Im Not Scared Research Paper

Words: 772
Pages: 4

Adults in the town are squabbling with one another. The children get bullied from young adults and their own peers. Then a discovery leads to knowledge that a kidnapping has taken place. All in a midst of a severe drought, in a barren, desert-like town. This can describe Italy in the 1970’s, particularly the southern town of Acqua Traverse in Niccolo Ammaniti’s novel, I’m Not Scared. A young, nine-year-old citizen of this petite village is named, Michele. Michele’s world is extremely harsh. His small group of friends force each other to do risky forfeits. The grim reality does not stop there. The adults also argue a lot and have a dark secret. They are the masterminds behind the kidnapping. Their victim, also nine-year-old, Fillipo, who is hidden in a hole in the earth, has limited food, drink, and lacks much ability to move. Despite his heartless and violent neighborhood, Michele is very caring and compassionate. He shows this …show more content…
When he arrived at her he comforts her and, “[U]nlaced her trainer and took it off carefully. As a doctor would have done” (5). Michele decided to lose and take the forfeit in his little sister’s best interest. Another example where Michele shows his caring skills learned from his mother is when he stood up for Barbra, the only girl in the group of children. Barbra had just lost a race and was forced to do an inappropriate forfeit, in which she did not feel comfortable with. Michele stood up for her and offered to take her place. Finally, not only is Michele compassionate towards people, he is also compassionate toward four-legged creatures as well. He once helped gently clear a helpless dog ridden with ticks. These are just a few of the many examples where Michele supplies his kind ways with the town. Michele’s family should be proud of his good deeds in a society faced with