The importance of Place to Danny's Journey

 Although at first, I didn’t pay much attention to the role that the city of Sydney played in Aravid Adiga’s novel Amnesty, as the story progressed and Danny’s narration become more reliant on the city, I began to understand the crucial role that setting plays in the novel.  Throughout the second half of the story, Danny’s narration seems to emphasize the role that Sydney has in relation to time.  Just as the novel began with a life-like depiction of his home, Sri Lanka, Danny’s narration allows readers to feel as though they are in walking along the streets of Sydney too, in a sort of race against time.  Different architectural facets, people, and sights that he encounters throughout his travels through the city all seem to speak to Danny in different ways, forcing him to decide whether he should risk his own fate in the pursuit of justice.

As Danny sits outside in Sydney, he hears a television report from inside a city bar providing details about Radha’s murder.  One specific detail, the color of the jacket she was found in, stands out to Danny as it affirms his convictions about Prakash.  Danny is caught up in his thoughts, questioning if he heard the news report correctly, when, “As if in response, the glass face of the building opposite presented a twisted and palsied image of an endless beige tower, like the one Jack climbed up, and Danny knew it was his own heart he was seeing” (127).  Similarly, the ocean seems to speak to Danny, saying, “Whether it’s you or white people here, it’s all the same to me … I’ll go on shining just like this” (128). Danny’s city surroundings seem to be speaking directly to him and providing him with council about his decision.  These instances are reminders that despite the overwhelming situation Danny finds himself in, the city itself is not changing.

 

The physical makeup of the city contributes to Danny’s decisions as well.  As he is making his way closer and closer to Prakash and the Clinic, Danny begins to second-guess himself.  He describes the Coca-Cola billboard that stood in a city intersection as, “a referee between Kings Cross, the red-light district, and the road that led to St. Vincent’s Hospital where she [Sonja] was working” (129).  As he is confronted with this choice, Danny says, “‘Decision!’ Throwing its mouth wide open, the road demanded: And make that decision now” (129).  In this instance, the city roads are speaking directly to him, and convincing him to make a decision.  Although this is not the ultimate decision that will determine his fate, it is symbolic of the ways in which the city is physically guiding Danny towards this final decision.

 

         Immediately following his escape from Prakash, the city’s symbolism again takes precedence.  As he runs from Prakash, Danny is confronted with city signage that reads, “STEP BACK DANGER” and, “STOP” (160).  These signs serve as the city’s warnings to Danny, who has just encountered a dangerous situation, and is on the run.  They do not necessarily advise Danny on what to do, but undoubtedly speak to him and his situation. 

 

         As the pace of the novel picks up in the second half, there are evident signs that the city seems to be bestowing on Danny - through all of its mediums.  Although they are each different in nature and vague to the everyday observer, it is clear that Danny’s setting has influence and sway over his fate and ultimate choice.