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.