The English Patient
In the final sections of "The English Patient", Michael Ondaatje uses the developed nature of various characters and reoccurring themes to stage the climax and resolution of the novel. Once again, Michael Ondaatje uses the reoccurring themes of nationality and identity, symbolism, and the concept of war to create tension between the plot and the characters. Kip, an Indian-Sikh sapper, clearly remembers enlisting in the British Army and training for the bomb squad under Lord Suffolk in 1940. His brown skin is an entity that would always make him a foreigner, where he would be isolated from the world around him. On the contrary, Lord Suffolk became his mentor, accepted him into the English family and treated him equally as well as other soldiers. At various times, it was evident that Kip became closer to his English family in comparison to his Indian heritage. His appearance (dressing in western apparel), and his actions (singing western songs, as well as defusing explosives to save English soldiers) was further proof that this was occurring. As the war progressed, Lord Suffolk and his fellow sappers died from a tragic bombing incident. At this time, Kip explores the idea of being nationless, neither wanting to understand beli
On the contrary, it gives life through the oasis's that are commonly found by explorers, and have supported shifting tribes for over a century. Various symbols have reoccurred consistently in the novel, affecting the outcome of the plot. As we can see, the desert extends beyond time and connects the fragments of life that are present in an everlasting cycle, very similar to the circle of life. The war provides the climax of the story when Kip hears that an atomic bomb has been dropped on Japan. His previous beliefs are reverted, and he now sees the war as a battle due to greed and the hunger for power and domination; the same perception as his Indian brother, who sits in jail as he refused to help the English forces. Michael Ondaatje very cleverly uses the idea of mental instability during the war to stimulate the sudden changes in one's identity, beliefs and personality as seen in Kip. In the final section of the novel, he clearly sets the stage for a heightened and emotional climax that is later resolved. Over the course of time, Hana has fallen in love with the physical and mental toughness of Kip. As this occurs, we are able to see Ondaatje's magic at work once again, as Hana take the role of the English patient; telling the story of her past while she is vulnerable as Kip listens on. We are able to see Kip's true identity later, as he rips all military insignias from his clothes symbolizing the rejection of western ideals forever. His faith in western society is also lost, in which he hastily leaves Italy without looking back. The story of "The English Patient" takes place at the end of World War II (1945) as divergent characters come together to form a way of life. His own beliefs that were shaped by the war have been shattered, as the good done in disarming explosives have been counteracted with the dropping of the bomb in Hiroshima. They spend many nights together talking about their homes, families and other personal issues. In an instance later, we see Kip holding his rifle at the English Patient's head only to blame the deed on him.
Common topics in this essay:
Michael Ondaatje,
Lord Suffolk,
War II,
English Patient's,
Mother Nature,
English Patient,
British Army,
Kip Indian-Sikh,
english patient,
michael ondaatje,
lord suffolk,
,
reoccurring themes,
indian heritage,
english family,
western society,
circle life,
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Acceptance Essays
