Real friendship and loyalty do not exist in the novel I’m Not Scared. Discuss.
Set in the small, secluded Southern Italy town of Acqua Traverse in the scorching summer of 1978, Niccolo Ammaniti’s novel ‘I’m Not Scared’ tells the tale of a nine year old boy’s struggle against moral principles and fight against evil. Readers may believe that real friendship and loyalty do not exist in the novel after several incidents involving betrayal and broken friendships are encountered. However, it is Michele, who proves this wrong because of his concern and loyalty to others. After finding Filippo in a hole dehumanised and traumatised, Michele builds a strong friendship with him and stays loyal to him until the end. Even though Michele knows of Papa’s …show more content…
The fact that Filippo refers to Michele as the Guardian Angel shows how much of strong and sincere bond they have between each other. "The angel always tells the truth. You're the guardian angel" (pg.75). But Michele’s loyalty comes to the test soon after, when forced to promise on Papa’s head, saying that he will never visit the hole again. "What was I going to do now? I promised him I would go and see him again, but I couldn't, I had sworn to Papa that I wouldn't go". Michele’s responsibility as a friend is shown as he keeps going back to aid the latter with food, water and not leave him alone. “He drank I drank too” (pg.112). After promising Papa that he would not visit Filippo again, Michele was in two minds because he also promised Filippo that he would be back to help him. Because of his principles Michele breaks his promise and disobeys Papa in order to free Filippo. So it is what Michele does for Filippo that proves that real friendship and loyalty is a vital part ‘I’m Not …show more content…
Michele has a good image of his father as an innocent and hardworking man. "Nobody had ever talked to Papa like that. Papa was the boss of Acqua Traverse" (pg. 84). However that soon changes when he finds out what his behind. When Felice finds Michele with Filippo in the hole, it is after that, that Michele learns Papa is behind the kidnapping of Filippo Carducci. Having promised to Filippo that he will be back and to his Papa that he will never visit the hole again puts Michele’s loyalty comes to the test. "If you go back there I'll give you the thrashing of your life” (pg.156). Having found out that Michele was helping Filippo, Papa tells him to never go there again or he will beat him up. As well as suggesting that Sergio and the other adults will shoot Filippo in the head. So Michele does just that, obeying his father, which is a sign of loyalty. After few weeks Michele eventually breaks his promise and goes back to the hole, to set Michele free. Many readers might question Michele’s loyalty towards Papa after he breaks his oath on Papa’s head. But it is because of his morality that he decides to free Michele. However what many might not know is that Michele is still loyal as he makes constant excuses and has sympathy for his parent’s blatant wrong doing. “The lords of the hill. Papa, they're coming. Run for it” (pg.215).
Set in the small, secluded Southern Italy town of Acqua Traverse in the scorching summer of 1978, Niccolo Ammaniti’s novel ‘I’m Not Scared’ tells the tale of a nine year old boy’s struggle against moral principles and fight against evil. Readers may believe that real friendship and loyalty do not exist in the novel after several incidents involving betrayal and broken friendships are encountered. However, it is Michele, who proves this wrong because of his concern and loyalty to others. After finding Filippo in a hole dehumanised and traumatised, Michele builds a strong friendship with him and stays loyal to him until the end. Even though Michele knows of Papa’s …show more content…
The fact that Filippo refers to Michele as the Guardian Angel shows how much of strong and sincere bond they have between each other. "The angel always tells the truth. You're the guardian angel" (pg.75). But Michele’s loyalty comes to the test soon after, when forced to promise on Papa’s head, saying that he will never visit the hole again. "What was I going to do now? I promised him I would go and see him again, but I couldn't, I had sworn to Papa that I wouldn't go". Michele’s responsibility as a friend is shown as he keeps going back to aid the latter with food, water and not leave him alone. “He drank I drank too” (pg.112). After promising Papa that he would not visit Filippo again, Michele was in two minds because he also promised Filippo that he would be back to help him. Because of his principles Michele breaks his promise and disobeys Papa in order to free Filippo. So it is what Michele does for Filippo that proves that real friendship and loyalty is a vital part ‘I’m Not …show more content…
Michele has a good image of his father as an innocent and hardworking man. "Nobody had ever talked to Papa like that. Papa was the boss of Acqua Traverse" (pg. 84). However that soon changes when he finds out what his behind. When Felice finds Michele with Filippo in the hole, it is after that, that Michele learns Papa is behind the kidnapping of Filippo Carducci. Having promised to Filippo that he will be back and to his Papa that he will never visit the hole again puts Michele’s loyalty comes to the test. "If you go back there I'll give you the thrashing of your life” (pg.156). Having found out that Michele was helping Filippo, Papa tells him to never go there again or he will beat him up. As well as suggesting that Sergio and the other adults will shoot Filippo in the head. So Michele does just that, obeying his father, which is a sign of loyalty. After few weeks Michele eventually breaks his promise and goes back to the hole, to set Michele free. Many readers might question Michele’s loyalty towards Papa after he breaks his oath on Papa’s head. But it is because of his morality that he decides to free Michele. However what many might not know is that Michele is still loyal as he makes constant excuses and has sympathy for his parent’s blatant wrong doing. “The lords of the hill. Papa, they're coming. Run for it” (pg.215).