Analysis

Here, you can find a short presentation of the main elements of our analysis of “Do Not Pass Go” by Jeffrey Archer.

The short story is structured around a single-event plot: an Iraqi refugee is almost caught by the Iraqi authorities because the plane he takes from Turkey to New York has a malfunction and needs to land in Baghdad. The structure of the story includes narrative elements like foreshadowing and backstory.

The most important character in the short story is Hamid, the protagonist. Apart from Hamid, we will also analyse the American Captain, as he is important for the development of the story.

The actions take place in three countries, the US, Turkey, and Iraq, most probably during the '90s. The social setting presents aspects related to modern contemporary societies, focusing on immigration and asylum, entrepreneurship, cultural differences, and politics.

The narration is explicit as the storyteller tells readers what happens in a very detailed and descriptive way. The only part of the story when the narration is more implicit is when the narrator does not disclose the American captain’s plan.

The language is simple, common English. Although the narrative is detailed and descriptive, the author only uses a limited number of figures of speech and prefers to convey the events using everyday, casual language.

Read the entire analysis of “Do Not Pass Go” by Jeffrey Archer in the next pages of this study guide!