Comment on the appropriateness of the title of the story a face in the dark. Give reasons to justify your answer.
Answers
Answer:- The story is a strange tale as suggested by its title. Mr oliver who is the main character in the story, was going back to his school at night. On the way he saw a boy sitting on a rock, with his head hung down and holding his face in his hands and crying. Oliver tried to enquire from him the reason for being in the forest at night and crying. The boy at first, did not reply, but then acceded to Oliver's request and look up. As the light from Oliver's torch fell on his face, Oliver was horrified to see that he did not have a face- no eyes, ears, nose and mouth. Calling for help, he ran from there and bumps into a watchman, whom he tells about the faceless boy. The watchman brings the lantern to his face and asks Oliver if the boy was like him, without a face. Thus, the boy and the watchman appeared to be have a "face" in the dark, did not have a face when seen in light. Hence, the title- "a face in the dark" is quite apt, as makes the readers ponder upon the mysteries of human existence and possibility of another layer of life outside our material world.
Answer:
Ruskin Bond's short story “A Face in the Dark” is a horror story that deals with humanity's collective imagination with the dark and the paranormal. Oliver's imagination or even a prank played by the students.In the short story “A Face in the Dark”, he has used all the elements of a horror story — fear, surprise, suspense and mystery to explore humanity's collective fascination with the dark. ... It is, indeed, all about creating the perfect setting and atmosphere for a supernatural story that makes it a masterpiece.Thus, the boy and the watchman appeared to be have a "face" in the dark, did not have a face when seen in light. Hence, the title- "a face in the dark" is quite apt, as makes the readers ponder upon the mysteries of human existence and possibility of another layer of life outside our material world.