Symbolism In Anil's Ghost

Michael Ondaatje expresses the concept of human nature and its struggle to survive the cruelties of death and war through various character developments throughout his Canadian novel Anil’s Ghost, particularly through Gamini, the brother of Sarath. Specifically, late in the novel, the main plot involves Anil’s investigation report being confiscated and her well being at risk, while the sub plot in the perspective of Gamini reveals that Sarath—who finds safe passage for Anil out of the island— has been murdered. To a character whose job as an overworked doctor has turned him apathetic and distanced from the emotional connection to others, finding his brother’s persecuted body emphasizes the endeavour of human nature to either persist against the tragedies of war or lose human compassion entirely. Unexpectedly out of character, after it is confirmed that …show more content…
While describing the physical attributes of his brother, he symbolizes Sarath's nature to the gentleness of Ganesha, an elephant-headed Hindu deity worshipped as a remover of obstacles. Despite the firm personality shown by Sarath, especially regarding his morals and beliefs, his true nature is revealed in death as a soft, nonthreatening character, epitomizing the cruelty of wars in killing ‘good’ as well as the ‘bad’. Throughout the novel, Gamini is referred to as a “mouse” (289) representing his survival in life through acting on instinct, making up for lack of defence with size and tact, and while comparing his brother to himself, Gamini states if he is the mouse, then “his brother was the Bear” (289). By symbolizing his brother as a bear, the spirit animal of protection, fearlessness and strength, emphasizes Sarath’s righteousness as seen by Gamini and illustrates the altering attitude towards his personal relationships compared to earlier in the