The novel Reef by Romesh Gunesekera

The novel Reef by Romesh Gunesekera is about a lad named Triton. The novel marks his coming of age. As the novel progress young Triton grows from a boy to a man.” Triton at the age of eleven” and “I told him I had a business nearby a restaurant”(Gunesekera1) ,this show that he had grown up from a lad to man. Triton experiences a number of events that his coming of age. In my essay I will explore these events of an insider and outsider.

In my first paragraph I will be talking about the relationship of Mister Salgado and Nili. Mister Salgado and Nili’s relationship went across or broke boundaries at the social context, because they were from different religion which was unaccepted at that time. Nili was a Christian it is indicated when she says” a Christmas party” this indicate that she is a Christian because it is only Christians who celebrate Christmas. Mister Salgado is a Buddhist. When the fell in love mister Salgado becomes more relaxed and calm he even forgets about the Carol Reef project. The moving in of Nili in the house brought joy and happiness even in Mister Slagado’s life. Their relationship in some way involved Triton, because now Nili and Triton were getting along. That is why Triton felt like they were a family. However later on mister Salgado and Nili’s separate, because mister Salgado suspects that Nili is cheating on him with Robert. This is in context with the country been colonized by the Americans. This follows their intense quarrel, were mister Salgado is subjected to Nili’s whispering swearing when they were coming back from the party. This period is similar to the political turmoil which surrounds them. It indicates a spoilt paradise. Where people of different religion do not see eye to eye, due to a fail...

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...a is educated that is why he says “Stupid Kolla”(Gunesekera154) he wished that he too should have went to school so that he could be not side lined.

In my conclusion I would say Triton’s coming of age traces the road he has travelled. Coming into mister Salgado’s household as a naïve, fearful boy. Later leaving as a knowing skilled cook. Triton sets out to uplift himself both socially and politically. He realizes that exile marks a beginning for him to realize his dreams. He is now aware that a school certificate set him apart from the minorities. It distinguish a boy from a man, a servant from an intellect with all of these realizations in mind. He embarks on a journey , he needs more to empower himself. When mister Salgado returns to Sri lanka, he is left alone it is then he finally lives the life he has dreamt of. He becomes the best chef and owns a restaurant.