An Individual's Escape From Exploitation

A detailed Summary of An Individual's Escape From Exploitation

Michael Ondaatje's novel, In the Skin of a Lion, depicts

the hardships faced by the working class in the early part of

century. It is a seemingly pro-working class novel that portrays

exploitation and unfairness by the upper class. The novel, then,

be expected to offer some resolution for the working class, but

not. Instead of giving a solution for the class as a whole, the

offers two answers for the individual within the working

Throughout the novel, Ondaatje portrays the exploitation

working class. When they are building the bridge at the

novel, the workers would huddle together, walking "in groups of

four. Many [had] already died during the building of the bridge"

However, while these men were risking their lives for very

Harris, the Commissioner, wears an "expensive tweed coat that

than the combined weeks' salaries of five bridge workers" (43).

example shows the huge gap between the working class and the

In addition, Ondaatje portrays companies as not car

also to be integrated into the community. The local people

Ondaatje, Michael. In the Skin of a Lion. New York: Random

Temelcoff leaves the working class, begins attending school, and

upper class, Ondaatje does not make a single reference to what

During this scene, Patrick is forced to deal with his emotions

Approximate Word count = 937
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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