MORTALITY AS NARRATIVE DEVICE IN ANEES SALIM’S THE SMALL TOWN SEA

Abstract

Anees Salim’s The Small Town Sea portrays the emotional journey of a thirteen-year-old boy as he copes with the loss of his loved ones. The theme of mortality, a universal human concern, is a recurring element in many historical, political, and social narratives. In this novel, death is not confined to a single character but encompasses multiple losses, extending even to animals. Salim intricately weaves mortality into the social, philosophical, and contextual fabric of the narrative, offering a multidimensional exploration of death and its repercussions. This paper examines the literary representation of mortality in The Small Town Sea, analyzing how Salim presents death in various forms—from illness to sudden tragedy. The study also considers the moral and social undertones that emerge from these portrayals, emphasizing the enduring psychological and emotional impact on the surviving characters.