Friendship Theme Analysis

Shankar and Jayanto’s relationship is central to the plot of “Fritz,” which illustrates the critical role that friendship plays in working through difficult memories and emotions. Shankar and Jayanto have known each other since childhood, and despite having pursued different career paths (one is a teacher, and the other works for a newspaper), the two remain close friends. The intimacy of their bond is illustrated throughout the story, mostly through Shankar’s many acts of generosity and compassion (for example, coming to Bundi with Jayanto in the first place, listening to Jayanto’s stories about his childhood, and patiently comforting Jayanto through his depression and anxiety). Though the plot arguably centers around Jayanto’s process of unearthing childhood memories (specifically those pertaining to the loss of his favorite doll, Fritz), the story is told from Shankar’s point of view. And the fact that Jayanto’s memories are recounted from the perspective of a good friend, and not that of a detached observer, suggests that true friendship forms the necessary context within which Jayanto can confront his painful past: in the end, it is thanks to Shankar’s dedication to his friend that they unearth the spot where Fritz had been buried. In this light, the fact that Fritz’s identity remains mysterious at the end of the story matters less than Shankar’s role in helping his friend face his fears.

Yet the fact that the two are friends and not merely strangers or acquaintances is more than a central thematic element of the story; it is also crucial for the formal and aesthetic development of the plot as it defines how the story is actually told. The nature of Shankar and Jayanto’s friendship is part of the reason that Satyajit Ray is able to so effectively draw the reader into the storyline: by encouraging the reader to identity with Shankar’s perspective—not only as a narrator but also as Jayanto’s close friend—Ray ignites the reader’s compassion for Jayanto. In this way, friendship becomes the filter through which the reader experiences Jayanto’s story.