THE AGONY OF CHOICE: UNPACKING DANNY'S PSYCHOLOGICAL
TURMOIL IN ARAVIND ADIGA'S AMNESTY
S. Jayamohan
Research Scholar (Part-Time)
Department of English
Government Arts College (A), Salem-7
&
Dr. S.
Shanmugam,
Assistant Professor,
Department of
English,
Government Arts
College (A), Salem-7
Abstract:
Aravind Adiga's Amnesty presents a riveting exploration
of the immigrant experience through the narrative of Danny, a Sri Lankan
national living undocumented in Sydney, Australia. This research paper examines
how the novel probes the psychological complexities of individuals residing in
a state of legal and social precariousness, perpetually navigating fear, guilt,
and moral ambiguity. Furthermore, it investigates how Danny's identity and
actions are influenced by the spectre of deportation, the weight of ethical
dilemmas, and the imperative of survival, all of which are intertwined with his
intricate psychological predicament. The paper highlights how Danny's fear is
intensified by his awareness of the potentially deleterious consequences of his
silence, illustrating the interplay between cognitive dissonance and moral
obligation in inducing psychological distress among individuals confronting
similar challenges.
The novel underscores the universal human quest for
security and belonging, as well as how these needs are shaped by, and respond
to, the inhospitable environments in which they exist. This analysis also
delves into the novel's portrayal of the human toll of living in the shadows,
emphasizing the severe emotional and psychological repercussions of continually
balancing survival and morality. By examining the intersections of
psychological strain, moral complexity, and the immigrant experience, this
paper provides a nuanced understanding of the far-reaching implications of
Amnesty's narrative.
Keywords:Psychological, Identity, Security, Fear,
Survival, Morality
Aravind Adiga's novel,
Amnesty, offers a profound socio-psychological examination of the immigrant
experience, told through the perspective of Danny, an undocumented Sri Lankan
living in Sydney, Australia. The narrative delves into the psychological
anguish of individuals trapped in a state of legal and social uncertainty,
perpetually oscillating between fear, guilt, and moral ambiguity. Adiga
masterfully explores how the specter of deportation, ethical conundrums, and
the instinct to survive collectively shape an immigrant's sense of identity and
inform their actions. Through Danny's tortured inner world, the novel lays bare
the psychological toll of living in a society that views him as an outsider,
underscoring the universal human quest for security, belonging, and moral
coherence in hostile environments.
A socio-psychological
analysis of Danny's character reveals the intricate dynamics of fear, guilt,
and survival that shape his actions. By applying psychological frameworks such
as Freud's Anxiety Theory, Festinger's Cognitive Dissonance, Janoff-Bulman's
Moral Responsibility Theory, and Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, we can gain a
deeper understanding of Danny's psychological turmoil. These theories provide
valuable insights into how Danny's undocumented status and precarious
circumstances impact his experiences, decisions, and emotional struggles
throughout the novel.
Fear is a pervasive and
insidious presence in Danny's life, manifesting in both explicit and implicit
ways. As an undocumented immigrant, Danny exists in a state of perpetual
anxiety, haunted by the looming threat of deportation. This fear exerts a
profound influence on his daily existence, informing his decisions and coloring
his interactions with others. Adiga poignantly captures the essence of Danny's
fear, observing that "he lived in dread of the unexpected knock, the
sudden swoop, the unmarked van waiting to spirit him away" (Adiga 45).
This relentless fear underscores the precarious nature of Danny's existence in
Australia, where his lack of legal status renders him vulnerable to the
capricious whims of immigration authorities.
Danny's fear is a
debilitating force that permeates both his physical and psychological
well-being. The constant threat of discovery and deportation hangs over him
like a specter, inducing a state of heightened paranoia. As noted by
psychological theorists, "Fear, particularly in the context of
immigration, can trigger intense anxiety and paranoia, significantly impacting
an individual's mental health and decision-making processes" (Chakrabarti
112). Danny's internal struggle with this anxiety is palpable as he grapples
with the decision to report a crime, despite the risk of exposing his
undocumented status. Ultimately, his anxiety proves paralyzing, rendering him
unable to take any action that might jeopardize his precarious situation.
Sigmund Freud's Theory of
Anxiety offers a valuable lens through which to examine the concept of dread in
Danny's experience. Freud posits that anxiety is a natural response to
perceived threats, whether they be physical, emotional, or existential. For
Danny, the persistent threat of deportation serves as a catalyst for his dread,
evoking feelings of insecurity and identity loss. His undocumented status
precipitates a state of chronic unease, akin to Freud's notion of
"free-floating anxiety," where a pervasive sense of danger lacks a
specific focus or direction (Freud 9).
Rollo May's Existential
Anxiety Theory provides a valuable framework for understanding Danny's
distress. According to May, existential anxiety arises from an individual's
confrontation with the harsh realities of life, such as the threat of non-being
or the loss of meaning (May 95). Danny's fear of deportation and the potential
loss of his life in Australia triggers this type of anxiety, as his very
existence in the country is under threat. This analysis highlights how Danny's
fear influences his decision-making, illustrating how existential anxiety can
lead individuals to prioritize self-preservation over other considerations.
