Michael Ondaatje has set his novel, In The Skin Of The Lion, using darkness against the night as an important theme. Darkness has become the source of enlightenment for most of the vital characters of the novel who were not deluded by the obscurity of night, but use it to motivate themselves physically and emotionally. Literal darkness enabled them to remove their figurative darkness. Characters like Alice, Patrick, Harris, Nicholas and Caravaggio are developed and revealed in darkness which is ironic.
Patrick Lewis, Commissioner Rowland Harris, Caravaggio, Nicholas Temelcoff and Alice found the true nature of their characters acting against the pit of darkness. They felt comfortable and fully assured of their surroundings at night.
Nicholas Temelcoff was a ?dare devil? who worked quite outrageously and courageously at night and felt equally comfortable and peaceful in darkness (34). He is described in his night work, ?swinging up, holding a flare, free-falling like a dead star? (35). He never slowed down his work or being distracted by the murkiness of night. His motives were never weakened at that time, and were always seen reflecting full strength after the dusk. Temelcoff also used to go to Ohrida Lake Restaurant and enjoyed sitting in the darkness of the room as if he had enough light (35). Darkness helped in soothing his soul and relaxing his tired body.
Caravaggio, who was a professional thief and bore an entirely different personali
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