Arsat is the
hero of the story, although a case could be made for his brother. His brother helps Arsat take the woman he loves, and he sacrifices himself to protect the couple.
What is the role of the white man in the lagoon?
So, the role of the white man is one of illumination:
he represents colonial attitudes toward natives and all the prejudices inherent in the western psyche toward the colonial world
. The white man also highlights colonial insensitivity toward typically Malay attitudes and beliefs.
Who is the white man in the lagoon?
The white man, affectionately called
Tuan
, is non-judgmental (meaning ”passing no moral judgment”) toward his friend’s story. Diamelen, though a smaller role, is important because much of the story reflects on her rescue, of which Arsat’s brave, strong, and proud brother was a part.
What is the theme of the story lagoon?
The story deals with themes of
love, in Arsat’s infatuation with Diamelen
; loyalty, in the actions of Arsat’s brother risking his life to help Arsat; betrayal, when Arsat chooses to run away with Diamelen rather than stay and attempt to save his brother; and remorse, in Arsat feeling guilty over his brother’s death and …
Who is Tuan in the lagoon?
The story is about a white man, referred to as “Tuan” (
the equivalent of “Lord” or “Sir”
), who is travelling through an Indonesian rainforest and is forced to stop for the night with a distant Malay friend named Arsat. Upon arriving, he finds Arsat distraught, for his lover is dying.
What does the lagoon symbolize?
The lagoon is
a symbol of darkness and of the depth that lies beyond the surface
, like in the story the Malay tells. In the surface a story of love and adventure, but beneath it is a story of great choices and never ending remorse. When Diamelen dies, the sun rises, this represent a new beginning in Arsats life.
What is the point of view of the lagoon?
The point of view from which “The Lagoon” is told is that of
an omniscient third-person narrator
. The characters, including the white man and Arsat, are referred to in the third person, so they are not narrating the tale. In addition, the narration is all-knowing.
How did Arsat’s brother died?
Arsat was to wait near the boat so they could all escape together. The brother used all of the
shots remaining in the gun
, but they were not enough. He was killed, while his brother was within earshot. Yet, Arsat did not look back.
What is Arsat’s purpose in telling the story?
What is Arsat’s purpose in telling his story?
He is torn by the guilt of leaving his brother top run away with Diamelen.
How does the white man feel about Arsat?
He liked the man who knew how to keep faith in council and how to fight without fear by the side of his white friend
. From the text above, we can see the friendship isn’t a deep one; to the English Tuan, Arsat is a valued resource, nothing more.
What does Arsat decide to do by the end of the story?
At the end of the story, Arsat
plans to seek revenge
. The white man Tuan is leaving the lagoon and urges Arsat to come with him, but Arsat refuses. Arsat’s forbidden lover Diamelen has died, and Arsat feels that there is nothing left in the world for him.
Which event causes the rest of the plot of the lagoon to unfold?
Which event causes the rest of the plot of “The Lagoon” to unfold?
The Malay men sleep on the boat.
How did Arsat reach the lagoon?
Arsat came
through the doorway with noiseless steps and squatted down by the fire
. The white man moved his outstretched legs a little.
Why didn’t the men in the boat want to stay at Arsat’s house?
Terms in this set (36) The men on the boat do not come up to Arsat’s cabin. Why?
They believe Arsat is spiritually powerful.
What happens in the lagoon?
Evaporation reduces the liquid volume of wastewater
, returning water vapor to the environment. There is an aerobic zone at the top of the wastewater layer where air movement introduces oxygen and aerobic microorganisms convert waste to: … carbon dioxide.
What causes Arsat to risk?
What causes Arsat to risk? Explanation: In The Lagoon, by Joseph Conrad, we meet Arsat, a man who is desperately in love with Diamelen. Diamelen is a servant to the Rajah’s wife, and
Arsat kidnaps her in order to be with her
. He risks everything in the process, and ends up losing his brother.