Moreover, Danny's narrative is also marked by a pervasive sense of guilt. This
guilt stems from his knowledge of a murder committed by another immigrant,
Prakash, and his moral dilemma about whether to report it. Danny's guilt is
intensified by the notion that his silence may implicate him in the crime.
Adiga vividly captures this internal conflict, noting that "Danny knew the
right thing to do was to go to the police, but the thought of doing so made him
feel like he was signing his own death warrant" (Adiga 89).
The psychological burden of
guilt is often intertwined with fear, particularly when an individual's life is
at risk. As social psychologist Janoff-Bulman observes, "Guilt can evoke a
profound sense of moral responsibility, but it can also be debilitating when
coupled with fear of the consequences" (Janoff-Bulman 53). Danny's guilt
is not merely a moral obligation; it also reflects his internal struggle
between self-preservation and doing the right thing. His remorse is heightened
by the awareness that his silence could lead to further harm, yet his fear of
deportation prevents him from taking decisive action. Danny's guilt can be
examined through the lens of Leon Festinger's Cognitive Dissonance Theory,
which posits that individuals experience psychological discomfort when holding
two conflicting beliefs or values (Festinger 9). Danny's guilt stems from the
discord between his moral obligation to report the crime and his desire for
self-preservation. This dissonance causes significant distress, as he is torn
between moral responsibility and the need to survive.
Janoff-Bulman's Theory of
Moral Responsibility further highlights the role of guilt in reinforcing moral
behaviour (Janoff-Bulman 19). Danny's guilt reflects his internal struggle to
reconcile his moral principles with the pragmatic necessity of survival as an
undocumented immigrant. The analysis notes that his guilt intensifies as he
acknowledges the potential consequences of his silence, demonstrating the
interplay between cognitive dissonance and moral responsibility in creating
psychological tension. Survival is Danny's primary motivation in Amnesty. As an
unauthorized immigrant, his overriding goal is to evade detection and remain in
Australia, even if it means living in perpetual fear and shame. Adiga portrays
Danny's survival instinct as a double-edged sword, both empowering and morally
compromising. "Danny's survival depended on his ability to remain
invisible, but this invisibility came at a steep cost" (Adiga 133).
The concept of survival
among immigrants is often linked to the sacrifices and compromises required to
navigate precarious situations. Sociologist Portes observes that
"immigrants' survival often involves a delicate balance between
maintaining moral integrity and making concessions to the harsh realities of
their situation" (Portes 29). Danny's internal conflict over reporting Prakash
exemplifies his struggle to find this balance. While his safety relies on
avoiding detection, his conscience is troubled by the knowledge that his
silence could have disastrous consequences. Danny's dilemma in Amnesty reflects
the broader socio-psychological challenges faced by unauthorized immigrants.
His fear, guilt, and survival instincts are in constant conflict, creating a
complex psychological landscape that Adigaskilfully portrays. Danny's story
serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of living in the shadows, where
survival often takes precedence over moral and psychological well-being.
Danny's actions are driven
by a fundamental need for survival, aligning with Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of
Needs. Maslow's theory posits that human behaviour is motivated by a
hierarchical structure of needs, ranging from basic physiological requirements
to safety, love, esteem, and self-actualization (Maslow 370). Danny's
unauthorized status renders his safety precarious, prompting him to prioritize
this need above others, including moral responsibility and social connections.
This illustrates the primacy of fundamental needs over higher-order values.
Maslow's hierarchy also explains Danny's willingness to compromise his moral
integrity for survival. The theory suggests that individuals are motivated to
fulfil their basic needs before pursuing higher-level goals, such as moral
satisfaction or self-actualization. Danny's survival instinct is portrayed as
both strength and a moral compromise,
Aravind Adiga's nuanced depiction
of Danny's multifaceted psychological struggle provokes readers to reexamine
their assumptions about identity, morality, and the immigrant experience,
laying bare essential truths about the human condition. Through Danny's
narrative, Adiga masterfully illuminates the fundamental human quest for
security and belonging, demonstrating how these intrinsic needs are both shaped
by and respond to adverse circumstances.
Works Cited
Adiga, Aravind. Amnesty.
Scribner, 2020.
Chakrabarti, Ananya.
"The Paranoia of Fear: Psychological Impacts on Undocumented
Immigrants." Journal of Immigrant
Psychology, vol. 7, no. 2, 2018, pp. 110-128.
Janoff-Bulman, Ronnie.
Shattered Assumptions: Toward a New Psychology of Trauma. Free Press, 1992.
Portes, Alejandro. Immigrant
America: A Portrait. University of California Press, 2008.
Festinger, Leon. A
Theory of Cognitive Dissonance. Stanford University Press, 1957.
Freud, Sigmund. Inhibitions,
Symptoms, and Anxiety. Norton, 1926.
Maslow, Abraham H. "A
Theory of Human Motivation." Psychological Review, vol. 50, no. 4, 1943,
pp. 370-396.
May, Rollo. The Meaning
of Anxiety. Ronald Press, 1950.