Themes and message

The main themes explored in the story “Paradise” by Matthew Kneale are cultural differences and the search for a better life (for paradise). These themes are explored through motifs like poverty and tourism. The author’s message with the story is that people from different cultures have different perspectives on what the ideal life is. For the poor, it is having access to basic necessities such as healthcare, education, and food. For the rich, it is being able to return to nature and leave behind a materialistic culture. The story is critical of Westerners’ biased view on people in poorer countries. Because they have always lived in comfort, Westerners often cannot understand how it is not to have access to basic necessities.

Cultural differences

The theme of cultural differences is explored through the setting and characters. The story follows an English travel guidebook writer on a visit to a Nepalese village. Neville represents Western culture and views, although he believes that he rejects them. In the story, Neville’s perspective on Western culture is critical. He believes Westerners are greedy, materialistic, violent, and self-concerned: “Where people wallowed in their greed. Where teenagers goaded and attacked old people for pleasure. Where children were not safe from molesters. Where wives left their husbands without warning and conscience.” (ll. 40-43)

However, although he rejects Western culture, he also acts as a Westerner without realising it. First, he realises that he has ideas that suggest he views himself as superior (ll. 91-93) – he considers the local people to be innocent like children. Furthermore, he is unable to see people’s poverty and to understand their difficult position when their situation is explained to him. He can’t understand that,...