Metaphor for Systemic Corruption
Sailor’s Skeleton and, later on, his clay-coated serene countenanced skull are more than just the remains of a victim of state sponsored violence. His charred skeleton as well as the reconstructed forensics model is a heavy-handed metaphor for the systemic corruption in the Sri Lankan government: violent and willing to use whatever draconian methods necessary to suppress the populace while trying to maintain a curated veneer of order and civility.
Metaphor for Willful Ignorance
Religious Effigies, regardless of culture or faith being represented; regardless of the material they are made from all have similar traits: they are all deaf, blind, and dumb. These characteristics make them a perfect metaphor for people who do not stand up against the horrors of war; a significant number within both the Sri Lankan populace and members of the international community apparently. Like the statues, they merely exist. They just quietly, stoically endure the atrocities happening around them, or worse, turn a blind eye towards the plight of the suffering, hoping it would just go away.
Metaphor for Defeat
Ananda’s alcoholism is a metaphor for defeat. Prior to the violence he was a talented artist, skilled both in sculpting and painting. In fact he is celebrated as a ceremonial painter of eyes on statues; a cultural practice done by the Sri Lankans which they believe imbues the effigy with a form of “life.” He now spends his days in a near constant drunken stupor, depressed from the abduction and consequent disappearance of his wife, an outspoken woman who was highly critical of the government and another victim of state-sponsored cruelty as a result.
Metaphor for Failure
The Sri Lankan Civil War above all else is a metaphor for failure on many levels. It represents a failure to come together as a people and as a nation to push for the common goal of progress and development. It is a failure of humanity to give the respect that everyone deserves. It is a failure to exhaust all means to try to understand each other’s differences and a failure to find a peaceable middle ground on which to live in.
Metaphor for Hope
Initially Sarath’s allegiance was uncertain and Anil regarded him with great suspicion as he might endanger her and ruin her efforts to discover Sailor’s identity. In a surprising twist however he sacrifices himself to secure Sailor’s skeleton and smuggle it and Anil out of Sri Lanka. His “martyrdom” proves that there are still individuals in Sri Lanka willing to sacrifice everything for the cause of justice and to fight oppression no matter the cost. In so doing he becomes a metaphor for hope as history has proven time and again that an individual can become instrumental in turning the tide against tyranny.
