that they forgotten him in an hour and took them a moment to actually recognize him.

SETTING
Place setting


Urban house in India - The garden, the garage, the veranda, and the lawn.

Time Setting

Hot summer afternoon .

CHARACTERS
RAVI 1) Typical little boy - likes to play games with his friends and siblings, and dreams of coming out triumphant in a game of hide 'n' seek.
2) Emotional

- he realizes that they have all moved on with their games and completely forgotten him, he shows a very dramatic reaction ; "He felt his heart go heavy and ache inside him unbearably. He lay down full length on the damp grass, crushing his face into it, no longer crying, silenced by a terrible sense of his insignificance. ( last line )

CHARACTERS
RAGHU
1) have a long, hefty, hairy footballer legs ( pg 62 )

- in contrast with Ravis short legs. 3) particularly rough and aggressive. ( pg 66 ) MIRA
1) seems to possess the most authority as the eldest . 2) bossy ( pg 66 )

MANU
1) The youngest