Funny Boy–The Best school of all–Riot Journal: an Epilogue
401110779May LeePostcolonial Bildungsroman
Outline
PlotThe Best School of AllRiot Journal: An EpilogueDiscussions QuestionsAnalysis of Different Forms of EmigrationTurning into AdulthoodRealization of SexualityRealization of Racial DifferencesWorks Cited
Discussion questions
What are the different forms of emigration in the story?How doesArjie’sacknowledgement towards race and gender develop through the whole book? How do these two issues result in his comprehension and his growth?Aside from serving as the ending of the story, what are the other significances of the last two chapters?
plot
Plot
The best school of all
Transfers to Victoria AcademyFails to recite poem PunishedGets out of troublePlots for revenge
Subplot
MeetsShehanShehangets in trouble PunishedVisitsShehan; invitesShehanto visitGarage sex sceneShehanin trouble againConfesses feelings toShehan
Plot
Riot journal: an epilogue
Diary formHears rumors about riotBecomes victimHides in neighbors/ relatives housesHouse burntAmmachi&AppachikilledDecides to emigrate
analysis
Forms of emigration--turning into adulthood
Turning into adulthood
Starts to break free from the family“My family was already in the middle of dinner when I came home. ‘Where have you been?’Ammacried when she saw me.‘I went to visit a friend,’ I saidand slipped into my seat. Everyone looked at me with interest,because I had never had a friend before” (248). Indication of being “funny” and/or Tamil“When we came out of the classroom, the school song had started. I walked to the gallery and stood there, looking down at the audience. My eyes came to rest on my parents.As I gazed atAmma, I felt a sudden sadness. What had happened betweenShehanand me over the last few days had changed my relationship with her forever. I was no longer a part of my family in the same way. I now inhabited a world they didn’t understand and into which they couldn’t follow me” (278). Acceptance of his own sexual tendency, of being “funny”
Turning into adulthood
Awareness of power hierarchy“Right and wrong, fair and unfair had nothing to do with how things really were.I thought ofShehanand myself. What had happened between us in the garage was not wrong. For how could lovingShehanbe bad? ……I thought of how unfair this was and I was reminded of things I had seen happen to other people, likeJegan, or evenRadhaAunty, who, in their own way, had experienced injustice. How was it that some people got to decide what was correct or not, just or unjust?It had to do with who was in charge; everything had to do with who held power and who didn’t” (267).“That was why he changed his behavior to me……. Rather, the poems were an indispensable part of is last hope of triumphing overLokubandara.Without me his speech would fail and his efforts to save his position would come to nothing.A thought then presented itself to me, so simple I was surprised it hadn’t come to me before.Black Tie needed me, and because he needed me, power had moved into my hands. I looked at Black Tie and realized that any fear of him had disappeared” (270).
analysis
Forms of emigration--realization of sexuality
sexuality
IgnoranceExpectationSex SceneRejectionRealization and Acceptance
racial differences
Ignorance/ RejectionExpectationSex SceneRejectionRealization and Acceptance
Realization of self
Realization of sexuality––ignorance
“I felt suddenlyshybut, wanting to acknowledge his gestures offriendship, I smiled back” (236).“As I rode along Duplication Road, I said the word “Shehan” to myself, trying to get used to its newness on mytongue” (236).“‘You just be careful. ThatSoyzacould easily lead you downthe wrong path.’ He left, closing the door behind him. Then the meaning of whatDiggyhad said hit me, and a realization began to take shape in my mind.The difference within me that I sometimes felt I had, that had brought me so much confusion, whatever this difference, it was shared byShehan.I felt amazed that a normal thing––like my friendship withSheahan––could have such powerful and hiddenpossibilities……Inow knew that the kiss was somehow connected to what we had in common,andShehanhad known this all along” (250).
Realization of sexuality––expectation
“…I realized I had not only liked that kiss but I was also eager to experience it again in all its detail and sensation” (245).
Realization of sexuality––climax: Sex scene
“I was aware of my mouth in a way I had never been before, aware of its power to give and receive pleasure…… Once again, I felt myself slipping into darkness, as if I were sinking to the bottom of a pool where only smell, taste, and sensation existed” (253).
Realization of sexuality––rejection
“… and suddenly it was too much forme……Hewalked towards me, and when he was right by me, he leaned over and kissed me. I drew away from him. His tongue felt likea damp towel” (254).The sense of degradation and rejection.“Diggy’sstory had not been a lie, and, worse, I had letShehando to me what the head prefect had done tohim……I thought of the expression on his face as he had pushed against me, and I felt a sudden contempt and loathing for him. It seemed hard to believe that I had longed for his kiss the whole weekend, had waited with such expectancy to discover more. Now I wished I had never invited him, never set eyes onhim”(256).
