The English Patient
The English Patient Commentary Page 136-137
This key passage is from Michael Ondaatje’s The English Patient, found in the first few pages of chapter four. Before, this passage, Hana is sitting beside Almasy while he begins to describe his first expedition in the deserts in the 1930s. After, Almasy explained how he came to hate nations, but was attached to the desert as it could not be claimed or own. The passage between reinforces the idea that identity is not fixed, it changes over time as people grow and gain experience. This is made evident through Almasy’s character which is portrayed through the symbol of the desert. Symbolism is used to encapsulate plot elements that are crucial to the theme and allow the reader a deeper level of interpretation
This key passage is from Michael Ondaatje’s The English Patient, found in the first few pages of chapter four. Before, this passage, Hana is sitting beside Almasy while he begins to describe his first expedition in the deserts in the 1930s. After, Almasy explained how he came to hate nations, but was attached to the desert as it could not be claimed or own. The passage between reinforces the idea that identity is not fixed, it changes over time as people grow and gain experience. This is made evident through Almasy’s character which is portrayed through the symbol of the desert. Symbolism is used to encapsulate plot elements that are crucial to the theme and allow the reader a deeper level of interpretation