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PLOT

THEME

SETTING

LITERARY THEORY

CHARACTERS

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Alienation of an individual

This theme stems from Ravi's feelings of insecurity and inferiority. He

believes that no one takes him seriously or treats him with respect. What

hurts him the most is his painful discovery that he has been completely

forgotten and left out by his own family. At the end of the story, he feels as if

the children are singing his requiem in their mournful chant at the funeral

game. His final decision to withdraw completely from that children's games

is strongly indicate his acute sense of alienation.

THEMESTHEMES

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Psychological

Ravi wanted to be recognized by his family members

- He wanted to fit in and belong.

It seems like his family wouldn't have cared if he had runaway and the sad

part is he knows that they forgotten him in an hour and took them a moment

to actually recognize him.

LITERARY THEORYLITERARY THEORY

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Place setting

Urban house in India - The garden, the garage, the veranda, and the lawn.

Time Setting

Hot summer afternoon .

SETTINGSETTING

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RAVI

1) Typical little boy

- likes to play games with his friends and siblings, and dreams of coming out

triumphant in a game of hide 'n' seek.

2) Emotional

- he realizes that they have all moved on with their games and completely

forgotten him, he shows a very dramatic reaction ;

"He felt his heart go heavy and ache inside him unbearably. He lay down full

length on the damp grass, crushing his face into it, no longer crying, silenced

by a terrible sense of his insignificance. ( last line )

CHARACTERSCHARACTERS

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RAGHU

1) have a long, hefty, hairy footballer legs ( pg 62 )

- in contrast with Ravis short legs.

3) particularly rough and aggressive. ( pg 66 )

MIRA

1) seems to possess the most authority as the eldest .

2) bossy ( pg 66 )

MANU1) The youngest

CHARACTERSCHARACTERS