Cats Table
Character Analysis Essay
Mahad Ahmed
Azra Lodi
ENG3D
4/30/2013
Every person’s life expectation is to succeed and find out who they really are and what they mean to the people around them. The Cats Table is a book written by Michael Ondaatje. It narrates the story of Michael Ondaatje, a fictional depiction of the author at the age of eleven. Michael or “Mynah” as he called, boards upon a passenger liner called the Oronsay from Colombo, Sri Lanka to London, England. His 3 month journey has a lifelong impact that sets the tone for his future. The author displays this story as memoir versus fiction novel in which Michael sets on a journey which is more abrasive than pleasant. Michaels flashbacks from his middle aged self to the period of time in which he is on the ship help us see his search for his identity vividly and the long standing effects of his immigration to England. Michael’s experiences and expectations are influenced by the people around him for 3 months onboard the Oronsay; this makes it a struggle for him to find his identity which causes problems for Michael throughout his life.
Mynah’s experiences are the most vital part in the search for his identity. It plays the largest role in shaping his future as the events that occurred on the Oronsay remain forever scarred in his memories. He was a young, foolish, and naïve boy but he will remain forever haunted by the choices the people around him chose and what he could have done to stop them or encourage them. The first example would when he first came on
Mahad Ahmed
Azra Lodi
ENG3D
4/30/2013
Every person’s life expectation is to succeed and find out who they really are and what they mean to the people around them. The Cats Table is a book written by Michael Ondaatje. It narrates the story of Michael Ondaatje, a fictional depiction of the author at the age of eleven. Michael or “Mynah” as he called, boards upon a passenger liner called the Oronsay from Colombo, Sri Lanka to London, England. His 3 month journey has a lifelong impact that sets the tone for his future. The author displays this story as memoir versus fiction novel in which Michael sets on a journey which is more abrasive than pleasant. Michaels flashbacks from his middle aged self to the period of time in which he is on the ship help us see his search for his identity vividly and the long standing effects of his immigration to England. Michael’s experiences and expectations are influenced by the people around him for 3 months onboard the Oronsay; this makes it a struggle for him to find his identity which causes problems for Michael throughout his life.
Mynah’s experiences are the most vital part in the search for his identity. It plays the largest role in shaping his future as the events that occurred on the Oronsay remain forever scarred in his memories. He was a young, foolish, and naïve boy but he will remain forever haunted by the choices the people around him chose and what he could have done to stop them or encourage them. The first example would when he first came on