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Paranoia: Creator of Mental Instability and Isolation. When Daru, a French
schoolteacher, is forced to take in an Arab accused of ...
Submitted by mtarquin on May 15, 2005
Category: English
Words: 794 | Pages: 4
Views: 232
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When Daru, a French schoolteacher, is forced to take in an Arab accused of murder, his mind suffers from paranoiac delusions. Daru's doubts about the mental soundness of the Arab leave him feeling abnormally isolated and persecuted by unknown enemies. In "The Teacher" by Arnold Shiller, paranoia forms a self-imposed isolation and creates mental instability.
Living in an isolated region of a French colony, possibly Algeria, Daru does not feel alone. As a schoolteacher, his current state of solitude is created by a snowstorm, a force of nature he cannot control. Daru is aware of the people suffering from the snowstorm, such as his students, and constantly mulls over their situation to entertain himself. Though Daru lives in a remote schoolhouse, this harsh region is home to him because "Everywhere else, he felt exiled" (54). Though physically removed from people, Daru is mentally close and awaiting their return after the snowstorm ends. He cannot be isolated because humanity still envelops his home.
Daru's paranoia emerges when his friend Balducci brings an Arab accused of murder to his schoolhouse. Daru immediately notices the unpleasant aspects of the Arab, such as his huge lips, feverish eyes, and rebellious look, but he still unties the hands of the Arab with some compassion. When Balducci announces that Daru must deliver the Arab to Tinguit, Daru is surprised and reluctant to do so because it violates his principles. But Balducci's paranoia begins to infect Daru, and when Daru asks "'Is he against us?'", Balducci replies with "'I don't think so. But you can never be sure'" (56). Daru suddenly feels wrathful towards the Arab and all men for their spite, hates, and lusts, isolating himself from others through this new hatred. Thus, Daru silently accepts the pistol that Balducci hands over to him, realizing that it could be of use in the future, possibly for murder. Daru's flash of wrath passes quickly, though, and he stands fast on his resolution...
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