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Literary Devices
Chapter 2: Pappachi’s Moth
Explanation and Analysis—A Skyblue Day:
To begin Chapter 2, the novel harkens back to 1969, demonstrating the flashback technique used throughout the story:
… it was a skyblue day in December sixty-nine (the nineteen silent). It was the kind of time in the life of a family when something happens to nudge its hidden morality from its resting place and make it bubble to the surface and float for a while. In clear view. For everyone to see.
With the intention of revealing, piece by piece, what happened to Rahel and Estha as children in December 1969, the novel weaves flashbacks throughout the story. The author easily transports the reader from one time period to the other using sometimes clear delineations in weather and maturity of thought. Other times, the delineation is not quite as clear, as Rahel and Estha struggle to come to terms with their trauma and separation so many years ago. Their thoughts as adults are often childlike and detached, which proves how much place—in this case, Ayemenem—influences thought and action.
These flashbacks also allow the story to unfold in a more harrowing manner: both the characters and reader know that tragedy is imminent. The only question that remains is when in the novel itself the tragedy will occur.
