Affirmation of Human Spirit through Juxtaposition of Opposites in Richard Flanagan's The Narrow Road to the Deep North

The writer in the paper analyses the theme and technique of Flanagan's novel The Narrow Road to the Deep North. The novelist has juxtaposed many opposite elements to bring home his fundamental themes of war, evil, violence, suffering, inevitability of death and hope for the future. He juxtaposes life and death, evil and good, war and peace, adulterous and married life and determinism and free will to highlight the predicament of man in this world. In unambiguous terms he affirms his firm faith in enduring human spirit in all adverse circumstances. For maintaining interest and suspense, and rendering severe intensity of emotions in his narrative he makes use of all technical devices like point of view technique, plot construction, symbolism and imagery.