A Face in the Dark Summary

The short tale "A Face in the Dark" by Ruskin Bond, first released in 2004, is very condensed and straightforward in terms of both the language used and the narrative. However, by adding a supernatural element, the author has transformed a straightforward storyline and commonplace location into something exceptional. The haunting noises of the pine trees, the torch's dying batteries, the flickering light, the sound of muted crying, the lantern dangling in the centre of the walkway, and other components all contribute to the spooky, uncanny atmosphere. These items all help us be prepared for strange or paranormal occurrences.

The novel turns out to be highly engaging and thought-provoking, even though it starts with the recital of commonplace everyday events. When Oliver realises that the youngster and the watchman lack any facial features other than their eyes, ears, noses, and mouths, the narrative comes to a dramatic conclusion. The author's simple message and intent most interest us at this point. Is it simply another scary tale, or does it also have a deeper message that has to do with how people think psychologically? Post-modern literature has a puzzle as one of its defining elements.

Various interpretations of the narrative are possible. He could have been preoccupied with the darkness subconsciously in a way that was common to everyone. And as a result of a brief thrill, he found it difficult to specifically define people's unique personalities.

The possibility that Mr Oliver became weary of raising the youngsters over time and that each student's uniqueness merged with others is another viable explanation. Moreover, the similarity in every person is now haunting him.

Once again, it could be alluding to Mr Oliver's loneliness-related psychiatric illness. Since he's single, he spends a lot of time alone himself. There is considerable validity to this view as well. But judging by the Story's title, "A Face in the Dark," it's possible that the phrase also refers to how a face in the dark is always blurry. When we don't take the time to get to know someone better, metaphorically speaking, we find everyone to be the same.

About the Author

Indian novelist Ruskin Bond is of British ancestry. He was born in Kasauli, Punjab State Agency, British India, on May 19, 1934. His father served in the Royal Air Force from 1939 to 1944. Bond was raised in Shimla, Gujarat, and Jamnagar. He moved to live with his grandma in Dehradun when he was ten.

He attended Bishop Cotton School in Shimla, where he completed his education and graduated in 1950 as a result of his success in the school's literary contests. He authored one of his short tales, Untouchables, in 1961 when he was only 16 years old. In 1951, after finishing high school, he spent two years living with his aunt in the UK.

In London, he began work on his first book, The Room on the Roof, which told the tale of Rusty, an orphaned Anglo-Indian youngster. The John Llewellyn Rhys Award was given to it. While looking for a publisher, he relocated to London and worked at a picture studio. He went back to Bombay after it was published and made himself at home in Dehradun. He made a living by penning poetry and short tales for publications like newspapers.

Characters of the Story

Mr Oliver

In a school three miles outside Shimla, Mr Oliver was a harsh and severe Anglo-Indian teacher. He lived alone on the school grounds as a single man. He had a calm demeanour and, as shown by the strange and lonesome routes he often took, was also creative. In ghosts or spirits, he had no faith. On the other hand, he was also kind; when he saw the youngster crying, he could not ignore the scene. He displayed his soft side and generosity by asking the boy why he was alone in a remote location when he saw that youngster without a face, though his bravado vanished.

Fear had him by the throat. He might just be using his imagination. The instructor, who had excellent mental balance, stumbled. The climax arrived when the watchman revealed his face, which was the same featureless face since he was so startled that he hurried quickly to flee the situation. There needs to be a conclusive resolution to the narrative. What could have happened to Mr. Oliver is left up to the imagination of the reader. They are free to use their imagination in any way they choose and to make whatever interpretations they desire.

Synopsis of the Story

In the Shadows, a Face on a late night on the fringes of the hill resort Shimla, Mr. Oliver, a teacher whose parents were both from India and Britain, was making his way back to his school. At the school where Mr. Oliver worked, the British Educational System was implemented. Mr Oliver decided to deviate from his course that day when it was already dark in the evening and considered taking a shortcut via the pine forest. People used to stay away from it because to the unusual and terrible sounds the pine trees produced when it was windy and rainy, but Mr. Oliver was a strong guy and decided to go through it to save time. He was familiar with the region and often carried a light.

He was returning through the pine forest when he caught a distant glimpse of a boy's shape. As far as he could determine, it was perched alone on a rock. The child was too far away from Mr. Oliver for him to identify him. The fact that the child had left the school's premises at such an unexpected time of day confused and alarmed him as well. Mr. Oliver saw the child's covered face and constant wailing as he approached him. Mr Oliver had a feeling that something was perhaps awry. He attempted to question the kid, but the youngster continued to cry and didn't stop, constantly covering his face. Mr Oliver repeatedly questioned the youngster because he was concerned about him.

The boy eventually lifted his head when he saw that Mr. Oliver's lamp had slipped from his hand. He saw a face that lacked any mouth, ears, or eyes. It was entirely a ghostly figure. There was simply the head with the school hat on it.

Mr. Oliver called out for help in the dark after witnessing this awful incident. When he approached the school in quest of help, he saw a lantern hanging there. In the middle of the path, he saw the light. He also saw a watchman posted near to the school's main entrance. When Mr. Oliver came up to him, he told him what he had seen in the darkness. According to him, a little child without a face was there during a terrifying encounter. In response, the watchman turned to face the teacher and questioned, "Do you mean it was like this"? Mr. Oliver was astounded to see that the watchman had no face or brows. He was much more terrified as a consequence, and the light was also put out by the wind.

Theme of the Story

The characters in Ruskin Bond's tales are just as vivid as people, including ghosts, witches, and monsters. His tales are meant to evoke a sense of unease, which is why both adults and children like reading them. One of James Bond's most well-known tales is this one. It is too brief and has supernatural elements, yet it is full. There are three characters: Mr Oliver, an Anglo-Indian teacher, a youngster, and a watchman. But the protagonist is Mr Oliver, a fearless and heroic guy who is likewise seduced by his imagination and sees the cap lying on the rock as the faceless youngster.

He then envisions a watchman without a face again, similar to the youngster. Bond masterfully employs terror, suspense, horror, thrill, mystery, and surprise elements. It shows a beautiful scene of the hills at dusk that dispels a person's loneliness. The reader is left perplexed and in suspense as to what may have happened to Mr Oliver at the conclusion of the novel.

Message of the Story

The author of the short tale "A Face in the Dark" successfully evokes a sense of mystery, strangeness, and surrealism. However, the writer's creative talent makes the otherworldly seem normal. A pine forest outside of Shimla is where the narrative is situated. Mr. Oliver, an Anglo-Indian teacher, takes a chance by returning to the school after spending the evening at Simla Bazaar. He is holding a torch. He encounters a child who is sobbing and lifting what seems to be his face but is just a flat object without eyes, a nose, or a mouth as he makes his way up the winding woodland path.

He becomes alarmed, and the torch slips from his grasp. He does a U-turn and heads towards the school building. He begs for aid. He stumbles towards the watchman while struggling for air. He reports to the watchman that he has seen a youngster sobbing in the woods without a face. He lacks all characteristics, including eyes, ears, and ears. When he realises the watchman has no eyes, ears, or other facial characteristics, not even an eyebrow, he is overcome with panic. Due to everything, the environment is supernatural.

The phrases "sad, eerie sounds," "shook convulsively," and "reached with silent sobbing" are added to create a mysterious and paranormal atmosphere.