I'M Not Scared Essay

Topic: 'I'm not scared,' is a rites of passage novel which charts Michele's journey from innocence into a maturity beyond his years.

Niccolo Ammaniti's 'I'm not scared,' charts the life of a young boy named Michele Amitrano who has to deal with issues that are not a common occurrence of a 9yr old boy. Throughout the story we witness Michele's journey from childhood innocence into a maturity beyond his years. This is evident firstly through Michele's ability to stand up to his fears in order to support what he believes in. Secondly through Michele's realisation that the adult world is not as innocent as he first thought and the realisation that adults, in particular his father are capable of cruel violence. And finally through Michele's experiences with the fragility and virtue of trust. Throughout the story Michele is capable of standing up to his fears in order to support what he believes in.

Throughout 'I'm not scared,' Michele has to face many fears, both childish and real in order to support what he believes is right. One real fear that Michele had to face was standing up to Skull the leader of his group when he considered the forfeit given to Barbara to be unnecessary and harsh. When Michele stands up to Skull it is the first real time that he has had the guts to do so and this event gives Michele the confidence to face other fears later in the story. Another real fear that Michele has to face is being responsible for Fillipo's death if he is caught visiting him again. Michele's moral judgement tells him that he needs to keep the promise to Fillipo and visit him even though the fear of his father and his words are in the back of his mind. 'If you go back there I'll give you the thrashing of your life. If you go back there again those people will shoot him in the head.....And it'll be your fault.' Michele also has to face many childish fears such as not wanting to ride through the night because of the fear of being eaten by monsters.' I'm not scared of anything, I whispered to myself, but my legs were wobbly and a voice in my brain said not to go.' At the end of the novel in order to save Fillipo, Michele has to face the fears of falling to death in the gravina and the fear of meeting his father at the hole. The evolution of Michele from a little boy at the start of the story who was scared of riding at night because of monsters to a boy who risks his life at the end shows that Michele as a character matures throughout the story. At the start of 'I'm not scared,' Michele has full trust in all adults which is expected from an innocent child.

As 'I'm not scared,' progresses we begin to see a realisation within Michele that the adults of Acqua Traverse, particularly his father are not as trustworthy and innocent as he previously believed. When Sergio arrives, Michele discovers his father's involvement in the whole kidnapping plot. This event shows Michele that the adult world is not as nice and innocent as he initially thought. Michele also realises that the adults and in particular his father are capable of severe violence.' Papa made the scissors sign with his fingers.'Two ears we'll cut off. Two.' When Michele learns that adults are capable of violence it changes his whole perspective on the world. Michele losses the childhood innocence of believing that

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