Symbolism And Irony In Salman Rushdie's In The South
Life just preparation for death. The short story “In The South” by Salman Rushdie is about two very old men, Senior and Junior, that have known each other for a very long time. Senior has had a very successful life and has a lot of family that he is not very fond of while Junior has had a very fulfilling and happy life. Senior wants to die because he believes he has no more life left to live. Junior is the exact opposite from Senior and loves life. Salmon Rushdie wrote this story portraying Junior and senior as death and life. Rushdie uses symbolism and irony to show how life can be taken away so quickly and how precious it is. Symbolism is an immense aide in this short story. Rushdie uses many things as significant symbols throughout “In
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Irony is very strong throughout this short story, and it helps one understand the theme and tone. When Senior finds Junior has passed away on the sidewalk, he realizes he cannot help him anymore so he “reached into his friend’s pocket and took out the pension slip” and “set off on his mission alone” (Rushdie). Junior and Senior always cashed their pension slips together; never would Senior have thought that going to get something to keep them alive would end up killing someone else. Senior does not know how to react after Junior dies. Soon after the “murder” of Junior, a terrible tsunami comes through their little city in paradise. Many people lose their lives including Junior’s best friend. Senior observed the aftermath of the tragedy and thought to himself, “The waves did not get as far as [his] house. [His] lane was undamaged. Everybody lived. Except Junior” (Rushdie). Rushdie uses the tsunami to represent the flood of emotions Senior is feeling after losing one of his very good friends. Senior wanted to die and Junior wanted to live but life is not fair and one does not get what one wants sometimes. Junior’s death was very ironic, because he was happy with his life and did not want to die. Senior wanted to die and he felt as if he was the only one who would not
Irony is very strong throughout this short story, and it helps one understand the theme and tone. When Senior finds Junior has passed away on the sidewalk, he realizes he cannot help him anymore so he “reached into his friend’s pocket and took out the pension slip” and “set off on his mission alone” (Rushdie). Junior and Senior always cashed their pension slips together; never would Senior have thought that going to get something to keep them alive would end up killing someone else. Senior does not know how to react after Junior dies. Soon after the “murder” of Junior, a terrible tsunami comes through their little city in paradise. Many people lose their lives including Junior’s best friend. Senior observed the aftermath of the tragedy and thought to himself, “The waves did not get as far as [his] house. [His] lane was undamaged. Everybody lived. Except Junior” (Rushdie). Rushdie uses the tsunami to represent the flood of emotions Senior is feeling after losing one of his very good friends. Senior wanted to die and Junior wanted to live but life is not fair and one does not get what one wants sometimes. Junior’s death was very ironic, because he was happy with his life and did not want to die. Senior wanted to die and he felt as if he was the only one who would not