Realization of sexuality––rejection
“‘You’re feeling guilty,’ he suddenly said. ‘You’re feeling guilty about what we did.’‘Why should I feel guilty?’ “Because you think it’s bad.’ ‘And what do you think? What does your head prefect think?’ He looked up at me, startled. I stared directly at him, refusing to apologize…. ‘Why should I be jealous of such a disgusting thing? The whole school knows about you. You’re the laughingstock of the entire school.’‘At least I know what I want and I’m’ not ashamed of it.’” (258).Shehanas the more experienced, if not the more mature, one.“We stared at each other, both of us shocked by my swift, violent reaction” (257).Sudden act of “masculinity.”
Realization of sexuality––realization and acceptance
“With the terrible regret of a realization come too late,I saw that I had misjudged what we had done in the garage.Shehanhad not debased me or degraded me, but rather had offered me his love. And I had scorned it” (262).“‘I did it for you,’ I said. ‘I couldn’t bear to see you suffer anymore’” (277).The same act that ensuresArjie’salienation from his family.
analysis
Forms of emigration--realization of racial differences
Realization of racial differences––Ignorance/ rejection
“He told us to go to bed, that it was only a rumor, that there was probably some gang fight in a slum aroundKanaththawhich people were calling a communal riot” (280).“‘No,’ she said. ‘No. That can’t be.’…… ‘Don’t worry, it’s just a precaution. It’s safer this way.’ Yet we knew she was lying” (281).“1:00 P.M. The government has now declared curfew. Anyone caught on the road without a curfew pass will be shot on sight. I am so relieved, because this must mean that the government is not behind the rioting and thatSenaUncle andChithraAunty’sstory was wrong……Appasays that it is all right. He didn’t really want to leave the house in the first place, and since the government has declared curfew, the situation will soon be under control.Ammadidn’t agree” (283).
Realization of racial differences––expectation
“She explained to us that we have to be prepared if the mob comes. She andAppahave worked out an escape plan…… I noticed thatAmmahas removed herthaliand gold bangles……Appaalso sent our birth certificates and bankbooks. They know that there is going to be trouble. Like me, they are certain that the mob will come. It’s only a question of when” (286).
Realization of racial differences––climax: riot scene
“The chants of the mob were getting louder…… The first noise we heard was a crash and the shattering of glass…… Then other sounds started. Crackling and banging and the dragging of heavy objects across the floor…… Then through the storeroom window, we saw a spiral of smoke…… Once the sky had got lighter, we went to look at our house. The fire had completely died down by now. I stood at the gate, staring at the devastation in front of me. If not for the gate, which was still intact, I would never have been able to say that this had been our house…… The first thing that struck me was how much smaller the house seemed, now that most of the roof had caved in” (290).
Realization of racial differences––riot scene: the unusual casualty
“From the dining room, I can hear the murmur ofNeliyaAunty’sandAmma’svoices and the clatter of plates and spoons. It is their attempt to provide some normalcy to the day. Yet all it does, this everyday sound, is make me realize how frighteningly different this day has been so far” (280).“‘Darling,’ she said, ‘it’s time.’ She said it so gently that for a moment I thought it was time to get up for school” (287).“‘Come and have some tea,’PereraAunty said. The sheer normality of her offer took us aback…” (290).
Realization of racial differences––rejection
“I observed all this with not a trace of remorse, not a touch of sorrow for the loss and destruction around me. Even now I feel no sorrow. I try to remind myself that the house is destroyed, that we willneverlive in it again, but my heart refuses to understand this” (291).Traumatic experience
Realization of racial differences––realization and acceptance
The Mob is Real“When I sawShehanstanding atChithraAunty’sdoor, the reality of all that had happened hit me…… [H]e immediately began to tell me about a film that he wanted to see and how we could go for an afternoon matinee after school next week, if curfew is lifted. He was trying to cheer me up, and as I listened to him talk, something occurred to me that I had never really been conscious of before––Shehanwas Sinhalese and I was not. This awareness did not change my feelings for him, it was simply there, like a thin translucent screen through which I watched him” (295).“This day has been a terrible one forAppa. We heard that the hotel was attacked yesterday. It was severely damaged and most of the rooms were burnt” (296).“This day has been a terrible one forAppa. We heard that the hotel was attacked yesterday. It was severely damaged and most of the rooms were burnt” (296).
Realization of racial differences––realization and acceptance
Emigration“Appalooked very thoughtful. ‘Let’s watch the situation for a little longer and then decide,’ he said. “I have so many assets here. I don’t want to just up and go like that.’ Later, however, I heardAppatellingAmmathat as soon as things quietened down, they would apply for passports forDiggy,Sonali, and me” (296).“Appalooked very thoughtful. ‘Let’s watch the situation for a little longer and then decide,’ he said. “I have so many assets here. I don’t want to just up and go like that.’ Later, however, I heardAppatellingAmmathat as soon as things quietened down, they would apply for passports forDiggy,Sonali, and me” (296).
sexuality
IgnoranceExpectationSex SceneRejectionRealization and Acceptance
racial differences
Ignorance/ RejectionExpectationSex SceneRejectionRealization and Acceptance
Realization of self
WorkCited
Selvadurai,Shyam.Funny Boy. Orlando: Harcourt Brace & Company, 1994. Print.
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