How Does Ammaniti Present Betrayal In Im Not Scared

I’m Not Scared
“I’m Not Scared” by Niccolo Ammaniti is a dramatic thriller in which the author portrays the contrasting themes of loyalty and betrayal with the use of symbolism and characterisation.
“I’m Not Scared” is a dramatic tale set in a small Italian hamlet written in first person narrative. The protagonist in this novel is Michele, a 9 year old boy who accidentally stumbles upon a young boy who is being held ransom. Throughout the novel Michele visits and as the story progresses Michele finds out that his ‘Papa’ and all the adults in Acqua Traverse are holding the young boy ransom. As Michele develops as a character we see the contrast of loyalty and betrayal. We are shown this particularly at the novels climax as Michele’s loyalty
Michele and his best friend, Salvatore are playing this game in Salvatore’s manor as it is commonly contested between the two friends. As it’s Salvatore’s game, he has the best teams and always wins. Michele does not have a team of his own and wishes to acquire one of Salvatore’s many teams. Salvatore is not fond of the idea but Michele persuades him with the exchange of the secret about the boy. Betrayal is brandished here as Michele betrays Fillipo by telling Salvatore about him. Subbuteo is a football-related game. Football is clearly a team sport where trust and loyalty are required in order to succeed. This highlights the theme of loyalty but more importantly how Michelle has betrayed Fillipo. He isn’t using the morals of team spirit when he is out for his own game. However Michele’s loyalty to Salvatore is later forsaken as Salvatore tells the adults Michele’s secret in order to get to drive their car. To Salvatore the chance to drive a car symbolises maturity and adulthood. Betrayal is a very adult trait. There are not many children who possess the ability to betray others. However these children are beyond their years of innocence and, at times, behave like the adults surrounding
At the beginning of the novel, Ammaniti portrays Papa as the children’s favourable parent, as he is a bit of a pushover and that he always excites the children when home. By creating a character that works away from home for weeks at a time Ammaniti allows great excitement in the children when Papa comes home. His return shows his loyalty to his family. However, the darker side of Papa’s character is clearly shown late in the novel:- “Papa was the bogeyman. By day he was good but at night he was bad.” Michele now feels afraid and disappointed in this quote, as Papa plotted to kill Fillipo even though his son begged and pleaded with him not to. By comparing papa to the bogeyman, the reader conjures up ideas of fear, anger and a lack of love. Through the use of plot and the kidnapping of Fillipo Ammaniti has cleverly shown Papa’s sinister side. Kidnapping is a very serious offence but not only that, it is an offence on an innocent child, which makes Papa appear less loyal to his own children. However, it is not only Papa who breaks the promise. Michele follows in his Papa’s footsteps when he also breaks his promise:- “I was breaking the oath” Although Michele betrays his father he remains loyal to Fillipo by “...breaking the oath” and sneaks out to save Fillipo. Confident in his own ability to save his friend and outmanoeuvre his father, Michele goes to rescue