Summary Of Kenny's Metaphors To Achieve '

In chapter nineteen, Kenny uses a metaphor to show that in order to receive help, you must ask for it. As Kenny explains how he got so much money to build the hospital, which was by getting donations from his people and Rukmani’s people, he uses the quote “you must cry out if you want help” (Markandaya 111). Rukmani still can not comprehend why people would want to help them, since she believes that their lives are controlled by fate. Rukmani is a firm believer in fate, and whatever happens to them is meant to be. In contrast, Kenny believes that if one needs assistance, they should ask for it rather than suffer through their problems. To convey this idea to Rukmani, Kenny uses the metaphor “Who will succour the drowning man if he does not
clamour for his life?” (Markandaya 111). In this quote, Kenny compares one who does not reach out for help to a drowning man who does not attempt to get help. If a drowning man does not call out for help, ultimately he will drown and lose his life. Similarly, if one does not ask for help, they will end up suffering through their misfortunes. This metaphor also connects with the motif of fate vs. free will. Rukmani believes in fate, meaning that people should accept their living conditions and suffer through them. However, Kenny believes in free will, meaning that people should be able to make their own decisions and turn their bad situations into better ones. In the end, those who believe in free will ultimately end up with better circumstances than those who choose to accept their misfortunes because they choose to get the help they need to make their situations better.